[45F] Experiencing severe back and abdominal pain

What might be happening

Based on the information you've provided, here are a few possibilities:

• Kidney Stones: These are hard deposits made of minerals and salts that form inside your kidneys. They can cause severe pain when they move through the urinary tract. The pain is often severe and usually comes in waves. It can be associated with nausea and sweating.

  • Treatment usually involves pain relievers and drinking lots of water to help pass the stone. Medical procedures may be needed if the stone is too large to pass on its own.

• Musculoskeletal Pain: Given your history of arthritis, it's possible that the pain could be related to your spine or the muscles around it. This would typically be a dull, aching pain, but it can sometimes feel sharp, especially with movement.

  • Treatment usually involves physical therapy, pain relievers, and sometimes injections.

• Gallstones: These are hard deposits in the gallbladder that can cause sharp, cramping pain in the right upper abdomen. The pain may radiate to the back or occur under the shoulder blades, the shoulder, or the right arm. However, gallstones are less likely given that your pain is more towards the spine and the middle of your back.

  • Treatment can range from watchful waiting to surgery, depending on the severity of symptoms and whether complications develop.

• Gastrointestinal Issues: Given your history of Crohn's disease, it's possible that your symptoms could be related to a flare-up or complication of your condition. However, this would typically also involve changes in bowel habits, which you have not reported.

  • Treatment would involve managing the flare-up, which could include steroids or other medications.

Please note that this is not an exhaustive list of all possible conditions, just a few possibilities based on the most common causes of your symptoms.

What you can do

Given the severity of your pain and the fact that it's not responding to the medications you're currently taking, it's important that you seek medical attention as soon as possible. This could be a sign of a serious condition that needs immediate treatment.

In the meantime, continue to take your medications as prescribed and try to rest as much as possible. Avoid any activities that make your pain worse.

What you should look out for

Seek immediate medical attention if you experience any of the following:

• Severe pain that gets worse over time
• Fever or chills
• Blood in your urine
• Difficulty urinating
• Severe nausea or vomiting
• Yellowing of your skin or eyes

Remember, this advice is intended to be helpful and informative, but it's not a substitute for professional medical advice. You should always seek the advice of your doctor or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.