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Unknown pain etiology lasting 2 years
QUICK FACTS: I have a pain on the left side of my torso in line with my breast; my neurologist relates it to be about in line with t3. The pain is deep and sharp which catches my breath. The pain originally would go away quickly but now it lingers. Originally it only ever happened when I slept on my left side, then it happened when I would sleep on my stomach. Now it happens no matter which side I sleep on. Exercise and range of motion does not cause it, but ROM can make the pain worse when it is there. For example, I wake up many times every night in pain and it hurts to breathe and roll over/change positions. And yet I can run, walk, swim, and use the row machine without any pain. Only once when doing calisthenics did I notice some of the pain arise.
HISTORY: I have myasthenia gravis and was diagnosed in 2011. I had a thymectomy in 2013. I've had a couple crises mostly related to anxiety which exacerbated the MG. My last crisis was in March 2015 due to Prednisone withdrawal and was I hospitalized for 3 days. It is after this point that the pain started. I had not done any activity to have strained any muscles. I am currently on Prednisone and am symptom free of MG.
TESTS: I've met with numerous doctors: PCP, neurologist, gynecologist, cardiologist, physiatrist. Neither has been able to determine the cause of the pain. My heart and lungs are healthy; the only notable thing from tests was that I have a fast heartbeat, but the heart is strong and healthy. I had a CT scan in 09/2016 which came back with normal results and 'no evidence of acute intrathoracic disease.' I had a MRI in 03/2017 which resulted in the following:
'12 mm epidural cyst at upper T6. this cyst does not appear to cause any canal stenosis/cord compression. no significant facet degenerative changes are seen as source for the cyst. this is mot likely incidental and of doubtful significance.' MRI also found 'mild disc degeneration at T6-7 without cord compression.'
It is the MRI results I do not yet fully understand but have begun some research. I see my neuro for MG f/u in August (he ordered the MRI).
OTHER: Some mornings I wake up with a tight pain across my lower abdomen, though this feels more airy but I am unsure if it is of any significance.
MEDS: Prednisone 20mg daily, Gabapentin 100mg PRN pain (does not work to address the pain), birth control
I just need to reach out to the community for some possible answers because my doctors (and I) seem to be at a loss. There are periods of time (days/weeks) where the pain is not as strong/present. Then there are periods of time (days/weeks) where the pain is more present--this is where I am currently. I cannot look forward to sleeping at the end of the day because I am always waking up in pain. If anyone can provide me with some possible insight, I'd greatly appreciate it. The only test I know of that remains may be an EMG (which I've had before to dx the MG)--I read in my research it can detect nerve irritation. Other than that, I can only think of possible ways to alleviate pain/address possible spine/muscle issues: PT, acupuncture, chiropractor, massage therapy. But I'd rather not guess would like to know what's causing this.
Thanks,
Samantha
HISTORY: I have myasthenia gravis and was diagnosed in 2011. I had a thymectomy in 2013. I've had a couple crises mostly related to anxiety which exacerbated the MG. My last crisis was in March 2015 due to Prednisone withdrawal and was I hospitalized for 3 days. It is after this point that the pain started. I had not done any activity to have strained any muscles. I am currently on Prednisone and am symptom free of MG.
TESTS: I've met with numerous doctors: PCP, neurologist, gynecologist, cardiologist, physiatrist. Neither has been able to determine the cause of the pain. My heart and lungs are healthy; the only notable thing from tests was that I have a fast heartbeat, but the heart is strong and healthy. I had a CT scan in 09/2016 which came back with normal results and 'no evidence of acute intrathoracic disease.' I had a MRI in 03/2017 which resulted in the following:
'12 mm epidural cyst at upper T6. this cyst does not appear to cause any canal stenosis/cord compression. no significant facet degenerative changes are seen as source for the cyst. this is mot likely incidental and of doubtful significance.' MRI also found 'mild disc degeneration at T6-7 without cord compression.'
It is the MRI results I do not yet fully understand but have begun some research. I see my neuro for MG f/u in August (he ordered the MRI).
OTHER: Some mornings I wake up with a tight pain across my lower abdomen, though this feels more airy but I am unsure if it is of any significance.
MEDS: Prednisone 20mg daily, Gabapentin 100mg PRN pain (does not work to address the pain), birth control
I just need to reach out to the community for some possible answers because my doctors (and I) seem to be at a loss. There are periods of time (days/weeks) where the pain is not as strong/present. Then there are periods of time (days/weeks) where the pain is more present--this is where I am currently. I cannot look forward to sleeping at the end of the day because I am always waking up in pain. If anyone can provide me with some possible insight, I'd greatly appreciate it. The only test I know of that remains may be an EMG (which I've had before to dx the MG)--I read in my research it can detect nerve irritation. Other than that, I can only think of possible ways to alleviate pain/address possible spine/muscle issues: PT, acupuncture, chiropractor, massage therapy. But I'd rather not guess would like to know what's causing this.
Thanks,
Samantha
I had sudden bladder pain after surgery which lasted two years. That was when my long list of symptoms all added up to severe magnesium deficiency (I had magnesium deficiency before surgery actually but it worsened further due to surgery). Sad to say no doctor figured it out. Magnesium is never tested in Australia clearly but even it was magnesium serum is not accurate as only 1 % of magnesium in the blood.
Pain wise, I get like a really bad pressure pain around my waist like someone is hugging my way to tight. Thankfully I now know the cause so if that symptom shows up (might be eating too much sugar for instance) this pain disappears in an hour of taking a magnesium supplement.
At my worst with magnesium deficiency I felt 100 years old and had pain all over. My doctor thought I had fibromyalgia. That you mention pain after surgery I would have to first recommend a good quality magnesium supplement. I take chelated magnesium which is very good for absorption.
Excerpt from Ancient Minerals - Need More Magnesium? 10 Signs to Watch For...
"3. Do you experience a lot of stress in your life, or have you recently had a major medical procedure such as surgery?
Both physical and emotional stress can be a cause of magnesium deficiency.
Stress can be a cause of magnesium deficiency, and a lack of magnesium tends to magnify the stress reaction, worsening the problem. In studies, adrenaline and cortisol, byproducts of the “fight or flight” reaction associated with stress and anxiety, were associated with decreased magnesium.4
Because stressful conditions require more magnesium use by the body, all such conditions may lead to deficiency, including both psychological and physical forms of stress such as surgery, burns, and chronic disease."
http://www.ancient-minerals.com/magnesium-deficiency/need-more/
Pain wise, I get like a really bad pressure pain around my waist like someone is hugging my way to tight. Thankfully I now know the cause so if that symptom shows up (might be eating too much sugar for instance) this pain disappears in an hour of taking a magnesium supplement.
At my worst with magnesium deficiency I felt 100 years old and had pain all over. My doctor thought I had fibromyalgia. That you mention pain after surgery I would have to first recommend a good quality magnesium supplement. I take chelated magnesium which is very good for absorption.
Excerpt from Ancient Minerals - Need More Magnesium? 10 Signs to Watch For...
"3. Do you experience a lot of stress in your life, or have you recently had a major medical procedure such as surgery?
Both physical and emotional stress can be a cause of magnesium deficiency.
Stress can be a cause of magnesium deficiency, and a lack of magnesium tends to magnify the stress reaction, worsening the problem. In studies, adrenaline and cortisol, byproducts of the “fight or flight” reaction associated with stress and anxiety, were associated with decreased magnesium.4
Because stressful conditions require more magnesium use by the body, all such conditions may lead to deficiency, including both psychological and physical forms of stress such as surgery, burns, and chronic disease."
http://www.ancient-minerals.com/magnesium-deficiency/need-more/
1 Comments
Thank you so much for your response. I will certainly look more into magnesium deficiency.
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