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.

[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.

[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???

[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)

[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!!!!!!!!!!  

[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

[sirrahdee]

A related discussion, mid back pain was started.