Muscle aches in back

[coltsfan715]

hey guys,

I was thinking this afternoon ~ yes I know quite possibly a bit of a shock <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">. I have been having this muscle pain and achiness in my back for weeks now. I know it is muscle pain from coughing and just plain breathing because I don't get it when I take deep breathes and things it is a constant dull ache and only really hurts when I am coughing or trying to do anything physical. I have had this type of discomfort off and on my entire life. I have noticed this before but realized it again today - my pain is pretty much localized to my left side - my left side also tends to be the side that most of my lung problems occur on. I had a mucous plug at a young age in a left lobe, I had a partial lung collapse last summer - of the upper left lobe and most of my infections seem to centralize in or radiate out from the left lobe(s).

My question is this. Do any of you guys get chronic muscle/back pain and if so do you notice it is localized to one side or another? I am thinking that the left side of my body has to work harder and that is why I always have knots and achiness on that side. I was just curious to see if any others had chronic aches/pains and if they could be associated with a "problem area"?

This may seem like a pretty obvious statement to people, but that just kind of popped into my head again today for the upteenth time and I figured I would ask to see what people's opinions were.

Also if anyone has any tips on how to get rid of the achiness I would love to hear them. I have a massage set up for 1.5 weeks from now, but can't get that done til then, so anything to do in the meantime would be great.

Lindsey

 

[thelizardqueen]

I had a serious bleeder two years ago and had to have a pulmonary embolization done. Ever since I had the bleed and procedure done, I notice that I have a dull pain in that very area once and awhile. Sometimes it goes away, but inevitably it comes back - especially when I have an active infection. Its in my upper right lobe, where majority of my infections are. I guess its just from damage done maybe, I don't know. I have no idea how to get rid of it though. I've tried physio, my inhalers, etc but it always comes back.

The only other back pain I've ever had was a couple of years ago when I had a kidney infection. At the time I didn't know I had one because I had no other symptoms, so I carried on with the pain for a good 3 weeks before I had to go to emergency because I was in so much pain. Turns out the infection had started to travel to my heart, and if I hadn't have gone to emergency it may have been a whole lot worse. I'm sure this isn't a kidney infection for you - but that's the only other back pain I've ever had.

 

[NoExcuses]

.

 

[anonymous]

I have a constant muscle knot in my upper left lobe/shoulder area. It hurts off and on when I've been coughing particularly hard or have slept on it wrong. It's not really associated with anything lung related that I can tell, such as infections or problem areas in my lungs.

My boyfriend is currently going to massage school (lucky me!) and talked to his teachers about this. They said it is something that is often seen in people with respiratory problems. It's probably associated with the coughing/exertion and everything we are all so familiar with<img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">

Massage is a great way to treat it, but my 'cough-knot' as I call it is very persistant and it takes a while to work it out. I have a massage chair thing that vibrates and warms up that I have found to be really helpful, or just a heating pad works for me too.

Tami

 

[CowTown]

I'd say massage, massage, massage. I have chronic back pain, but this sounds more related to your lungs?

Also, last Tuesday I woke up with a crazy pinched nerve or something, I had to favor walking on my left side, it hurt soooo much and with each was getting tighter. By the time Friday came along I already had my first accuncture appointment set, so I went. She didn't even focus on my pinched nerve....too many other things going on, but I swear when I left her office there was *no* trace of the pinched nerve left. It was completely gone. It hasn't come back either. Weird and wonderful. Just a thought. Hopefully your massage will do wonders for you.

 

[anonymous]

I go to physical therapy they have me do light excersise like lift hang weights and arm bikes etc then they do soft tissue work its really the best i have a $15 copay but its worth it

 

[Faust]

My upper back and lower back is killing me, but it's due to lifting weights.

 

[CowTown]

Ooooooh, big boy Sean!

 

[Faust]

<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote><i>Originally posted by: <b>MyNewfy</b></i>

Ooooooh, big boy Sean!</end quote></div>



/shocked look


You've seen me naked?!?!

 

[coltsfan715]

<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote>I have chronic back pain, but this sounds more related to your lungs? </end quote></div>

Yeah Kelly it is technically just back pain muscle pain but I know it is a result of my lungs and coughing. Though I have it even when I don't have an infection. It is pretty much around my left shoulder and into my arm, left side of my neck and the left side of my spine between my spine and shouldr blade.

<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote>You've seen me naked?!?! </end quote></div>

If only you could erase the image ... *ducks out of the way as SD throws nearest object at me* just kidding.... but seriously <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif" border="0">

Linds

 

[Faust]

Heh. Hey Lindsey. Have you figured out you have a halo above your head in that pic? Could it be devine intervention?!?!?!

 

[JazzysMom]

Last year is when I really took notice to my back problems. I have always had various sore muscles etc. Last year during my bad bout of airway restrictions, my therapists were doing massages to help open things up. EVERY time they came to me to work on my back, it was like starting all over. My left side of my spine was always the worst or at least where I could feel it the most. Literally knots.....My hubby tries to work on my back as I need it. Honestly its very hard to keep up with when you cough all the time. Our bodies go thru a lot just in maintenance so I have been trying to find a place near me that accepts my insurance for massage therapy. That is my best bet. Good Luck!

 

[CowTown]

<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote><i>Originally posted by: <b>coltsfan715</b></i>

Yeah Kelly it is technically just back pain muscle pain but I know it is a result of my lungs and coughing. Though I have it even when I don't have an infection. It is pretty much around my left shoulder and into my arm, left side of my neck and the left side of my spine between my spine and shouldr blade.

Linds</end quote></div>


I went to a Cranial Therapist once for my CF to see what he do for me, and I learned a lot. Once thing he did each time I was in, was he'd massage the muscles inbetween each rib. Literally he spent time pressing hard on the muscles in between which were very tight. This was unlike a regular masssage where they use their whole hands and press everywhere. It was very interesting b/c he said as we cough throughout the day, those individual muscles get tighter and tigher and take so much abuse. If you can get the muscles to relax and loosen up, then you'll be able to breathe more easily as well. It really helped, but too expensive to keep going of course. I took a lot of neat tips away from those office visits though.

It's a drag dealing with it, for sure. I hope you feel better soon.

 

[treehugger]

Lindsey,

The exact same thing happened to me. My right upper lobe partially collapsed last summer and the pain in my back is always there-sometimes more than others. I talked with my doc about it and he said it could be scar tissue and muscles bumping or pulling on it. There could also be some unresolved infection or pleuracy (sp?). He said it would take awhile but it should get better. I notice when I do alot with my upper body (lifting) it hurts more and when I cough alot it hurts more. I was advised I could take 4 ibupropen a time 2 or 3 times a day for 2 weeks and that helped and took my mind off it. If it gets worse that may be a sign of a returning infection. I hope you feel better!

Lisa

 

[Scarlett81]

Amy-
When you had the gallbladder problems, did you ever feel a "pop" near that area? I don't how else I can describe it. I get this pop down there, and I can actually push near there and feel a pop. It's been that way for years.
They thought years ago I had an issue with it, but nothing ever happened. NOw I'm not sure. I have some GI issues, and my gastro is looking into what's going on now. But, the gallbladder came up again, and he'll be looking into it. I just need to stabalize some other issues first.