Started in upper back region: In the mid-trapezius region.
It was very specific to that point. But I was also having moderate neck discomfort.

Gradually over 4 years it has spread to:

- Neck pain on left side
- tension headaches on left side
- Eye discomfort and pressure – on left side
- Film forming on eye (maybe pterygium) – on left side
- Symptoms that mimic sinusitis & facial pain – on left side
(have had tests & xrays, no sinusitis)
- Constant back pain and muscle tension radiating from the point I described above – on left side

And now more recently
- Symptoms of sciatica, in hip/butt, starting to radiate down – on left side

Could it be sciatica since it started in upper back? Or is it something else that is also now affecting sciatic nerve.

Chiropractor has not been able to help. Dentist says it is not tooth-related.

Ice helps temporarily. Ibuprofen slightly & temporarily helps pain but not tension, tightness, burning.

I began a walking regimen, about a mile a day for a few weeks and the symptoms got worse.

Don’t know what it could be & not sure of what doctor or treatment to try next.

Best answer:

Answer by TraceyA
Sounds like a pinched nerve in shoulder – neck area , I have the same thing that you are describing and it can be very painful- ice does not help nor heat, the only thing that I have found that helps really is muscle relaxers, advil, anything with anti inflammatory in it.

If when you lay down to go to bed you prop up a little on pillow like a 25 degree angle up- it may relieve some of the tension that you are feeling there in the neck- shoulder area.

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Best answer:

Answer by marla
Netty pot is always good. Basically that is rinsing your nose with salt water.

Yes to Vitamin C, Echinacea and Garlic! Helps your body fight the infection.

Yes to soup!

I use a heating pad on my face or take a really hot bath. I avoid things that make my mucus thick if it feels really bad. I eats lots of fruits and veg since they contain so many vitamins and minerals. I do take advil cold and sinus with my anti-biotic to help with the pain and congestion. I try to keep my nose and hands clean so I do not re-infect myself when I star getting better. I avoid ac (I had one hang around all summer once because of the ac. I took 3 days after the weekend off from work so I did not have to sit in it. At that point something gross and sticky which was multicolored came out of my nose and viol-la, I was better. I think I would still be sick if I had not gotten out of the ac. Now its back on and I am getting sick again, WTF.) Get as many Vitamins as possible. I usually take Echinacea and Garlic supplements and Advil Cold and Sinus. I wash it all down with air-borne. Is it a lot, well yeah… But most of it is vitamins, and I never mix cold medicines or take more then needed, just vitamins.

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I’ve also got a bad cough but thats it, no fever or muscle aches or anything.