Mid and upper back pain from anxiety Any one get this
Posted , 5 users are following.
Hello I have posted here before. I suffer from health and general anxiety and have just started CBT counselling sessions, first one today. I have quite a few health problems including arthritis in neck, spine and knees. I also have IBS and Diverticular disease. I do get quite a bit of pain from arthritis but during the last few weeks have really been suffering with upper/mid back pain both sides although I think the right side is worse. It somehow seems indigestion like but I hardly get any chest pain although it does feel sore down the breast bone. The back is also sore to the touch. I visited my GP yesterday who said she thought the pain was muscular and probably due to tension. It sometimes comes on after eating, but what really sets it off is activity. After walking around the supermarket stretching up and bending down to selves it is really bad. Although I know Anxiety can cause lots of symptoms I think this pain seems more than just anxiety. The only thing that helps is to sit down with a hot water bottle. It does not really bother me at night although I don't always sleep that well. I am finding it hard to do housework or walk very far once the pain starts. I tend to get it around twice a day. My gp said to do stretching exercises. I sing in a choir and want to join a Zumba gold class. There is a local one but I can't do it at the moment. It is my 70th birthday in 2 weeks and my family are giving me a party and I am worried about not being well. Anyone who can relate to this I would love to hear from you about how you coped and what you do the relieve the pain. I should add I have a low pain threshold. Thanks for reading this.
1 like, 7 replies
jt02626 libralady13
Posted
I have had similar pains now for a month that are chronic. Ironically this all happens after a very stressful and anxious time in my life. Pain is in abdomen on both sides, both sides and my mid and upper back almost where it seems my kidneys are.
I have had the gamant of tests and they are all clear. The more I talk to people, the more I realize anxiety can cause these types of pains. Doesn't seem possible but it really is. Best thing to do is meds, therapy and taking care of yourself
libralady13 jt02626
Posted
Thank you for your reply. Sorry for the delay in getting back to you. I have an appointment with my gp tomorrow morning. The pain in the back has got worse and it still seems digestive in nature at times. My ibs has been playing up as well. I went to my choir yesterday even though I did not feel that great hoping it would relax me and it did until we started the moves with out new song. It involved moving the arm up and down and when I got home I was in agony. I can't say it was that that caused it but I think it could be. This makes me think it is my degeneration in the spine and neck causing it. I am still worried about my party which is a week Saturday. Will let you know what the gp thinks but I am of the opinion that once a doctor knows you have anxiety then they blame all your symptoms on that.
joannakn jt02626
Posted
I also suffer from this kind of pain, on both sides and in the middle of my back. I admit I'm really anxious lately as I'm scared I might have a cancer... It's good to know that anxiety might cause that pain as I was sure that's one of the symptoms of pancreatic cancer.
libralady13 joannakn
Posted
joannakn libralady13
Posted
Hi, my pain is kind of feeling as there was a balloon under my ribs and someone was inflating it and there was no more space , basically like bloated but mostly under my ribs on my back. Also I feel pain/discomfort in my middle spine, not very painful, more like a pressure. I have noticed that after I eat some kind of food I can feel as being inflated so I start to feel anxiety and it make my symptoms of bloating even worse, vicious circle!
I wasn't diagnosed with arthritis but I have from time to time joints pain.
What about your pain? Is it in anyway similar to mine?
libralady13 joannakn
Posted
Thank you for your reply. What you have described is in some ways similar to mine. The main difference is that the back pain is awful however I do have arthritis in the spine neck and knees. The pain is caused by activity. For example an hour walking around the supermarket has me in pain. Housework is difficult. The pain is behind each shoulder blade sometimes one then the other or both if it's bad. I also get Pain down the centre of the spine and a sore breastbone. I do have bloating and indigestion but then I do have IBS and diverticular disease. I seem to get Pain all over really. Like you when the back pain gets bad then the chest discomfort starts followed by bloating and feeling unwell. Like you the anxiety sets in then and the last couple of days have been bad. Some family problems have made it all worse. I just hope I can get through my 70th birthday party at the weekend. I had been looking forward to it but am frightened of being in pain. This of course sends the anxiety soaring.
peter88910 libralady13
Posted
Anxiety and backpain is a vicious cycle. At serious stage, it can cause insomnia and later a depression. I went to see psychiatrist, take meds, and do my mindfulness mediation whenever I am feeling tense and under stress.
Peter