Anyone know if pain in upper back when breathing is SJS related?

[Fanciefrancie]

I was diagnosed with Primary Sjogren's a few months ago.  When I was pregnant last year I had severe pain in my upper back when I would breathe deeply.  I wrote it off to being pregnant as I had a long list of ailments.  Recently this pain has returned out of nowhere.  It comes and goes.  Does anyone else have this?   

Thanks in advance for your attention to this.

Emily

[irish]

I am curious if the doctor every said anything to you about your gallbladder. People with Sjogrens have a higher potential for having gallbladder issues. I had gallbladder issues when I was pregnant with my last baby. I had the pain in the upper back and it was sort of between my shoulder blades. I also had some heartburn that came and went. You might want to keep track of this pain in relation to what you eat. Higher fat and spicy foods will kick up the gallbladder issues.

The liver is a secreting gland that makes bile and the bile goes to the gallbladder where it is stored until we eat food that demands the release of the bile to aid in digestion. I ended up having testing after delivery and my gallbladder was ok and I never did need surgery. I have had occasional pain and discomfort over the years but have managed to stay out of surgery.The gallbladder is located sort of tucked under the ribs and liver on the right side. The pain from gallbladder can be referred to a lot of different areas and different symptoms can show up. The back pain is probably the most common besides the pain under the right rib cage and the heartburn. Many people find themselves limiting their diet. I knew a gal who ended up eating oatmeal and coke in order to feel half way decent so she could work. She didn't have insurance and just kept putting it off. She ended up in ER and they told her that in another 24 hours she probably would have been dead.

This is not to scare people, but it is to make people understand that gallbladder issues can be significantly more serious than one would think. Good luck. Irish

[trejonina]

I had that pain when I used to do kapalabati  and other intense breathing in yoga years ago, but since I haven't done that breathing, no pain.

[Judie P]

I get the upper back issues too.  Mine goes to the sides as well when I breath.  Had it for about a week and then it went away.  I noticed it is coming back today.  The temperature is near 100 here and I was standing in the heat for hours yesterday.  I was told by a podiatrist that I have flat feet, which I have had all my life.  However, SJS can cause the ligaments in your feet to make them even flatter.  I am not sure about it, but do you have flat feet?

[Joe S.]

For me, it may be postural.  Too mant hours hunched over a keyboard.

[Dolly Dimples]

  My upper back pains, which I had for some years  were finally diagnosed after X Ray--- Osteo arthritis!
      I had thought I might have Angina,      so ask for an X ray.
                                                                      Dolly

[fiona13]

I've had severe upper back pain for several years and thought it was muscle spasms, then lungs and now I'm not sure if it's my thoraic spine.  They did an MRI and waiting for the doctor to tell me the results.  The primary suspected compression fracture.  I've had C5/C6 cervical ACDF surgery and arthoscopic surgery on left shoulder - both shoulders are impinged and hurt all the time.  I try not to complain as no one wants to hear it but some days the pain is ever present; I'm a very strong person so I try to grin and ignore it but lately it's difficult to ignore.  I also have bad digestive/gas issues, diverticula, and lately my creatinine was slightly elevated.  Could anyone provide some advice.

[meirish]

Pains that we have can always be from our Sjogrens or any other autoimmune disease that chooses us. However, if you have had a fusion and problems with your spine it is always a good idea to see your surgeon again and have scans, etc. He can compare the current scans to previous scans and there could be further damage that has taken place.

I had a C4C5 fusion a few years ago and have had to have further scans to make sure that things weren't getting worse in my neck. I have degenerative osteoarthritis and a lot of my spine so hard to tell what is going on.

Spinal pain is confusing. When I had surgery I had been to the neurologist for my myasthenia gravis and mentioned that my hands hurt and burned. My neuro did MRI of lower and upper spine. Came back and told me "have surgery or will be paralyzed or die. WOW. I had thot the hand pain was from my carpal tunnel in both hands. My spinal cord was greatly compressed and I had what they called emergent surgery---which was in 2 weeks and I was in serious condition (whatever that meant) when they took me to surgery. I never had neck pain or a headache...therefore I am more apt to go to the doctor now. I have residual issues from that disc being compressed.
 
Just for some info on back issues. They can certainly surprise a person. Good luck. meirish