Upper back/shoulder/arm & hand pain...

[Clara1940]

I have severe pain at times in the upper part of my back (sort of behind the scapula or collar bone primarily on the left side).  My fingers (especially the little finger on the left hand) looks like a dead person's fingers.  They turn white (almost transluscent).  Many times my fingers will tingle like they are asleep & the pain is a throbbing pain.  Do you have any ideas or suggestions for me??

[heartfluttersflyawayplz]

when you have upper back pain does it makes your chest ack to

[Kalvin]

I can relate to what you said about abusing your back, I’ve pretty much done the same thing. The reason I asked about neck problems is because upper back, arm and hand pain are all symptoms of problems in the lower cervical spine and they very frequently occur together. The nerves that run into the shoulder and through to the arm and the hand also can refer pain to the upper back. It seems like all of us who have neck problems and have had surgery still have this awful upper back pain. I’ve had it for years.

Carpal Tunnel is thought for your hand and finger pain, but it wouldn't explain the upper back pain.Physical Therapy might help, possibly some gentle neck stretching
exercises  although, you sound like you’re plenty active already. Hopefully your Rheumatologist might have some insight as to how to best treat your pain.


Take Care

[Clara1940]

I had neck stabilization surgery in 2002 but have continued to have neck pain over the years.  Most of my pain is on the left side down into my left arm & hand.  Just recently though the fingers (mostly the little finger) will turn white as though circulation has been cut off and I have pain on a scale of 1 to 10 at about 6 to 8.  I take Lortab 7.5 twice daily for generalized pain from degenerative disc disease in lumbar spine (low back pain that sometimes radiates into my left leg & foot).  I also have a moderate scoliosis in my thoracic & lumbar spine.  I just don't know how much of my pain is related to what.  I do stay on the move and don't just sit around.  That seems to make the pain worse (just sitting).  However, I know that if I do yard work, sweep, mop and vacuum, the pain will be worse for a day or two and I'm pretty wiped out.  I've abused my back over the years I know by moving furniture, carrying children around and just generally not being careful with lifting, etc and now that I am 70 years old, I am paying for all of this misuse.  However, this left arm & hand (finger) thing has really got me puzzled.  I go to a Rheumatologist on a 3 - 4 month basis for pain management (Lortab & muscle relaxers) and that has really helped.  Sorry such a long description but don't know where to stop with the symptoms.  I will say that any time I have upper back pain (thoracic) area, I have pain in both arms & I also have reynoud (spelling) where my hands & feet will hurt & turn white.  They are cold & will tingle - then when they begin to get feeling back in them, they will turn reddish purple & will burn until they get back to normal BUT - this is different in my left arm & finger.  Thanks for taking the time to read & respond...