Yesterday whilst at work went to pick up a file and pow..my shoulder blade around into the front of my ribs went into spasm. It was the most painful thing. I could not breathe properly and my husband had to come and collect me from work. We went to the hospital and they have given me some powerful painkillers (which put me on another planet.)

This morning feeling a little better but my ribs feel bruised and my muscles in my back feel battered.

Has anyone else had this problem and how did you manage?
[Edited 10/31/08 1:29am]
[Edited 10/31/08 1:30am]

I have had back spasms and time and rest are the only things that helped. Hope you feel better.

A topic I know a ton about...

I have been having chronic muscle spasms between my right shoulder blade and my spine for about 7 years. They suck big time!!!!! Can be so extremely painful, that when I'm in the midst of a spasm, I feel like I could pass out or throw up. They are simply horrible.

I've learned to avoid things that bring them on: Doing any type of work, where my arms are raised for too long (painting walls perhaps). Also standing around for too long with improper posture.

Just recently, I had three week-long episodes of spasms in a 6 week time period. The most ever.

I've tried Flexeral, Soma, Vicodin, Ativan and Valium. The flexeral is crap. The do nothing. The soma was way too strong. Didn't stop spasms, but I imagined that it was what taking heroin is like. Vicodin helps with pain, but makes me sick. Ativan and valium help the most.

I try to do my regular work during the day, off of pills. I take frequent breaks where I lay down on an ice pack, then switch off to heat. The ice actually feels better. Then at night I would take the ativan or valium. I would wake up in the morning feeling no pain. It would usually start up a couple hours after waking, but I just kept up this routine until eventually the spasms die down and then just stop completely. Usually about a week later.

I've also recently tried standing up against a wall with a tennis ball right at the muscle that is being stupid and bend my legs a little up and down, letting the ball roll back and forth agains the bad spot. This kind of kneads the muscle.

Do not try stretching the muscle while it is hurting. This will only aggravate it. Wait until it is completely done spasming,then start gentle strengthening exercises, like some yoga moves.

Note: About the drugs, I see an oncologist so I can pretty much get anything I ask for. I'm really hoping Michigan passes the medicinal marijuana law next week!

blueblossom said:

Backs are vile things when they hurt, i have broken mine a couple of times and it just takes forever to heal. Hope you feel better soon

OH.MY.FUCKING.GOD!!!!! I can't believe I'm reading this.....I had a back-spasm just a minute ago, before clicking on this thread!!!!!

I had trouble breathing and not screaming out loud.....I'm hurting here right now...but I am feeling that it is subsiding, which I really hope it will as I have a important golfmatch tomorrow!
[Edited 10/31/08 3:53am]

abierman said:

Plus i have seen your swing dude.....spasm will HELP it

mdiver said:

and you have not seen my swing.....bigmouth!

abierman said:

the picture of you over rotating,pushing your hands and hip sliding is enough

mdiver said:

you've seen a picture.....

wow talk about timing on this thread...i have chronic back pain, comes on every two years or so, i just had my worst attack this week.

I get the pain in my lower back just near my pelvis, its debilitating. The single most painful thing i have ever felt, ever. It what i'd imagine getting stabbed and having somebody wiggle the knife around in your back feels like.

I have a series of them and then im knocked out for about a week following. Typing this now i've just come off 6 days of not moving and being on my back. I couldn't even lie on my side, just straight on my back.

When the attacks come i literally just fall straight to the floor and cant get up for an hour at least. Two years ago i fell straight onto the floor at a chemist (funnily enough) and had to get taken home, very embarrassing...

This time it just happened at home so wasn't as embarrassing but i had twice the attacks. LAME.

Im going to see some specialists soon, i dont care what needs to be done i'll do it to get rid of this shit.

sorry to hear about yours, i wouldn't wish this shit on anybody.

let's face it pain just sucks. hope you feel better soon!

I bent over to show someone my new shoes two weeks ago.
I sneezed.
My back bore the brunt of the sneeze.
I have been in pain ever since.
The shoes are good though.

XxAxX said:

My goodness, when backs go they go big time eh? The Codeine puts me on another planet and for a control freak that sucks big time!!!

I have had 5 hot baths today and it has helped a little bit and my husband is looking after the children and knows how I feel because he suffers with his back.

Some people are unsympathetic because it is an injury they can't see and if they don't suffer with their backs they can't see the problem.

The pain around my ribs is the worst and catches when I breathe in (my hubby told me to stop breathing in..hee hee..he thinks he's a comedian!!)

All of you who suffer with this agonising condition you now have me to sympathise with you. I would not wish this on my worst enemy!!

mdiver said:

aw you're a love ain't ya...

dustysgirl said:

I have the spasms in my right shoulder blade and round to the ribs....chronically painful. Thanks for the tips.

xperience319 said:

When my husband's back went big time he was screaming with the pain and the Dr put him on morphine. Knocked him out for days.

Cuddles for you...

I've had them and the only thing that helped me was letting my back heal and then getting physical therapy. It made a world of difference.

All muscles spasms hurt like mad. Hope you feel better soon.