tightness in back

does anyone else find that if they are feeling not to good that their back as well as their chest is tight. Had a lousy night as top of back behind chest hurts to lie on so couldn't find a comfy place to sleep?

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I have really bad back pain which is much worse when bad because you are using you muscles more to aid breathing

Andreaxxx

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Yes, I find that my back becomes tight and I also find that my shoulders and neck get very sore and recently I have had a pain in my lung - which I have been told by my GP is muscular and is probably coming from my back/neck/shoulders.

It can be really difficult to find a position that is comfortable too.

I hope you feel better soon x

Sarah

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Hi Katherine,

I get often get pain in my back and rib cage when I am breathless. If I have a day when I am struggling with low level breathlessness all day, the back, shoulder and rib cage pain is often the first thing I notice; for me it's a useful indicator that things are not quite right. I guess to an extent I'm used to the breathlessness but the pain alerts me that I'm stuggling, if that makes sense.

I think it's a combination of using your accessory respiratory muscles to breath (extra muscles that we don't normally use - often neck and back muscles) and the strain of holding your torso in an abnormal position with the shoulders splinted apart.

Solutions -

Recognising and treating the underlying cause, ie the deterioration in your breathing, is obviously important. I find paracetamol helps, as does a hot bath if you are able to lie down. The best thing I have found to relieve it is to sit on a chair leaning forward onto the chair back or a table while my husband massages the tight muscles. 'Deep heat' cream also seems to help a bit.

Hope this helps

Em H

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i get it in my back, chest and sometimes in extreeme cases, throat. I think the best way to get comfy then is either on your side or try sitting up with pillows.

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heat pads can help too - i have 2 wheat bags i can microwave which are great

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Taanks all glad to know I'm not quite as loopy as I was beginning to think.

EmilyH- now you mention it I do get pain in my ribs at mo especially as breathing is difficult all day but more so at night. Think I sometimes notice pain more in ribs in day as not good at sitting still like to be doing.

Wendy - Have tried lying on side and sitting up with pillows at night but nothing comfy.Only position that I can sometimes cope with is lying with my pillows on my knee in bed and then doubling over top of them for a bit.

Hadn't thought of trying hot water bottle or wheat bags we have both in house if can't sleep tonoght that will be 1st point of call.

Kath xxx

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My physio recommended lying on your side with a pillow between your knees as that suposedly aligns the spine and avoids strain. I find that's great when I have problems with my back but when my shoulder or knee joints play up I do have trouble getting comfortable. You should also be careful how you get up out of bed and swing your legs over side of bed as you push yourself up from lying on your side if that makes sense. She also advises that you shouldn't lie on your back unless your knees are bent.

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hi,i get that pain in ribs and back when having a hard time with the breathing, but i aslo thought it might b me being a bit strange or something eles.

i'll try those suggesttions 2 so thanks.

xchloex

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Hi Katharine.

I really sympathise with the back pain.For the last couple of years I’ve had slightly hunched and tense shoulders and upper back caused by difficult breathing days and nights.

The best form of relief has come from having an upper back and shoulder massage.

On holiday in St Lucia I had the most superb shoulder/upper back massage. I ‘sat’ in a strange looking sort of chair that kept the upper part of my body slightly tilted forward. That in itself was amazingly comforting, for want of a better word.

The physio commented upon the ‘knots’ on the right side of my upper back in particular and did I have any chest problems! Apparently my right side is worse than my left. But don’t think I look like the hunchback of Notre Dame?! Although do have bony shoulders and bony everything else.

After the stretches associated with yoga and pilates, this has been the best therapy for me re the relief of contracted muscles, associated with breathing problems.

Getting someone else to gently massage your back won’t hurt and will help to relax your muscles. Using an oil associated with relaxation like rose or lavender might even help your breathing.

Mia

PS Sleeping on my left side when asthma is OK'ish allows me to breathe more easily than any other position.

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Hi,

this has been useful - i was begining to think the back ache was all in my mind - i too have a pain in the right side of my back which gets worse the more i struggle to breathe on bad days.

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Thanks guys, I've had aches in my back, rib cage and sholders for some time now on and off when lungs acting up - hadn't realised why and thought I was imagining it - good tokonw the reason, will take more notice of it next time as an indicator and not ignore and hope it will go away like I have been doing!

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Hi

I fell the same i have a bad back anyway!! But it does not help when my astma is bad i fell that i can not do anything i fell sorry for all of you, it is not fun to have back pain but i am hear if you need to talk.

I find that because of my astma i am unable to take many pain killers for it but i am finding ways to help.

Have you tried a hot water bottle when you sleep this help me some times.

Take care and hope you fell better soon Katharine.

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Heat pads are your friend, those Deep Heat ones that stick on are wonderful got me through a horrible bout of plurisy recently.

Bex