Back, chest, rib, neck, arm pain. Standing, walking causing excruciating pain

[Campaigner8]

For going on three years now, I have had widespread pain primarily on the right upper side of my body. Laying down can give me partial relief. Sitting or standing immediately exacerbates the pain levels to a 9 to 10 out of ten pain. It feels like my back and chest muscles are pulling. When walking, the muscle hurt and pull, like I may fall backwards. A good example would be my problem of standing to shave. Standing in one spot in front of the mirror has become impossible. Once I tolerate pain from standing for about a minute, the pain increases and my upper back and chest muscles start quivering and shaking; as do my legs. I quickly go to sit or preferably lay down. It takes a good hour or two for my muscle pain to lessen to levels I experienced before I attempted to stand in one spot and shave. The pain and shaking were not helped by trials on muscle relaxants and other medications such as Baclofen, Zanaflex and Mirtazapine. I found that MS Contin, Hydromorphone and oxycodone is essentially non-effective for pain relief. Pain gets much worse as day progresses, even if I've been laying down all day; which I'm finding it harder to do anything but lay on the couch. When I take my Sublinox (Ambien) at night, I generally notice that my pain levels are reduced. If I can go to sleep, laying on my back or stomach often alleviates much of the pain. If or when I wake up, moving my right arm has the sensation that it is very rigid. Rigid with muscle cramps, in intolerable pain is how I describe each days existence. When the pain and cramps get worse in my neck and chest, my voice is effected. I lose my voice and it hurts in my sternum area to speak.This is not my nature to fall into a funk and abandon most of my life. I ran a successful business for 27 years. I no longer can run that business. I thank God my wife has taken over the reigns and the business is surviving. I am depressed only in the sense that it is depressing to lay on the couch and watch television for a good part of the day. I have no other options as sitting and standing has become intolerable. I need help that my Doctor and a myriad of specialists have not been able to do. They believe me from what they say. No Doctors have mentioned that I may be suffering from something related to psychiatry. My GP is understanding that I can't drive anymore, and it is beyond difficult to make it to Doctor appointments anymore. A year and a half ago, it was bad, but I could make it to appointments. Any ideas as I'm nearing the end of my mental rope.

[Jade59]

You have currently posted in the 'Un-Diagnosed Community.  You might want to copy and paste your post to the Pain Management Community.  The same CL is there, but you might get more members replying.  Here's the link, just click on it...

https://www.medhelp.org/forums/Pain-Management/show/53

[backhurtz]

Inactivity is going to cause muscles to weaken further and reduce your body's tolerance to any activity levels.
Given your symptoms and inability to drive, you can check with your insurer for medical transportation to and from doctors appts.
You need to be seen at the very least your primary care doctor and maybe a neurologist or spine surgeon who can evaluate if there may be something in your spine causing nerve related symptoms and muscular pain.
Spine issues such as arthritis, stenosis, DDD can cause the type of symptoms you experience, as well as many other conditions.
Best wishes.

[Jade59]

What about buying a Walker?  I understand from your description how much pain you're in, but a Walker to get you even a few houses away (hopefully you can go further as time goes on) will help keep your muscles from atrophying...and maybe even loosen you up some.  Magnesium Citrate (I buy it online) is helpful for muscle craps, although, please ask your dr before trying it.  You've got a lot on your plate, but it's important to keep moving (if possible!) no matter how difficult or painful it is.  

I'm not surprised Ambien works for you, as it belongs  to class of drugs called sedative-hypnotics.

I have arthritis, DDD and a host of other chronic pain issues myself.  The more I move (and some days it feels darn near impossible), the better I feel.  Not great mind you, but a little better.  

Have you tried yoga?  You can buy a CD and do it from a chair.  You would never have to get up.  

I wish you well.