Increasing numbness, sever pain and itchiness almost entire left side of back.

[neecole84]

Thanks for taking the time to read this and potentially help me! Back in August I had a numb spot on my back that was just barely larger than the size of a golf ball. It was located 3 inches left of my spine and 2-3 inches below my left shoulder blade. The numbness was constant but the pain would come and go, mostly correlated with ANY physical activity (which with all my other diagnosed issues is limited to my best impression of walking). The pain would be almost instant. When trying to inhale it would feel like thousands of rusty knives were stabbing me. So that would lead to hyperventilating. At the time I was on oxycodone 15mg - 4x/day and oxycontin 15mg - 2x/day (prescribed for my RSD/CRPS in my left leg and both hips) which was not providing any relief for this issue.

It has been seven months now and it is much much worse! The numbness has increased in size to that of a football (football shaped as well), the pain is constant and so bad at times I cannot move my left arm, the area is so very itchy that I have made myself bleed from scratching because I cannot feel it and there is this feeling that a rib or two goes in & out with every breath I take! For pain I am now prescribed fentanyl 50 mcg/hr patches in addition to the oxycodone 15mg - 4x/day (no longer on the oxycontin).

I am so scared and do not know what to do. I do not have health insurance so getting it checked right now is rather difficult. I tried the emergency room, but because I am only 30, crying and couldn't get comfortable I was instantly deemed a drug seeker. I had my pain meds with me, but all they did was took an xray and sent me on my way because nothing was broken. I really need help on what it could possibly be. Thank you in advance for any and all advice, comments, ideas...etc. It is sincerely appreciated!

[philnoir]

I'm afraid your sensations of  increased pain, pins-and-needles, and burning is a result of your CRPS II diagnosis.

As someone suggested, get insurance and see a specialist in this field. While very difficult to treat, new treatments are available, but tend to be expensive.

[keywest13]

if you have blisters and pain you might have shingles, don't let this go with out having a doctor see you

[DCat63]

Here's how you may want to handle this. Go ahead and purchase health insurance and quickly find a GP (General Practitioner) and have them refer you to a specialist. Doing so will at least get the ball rolling. Hope things work out for you and you get to feeling better soon.