Last night I came home from a dinner out with this pulling like pain in my upper left back, under the ribcage. I went to bed thinking maybe that I just sat oddly during dinner, straining my back or something. I woke up several times during the night due to the pain. I had to turn over, unable to sleep on my left side. The pressure of laying on the bed seemed to hurt, especially when I lay on my left side. I took three Advil and the pain seemed to be more manageable throughout today. I would turn and feel the pain, especially when I turn to my right and I’m sitting. Later on today I started noticing that when I’m sitting and leaning forward, or for instance, while I was putting groceries away, I started to get a tingling from the area of pain that radiates throughout my back. I can also feel the pain in my front area, just under the ribs..although not as prominent. I didn’t do any strenuous exercise and I didn’t lift anything real heavy the day(s) before the pain started, so I’m at a loss as to what this could be. I have been feeling real tired and my stomachs been bothering me. I take metformin once a day (1000 mg) and am on 150 mcg of Levoxyl…I’ve been on both meds for quite some time and it’s never bothered my stomach like it’s been bugging me lately. I don’t seem to have a fever. I usually go to see my doctor if symptoms last more than a week, but this is just unusual enough for me to wonder whats up.
Dr. Joshua’s Answer:
There are a variety of possible reasons for your symptoms. One possibility comes to mind especially. If the pain is only on the left side, both on the back and front side of your torso, and is limited to a thin section of your torso, this could be a sign of Herpes Zoster, i.e. Shingles. The stomach problems and fatigue could be early symptoms of the virus activating. If a rash appears in a belt-like manner on the left side in the area where the pain and tingling is, it will strongly suggest shingles.
Of course, this could be something else altogether. I can’t say for sure from your description only. I recommend that you see the doctor about this.
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