pressure or tightness on the left side of my upper back when taking deep breaths

[klaw48]

For about two years now I have had pain on the left side of my upper back primarely when taking a deep breath. At first I thought it was muscle related, but now I think it is lung related or nerve related. I am currently going to a pain management clinic, where they have done trigger point injections, but that is it. Next visit they are doing an intercostal nerve block injection. This may or may not help, but i still think something else is the cause of this cronic pain. It is not a sever pain, but rather a tension or pressure pain. Can someone help me with this concern?

[National Jewish]

This pain could be caused by neuritis, inflammation of a nerve, such as the intercostal nerve.  The important thing is to be sure that it is not associated with a disease process within your chest.  If so, after 2 years that process should be visible on chest x-ray, but may not be.  You should have a CT scan for a more comprehensive, sensitive exam of all structures within your chest.  You may have to have an MRI of your spine to look for evidence of nerve compression.

[klaw48]

Thank you for your response.That was what I had thought. A ct scan, x-ray, and MRI have all been performed and nothing has showed up. I have been using Lidoderm patches for now, but they have'nt been working what so ever. An interscopel nerve block will be performed at my next appointment. I hope this will help me.