Searing pain in back

[LaurenRae]

For the past week and a half I have been experiencing terrible back pain. It is right in the center of my back. If I move wrong, breath wrong, etc. this incredible pain shoots out from the center and seems to wrap around to my sides. Sometimes it is so painful it literally takes my breath away. I was at my doctor's last week and went for xray's of both my upper and lower back - I see him again on Wednesday. I don't know if I can handle it until then! I was on my feet a lot at work today and when I got in the car to come home I had the worst "spasm" yet - I thought I was going to pass out. I have not injured myself, etc. The only thing different in my life is that about a month ago I started on Diovan HCT for high blood pressure and Metoprolol for a racing heart. When I go to bed at night it takes about a minute for the pain to subside from laying down but then I sleep through the night. It progressively gets worse throughout the day.

I have dealt with lower back pain off and on for years (I'm 41). This is worse - I think probably because it "catches my breath" and I'm scared I'm going to pass out. I actually thought it was getting better the last couple of days (it wasn't happening as often). But today shot that theory down the tube.

Can anyone offer any suggestions as to what could be causing this? And/or how to relieve it? I have been taking an otc back/muscle painkiller and it helps dull it a bit, but I want it gone! Please help!!!

[Stormy01]

Have you spoken to your doctor about this at all? This definately sounds more then just tension. You need more then just an x-ray too. You need your doctor to schedule an MRI and a CT-Myleogram. That will tell the tale, or at least get you on the right track. I'd be researching who the best Ortho is in the area. And the best Neuro. You definately need some muscle relaxers and some pain meds.

Have your primary care physician schedule the tests, then you'll have them all when you find the Ortho you'll go to, to consult. There are plenty of other tests, but these are the basic ones that will tell a lot of information.

Good luck to you and in the mean time, get some smelling salts. We can't have you passing out while you're driving down the freeway!

Let us know how it goes!

[lori j]

An xray will not show a herniated disc or compressed nerve. My only thoughts are that when I had the herniated disc, the pain never let up, there was no comfortable position where it did not hurt & laying, sitting or standing it hurt the same. The fact that yours relieves when laying says it may be something other than a bulging disc like I had. My pain never went away, the pain was always there, no pain meds touched the pain. Let us know what you find out.

[LaurenRae]

Thanks to both of you for replying. I have an appointment tomorrow to see my doctor regarding my xrays so I guess we'll see what happens. From what his secretary said, something must have shown up on them.

For the past couple of days my back has been not too bad - as long as I take it easy. Friday and Saturday were awful but I went on Saturday and bought a new bed - mine was too old and was sagging, etc. So I don't know if the reason my back is feeling a bit better is due to the bed or? If I'm on my feet too much the pain is worse so I've been doing a lot of resting - very hard to do when the housework, etc. piles up! I also have been - very carefully - doing some stretches.

I really hope I don't have to go for a myleogram - is it a painful procedure? The dye part of it scares me!

[lori j]

They will probably order an MRI first & if they can't see the problem with that, then other tests, so don't worry about any other tests yet. Let us know how you are doing.
I overdid it today cleaning too & now my lower back is sore. Never an end to it.