Kickas.org Forums Ankylosing Spondylitis General Discussion #1 AS Web Support Group Strange pain sensation

Last night while lying in bed, I experienced a strange pain sensation - I've had it a few times before - it just seems to hit you straight out of the blue. It starts as a very sharp pain in my shoulder, and it then travels down one side of the back to right down deep in the lowest part of the back. When I press both on the bone in the shoulder, and whatever bone it is in the lower back, they are very painful and very hot. It happens in just a few seconds - I feel rather light-headed, a bit sick and very thirsty for about a minute, then OK again. Afterwards, I'm just left with a lot of stiffness in my neck/shoulders/back. In the past, I've put it down to moving awkwardly or lying awkardly and possibly pressing on a nerve. It's quite unpleasant when it happens, but it's over quite quickly - I've noticed that it tends to coincide with any flare ups of symptoms, and true enough, having been OK yesterday, today I'm very very stiff.

Any ideas? Obviously, if I ever get a second rheumy appointment, I can ask them too. The two MRI scans I've had booked so far have been cancelled by the hospital - the first due a lack of staff, and the second because of a computer error. They were supposed to be back in touch last week, but I heard nothing. I suspect it won't now be until the new year.

David

Wow, that sounds a little scary. I have not had exactly what you describe. Particulary, I have not had the "light-headed, a bit sick and very thirsty for about a minute" feelings that you describe. But, I have had sharp, electic, muscle spasm pains on my side around the lower rib cage when I move in the night. I haven't had that for many months.

not really sure? just wanted to send some good thoughts for you!

all i can really think of is either a nerve thing like you suggest or muscle spasms like john suggests. both can be sudden. hope a doctor can figure it out from your description. the only pain that makes me really sick like that is when i had nerves in my upper back being compressed by a rib that was stuck under my shoulder blade. muscle spasms might make me scream, but they don't make me feel sick in the same way, maybe because they are quick and then not until i move again. where as the nerve compression is different, even once i get up and its not compressed, it seems to have a longer "memory".

but still nothing exactly as you describe it.

? Maybe spasm in your erector spinae or latissimus dorsi muscles,(run from your shoulder down to your back) causing a disturbance in your sympathetic chain (autonomic nervous system) - hence the dizziness, wanting to puke, thirsty etc...

I can get this too, if I lie on my back a bit awkwardly (twisted - usually due to a cat on my belly when I'm trying to read...)

Next day a bit od residual spasm in the muscle makes me feel a bit tender and tight - relieved a bit by a heat pack - and ditching the cat!

Yea the light headed and sick for a minute makes me think you need to check with your Doc as soon as you can.

Keep us updated if you find something out.

Lisa

David, that is somewhat frightening. I'm with the others, please get it checked out ASAP. As for the MRI, now that you've had two cancelled appointments, don't wait for them to call you back. Get pro-active about it, OK? Sometimes, that's what it takes.

Hugs,