rugger 5 Posted August 9, 2019 Been having back pain along upper spine for the last month. Really bad in the morning, seems to improve as the day goes on. Went to chiropractor a few times with little improvement. Chiropractor says she may send me for an X-ray if it doesn’t improve. I asked what that would show and she said looking for fractures, arthritis, or something worse. Well that’s all I had to hear ...worse! Convinced I have bone cancer . I’m melting down. I’m 50 years old and feeling like I won’t see 51. Please help me if you can!!! rugger Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bin_tenn 1252 Posted August 9, 2019 Especially with the age, I wouldn't be surprised if it may be related to sleep habits (e.g. moving around) and / or your mattress. It could be that, it could be poor posture, etc. So many reasons that are much more likely as opposed to a sinister / serious cause. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Iugrad91 501 Posted August 9, 2019 I’m going to be 50 this year and for the last 6 months have been dealing with hip and leg pain. Worse in the morning, just like you. Gets better with activity and not sitting a lot. The “worse” thoughts crossed my mind a few times, I won’t lie, but the number of people that have back pain once they reach 50 is something like 80%. Get the X-ray if for no other reason they can use it as a baseline if you have other problems in the future. Mine showed some degeneration between two discs and SI joints, but it’s probably not what is causing my issue. If you can swing it, try physical therapy. It’s helped me quite a bit. Because a pain in the middle/upper back can be caused by tight or weak muscles in other places. A PT will be able to check your muscle balance and strength and figure out where the issue is. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MobileChucko 23 Posted August 9, 2019 Hi Rugger... About a year ago my upper to mid back started bothering me. I went to the doctor's, and they did do x-rays. I'm 66 now, the the x-rays showed age related changes to the spine. They thought I probably had a herniated disc. Often times a disc herniates when some of the soft, "jelly-like" material leaks out through the tougher exterior. If this is the case, discomfort and pain lasts about six weeks. They put me on Mobic, which is a prescription ibuprofen. Sure enough, six weeks almost to the day, my pain resolved and never came back. One article I read said to sit in a chair, fold your arms across your chest, and bend forward. If it is a herniated disc, this will often take the pressure off that area of the spine, and you will get immediate relief from the pain. That was true in my case. I hope it's something minor, Rugger. The very best to you... Chuck🐱 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rugger 5 Posted August 10, 2019 Thanks for the vote of confidence. Unfortunately I just googled and found out that thoracic pain at night and morning is a red flag for bad stuff. I feel paralyzed! Im beyond freaking out now, I want to run to the ER. Don’t know what to do. rugger Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bin_tenn 1252 Posted August 10, 2019 13 minutes ago, rugger said: Thanks for the vote of confidence. Unfortunately I just googled and found out that thoracic pain at night and morning is a red flag for bad stuff. I feel paralyzed! Im beyond freaking out now, I want to run to the ER. Don’t know what to do. rugger See your primary doctor and talk to them about it. Perhaps mention that you made the mistake of going to Google, and you saw awful things and that it set off some anxiety. They will possibly tell you not to Google for that very reason, and they can also tell you why those "awful things" do not apply in your case. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MARC 431 Posted August 10, 2019 Odds are if it was something serious, you would show no improvement as the day goes on. When I get up in the morming, I am stiff and ache sometimes. Once I get moving for a while, I feel better. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jgriffin 32 Posted August 10, 2019 57 minutes ago, rugger said: Thanks for the vote of confidence. Unfortunately I just googled and found out that thoracic pain at night and morning is a red flag for bad stuff. I feel paralyzed! Im beyond freaking out now, I want to run to the ER. Don’t know what to do. rugger I have googled so many things with horrendous outcomes that put me spiraling like your having happen to you now. Call Monday for an appointment and in the meantime get some fresh air or exercise. Im sorry your going through this Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Iugrad91 501 Posted August 10, 2019 Is the pain all night and keeping you from sleep or do you feel it first thing in the morning when you wake up and start moving/stretching? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
