Chronic Pain (Musculoskeletal or something more serious?)?

Question

I've been having 2x per week chiropractic adjustments and 1x per week trigger point massage since April (7 months!). About 2 months ago I went to my primary care doctor with intense fatigue & trigger point pain along my spine and flanks. He ruled out a rhuematological cause based on blood work and gave me prescription strength NSAIDs which left me sleepy but didn't really improve my condition. I have trace white blood cells and "inflammation" in my urine. My flanks hurt, my lower back hurts and my entire upper back and the area along the left side of my spine hurts. I don't "hold" the chiropractic adjustments and I'm thinking my problem is more serious and not related to my spine at all. If I had some type of cancer and it spread to my spine and bones, would it show up on spinal xrays? I've been in daily pain for 8 months with no respite. I'm also terribly anemic, but the doc thinks this is due to the fact that I carry the trait for Thalassemia. I can't sleep and look un-well.

PS I'm only 43 and I'm not overweight. Before all of this began, I used to be a 25 - 30 mile per week runner.

Answer 1

Have you told your doctor (PCP) everything you've just posted here? If not then do so and if you have and then I would suggest for you to get a second opinion. Good luck and I hope you feel better.

Answer 2

Several comments...
1. There is no focal point for your pain and discomfort and no
indication of inflammation or pathology from your blood tests - therefore CA
very unlikely..
2. NSAID's never sent anyone to sleep...
3.. There is no clinical evidence to support chiropractic - which,
at best, gives only very short term relief. (Give it up).
4. Trace leucocytes and "inflammation" (whatever that means!)
in your urine mean, at worst, a mild urinary tract infection.
Thats all.
5. Dont rush into seeking diagnostics. Plain X ray film does
not tell physicians a great deal in these circumstances and
an XR of the spine requires 100x the normal strength of
radiation. (Therefore not done lightly)
6. For your whole back - and flanks - to ache, I would be
thinking....(in the absence of trauma to your back)...faulty
posture (which can give huge problems)... (For which: The Alexander Technique)...
7. This may be one case where a mild strain has actually
been exacerbated by chiropractic manipulation.
You should be undertaking GENTLE forms of exercise
and stretches...(.At 43, maybe you should be thinking of doing less running and a bit more walking....be kinder to yourself).
8. You may well benefit from a thorough-going assessment work-up by an accredited physiotherapist...

Answer 3

You might try seeing an orthopedic surgeon and it might be a good idea to get a MRI. I have had chronic hip, back and leg pain for 2 and a half years that I cannot seem to overcome. I have some mild degenerative changes in my lumbar spine and a chronic hip bursitis. I walked 5 miles a day for 10 years up until this started and have had to cut back to 3 miles several times a week. I have had steroid injections in the spine and hips but they only help temporarily. I have tried chiropractic, physiotherapy and massage to no avail. I don't like to take pain pills and antinflammatories don't help very much. They just started me on Cymbalta, an antidepressant and I have not noticed any change with it either but they said to try it for at least a month. It is very uncomfortable to lay on either side. You need to get the anemia under control with some iron and it sounds like you have a bladder infection and need to get that treated too. Be sure and take your vitamins and especially calcium daily too. Good luck and don't give up!