For many years I have felt uneasiness, a feeling of discomfort when I speak, which I used to describe as "something squeezed by left 12th rib", this is because I feel a kind of pain aggravated particularly by the movement of this rib during speaking (I know it is connected to the l12th rib as I can reproduce this pain when applying pressure to the said rib), only recently did I realize that the pain actually came from a section of my lumbar, it feels like its coming from l1 or l2 level, and it is this sensation that a point on the lumbar is squeezed from the left side by something and feels painful.
It is not an excruciating pain but since it somehow is triggered by rib movement during speech, it plagues my life as I feel it difficult trying to speak, and this problem also just seems to be very unique and not explained at all by local doctors. Can anyone give me suggestions on how to find out more or what measures can possibily make this pain go away?
I forgot to mention that an x-ray I took was interpreted differently by a few doctors. One said I have a compression fracture on L2 level while other two think its not. I really need to find out what is happening on my spine that allows this symptom to exist, yet I don`t know which doctor to listen to.
Hello, ThutmosisCYH.
If you have been experiencing discomfort and pain in the area around your 12th rib and lumbar spine, it's important to have a comprehensive evaluation to determine the underlying cause. Some potential causes of pain in that region include musculoskeletal issues, such as muscle strain or inflammation, as well as spinal conditions like disc herniation, compression fractures, or nerve impingement.
To start, consider seeking a consultation with a spine specialist or orthopedic doctor who can conduct a thorough examination, review your medical history, and order appropriate diagnostic tests, such as imaging studies (e.g., MRI, CT scan) or further evaluations. They will be able to assess the condition of your lumbar spine and determine if there are any structural abnormalities that could be contributing to your symptoms.
It can be helpful to obtain multiple opinions from different healthcare professionals to ensure you have a clear understanding of your condition. If there are differing interpretations of your X-ray results, you may consider seeking a second or third opinion from specialists who specialize in spinal conditions.
In the meantime, you can try some self-care measures to manage your discomfort, such as practicing good posture, engaging in gentle stretching exercises, applying heat or cold packs to the affected area, and avoiding activities or movements that exacerbate your symptoms.
Can you tell me anything more about your symptoms?
Then it took me sometime again to realize that this dull ache is not happening directly under the 12th rib as my brain seem to interpret, albeit the movement of that rib definitely triggers it. The dull ache is actually a compression sensation in the area of the spine, that feels like a particular point on the left side of the lumbar is being compressed and the more I try to pull down the 12th rib the more severe the discomfort gets.
As I stated previously, based on my own feeling, I think the part of lumbar that feels that way is either L1 or L2, it is a bit lower than T12 for sure but not as low as L3. It also isn`t something that comes and goes, in fact, at this point it almost feels like it is how my body is structured since it doesn`t react to NSaids, heating pad, lumbar patches or any other creams I applied to the skin of that area.
So far only one thing has worked for me in reducing this compressed feeling, which is correcting my postures. I used to have a bit of flat back which is the loss of lumbar lordosis. After working out lower back muscle for half a year my spine curvatures have came back a lot and I also feel much less of a compression on the lumbar when I speak or breath now, so bad posture definitely contributed to the problem here.
As for seeking medical diagnosis, in fact, I`ve taken lumbar x-ray and MRI and I`ve talked to a few spine surgeons already. They can`t find significant issues with my spine, and on L1-2 level I were told only two things. One is a possible old compression fracture on L2, the x-ray show a certain degree of wedge shape of L2 vertabrae, one surgeon said its an old fracture after seeing MRI and said it need no surgery. Another doctor noted a Schmorl`s node on L2, but assured me that it should be asymptomatic. Of coure they also mentioned that it could be a muscle strain, but it doesn`t really feel like it, and I also am not sure whether a muscle strain can persist for more than 5 years and not go away. At this point, I need some advice on how to move forward.
I am now convinced that you need to seek for a second opinion. If you're still experiencing persistent discomfort and your current healthcare providers have been unable to provide a satisfactory explanation or treatment, consider seeking a second opinion from another specialist, such as a neurologist or a different spine surgeon. Another perspective may help identify any potential underlying causes that have been overlooked.
Also, consider seeking a referral to a specialized center. There are specialized centers or clinics that focus on diagnosing and managing complex or difficult-to-diagnose conditions. These centers often have multidisciplinary teams that collaborate to provide comprehensive evaluations and treatment options. Your primary care physician or current healthcare provider may be able to refer you to such a center if appropriate.
Have you tried with alternative healing options? Such as acupuncture, chiropractic care, massage, or mindfulness techniques?
One more thing, there is a distinct memory that I had felt instant relief on two occassions, although those only lasted for a few minutes. But both time I was waking up from general anesthesia after endoscopy. I remember feeling very relaxed and the compression feeling seem to be gone. In maybe 10 or 20 mins after I wake up, however, that awful sensation came back. At the time I didn`t think too much into it, just thought it was me being in a relaxed mental state. But maybe this indicate something else? Could this mean the cause of pain was sedated by the anesthesia? Maybe I should ask the doctor to try local nerve block in the spine area?
Given that you've experienced temporary relief from the discomfort after waking up from anesthesia during endoscopy procedures, it could suggest that the pain might be related to muscle tension or a nerve issue.
But as your issue is very complex, I don't want to give you any misleading info before you consult with that another spine doctor.