mid back pain--worried about cancer

[Rubyrae]

Have upper back pain at bra band level.This pain is pretty much constant but some days not as bad as others. At times feels as if it's in the bone but also away from spine sore & more muscular.  About 2" above is another spot that seems more isolated right next to the spine and is sore to touch.Thoracic back xray then was "normal" At the time was also having some side pain-never had anxiety but started to fear it may be pancreatic cancer. Ended up having ultrasound that showed pancreas, liver, gallbladder normal but picked up something on kidney, then had ct scan of abdomen that for most part normal, Rt kidney "slight calcification", kidney dr said he didn't feel it was anything to worry about at this time, also showed 2 cysts on Left ovary that have since cleared and so has the side pain, assumed to be from cysts.  BUT the back pain remains---also when I first noticed the back pain was recovering from bad cold, about 2 weeks after developed  cough which of course sent my anxiety level up again,lung xray "normal", the dry cough hung on and then turned more productive, yesterday saw dr-full of sinus congestion and started on z-pack, already cough seems to be letting up but not the anxiety,-- will have thoracic/lumb MRI next week, even with these normal tests and bloodwork I am scared-hard to believe I'm not normally full of anxiety.
Can  injury cause such pain for so long?Did do alot of yard work & heavy lifting but keep reading thoracic pain means BAD things.Have lost some weight but also full of anxiety which may be cause. Any info appreciated.

[PlateletGal]

I can tell you that 50% of people who have pancreatic cancer are jaundice and/or experience other symptoms such as weight loss, fatigue, abdomen discomfort and loss of appetite.

Your physician already did an ultrasound and checked your pancreas.. correct? That is one of the tests that would rule out pancreatic cancer.

I would relax and take a deep breath. Anxiety can definitely make anything worse, especially pain. I hope all of those lab tests your physician does rules out everything and gives you peace of mind.

[Rubyrae]

Thank you so much for your fast response!I know I sound crazy-I got past the pancreatic fear after the tests and now fear cancer in the spine in general.I am sure a great deal of my anxiety comes from losing 2 neighbors, 1 to pancreas and 1 to lung cancer.As I said this isn't like me to be this way and I have a new empathy for those who suffer anxiety.Shouldn't even read about things but I keep looking for backpain that sounds similar to mine & keep coming across tumors as a cause.
Get conflicting info too, some say xray of spine will show and others say not, so I don't feel as reassured by xray taken at onset of pain as I would like to.I'm anxious to get MRI over with.Thank you again for your wise advice-I wasn't sure what to expect posting to a message board & it really did help me feel more at ease.

[Pum]

Anxiety can also make your muscles tense then when you do yard work they will feel it a lot more.  Try warm baths.  
Try to trust the test results and the professionals. Good luck.

[Rubyrae]

Thank you for your thoughts..I missed in my first post that this back pain has been going on since August & it just seems so long for it not to heal by now as I have been trying to take it easy.  But for sure I can tell that anxiety can cause everything to be worse--and at first with the side aches and then the cough & probably too much reading about symptoms I just let it get the best of me. Thanks to the posts here I feel alot better & going to try to relax, get the MRI and assume if anything shows it will be an injury and nothing more. Thanks again, I really appreciate it-your right on about warm baths they do help for awhile:)

[achyone]

I have had the same kind of pain in my back for a few years. I never thought of cancer, now I think I am worried. Ok, no, I am not. I even went to physical therapy and got no relief. But sometimes it is gone, and others it is so horrible I cry. I get relief from sex (yes thats embarassing) and heating pad. I think it is stress. Oh and coughing can strain your back and it can take a very long time to heal, months. And you can re-strain it again easily. Damage has been done. Once we hurt a muscle, it is always weaker. Try physical therapy.?

[Rubyrae]

Thanks for replying.Can I ask a few questions?Does your pain feel more muscle or bone?Mine feels both but in bed it is BAD and feels like it is searing in mid spine,some nites worse than others.Had myself calmed down thanks to advice from all but last nite was so bad that I can't help but start to worry again.Laying on my back is impossible,have to lay on side in curled position that rounds my back out.Did you ever have your back xrayed or MRI?I feel for you for suffering so long.Is your pain worse when laying down?The heating pad does help some & so did the heat bands you can buy for back pain but I just cannot understand the way this pain presents itself. My husband will love it if I tell him we need to have sex more for my back :)
I'm back to being nervous now about MRI.If you or anyone has any more ideas I'd really appreciate it.

[Kathy316]

Did you ever resolve your issue?  I have been having mid/upper back pain for four months - mostly on the right side of the spine.  There is one particular sore spot.  I am doing physio right now but nothing is resolving it.  I also have a lot of indigestion.  Hope you are well.

[parnalia]

I have had the same horrible kind of midback pain since late September. I have a big garden and did a lot of very heavy lifting. The pain is centred in my spine at T8, but also in another spot a little higher up, and feels like a knife twisting in my back. It radiates to my right shoulder blade, so that I feel as though I have been hit across the back with a baseball bat. All the muscles on my back cramp up. Heat relieves it only somewhat. It is horrible. I have had chiropractic, deep massage therapy, deep ultrasound therapy, TENS electrical therapy, and I did all the exercises.All these therapies only aggravated the pain more.  The x-rays show only kyphosis but nothing else. All my blood tests were normal. But I keep thinking that something this severe and persistent must be serious. It is really frightening. Can anyone comment further?

[ladyhawk88]

I FRACTURED 2 VERTABREAS IT WILL BE 3YEARSTHIS SEPT,I HAVE TRIED DAILY INJECTIONS OF A DRUG FORTEO I WAS TO TAKE IT FOR 18 MONTHS,BUT WOKE UP ONE DAY AND COULD BARLY WALK USED A WALKER FOR 3 MONTHS,THEN HAD A STEROID INJECTION IN MY BACK LAST JANUARY ITS BACK AGAIN GOING ON TUESDAY TO SEE MY CANCER DOCTOR .ONE OF THE RISKS OF THE INJECTION FOR ME IS BONE CANCER.I AM THE FIRST PERSON EVER TO TRY IT THAT RECEIVED RADIATION.ALL THE RATS GOT BONE CANCER.THOUGHT ID GIVE IT A SHOT.ILL KEEP YOU INFORMED A FRACTURE WHICH YOU MAY HAVE IS EXTREMLY PAINFUL.TAKE CARE

[petit358]

H. pylori infection, kidney infection, stomach ulcer, hernia (hiatal)?  

[readmoreaboutme]

I am a 31 yr old female.  I have had the same discomfort in the upper middle part of my back to the left side of my spine.  It has become tender to the touch if I reach back there. Sometimes I don't feel it unless I lean back on a chair or move my upper body a certain way and then I feel a sharp pain.  Recently I developed a cough and have brought up off white phlegm.  No fever.  I am concerned about cancer that may have metastasized from the lung.  I'm hoping it's a pinched nerve.  Is this what you were feeling Ruby?  I have a Dr.'s appt. tomorrow to have some chest xrays taken.

[daughter_1]

My mother-in-law is a pancreatic cancer serviver she is going on 4 yrs now, but now she is complaining of Mid back on both sides around the Lungs pain...she says it's like a stabbing, like someone is ripping her apart from the inside kind of pain, she says that the pain is much stronger at night and she feels very fatigued that there are times when she can't even move her legs... could this be a sign of the cancer coming back and it has spread to her back?

[sirrahdee]

A related discussion, mid back pain was started.

[Scooby83]

have had the same debilitating, excruciationg, indescribable pain in my back. Same area same worries-is it cancer , did I do something bad that karma is paying out on now...etc... Turns out a 26 yo that has worked as hard as I have , with one car wreck, thrown froma horse or two and general 'hard work" and "over doing it" just has a bad structure inmy back. am currently taking MS Contin (Morphine) works okay - tried everything first chiro, ortho, therapy, TENS Unit, elecro-therapy , massage, phys. therapy, tylenol, ibuprofen, NSAIDS, aspirin, muscle relaxers and just turns out after what ive put my body through I cant heal correctly....  but there is relief - Pain management. Is working great for me- back to my happy go lucky extroverted hard working self :-) Hate to say it and tried not to use them myself, but, Drugs when used correctly are a medical miracle. recommend to anyone who has suffered as I have..
Shayne

[egordon]

My upper back pain is bra level and mostly stopped by Advil, but still I worry about what has caused it in the first place.  I understand everyone's worries as almost every symptom I research the work cancer comes up.  I had a spot on my lung 4 years ago, that the ct scan said was normal now all I can think of is that it's back!!!!!!!!!!  

[Natalie826]

I was so happy to find these post.Now I know Im not alone.My Mid back area started bothering me around 3 months ago.I was a house cleaner so I figured I just aggrevated it cleaning.It has got worse,alot worse.It is bra level on my back.When its at its worst it feels like someone has beat me with a pole,then sometimes its just sore.If you touched it on the exact area...I like to say the feeling is fire shooting up my a**,,,,Right under my bra you can grab around my spine and push in thats where it hurts-right side & left.I keep a sore feeling in it all the time.Sometimes I have good days and its not so bad but the bad days are terrible and no pain meds relieve it.I dont have insurance and we are  financally only able to get by so I decided to try a chiropractor.The xray showed nothing in that area but did show a problem in neck(i haad a car wreck this yr & airbag did not deploy & I hit my head on steering wheel.I have always hurt in my neck and back and felt nothing different then before.I have been 5 times so far and the neck adjustment did make me feel better but  no help in my mid back.He did say last visit he waned to do a MRI but No ins so I really dont want to take on the cost if I can avoid it,plus it would just make me feel horrible waisting that money if nothing showed up.So I was hoping anyone that feels the same,and maybe had had a aMRI would share their results.I though it was just a strain but all of the above comments yall were scared of cancer.That thought never even entered my mind.So anything you could share with me is soooo appreciated.Im a 33 yr old female.I can tell you if i put pressure or touch  on the bone itself the pain is so unbearable.Any ideas?

Thanks,
Natalie-(Georgia)

[June663]

I have had mid back pain going on two years now. There are times when it is really bad. I saw a cardiologist in January and was told I have a-fib. I don't know if that is causing my back pain or not but will ask when I return to the doctor next week. I can't sleep on my back for any length of time because of the pain. My middle name has turned into Worry. Has anyone out there been diagnosed with a heart ailment and experiencing mid back pain???

[HorsesNHarleys]

I came across this forum while trying to do some research on various causes for pain in the mid back area.  I had an MRI done yesterday and will know tihe results on Monday.  I can't say that I haven't thought the worst similar to others.  But I do want y'all to know that there are many reasons an individual can be experiencing pain in the mid-back spinal area which is the Thoracic Spine.  I'm not a doctor or even in the health field.  I'm just someone that has gone through a lot of chronic pain for the past 10 yrs.  Mine started after a horrible fall from my horse in 2000.  I was riding at a full gallop and the girth (the strap on the saddle that goes underneath the horse and keeps the saddle attached to the horse) on my saddle broke and I went head first into the ground.  I sustained quite a few injuries.  But it wasn't until 9 mos later I was suffering unbearable pain in my joints and all over my body.  I was diagnosed with Rheumatoid & Osteoarthritis as well as Fibromyalgia.  Even after treatment for these conditions began, I was having terrible back pain that was originally thought to be just tender points with the Fibromyalgia.  After an MRI of my cervical spine, it was discovered I had ruptured discs at C5,6 & 7.  For the past 9 yrs I've been getting Epidural Steroid Injections and they helped a great deal.  But the pain slowly moved down and a subsequent MRI revealed a ruptured disc at T1 and High Grade Stenosis (A narrowing of the spinal canal) of the Cervical Spine and Degenerative Disc Disease (Getting Old).  Over the past year the pain had worked down to right between my shoulder blades and slightly below on the spinal column.  Having a history of ruptured discs, I am presuming and hoping that's all.  But I wanted to do research about what else might cause this pain.  I'm a natural worrier.  But I wanted to let y'all know that in my research I've found that there can be a wide range of things that can be wrong that is not even close to being a serious as Spinal Cancer and most if not all that are treatable.  Even though I'm a natural worrier, I've learned over these past 10 yrs that I've had everything from heart attack, stroke, skin cancer and a whole bunch of chronic pain conditions, worrying does absolutely NO GOOD.  It's natural to worry, but in doing so, you're not changing what already exists, but what it can do is create more problems.  Stress, which comes from worrying can wreak havoc on your body.....speaking from personal experience.  So the best advice I can give y'all is to go see your doctor.  They're the experts and can begin the process of determining what is causing the pain.  If your pain is SEVERE and you are having problems with your bladder/bowel control, go to the Emergency Room, they can do at least a CT Scan.  Most, if not all, public hospitals have programs to work with those who do not have health insurance.  If you are at or below a certain income level, there are State and Federal Medical & Health Insurance Programs.  In most cases, pain in the Thoracic Spine is either from injury or disc disease.  But instead of worrying yourself to death, get peace of mind and seek medical attention.  My best wishes & hopes for all of you who are suffering with pain.  May it be eliminated or at least eased, and may you return to a life of joy, happiness, and laughter.  Trust me when I say, a sense of humor will work wonders for you when you're dealing with chronic pain.

[lovely13675]

I also have mid back pain issues. I also worried about cancer but a MRI 2 ys ago diagnosed me with 5 thoracic disc ruptures, 3 bulging lumbar  discs and a bone spur. 15 yrs ago I had 2 lumbar ruptured discs repaired with great success. I saw a therapist for 12 weeks of treatment {2 yrs ago} for shoulder/upper back blade pain and I still do the daily exercises. I also walk briskly about 6 days a week {30 min average}. I had to give up hiking and can only kayak in calm weather for short periods of time. I take 2 Tylenol Arthritis tabs every am. On days like today where the pain is fairly nasty I take a Ultram tab {wallpapered a bedroom on Friday/Sat}. I hold down a 4 day work week. I feel pretty good overall but I work hard to maintain strength and a normal body weight. Life with a bad back is not always fun!

[Flourpower]

I also have awful mid-back pain (feels like I'm being punched at times) that comes and goes and it frightens me. Have been to numerous specialists over the years (every blood test, ultrasound and xray is negative) but when I get that horrible sharp pain under the shoulder blades, it feels like something is really wrong. I get these bouts of pain every few months or so that last for a couple of weeks and then get better, so that consoles me. Have had MRIs or my entire spine...there is a narrowing of the T8-T9 disc so perhaps a nerve gets pinched. However, whenever I get this pain, I also seem to get headaches, nausea, and a sick feeling hunger so I start to worry that this is not spine-related.Anyone else?

[Aame]

I came across this post when I was looking for symptoms and causes of middle/upper back pain.  I have had constant back pain for a week as of today.  However, I have had back problems in the past. I am 28 years old, but when I was 12 I had done a back flip on a trampoline and my back had landed on the bar.  For a week straight, I couldn't lay anywhere but the floor.  Ever since then, I can sneeze or lift a window open, and pull my lower back out.  For a few days to a week, I cannot stand straight.  If I sleep on a soft surface, my lower back will hurt when I wake up.  However, this time, I was driving home to Kentucky from Oklahoma, and my upper back began hurting very badly.  Then it seemed to travel to my lower back, and then back up again.  This pain has been extremely bad at times, and then other times, it seems like it is easing up.  It also feels like it is in my muscles of my upper back and in my spine as well. It just hurts all over.  I have tried cold packs, heat packs, ibuprofren, and get a little relief, but it is still there.  Reading all of the above comments, it sounds similiar to mine, but I'm still concerned.  So far, it isn't anything I can't live with, but it is terribly uncomfortable, and just wondering if it is going to get worse.  I don't have insurance right now so I have not been to see a doctor yet.  If anyone has any other information to share, I'd appreciate it. Thanks so much.

[santafay79]

i have very bad back pain from the top of my spine to the botterm the pain is 24/7 and is very bad also  my hip bones hert as well i carnt sleep some times find it hard to walk my skin herts to touch on the whole of my back and hips i also get a burning feeling in my spine with the pain ive had this for years and has got worse from last year ive got am m.i.r scan booked but im worryed

[santafay79]

i have very bad back pain from the top of my spine to the botterm the pain is 24/7 and is very bad also  my hip bones hert as well i carnt sleep some times find it hard to walk my skin herts to touch on the whole of my back and hips i also get a burning feeling in my spine with the pain ive had this for years and has got worse from last year ive got am m.i.r scan booked but im worryed

[santafay79]

i have very bad back pain from the top of my spine to the botterm the pain is 24/7 and is very bad also  my hip bones hert as well i carnt sleep some times find it hard to walk my skin herts to touch on the whole of my back and hips i also get a burning feeling in my spine with the pain ive had this for years and has got worse from last year ive got am m.i.r scan booked but im worryed