Losing my mind!!!

[crazilyanxious]

I'm really starting to fear whatever the problem is will never go away.  And I'm still afraid there is something serious going on, that all the doctors I've seen have missed, almost 16 months later.  People can be sick for years, without being diagnosed, and then just finally pass away and not find out what was really wrong until after you're gone 

Anyway, so the current symptoms I'm faced with.  I've had this weird feeling in my back for like 3 months now.  It's right below my left shoulder blade area.  It's like a gnawing, pulling sensation that comes and goes with no rhyme or reason, but it can last anywhere from an hour, to the majority of the day, 7 days a week.  Almost daily, I will also get some type of all over back pain and burning...it is awful.  I went to the doctor yesterday, and it was only my second time seeing this doctor, I'm not sure how I feel about him yet (he is my friend's doctor, and she highly recommended him, but he gives me weird vibes, so I don't know).  Anyways, he said, for starters you shouldn't be slouching (I have horrible posture).  And he said also my career could be wreaking havoc on my back.  I'm a waitress and I carry trays with my left hand, and I'm also a cashier part time and stand on concrete floors all day.  He said to try some IcyHot, and Aleve twice a day for 2 weeks.  I will try the IcyHot, but I'm not comfortable with taking Aleve that frequently and for that long (I know what NSAID's can do - cause ulcers and what not)!  He said if that doesn't help, we can try some therapy sessions...I'm guessing that means chiropractor, which I'm thinking about calling mine anyway (I started seeing one when i was pregnant, and he really helped me).  I however am not sure he's correct on where all these sensations and pain is coming from.  I mean, I've always done this type of work, and never had a problem.  My back didn't bother me this much when I was pregnant!

Another symptom I'm having is this awful pressure in my head.  It feels like someone has a vice around my head, but I don't have a headache, just pressure.  It's a tight band right around the head right above my ears, but I constantly feel like I need to pop my ears too.  I've had something slightly similar before that I was checked for an ear infection, and never had one.  I also had 2 CT scans without contrast within the past year of my brain, all normal.  So I should be relatively relieved to know nothing is wrong in my head, but the what if's start.  What if they missed something?  What if they couldn't see what they needed to without contrast?  What if I need an MRI to find the problem?

I'm worried sick here.  I don't know what's going on with my body, and I'm really getting tired of it.  I wake up worrying every day, not knowing for sure what is going on with me.

[gcalex]

I suggest doing some reading about Dr. John Sarno's theories of psychosomatically-induced pain. 

http://www.unlearnyourpain.com/index.php?Introduction Page

[crazilyanxious]

Thanks.  That did offer up some interesting information.

[LindaRK]

Sarno is awesome and incredibly amazing.  I've read all of his books and even had e-mail correspondence with him about a year ago (yes, he was still alive back then!!!).  He must be in his 90's!

Anyway, not sure about your head issue, but in regards to your shoulder/back pain ..... I've had the same thing going on for about 3 months now on my side/back. For about the first 6-8 weeks, I let it go, but then I was having some other issues and figured there was so much going on (in total), that I'd see the doc.   I pretty much have to be dying to go to my doc.  Anyway, she was confident it was a muscular issue.  I completely trust her, she is very competent.  She told me to take it easy and if it persists, get some physical therapy.  Well, I don't want to do that.  The pain persisted.  Got a scan - nothing showed up (of course, but thankful nothing did).  Pain still there.  I started evaluating my lifestyle and things I do on a daily basis.  One is picking up pieces of wood and putting them in a woodstove (daily, many, many times a day).  That's just for starters.  And, I use my right hand (the pain is on the right side).  I could go on and on with this, but basically, I wasn't giving this area any time to rest.  I kept abusing it.  I also tend to put my hands over my head when I watch tv and relax.  This irritated it, too (woke up this morning and it was really hurting).  You're a waitress - you're carrying trays daily - probably lots of them.  This probably is making the pain worse or at least, not helping it heal properly.  That's my educated guess.