Back Muscle Burning and Pain

[casunshine530]

HI,
I've had back problems all my life, and I'm only 29 yrs old. The main being scoliosis, however that hasn't bothered me as much over time, and i've learned to deal with it when it does hurt. In 05 I was in a minor car accident, that accident alone gave me some bad whiplash, but I did 4 mths of physical therapy and had no problems after that.

Now, in Nov of 07 I started getting some really bad pain and burning in my traps....it got so bad I couldn't bear it. I did an MRI and they found nothing, they gave me meds and of course I'm one of those people who dont like to take anything unless needed and so I took a bit of them. They tried to say it was shingles until they realized...oops not that. After all that I saw my chiropractor for a few weeks twice a week, he did some things that helped out......espiecially the ultrasonic machine that would just rub the area.

Well, now its back and the same thing all over again, and its started right around the same time last year. This time I decided not to go to my regular Dr. because I dont have time and money to waste to not get the answer i need. I saw my chiroprator last week and it hasn't helped yet. This burning and pain is so bad, its hard for me to work, and I have a desk job. When i'm home I cant lift or keep my arms elevated because the muscle hurts and burns horribly. I was at the grocery store and couldn't stand there holding a carton of eggs because withhin the 3 minutes it felt like it flared up.

I've heard this can be related to stress but I really haven't had anyone tell me what it is. Can someone give me some insight on it or any information what may cause this? Right now its very hard to work, and do my regular activities as I'm limited.

Thanks so much!!

[ttoplak]

i have the exact burning sensation you speak of all throuhout my back and in to my upper legs. like you ive spent hundreds at doctors to get no results. i noticed my issues started after i became a vegatarian-vegan practically. i asked the doctor if it could be the cause of the problem and they simply said take b-12 suplements and youll be fine. however this didnt work either so now im putting turkey into my diet to see i that could be the issue....ill keep you posted and im sorry i know your pain and it is a awful way to live.

[casunshine530]

There is no rash. And it seems to come on worse when i hold something in my arms. Like this morning again, I held a basket at the store and instantly the burning came on and is still there.

There is no loss of sensation any the arms or fingers either. The only time i have issues with that is when i sleep, but not during the day.

Its very strange and I think has something to do with my neck maybe?

[J T Junig, MD PhD]

Is there a rash?  The first couple things in the differential would be something called 'post-herpetic neuralgia', which is the pain that occurs after shingles that may or may not be associated with a rash.  The other thing I would consider would be cervical spinal stenosis or foraminal stenosis, causing cervical radiculopathy.

If you have any rash at all in the area of pain, or scarring from prior vesicles or blisters, the first diagnosis is likely--  the treatment of choice is antiviral drugs very early, and then anticonvulsants like tegretol, lyrica or gabapentin.  For the second diagnosis I would check for any sensation loss in your forearms or fingers, or weakness-- either of those would suggest nerve compression in the neck.  This second condition might respond to a steroid dose pack.