Seasonal spasms and pain?

[Me967]

Hi this is a first for me here.  I know this sounds crazy but I get back and muscle spasms REALLY bad when the weather gets colder and it last until the weather warms up again.  I have had this issue now ~ 4 years now and it just seems to get worse every year.  

I had an x-ray done last year and it only states degenerative spurring is seen at the L4 level anteriorly.  Everything is was ok.  The aching pain is in the lower back and the spasms/pains are in between my shoulder blades.  I also get muscle spasms throughout my body in my arms and legs.  The back pain is what seems to bother me the most.  It's making  life miserable in the colder months.  

I have hot and cold issues.  In the summer I get lightheaded very easy.  This might be related to thyroid issues though.  I take Diazide/ Maxide Hctz for edema, Lopressor for BP & HR issues and levothyrozine for thyroid issues, low dose asprin for a interatrial septal aneurism.  

I was researching on the Internet and found what is called (SAD) Seasonal Affective Disorder.  The other years I don't feel as if I was depressed though.  This year I am.  Do you "always" know if your depressed though?  LOL  Could this be the problem and I just don't know it?  I'm just realllllly reaching here for anything that could explain why the cool air sends my back into such spasms and pains.  Though I think this is probably way off, I just thought I would throw it out there.  ?????????????????????????

I may just get laughed off of here.  LOL  I know it even sounds crazy to me.  The pains are very bad though and I have to wear a vest or sweater at all times to keep cool air/drafts off my back to help lesson the pains.  Any comments would be greatly appreciated.  Thank you;  Amy

[Me967]

Sorry for bumping this up.  I don't think I'm going to get any other responses on this one so I thought I would post another question to go along with this one.  

I was wondering if there is any cheaper test that could pin point what is causing sooo much pain?   Example:  Blood test or something vs. MRI or similar high dollar test.

My body aches all over and feels like a balloon.  

Thank you; Amy.

[Me967]

Tuck Hi.  
Thank you for the invite into your crazy world.  LOL  It's weird my back can be fine until it hits the cold then the spasms start and lead to many spasms and "then" pain.  So it's sort of opposite for me.

The pains in my lower back can get VERY sore and tight though if I'm on my feet for a while any time during the year but, the winter is absolutely a night mare of pains..  Laying down helps.  Sitting and reclining with the heat and massage turned on feels good but when I go to stand up I am very stiff.  Even if I sit for only 20 minutes.  The first few minutes I walk like a penguin and then the ankles and joints loosen up.  

The pain I get threw out my body are like electric current traveling threw and causing painful spasms everywhere.

Once or twice a year (if I'm lucky-lol) she will give me a script for 20 Zanaflex.  I only take them when I absolutely just can't take the pains any longer and they will give me relief for about 4-6 hours.
As for potassium my levels are within normal range.  hsCRP has always been high though.

In the winter I hunt and in the summer I have a nice size garden that has to be plowed, weeded, etc. and I can alot of my fruits and veggies.  I need to deal with the outdoor elements but the pain is changing my life slowly each year.  I'm  41 years young but feeling like a little old lady.  Grrrr.  Not me.

A Dr. Choi on here recommended having a CK and CPK test done after I posted on his blog for CRP levels.  I might ask my Dr. since it's only a blood test it shouldn't cost as much.  The MRI would probably be a good idea but it is really pricey.

Sorry for making this so long and thank you VERY much for your time.
Now then; am I in your crazy world or did you just enter mine.  LOL

Take care;  Amy  ;-)

[Tuckamore]

Hello Me,

Welcome to the pain management forum. I am very glad you joined us. And on one will laugh you off this community. I am a very strange person and no one has laughed me off....LOL  So you are welcome to join my "crazy" world.

Several thing come to mind regarding your spasms and increased pain in cold months. If you have degenerative changes cold weather will make you hurt more. And when you muscles are tightened with pain they will spasm. Have you tried any muscle relaxants. They can be more effective than pain medications for spasms. So it doesn't sound unrealistic or crazy to me at all. Have you tried a heating pad on low? It helps with my pain. X-rays are not the best diagnostic tool to determine the condition of your spine. MRI's are much more detailed and reliable in viewing the structure of your spine. I would ask for more diagnostic testing.

Additionally I notice you are on a diuretic, it is a potassium sparing on but have you had some labs done to determine if your potassium levels are where they should be? Some of the medications you are on will make you more susceptible to heat, more so sun. This can explain your lightheadedness. Avoid any sun exposure more than a few minutes. If you check your medication bottles they should carry that warning.

So see you are not so "crazy." In my opinion there is a good explanation for your symptoms. Of course I am not a physician. Please keep in touch. I look forward to your next update. We are here to support you and offer our suggestions. The board may be a bit slow today as it is a weekend but others should be along to offer their opinions and suggestions later. Take Care, Tuck