What Causes Constant Thoracic Pain And Pain At The Base Of The Skull?

Posted on Sat, 20 Dec 2014

Question: I have had Thoracic pain due to an accident on the back of a snowmobile which was an old XXXXXXX Deere going approx. 70 miles an hour with a blockage to moguls as the driver was 6'4 and I am 5'3 and 110 lbs. I crashed up & down for over an hour in Pittsfield which is well known for it's trails. I was out of work for more than a year and have been going to physical Therapy for the past 20 + yrs. After 13+ MRI's I was told that I had nothing wrong with my back however, since then my back has been guarded and unable to stop convulsing (for lack of the correct terminology). I am now Disabled and have had constant neck pain at the base of my skull. I am seeing an ARNP who provides me with meds. but I am 52 yrs. old and cannot hold my head up. I know I definitely have spinal stenosis between C5-6 and C6-7 which looks pretty bad as I have a pictures. I've recently had to take an ambulance to the E.R as every muscle, joint severely hurt as well as I could not hold my head up. A back Dr. told me that I had Peripheral Neuropathy and referred me to Mass. General Hosp. who denied me as I am already seeing a Pain Nurse Practitioner. I can't write cards, letters and frankly think (know) I have a very XXXXXXX problem (especially at th base of my skull) and no one will see me as I'm being seen by a Pain Nurse. I cannot deal with this severe constant pain and don't know what to do. Can somebody help shed some light on my situation and mostly help me to know where to go and what to do or help ? I'm beginning to think that I'm going to die and have been misdiagnosed for a long time. I'm thinking it's a tumor at the end of my spinal column or cancer but I know I cannot go on like this anymore.

Answered by Dr. Dr. Praveen Tayal (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Due to nerve compression.

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for posting your query.
The symptoms that you are having are not likely to be due to a tumor as that would have been detected on MRI scans.
The constant thoracic pain and pain at the base of the skull is likely to be due to nerve root compression or a muscle spasm. Other possibilities like MS also need to be ruled out.
Such nerve related pains are a difficult thing to treat.
In addition to the pain killers that you are taking oral muscle relaxants and medicines like pregabalin and gabapentin will help. Increase your intake of electrolyte rich fluids like fruit juices or garotade to prevent any disc dehydration o nerve irritability.
You need to consult a neurologist for proper treatment.
I hope this answers your query.
In case you have additional questions or doubts, you can forward them to me, and I shall be glad to help you out.
Wishing you good health.
Regards.
Dr. Praveen Tayal.
For future query, you can directly approach me through my profile URL http://bit.ly/Dr-Praveen-Tayal

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Praveen Tayal (13 hours later)

I definitely have spinal stenosis in my cervical area where the area appears almost completely pinched. No one will see me as I am being treated by a ARNP at the pain center. It is very painful to hold my head up and I have been on m uscle relaxants ( flexeril and Baclofen) which don't seem to help at all and I have to write you short messages as sitting at the computer always makes my condition worse. How can I see someone without lying to them and telling them that I've not been seen for this, in order to get a REAL second opinion. I am also on anti-depressants and feel that there is no quality of life for me. It seems as though I am living out my life in constant pain and it's a long slow death ahead of me. I am very spiritual and try to meditate but I am constantly noticing that I hold my breath without thinking, due to the pain. I have to make myself breathe ! My hands shake, also due to the intense pain. I have lost4 pant sizes as I have no appetite but do drink a lot of water daily. Is there a surgery that can be done for me or do I continue to cry and feel like a vegetable ? I've had 31 shots of botox around my head for what I thought were the beginnings of a migraine but my neck pain continues. Please help, no one knows my pain and lately, I find myself just asking God to take me so the pain will be gone.

Answered by Dr. Dr. Praveen Tayal (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Surgery is needed.

Detailed Answer:
Hello,

Thanks for writing again.
You are having a severe pain and muscle relaxants are not helping you. Surgical treatment is recommended in such cases for decompression of the nerves. You will need a neurosurgeon for this. You can ask your pain specialist to refer you to a neurosurgeon.

Stronger muscle relaxants like Thiocolchicoside can help you till then.

Hope my answer is helpful.
Do accept my answer in case there are no further queries.

Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Praveen Tayal (27 hours later)

My follow-up question was where in my area can I find a good Neurological Surgeon ?

Answered by Dr. Dr. Praveen Tayal (4 hours later)

Brief Answer:
You can contact customer care for that.

Detailed Answer:
Hello.
To find a good Neurosurgeon nearest to your place, we have patient written reviews for doctors in our listing, those can guide you for a better doctor. You can search for a doctor in your area at
http://healthcaremagic.com/doctors .
OR One of our customer care executives will assist you further in finding a good
doctor. (Please send mail to CRM team, YYYY@YYYY )
I dont personally know about doctors in your area as I am from XXXXXXX
Regards.

Note: For further queries, consult a joint and bone specialist, an Orthopaedic surgeon. Book a Call now.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar