Terrible Pain in the Left Side / What might it be?

[GJZH]

When I had my lumbar fusion in April of 2006 they removed a rib to get to L1 and L2. I am now having terrible pain in the left side. It feels as though I have fallen and brusied myself on my side. I have not fallen or pulled a muscle, just happened to wake with this terrible pain in my side.

I have had hand surgery about two weeks ago, but this started about three days ago. It is over the rib cage and hurts whenever I move. Someone suggested to me that it might be scar tissue that has formed. What do they do for scar tissue anyway? Please do not suggest that it is the rib growing back....I stupidly made that comment to two doctors and they told me ribs do not grow back....so it is not the rib growing back. Anyone know what a pain in the left side over the rib cage might be? I hate to make a call to the doctor if it is something simple..

[BrokenBladder]

My suggestion is to call your doctor. I know you may not want to bug him if it's something small, but what if it's something that he really needs to know about. Plus this is Friday and I would hate for things to get worse for you over the weekend. Take care and let us know what happens.

[oh_snap]

Umm, how's your tspine looking? My tspine herniations (3 levels) give me wrap around pain/numbness/nerve symptoms, that also curl up right under my rib cage (among other things).

I am sure there are other possibilities including stomach, gas, etc., so I am with BB that you let the doc know what is going on, and get evaluated if it continues, or the symptoms increase.

[GJZH]

I have an eye appt this afternoon....I might just stop at the doc's office if it does not go away before this appt.

Thanks for taking the time to answer...

Gloria

[Mark N]

Gloria, I hate to tell you this but 8 years after my thoracic fusion and rib removal my side is still tender. It is worse some days than other but it can be very tender and your description of it fits what mine feels like.

[Tbackpain1]

I'll second everyone else's comments. I haven't had any surgery, but my thoracic/rib stuff, when it gets cranky sounds very similar to what you describe (wrap around pain, under the rib pain) and it would not suprise me if there was some kind of intercostal nerve issue coming as a result of the rib surgery.

Definitely check with your doc about this. I've had nerve block injections done to knock it out, but its only a temporary fix. Lidoderm patches, heat/ice and my usual round of meds, along with a tincture of time put those crabby rib nerves back into a not so excited state.

Theresa

[GJZH]

Theresa and Mark,

You are both so kind to remind me of the thoracic spine...and the Lidoderm patches...I just paid out a lot of money for the patches...My insurance would not cover them so I only purchased ten...but this might just work for this pain...Thanks guys...It is so good to see everyone on here again...

I just determined too from the eye doc that I discontinued my Topamax and Plaquenil a little too hastily...I have gained about 15 pounds with Neurontin so I am stopping that promptly and going back on the Topamax....I am certain I will lose the weight again with the Topamax...I was eating anything I could find with the Neurontin, unfortunately...

[GJZH]

Mark and Theresa,

I started doing exercises for my shoulder and think this started the pain in my side. I do not know if I should be doing any exercises at all. The PT that recently evaluated me for PT for the lumbar spine told me I could not do any land exercises at all, hence I was doing Aqua therapy. My spinal surgeon does not want me to do any traction or extension or flexion exercises...Well the hand doc ordered traction exercises...and another exercise that I was doing with my cane...both I think have created a terrible pain flare...I am stopping all exercises without the okay of pain management doc...The Lidoderm patches have helped...

[Mark N]

Gloria, it sounds like a good plan for now. I have tried to start a lifting program [very light weight] as I used to love it in the past but I have had to stop each time because it causes a major pain flare. I hope it clears up in a day or two.

[Tbackpain1]

Hey Gloria,

I'm glad to hear you've got a plan in place...fingers crossed it does the trick for you, so you can get that pain monster off your back.

I really can't do alot of strength building PT, so I'm mostly just do flexibility stuff and focus on the core muscles (abs, and lat. stabalizers). I work with one of those big exercise balls and my yoga mat daily, but there are days where I can't do all the normal exercises because of a flare. Just remember to cut yourself some slack on the bad days, ok?

Take it easy.

Theresa