Back paresthesia?

[Joiedecour]

Anyone with back paresthesia? I have repeated incidents - over year - of an area close to spine below shoulder blade tingling and/or feeling as if something is suctioned to it or prodding it - so pressure feeling. Having a hard time deciding if it is neurological or muscular. Again, irritating but not life threatening.

[doublevision1]

I have numbness and pressure across my whole upper back from shoulder blade to shoulder blade. It feels like my back was shot with Novocaine. It's always there, though I'm only really aware of it when the water hits it in the shower, and again when I towel off. It does feel a bit worse if I forget a dose of gabapention/nortriptyline. I wouldn't take these meds just for my back. Primarily they're for the parenthesis in my hands, but are of benefit to my back discomfort as well as my Lhermitte's.

[Joiedecour]

That is interesting, Barb. Were the lesions T or C spine? Corrie, I have had spine mris a couple of years ago after l'hermittes but nothing showed up. I have not had one since the shoulder/back thing. This next scan is just of brain. I am not 100% convinced that for me this is muscular simply because I first noticed it after heat, then it has come and gone in a few days with no lingering effect after it goes. I will ask and report back what I find out at next appt. I am sorry Barb that you could have been dx'd earlier and they missed the boat. Do you still have problems with back/shoulder?

[Corriel]

That is so interesting to hear Barb. I was so sure it was MS related but my c-spine was clear and my neuro won't scan lower.

Even my PT at the rehab centre said it is a typical office workplace injury. Since my hasn't fully healed I have to wonder.

Joie, are they scanning your spine too with your next MRIs?

[bbassel]

I have/had pain in the same spot a couple of years before mmy diagnosis.

I had x-rays, bone density scans, physiotherapy and more.m I asked my doc thhree times for a mri of my back and even had my dad ask for one. My doc said it was all muscular and refused the request.

Two years later I was diagnosed and my specialist said thhe pain was probably from lesions on spine. I had a mri and sure enough there were lesions. I could have been diagnosed two years earlier.

Hope you are feeling bbetter,
Barb

[Corriel]

I should do it every day because it would be preventative but I tend to only fo it when it bugs me.

I apoliguze for any typos. With thus new format and my cell phone I literally cannot see what I am typing and can't seem to get into the box to fix anything.

[Joiedecour]

Thanks so much Corrie!  That is really really helpful.  My kids are going to laugh themselves silly If they see me doing this!!!  Will try and then report. Do you just do this when you are having issues with it ? Really appreciate this very detailed help. Hope I don't tie myself in knots!!!!!

[Corriel]

Hi Joie!

I have had a similar issue for almost a year now. Some days/weeks it is hardly an issue then it flares up and is most uncomfortable to say the least.

I have been told it is muscular and likely how I was sitting at work. I had an ergonomic assessment done and while the issue isn't as bad as it was I still have buzzing/pins and needles. I had a couple of massages and was told that I had several muscles bunched over a nerve.

It's a tough spot to reach but I was told to get a tennis ball, slide it between the "sweet spot" and the wall. Then you roll the ball around the muscles by leaning back and sliding around.

Trust me when I say you will look a tad foolish but a bit of humor is good. :) One trick that made a big difference for me was to pull my left arm towards my chest and hold it at the elbow with my right hand so that the tennis ball could get under the shoulder blade. My issue was on the left side so reverse this instruction if it is your right side where you have trouble.

Just a warning though, adding the extra arm move to get the ball to reach better is unbelievably painful the first couple of times. I don't want to scare you because it needs to be stretched but holy crap it hurt. Ease into it and you will be fine.

I do this a few times a week now but because it is considered to be a stretch, it can be done daily.

Good luck!

Corrie