what causes the back to swell? my back has been hurting for about a week. sometimes i can't hardly move and then the other night i noticed it's swollen - i guess about mid back or higher & its very painful. i took some ibufrin that helped but it always comes back. also today like on my left side where my rib cage is hurts and it felt swollen around that area. or right under it. and its painful too. is both of these pains & swellings from the same thing? and would could cause this? it hurt a lot when i try to sleep to and i have to get ice packs to put under me. i feel so much anxiety. okay and also it keeps feelign like i have to have a bowel movement but when i try to go its like i cant pass anything. i have to force it out. and its painful. and i have been feeling just not well. really drained with no energy. and my stomach area or right under my ribs feel full & bloated. im wondering if all this is some sort of bowel problem? sometimes i even feel lightheaded or weird. any one else have these symptoms??

Your pain sounds like gallbladder pain. But it should not be all the time. Does it hurt more after eating--- 1 hour or so??

The constipation could be caused by the pain medication that you have been taking. All pain meds cause constipation --- some more than others.

You need to see a Doctor and get your gallbladder tested using a Hida Scan (gallbladder scan) to determine how your GB is functioning.