Back Pain Support Group

the symptoms you are describing sounds neurological to me have you seen a neurologist? I sure hope you find something that helps you.

I would not venture on guessing at all........ Yes, it sounds Neurlogical in nature, but you need to go get an MRI and get a Doctor to diagnose u. Good luck to you.

Thanks you two...I did see a few doctors for your info...

My pain mngt provider (who treats me for my chronic pain related to severe nerve damage in the low abdomen/groin/right upper leg/hip...plus CRPS and neuropathy diagnosis') feels that I have at least two+ herniated discs' that are potentially in a DDD state. Unfortunately, he cannot treat me because he is my treating physician in a work comp case related to the above mentioned injuries. Because my pain docs are all VERY good guys, they offered to examine me after one of my monthly work comp pain checkups...of course, it was just a basic physical exam, however, they are EXTREMELY smart docs and I value their opinions.

My Kaiser PCP (who I saw after my pain doc mentioned I needed to see someone ASAP) said that it is definitely neuro-damage...and he felt strongly that I had a herniated thoracic disc, however, he did not believe that anything was wrong with my cervical disc-that I probably have nerve damage in my right shoulder/arm/hand. He referred me for a nerve conduction study on my R arm.

Two weeks after that visit, I experienced some severe complications of pain shooting around my thoracic area-through my ribs-and into my chest...feeling like my lungs/ribs were being crushed by a 200# weight while simultaenously being stabbed through my spine and heart and out of my chest!! At that point, my PCP listened to me a bit closer and THEN he suddenly believes that I have severe neurological damage in BOTH thoracic and cervical areas...and at my request, he refers me to Kaiser NorCal Pain Mngt in Sacramento.

I have seen the Kaiser Pain clinic around here (Sac) a number of years ago...for my groin nerve damage...seeking alternative treatments. (IF ANYONE is interested in what I am speaking about, please refer to my profile in addition to postings in the chroni pain, neuropathy, and various other support groups) You could say that I am familiar with how their program works: it is slow, the docs are reluctant to do thorough testing, the docs are also very resistant towards use of narcotic pain meds (thankfully, my work comp pain doc has taken good care of me...closely monitoring my medicine use)...essentially, it takes many months (or in my fiance's case-almost SIX YEARS) to get an accurate diagnosis!!!

I am fortunate enough to have the head doctor (Dr Chu) of the Kaiser pain/back injury program treating me…he also treated me 3 years ago for my groin nerve damage. Dr Chu does not have the unequivocal proof (from a spine x-ray), although, he said that in his experience treating many patients with similar symptoms…he feels I most likely have a thoracic fracture with secondary nerve pain traveling through my upper thoracic/lower cervical region…and down my arm. A fracture sounds severe!

What do you good people know about spinal fractures??

I am getting the x-ray today…gotta get a diagnosis and treatment soon!! No more pain meds…that does me NO favors!! I need some safe treatment alternatives.

Oh, by the way…yesterday I carried a 30-40# baby swing in a 2 x 3 x 1.5 ft box…not very awkward or heavy and only moved about 60 feet from the car to the house. After setting it down, I experienced about 3 hours of constant searing-hot burning and pinching directly in my thoracic spine…extremely painful and debilitating.

Any more ideas, help, advice, support, or even questions directed towards me…PLEASE do so!!! I am more than comfortable talking about my existing pain condition for those of you interested :D!!

I really think that at this point one of this Doctor's would have done an MRI of your cervical and thoracic spine, instead of a set of X-Ray's. With your symptoms and pain.
I am not a Doc so I am not doing any diagnosing here, but as nurse practioner I remember that some of the signs and symptoms of a thoracic spine fracture are: pain, and also swelling in the area of the fracture, weakness and nubness in the chest area, the legs, genitals, rectum. A lot of the times the person will have shortness of breath and they might even cough up blood.

If you had a fracture your spine would have become deformed due to the instability that the fracture will cause. Do you have any of this symptoms? If you do, ask for an MRI. Good luck to you.

Thanks for the additional input!!

I failed to mention that I DO have breathing problems now...major shortness of breath, almost as if one or more of my ribs does not want to expand. You are not incorrect in assuming that an MRI would be the correct course in treatment...although, due to the fact that I have a metallic implanted device, that testing is out of the question.

If I had read this (my) list of symptoms, I would think that the doctors are doing things a bit backwards...but trust me, my doctors are doing the right thing! Although it has taken me over three years to establish a solid group of treating physicians, the docs I am finally with are definite professionals.

My only option for getting an MRI at this point is to have my peripheral nerve stimulator implant removed...something I am definitely NOT thinking of doing. It took over four years, two device implants, an implant staph infection with 6 month recovery, and countless days of nightmarish pain flares to get to where I am at...with a healed implant that is successfully treating my pain symptoms (in my groin). I have researched and spoke to specialists about the alternatives I have to an MRI...that will effectively provide results that are somewhat conclusive...and the only answers are: CT-SCANs and X-RAYs.

Some doctors believe that I CAN get the MRI as long as it is performed away from or above my implant, however, a trusted radiologist friend told me that just being in the same room as the MRI unit while it is active can be damaging to my body...he said that my metal implant battery/computer unit and the lead wiring could heat up excessively and/or shift under my skin...putting me in a VERY uncomfortable position!! In fact, he mentioned that MRI-related metal implant injury can cause serious...or even fatal consequences.

UPDATE...I received my first acupuncture treatment this morning and got some new info from the acupuncturist after she examined my back. She thinks I have a seriously displaced thoracic disc...but that is yet to be determined!

Oh NO you can not have an MRI!!! I also have an implant. I have a spinal cord stimulator and I could never, ever have an MRI again, so instead of MRI's my Doctor's do CT Scan's with contrast since those will not fry my internal battery, and like you said; I'll be darn if anyone thinks that I am going to remove my SCS just to get an MRI, Heck NO! LOL!
I am glad that you have a good group of Doc's that you like and trust, but still to be on the safe side and to confirm the diagnosis, I would ask for the CT W/contrast. Good luck to you and I hope that things will work out for you.
Hugs,
Tipper

Hiya Tipper...thanks for the support!

You have an SCS system? That is awesome...I had my SCS (peripherally implanted) performed originally back in early 2007, however, I got a horrible staph infection 6 weeks after the implant and needed it completely removed the same day the infection was discovered!! Horrible!!

I got the implant AGAIN in July of 2007...by a different doc (my present pain doc) and performed a bit different as well (peripheral wiring instead of spinal cord...with a left side octrode wire and two quads on the right with a splitter). Fun stuff. This new implant is absolutely kicking butt...doing a great job. I am actually going to receive a SECOND implant in the next few months...it will be a Spinal Cord Stim...so, I will basically have TWO pulse generator batteries and four total lead wires.

Back to the main issue...an ER doc just talked with me on Thursday (after I had a debilitating thoracic spinal pain strike taking out my legs...making me fall in the shower and split my forehead open!! Fun times again)...this ER doc said that a CT-Scan will not be a good diagnostic tool for my condition.

Here is the thing...if they do not KNOW what my condition actually is, how in the world would they know whether a CT is a good diagnostic tool?? Crazy assumption. I agree with you...CT might provide something, no matter how minor.

At this point, I will definitely be having a nerve conduction study + EMG on Monday...also, I will have a PT diagnostic exam. After that, the main option my pain doc is talking about is a myelogram.

Any thoughts folks?

i have the stimulator also ANS brand and i can not have MRI but was told by my rep i can have CT and ultrsound. so check with the manufacter and see if you can have CT, It would definently help to find a fracture or other diagnosis. I hope you find an answer soon.

Wow,
Sorry about your fall, that's awful! So the ER Doc thinks/thought that a CT will not be a good diagnosing tool for you,hmmmmm, I wonder about him.
I hope that the nerve conduction test and the EMG will give your Doc some answers of what is going on with you or at least start the process of finding some answers.
I think that your PM Doc is guiding you the right way, so hopefully after all of this is set and done you will have a diagnosis. I also think that a Myelogram is a great idea since it will give them the full picture that they need to finally give you a diagnosis.
Good luck to you and keep us posted on the results of all of your tests.
Take care,