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What Causes Back Pain Radiating Through Chest?
Question: My husband has pain starting like a cramp in his back and going thru to the front. He is trembling and is sick to the stomach. He says he hurts everywhere and didn't sleep all night. Any idea what this could be?
Brief Answer:
Workup required to determine cause
Detailed Answer:
Hello and Welcome
I appreciate your concern
Back pain radiating to the front indicates a spine problem. An EKG should be done primarily to rule out a cardiac cause as atypical presentations can occur with M.I. If there is associated fever and epigastric pain then pancreatitis should also be looked for. X ray erect abdomen with both hemi diaphragms, x ray of the spinal segment involved ( in this case most likely the thoracic spine ) , ultrasound abdomen , blood counts, basic metabolic panel, ESR/CRP and serum amylase can be advised to determine the cause. An MRI of the thoracic spine can be considered if the above investigations are normal. For the time being the pain can be relieved by narcotics or NSAIDs (provided renal functions are normal esp for NSAIDs). The decision whether to give antibiotics, PPIs and fluids will depend upon the clinical exam and results of the investigations.
Wishing you best of health
Thanks
Please consult your doctor before deciding on any further course of action.
For future follow up / correspondence you may ask me directly at the link given below
http://doctor.healthcaremagic.com/Funnel?page=askDoctorDirectly&docId=68107
Dr. M.S. Khalil
Workup required to determine cause
Detailed Answer:
Hello and Welcome
I appreciate your concern
Back pain radiating to the front indicates a spine problem. An EKG should be done primarily to rule out a cardiac cause as atypical presentations can occur with M.I. If there is associated fever and epigastric pain then pancreatitis should also be looked for. X ray erect abdomen with both hemi diaphragms, x ray of the spinal segment involved ( in this case most likely the thoracic spine ) , ultrasound abdomen , blood counts, basic metabolic panel, ESR/CRP and serum amylase can be advised to determine the cause. An MRI of the thoracic spine can be considered if the above investigations are normal. For the time being the pain can be relieved by narcotics or NSAIDs (provided renal functions are normal esp for NSAIDs). The decision whether to give antibiotics, PPIs and fluids will depend upon the clinical exam and results of the investigations.
Wishing you best of health
Thanks
Please consult your doctor before deciding on any further course of action.
For future follow up / correspondence you may ask me directly at the link given below
http://doctor.healthcaremagic.com/Funnel?page=askDoctorDirectly&docId=68107
Dr. M.S. Khalil
Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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