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Suggest Treatment For Stabbing Pain In Back And Aches In Upper Extremities

Posted on Mon, 25 May 2015

Question: Hi - I feel I am going round in circles. For three years or more now I have had stabbing pain in my back, aches in upper extremities that I can only describe as my blood being "bad". Had bloods taken nothing found. Been to rheumatologist who recommended physio twelve months ago. Had first session of physio just given neck excercises to do at home and when finished that session after few months aches still came back and then problems in neck occurred, stiffness etc. had X-ray which just showed minor wear and tear? Now on second lot of physio for last four months again no physical treatment, aches had eased but now back to square one. I suffer with hidranetitis suppurativa and have continuously got a hard long lump in the crease of my leg. Lumps around vulva which used to heal but now don't! These are at their worst around my cycle along with the stabbing pain in the back. I am 49 in XXXXXXX and know these pains are not the usual pain with a period. I feel very bloated and feel like my waist is in a vice sometimes. These are all symptoms I have told my doctor but I feel I am not being listened to. Am worried sick. Have asked for a scan but I just get fobbed off that is why I have gone to physio because just going along with what the doctors are recommending but I think there is something more and going to book a private MRI. Sorry to ramble on. I

Answered by Dr. Naval Mendiratta (3 hours later)

Brief Answer:
CAuse of pains

Detailed Answer:
Good evening

Thank you for writing on health care magic

I understand you have been having chronic pains which have been present all over and it has been going on for quite a while now. I would like to ask you a few more queries before i can guide you further:

1. DO you feel any stiffness in the back in the nights or in the early morning or is it better

2. Did they check your blood tests ESR< CRP, Vitamin D Levels

3. You are planning for MRI of the lower spine??

4. Do you experience forgetfullness or irritability recently

5. How much better you feel with Exercise or taking antiinflammatory drugs?

6. Do you get proper sleeps in the night or is it disturbed, giving you the feeling of fatigue on waking up.

Do let me know these queries. Would try to help you out

Await your reply

Regards
DR Naval

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D

Follow up: Dr. Naval Mendiratta (13 hours later)

Hi
Sometimes I get pain in the lower back whilst sitting in the morning drying my hair
Not sure about blood tests but know they did full bloods these were done over 12 months ago
Planning whole body scan
Slightly irritable but this is generally because I feel so lousy
When I am well I feel fine after exercise but when I feel like this everything is a chore. Anti inflammatories help a little
I don't have a full nights sleep due to waking up with pins and needles in hands, usually only one hand but sometimes both. I am also awoken by sore in head above my ear not every night but this goes once I am up and about.
Today I feel as if somebody is poking me in the neck with hot poker! Earache and headaches but not usual headache it's a strAnge sensation!
Have just got in from work and taken 2 ibuprofen do will see if they help

Answered by Dr. Naval Mendiratta (4 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Cause of pains and numbness

Detailed Answer:
Good evening

Thanks for your reply

Well i have gone through the history. You are having quite widespread pains along with altered sleep, fatigue and tingling and numbness. Conditions like these, we firstly need to rule out any inflammatory cause or metabolic causes which can explain such symptoms. If nothing fits in, we are then dealing with another Disease called Fibromyalgia( You can read up on it once and see if the symptoms fit in it). It is a diagnosis of exclusion though.

What i would suggest is you get your routine blood tests done, make sure ESR< CRP, Rheumatoid FActor, Thyroid Stimulating horomone, 25 hydroxy Vitamin D 3 levels and Vitamin B 12 levels are done. Also get a nerve conduction tests for the tingling and numbness in the wrists which you are complaining. From history wise, it sounds like Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.

But hey, not such strong pain killers. 2 ibuprofen is a lot and you are subjecting yourself to the risk of kidney and liver damage. Try with Ultracet/Tyelnol as and when needed but reduce the dose and usage of painkillers.

Once you have these tests done and if all is normal, I would like you to read about Fibromyalgia. (www.rheumatology.org--> Patient education--> Fibryomyalgia)

Once we start treatment, you will feel better

I hope the information was useful

Do let me know for more queries

REgards
Dr Naval

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T

Follow up: Dr. Naval Mendiratta (1 hour later)

Thanks for that one of my doctors has already mentioned fibro but wouldn't commit in diagnosing. Another thing I am concerned about is that my mother has recently been diagnosed with chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy which shows similar symptoms with regards to the numbness in hands etc but obviously my mothers condition at the age of 76 is a lot worse. My mum is worried that my aches etc is not something that I am going to inherit from her. Is CIDP hereditary?

Answered by Dr. Naval Mendiratta (12 hours later)

Brief Answer:
CIDP Not hereditary

Detailed Answer:
Good evening

Well, CIDP is a partly autoimmune thing but it is normally not hereditary. It gets triggered by some viral infection and tends to carry on for few months till it becomes a persistent thing.

Fibromyalgia is a diagnosis of exclusion. So no one can give you a definitive diagnosis. So, thats why i had recommended you get all the blood tests done to rule it out before we can treat you as Fibro. CAuse once some doctor labels you as fibro, most others will shut their minds to it.

But yes, do get the NCV test done. Carpal tunnel is a very common problem in day to day life and the most common cause is Overuse. If it is present, we need to tackle that.

I hope the information was useful

Do let me know for more queries

REgards
Dr Naval

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Pradeep Vitta

Follow up: Dr. Naval Mendiratta (10 hours later)

Thanks. Carpal tunnel has been looked at but no conclusions. I am a personal assistant and typing everyday so yes would think this would be a possible diagnosis. The physio thinks it all stems from my neck but will go back to docs. I really do think it's fibro as I can go weeks/months where I am fine then it flares up as it has now. Been a bit better today but will go back to my doc if no better next week. Have started taking Aloe Vera juice today - not sure of your thoughts on this but will try anything!

Answered by Dr. Naval Mendiratta (22 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Treatment of Fibromyalgia

Detailed Answer:
Good evening

Sorry for the late reply. was caught up in Family functions. Well yeah, if you can manage it for months without treatment, that should be good. It is a good sign for the management. Maybe you can get your hands on meditation as well, to de stress yourself as stress is a precipitating factor. Also, try to give time to yourself. Maybe develop a hobby or do anything which you like to take your mind of it. For half an hour maybe.

Medications is my last suggestion if nothing works.

I hope the information was useful

Do let me know for more queries

REgards
Dr Naval

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Neel Kudchadkar