Many of us with chronic spinal issues have MRI's taken every six months, as per doctor's orders, to see what may have shifted, what bony protuberances may have grown larger and pressed more on nerves, and so on. It's perfectly reasonable for you to ask for a lumbar MRI and also a thoracic MRI, given that dermatomically, many of the nerves for sensation in the abdomen and gut come from the lower part of the thoracic spine as well as the upper lumbar:

http://www.apparelyzed.com/dermatome.html

The newly intensified pain--is it coming from peripheral or spine issues?--may be really hard, with your history, to pin down. Given your recent stress, I highly suspect your inflammatory markers are probably up, exacerbated any compressive neurological issues you may have (inflammation causes swelling, and swelled nerves are more likely to be hit/pressed by other structures). But, this may be produced on the level of the smaller autonomic/sensory nerves, too.

Wish I could be more help--but do get those MRI's.