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Major back pain

I have been fighting back pain for years, but it has gotten much worse the past year.  I have had MRI's done on the lumbar and Thoracic sections of my spine which show slightly bulging disc at L4-L5 and Schmorls nodes throughout the thoracic region.  I had and X-ray done the other day for another problem which noted that L5 is a transtional vertebral body, whatever that means.  It also noted mild anterior compression of T10 through T12, once again whatever that means, it also said the compressions are old.  I am wondering if IO have these compressions are throughtout the Thoracic region.  The majority of my pain starts where my neck joins my body and goes down both side of my spine down past my shoulder blades.  It literally feels like I am being continuously shocked.  The pain goes deep under my shoulder blades and the muscles on top of my shoulders up to my neck stay as tense as can be.  

I have been going to a pain clinic and have under went numerous injections at T1 through T5 and have had radio ablasion at same areas on both sides.  It did alleviate some pain on the right side but did nothing for the left side.l  I have been given meds, but refuse to take the strong ones because I do not like feeling mentally numb.  I still work everyday, with much difficulty, but will continue to do so unless I just cannot walk.  

If anyone has any ideas of anything I could try or do to help this problem or know what some of these terms mean, the help would be greatly appreciated.
6 Responses
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454186 tn?1388974968
"Pain goes way under your shoulder blades and the muscle on top of your shoulders up to your neck has pain that is debilitating at times. (or stay as tense as can be)"

My opinion is  that you mainly suffer neck trouble due to soft tissue injury around neck spine,it can lead to conduct and deep pain in shoulder blades,maybe sometime referral to hand.All of upper back symptom was due to unbalance of lower back which you still had.

So,To relive inflammation of shouler blades and neck tissue is your treatment option.
Deep and intensive acupuncture possibly works for this condition.
Good luck!
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Thanks for the info.  Does anyone know what a anterior compression is or what it means that L5 is a transitional vertebral body ?  I have told my doctors that most of this upper back pain started when I was hanging drywall overhead and I was balancing it on my head.  I felt an enormous pain and I have hurt since.  Even though I told them this, no one has ordered X-ray or MRI of cervical region.  Should this be done ?  Pain is debilitating today.  Has made me sick to my stomach three times.  
Helpful - 0
454186 tn?1388974968
Dear mybackhurtsalot.

MRI of cervical region is very necessary for your diagnosis.

Transitional vertebral bodies are a connom variant in the bony anatomy
of the spinal column, in which there is partial fusing of the bone of
two adjacent vertebrae.

Take care!
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I have an appointment at pain management this Thursday.  I am going to request the doctor order the cervical MRI.  Thank you very much once again for taking the time to answer my questions.  May your God bless you.
Helpful - 0
508577 tn?1230483727
have you been checked out for thorasic outtlet syndrome??STRAKER
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I don't guess so, have no idea what that is, more infor if available please.
Helpful - 0
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