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Unknown reason for back, neck, shoulder and rib pains

Posted , 4 users are following.

Chantellyy
Chantellyy

Hello, I suffer from a back problem where my neck is off center to the right and my spine is curved. From top to bottom, my spine curves to the left, straightens up and twists towards my hips, and finally curves slightly to the left, causing my ribs and shoulders to be uneven. Doctors say it’s minor Scoliosis, while specialists say it’s a deformity I was born with. I didn’t have any problems when I was a child, but these past few years I’ve been dealing with a lot of different problems which may or may not be related to the spinal abnormalities. I get chronic headaches due to upper body tension, neck, shoulder, back and rib pain. Sometimes my lower back and body goes numb (which could be due to having the shingles a couple years ago, and restless legs inherited from my family) and my shoulders dislocate on average once a week or so due to being so weak. When my ribs are in pain, I get sharp pains through my chest and often struggle to breathe heavily without these pains. Every now and then I have periods of time lasting from a day to a couple weeks where I have a lot of back, neck and rib pain, my shoulders dislocate more frequently, I suffer from day long migraines and occasionally I get bruising around the shoulder blade and particular sections of my ribcage. I’ve tried various doctors, specialists and physiotherapists, different pain killers and physical therapy for about a year, but instead of helping I felt these things either gave temporary relief, a lot of pain with no improvement or no changes at all. I don't have a lot of money to spend on seeing various practitioners in different professions that may or may not be able to help me, so I’ve come to the internet in the hope of finding out the reasons behind the source of my pain, as well as some information about where to go and how to treat it. I'm particularly concerned about my shoulders dislocating so often, as it is becoming more frequent. If anyone has any information to share regarding my current problem, I would greatly appreciate it.

0 likes, 12 replies

12 Replies

  • tamel15202
    tamel15202 Chantellyy

    Posted

    Hi, I'm sorry to hear about the pain you are having. How many degrees is the curve of your spine?
    • Chantellyy
      Chantellyy tamel15202

      Posted

      Thank you, I can't remember the exact number, but its only considered a minor curve. Im not sure if the scholiosis is the cause of the pain, but i thought it was worth mentioning...

       

  • beverley82498
    beverley82498 Chantellyy

    Posted

    Hi sorry to hear about your pain.Have you seen a scoliosis specialist?If you look at The Scoliosis Association UK website they will tell you how to be referred.Good luck
    • Chantellyy
      Chantellyy beverley82498

      Posted

      Thanks, I don't live in the UK though :c specialists just tell me the curve isnt very bad and they dont know why im in so much pain...
    • beverley82498
      beverley82498 Chantellyy

      Posted

      What about the Scoliosis Research Society?There is also an article in the New York Times which might help.
  • patricia4866
    patricia4866 Chantellyy

    Posted

    Hi Chantellyy. Patricia here. I am so sorry that you are going through all of this. Here in the US, I would say that you need to see a really good Orthopedic Surgeon for the various levels of scoliosis as well as theshoulder problem which could very well be rotator cuff (muscle, tendon, ligament problem in itself) or simply a symptom of the malformation of. The spine. Remember that song we all learned as children?......the thigh bone is connected to the hip bone, etc. When one is out of whack, it throws the rest off with it.

    As for your migraines, that is usually directly related to stress or injury of the cervical muscles, which could very well be attributed to the Scoliosis also.

    I wish you the best and good luck in your quest for answers. Have you tried Scoliosis support groups? Please stay in touch and keep us up on how you are doing. God bless.

    Patricia

  • patricia4866
    patricia4866 Chantellyy

    Posted

    Chantellyy, if you don't mind my asking, where are you located in the US? I am in VA and have a huge Ortho and Neuro Dept full of some of the. best doctors and surgeons in the US at VCU Medical Center in Richmond I worked as a RN on the Ortjo Surgical and Joint Restoration Units ha i g retired 8 months ago secondary to my own back pain. And I am now 12 weeks post op a lumbar laminectomy with disectkmy and fusion on L4-L5 w/ bone graft. VCU's Harald Young neuro Science Dept is one of the best in the nation also. My own surgery was done there and I have had a successful outcome. (I am 66 yrs old ).

    Please don't give up. There A Re many really wonderful Ortho and Neuro docs here...call your state's directory for a referral if your family physician isn't extremely forthcoming with the info. There are lots of docs out there that just cannot put themselves in your shoes at all, but try.

    I hope this has helped.

    Patricia

    • Chantellyy
      Chantellyy patricia4866

      Posted

      Hi Patricia, sorry I took so long, I gave up on the though of people replying... Thankyou very much for your kindness i really appreciate your reply. See I live in Australia (not in the US) and we dont seem to have very much here, and doctors and spinal specialists don't take it seriously because they think that due to the curve not being severe theres nothing wrong with me...Your right that they really can't put themselves in their patients position, my word just doesnt seem to be enough, unless the curve is something like 30-40 degrees they wont even look at surgery or do any scans to see whats wrong with me...I will definitely keep an eye out sand do some more posts around to find some answers, and look into this "rotator cuff" you mentioned. Thank you very much, I will try not to give up, but its hard when it feels lke nobody is there to help...

      Thank you for giving me a little hope

      - Chantel

    • patricia4866
      patricia4866

      Posted

      Chantellyy, I wish I could say more to help, but I know nothing of medical practices in Australia. I assume they have

      Chiropractors there. Have you consulted one concerning

      (gentle) manipulation? Somehow I rather doubt that to be a

      solution for you but it might help with your comfort levels and headaches. Please keep in touch. This forum is a wonderful

      place to go for info as well as emotional support.

      Patricia

    • Chantellyy
      Chantellyy patricia4866

      Posted

      Thanks for the reply smile

      I have seen a couple physio therapists; one said I need a lot of strong manipulation (which put me in agony for quite a while) and the other gave me excercises, which I kept up for abut 8 months but it didnt seem to help, if anything made things worse. I haven't been to a chiropractor before, maybe i'll give that a try...

      I have hoever gotten back into my artistic pr

    • Chantellyy
      Chantellyy

      Posted

      Oops didnt finish my message xD

      I have however gotten back into my artistic practice (Im a glassblower!) and that seems to slowly be stengthening my shoulder muscles up.

      I also discovered this stuff called "Ice Gel" which numbs and freezes the area its applied to. It only lasts for about 20 minutes, but its soooo good when I need that relief for just a little while.I will definitely keep in touch with how I am going here, thank you for trying and taking the time to give me advice I appreciate it ^.^

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