Hi there -
It seems pretty likely the upper
back pain and difficulty breathing would be related, in some way, to the ordeal you went through back in April. You don't mention which disk had ruptured and was repaired, so it's difficult to make a more direct connection, but the fact that all the other problems took place then as well just makes it more likely this is related to that. Also, the fact that the current problem seems somewhat positional (hurts to lie on your back or side, and is partially relieved by assuming a fairly unnatural postion -- at least for sleeping purposes).
A number of things could be going on: for one, the original problem, were it a cervical or thoracic disk, could have become aggravated in some way (or at least the site of its location). I don't think your episode of respiratory distress post surgery would be related to the current problem, at least not directly. However, having been intubated twice during your hospital stay there is always the potential for a nerve injury, although it's difficult to say which one, given the symptoms. It could involve the phrenic nerve (but then you'd have breathing problems all the time) or a cranial nerve that descends into the thorax (but then you'd likely have constant hoarseness and other, neurological, signs as well.
It seems the first stop probably should be an orthopedist or perhaps a neurologist, someone who could help determine the cause of the current problem. If the
pain and sleep deprivation are severe enough and you can't be seen by any specialist in the office, this would perhaps warrant a visit to an ER. This would possibly get you seen sooner, too, by one of the specialists.
If you can supply any further info on the disk that was repaired, that might just give us a clue. Other than that, I do believe it's orthopedic in nature most likely. Best I can do with what I have to go on. I hope it gets better real soon. Please follow up with us as needed.
