sounds like gallbladder

Mine like that is IBS when aggravated by food sensitivities, as in when I eat grains. There is a loop of bowel that comes up the back and that area can be touchy. Our nervous system is so touchy that even just digesting too much or the wrong thing can make us off for days.... Here is a link to show the bowel loop. Gastro explained this to me a long time ago but it took me years to really get it because I didn't want to think as an Italian I had to give up bread and pasta. Of course now there are gluten free options, though even too much of those set me off. Just a thought if you hadn't considered food issues. http://mysickliver.weebly.com/uploads/7/9/5/5/7955840/3994230_orig.jpg

I don't remember how I felt when I first came down with this, CFS. I just know I was in bed for about a week and then slowly got better, to just get worse and well, it went on.

So, the short answer for me is: no. What you are describing is interesting and maybe there are clues to some help for you. Good luck.

This is how mine started too, but it was so bad it would bring me to tears. Was the first and only symptom (apart from fatigue) that I had for a while.

It does sound like it could be gall bladder! You can have an ultrasound and see if maybe you have a stone in there, or it could just be inflamed!

My first symptom was severe should pain, and pain between the shoulders. Just woke up to hideous pain. I still have it to this day. Had x-rays.....as usual, nothing was found to be wrong. Tylenol is all I can take for pain. So I do!

I would check the gall bladder thing though....mostly because you say it relates to after you have eaten.

I am was diagnosed with CFS about 10 years ago. I had the major fatigue symptoms since 2003. All the other weird symptoms, poor memory, dizzziness, pain in my upper back, blurry vision, etc come just every now and then. Some, like the upper back pain that I am experiencing right now, come after an extended period of just pushing myself too much by helping others or enjoying life. The "push" usually involves a combination of physical exertion, mental exertion, stress, and exposure to more germs by traveling or attending a public event. At the time of the "push" I feel not too bad, but about a week later, bam and my body says enough is enough.

The gallbladder is on the right side, so if the pain is worst on the left, that's most likely not it. It is very possible to have referred pain, but generally that type of pain isn't referred from one side all the way to the other.

People with CFS frequently do have GI issues, though, including IBS, Gastroparesis, Small Intestinal Bowel Overgrowth (SIBO),and some other issues. Those can cause the type of pain you're describing.

This seems to be a common complaint with this illness. At first I thought of gallbladder too and am not yet convinced that it isn't despite it being on the left. I had my gallbladder removed last March after my pain escalated over a few months and I was vomiting. (Lovely, eh?) I also have some arthritis in my spine which gives a similar pain in the back. I am 53 and was fit before I became ill in 2007. If you can get someone to give you a gentle massage with some aromatherapy oils you may get some respite. Perhaps try wintergreen or peppermint in a carrier oil - they are traditionally good for pain. You will get plenty of information online. You might start here http://www.experience-essential-oils.com/essential-oils-for-pain.html (this is not my site, nor do I have anything to do with it. I have just found it useful and interesting) I hope you feel better.

Thanks everyone. I'm going to a osteopath today and then x-ray after that if they don't find anything.
I'll keep you all posted.

Yes, I was thinking the same thing as the WhiteDolphin's reply. If the pain is just under your right shoulder blade, it's directly tied tot he gallbladder.

Hi Ruby,

I have CFS and back problems. If I rest for too long (sitting and/or lying down) without enough activity, my back problems flare. This happens after a day or two of too much rest and inactivity.

It is usually my low and mid-back that hurt the most. Could it be that you suffer from not enough activity?

Hi DarrenM

Thanks for your reply/advice.

But it seems to be the opposite I think. The more sitting and standing I do, the more it aches. I have been to a osteopath who has said that my mid back, instead of moving fluidly, moves almost in a band, which is why I have a band of pain usually. She moved a few things around and I have to go back and also use a wheat bag but so far it hasn't gotten better really. The osteopath also said that it is a common place for people to get fatigued, ALL people but obviously us lucky ones with CFS would probably find it more likely to fatigue in those common places, it's a weak point for me. I especially feel it after sitting at my work station, I think it's an area that I "let go" when I'm sitting.

I used to get a dull ache, also on my left side when my irritable bowel was worse. That's interesting, someone mentioned that it was a sensitive area. Isabelle1954

I have pain in my lower back more often than usual lately along with my FM. Even though doctors say it is not progressive I don't believe them. As I was diagnosed when I was 35, 60 now, some things have become better, like depression, happily married now and much less stress, other things have become worse. A muscle relaxer helps my back pain.