Kickas.org Forums Ankylosing Spondylitis General Discussion #1 AS Web Support Group Pull this knife out of my back!

For the past 3 or 4 weeks, I have had a piericing pain around, under and through my shoulder blade. At times, it hurts to even take a breath. I don't know what to do.. I have tried heating pads, taking pain meds but it will not go away. My husband was taking me out for a movie Saturday night but it was so bad, that we turned around and came back home.. I'm not sure if I should call my rheumatologist or the neurosurgeon who has been treating me.. I am wondering if it is related to nerve pain from my neck or if it could be something else.. I have also been experiencing nausea and headaches. I started taking sulfazine about a month ago so I don't know if this could be related.

WWHAHHH.. I am so tired of feeling sick and being in pain 24/7... who should I call??

Edited by denisemattox on 01/27/04 09:37 AM (server time).

Dear Denise,
Sorry that you are in so much pain. Yes I have experienced what you have explained a few times. Some of my worst flares. I think you should see your rhuemie for sure. He may adjust your medication or order more xrays, scans. Is the pain worse when you lift or use your arms??? Mine was, because I remember limiting my arm movement. My flares were related to inflammation around my sternum and on another occasion my shoulder blade and its attachments. I can relate to the painful breathing - a very scary thing to experience!! I have also been very nasueated with these sorts of flares but I do not get the headaches - so mine were a little different in that regard. I do know that I did have to stop work totally for a while and really take things easy to recover. Muscle relaxants and heat can be very helpful. What works for me might not do the trick for you but I do send my wishes and hope that you are feeling better soon.
Debra.

Hi Debra,

Yes.. it does hurt to lift my arm.. I have a hard time finding a comfortable position. My breathing is very shallow because it hurts otherwise. I have also been having chest pains with this flare. I am going to call my rheum and see if she can see me.. I am totally exhausted.

Thanks for your reply
Denise

This happened to me about 5 years ago. The rheumy can give you a steroid shot that may stop it. I didn't go and ended up in rehab to try to get my arms moving and my chest expanding again. Now when I get rib pain I go in right away.

Hope you are feeling better soon.
Ellie

Hi! Amazing! This is exactly the type of pain that I've been dealing with for the past few (three or four) months. I went to the rheumatologist and he took xrays to see if there was anything he could see - - nothing. I went to my PC and she gave me neurontin which started giving me headaches, so I quit those. But the pain in my back (right side) was like a stabbing pain that was there all the time. I had a difficult time raising my arms so getting dressed was hilarious. The rheumatologist said that he thought I might just have torn a muscle so the only thing he could recommend was that I take it easy. I have been taking soma and it helps some and my back is finally feeling better. I don't know for sure what was going on but it sure sounds like what you are dealing with. Good Luck - I am just now starting to have some energy and feel like doing anything. Maybe we can figure out exactly what is going on. Love - Helen

Hi,

Sounds familar, could also be a chest infection, you getting any fever night sweats etc go see your GP anyway....


Get well soon

david

Edited by davo on 01/28/04 03:57 AM (server time).

I get the largest freezable Ice pack I can from any Longs Walgreens or Rite Aid.They also can be microwaved.But if heat don't cut it ,try cold.Of course occaisinal opiods work if NSAIDs don't get it.
kev

I can still get that. Seemed to get it most from standing in one position for a sustained period.

Deep breathing with full chest expension cna hurt like heck when you have it but it also helped me to relieve the pain. Would rest on my back with hands and sternum and take long breath in with full expansion and long slow exhale. Do it for about 10-15 minutes. Usually could hear it "crackle" down. It seemed a predecessor at tis worst to my costo.

 
stevec-they also serve who stand and wait

Denisemattox,
I'm sorry you are in pain. I hope you can find some relief.
I have had a pain like that once but it was pluracy. It felt like I had a pain in my shoulder blades and hurt to breathe, to even move. I couldn't find a comfortable position except from sleep when I was able to. Not that that is what you have but def get checked out by the doc ASAP.

Scott

I too get this pain from time to time... It starts under my shoulder blades and slowly radiates to the middle of my back. It then proceeds to come from the front causing aches and pains in my chest muscles... Usually it will only last about two or three days but I have had it near a week. The solution for me is to workout with weights. I start with a warm up of push ups and then hit bench press. Usually during my 2nd or 4th set I will hear a pop, and it almost feels like my back gets re-aligned. It will take around one full day for recovery then the pain subsides. I have had similar problems with my neck, and working out always seems to do the trick. It is very interesting because once I hear the snap crackle and pop, the pain decreases dramatically. I think what happens is that during a flare up, my muscles tend to get sore and inflamed. As a result I believe my spine tries to compensate causing pulling and pushing on my spine muscles…. Who knows but it sure hurts like crazy!!!

I can't believe that we would
lie in our graves
Wondering if we had
spent our living days well
I can't believe that we would
lie in our graves
Dreaming of things that we
might have been
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