Visit With PM Today

[Kathi49]

Hey All,

I just wanted to post right now because chances are I won't be on here the rest of the day unless I get to feeling better later tonight. I am only sitting up right now because I just took a med and need to sit upright for a few minutes.

I did NOT get the coccyx injection because, as I told the doc, the pain is pretty much gone since my bowels are now in working order. :)

But I did have him take a look at my shoulder(s) and my ribcage pain. He believes the pain in my shoulder is NOT coming from my neck. It is that "A" something shoulder joint. Worse on the right than the left but still in both spots. So, injections are scheduled for that.

As for the ribcage pain, Mark N. bless your heart! This crap hurts!!! My PM is saying it IS thoracic but facets not a herniation. He said if it was a herniation I probably wouldn't be standing in front of him and WOULD be at the ER. And I probably wouldn't even be standing up. :eek:

But these spasms are wrapping around. As I was talking with him, they would just come in waves. So, the goofball that he is...said it must feel sort of like labor pains. :D No doubt because it DOES remind me of them.

Anyway, he has an ordered an xray of that whole area...guess the tummy too. Because it hurts! In the meantime he also prescribed Valium to be taken once every 12 hours and for short term. He did ask if I had any Zanaflex which I do. But I told him until this GI crap (another story) calms down, I prefer not to take Zanaflex since it caused heartburn before. He also prescribed some Lidoderm patches since I am out of those. And said to use moist heat. On April 23rd he will shoot up my shoulder and those thoracic facets.

And the nurse is checking with the Gastro doc because I may want to go back to the Zegerid. It worked very well...I just thought my meds weren't being absorbed but the Pharmacist said there really shouldn't be much of an issues since it is sodium bicarbonate. So, we shall see.

I don't know either...it could be these spasms making my stomach hurt. :confused:

And one last goofy thing he said...I asked where I should get the xray done...just wasn't sure if he wanted me to walk right over to the hospital or not. And he says...get it done in Phoenix! :D Well, no matter what...he always makes me laugh even though I was in tears at 3:00 am!

So, that was my day...I am about ready to trade this 1957 version of a body in for a 1968 or 1970 version...at least those were better years! :)

[Mark N]

Kathi sounds like the doctor is on top of what could be the cause of your pain. I can tell him that I do stand up occasionally with thoracic herniations but wrap around pains are my daily companions. I have learned what triggers some of them so I have reduced the amount I have.

Yes the thoracic pains can cause your stomach to be upset and thoracic issues are often confused with abdominal problems early on. I feel for you, find a comfortable spot and take it easy for today.

[Kathi49]

Thanks Mark,

I read that Gastritis can do this too and THAT I know I have a problem with. :eek: I tried to look at my bone scan to see if I could see anything unusual and I just don't. Then again the whole spine is lit up. I am just saying I didn't see "darker" spots in the T spine. I can see them in the c spine and the lumbar but not the T spine. Heck I don't know. I just know this spasms so bad it feels like it takes my breath away for a minute...even though it really isn't. I think I just catch my breath because of the spasm. :eek: I also know there is some facet arthritis at around T2..something like that. But that is too far up for this. The doc did ask if I had fallen or anything and I told him no. And I said that it really started happening in the last 4 or 5 days. I may have overdone something by reaching forward too much...just don't know. When I was working on my husband's paperwork I WAS leaning forward alot in the chair and if I am on the computer too long; same thing. It just hurts after awhile in holding myself up.

I just took a long nap and I do have to eat something now. So, let me see how I fare through the night. But I wanted to say thank you. :)

[lobelsteve]

AC Joint?

Phys Med Rehabil Clin N Am. 2004 Aug;15(3):v, 537-55.

Disorders of the acromioclavicular joint.Mehrberg RD, Lobel SM, Gibson WK.

Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk, VA 23507, USA.

The acromioclavicular joint is a frequent source of shoulder pain.This article reviews acromioclavicular separations and other disorders affecting the joint and its surrounding structures.

I've heard about this joint before. I also recommend against injections into the joint.

[Kathi49]

Thanks Steve,

I went into PT before shoulder problems and it made it much worse. Oral NSAIDs are definitely out of the question for right now. My PM did mention the Ortho doc could perform arthroplasty (sp?). Right now it is feeling somewhat better. It is the other spasms that are more hurtful at the moment. I will read up on all of this tomorrow....thank you again. :)

[slipnslide]

Miss Kathi,

I'm glad you had a good visit, but also sorry to hear of the pains you are now dealing with:(. I wanted to ask you a quick question....I'm sort of curious....the spasms you are experiencing, by any chance do they feel like someone parked a truck on you and then backed it off you, over and over again?...almost like your rib cage is being squeezed or compressed for a few seconds at a time?

Kim

[Kathi49]

Kim,

Not like a truck LOL!

More like the very beginning of labor pains. :) You know...sort of like when you first start feeling those twinges only higher up. I don't really feel IN the spine at all. It is more to the sides and then wraps around right where your breastbone is. Something like that anyway. Or, sort of like some sort of of muscle pull after you have raked leaves. I know...stupid analogy. But, yes, coming in little waves. Anyway, my PM said it wouldn't matter...I think he means the facets are referring pain. OR...it is possible it is Gastritis as well.

What was really bothering me besides those spasms was my stomach. So, the Gastro said to try the Zegerid again and so did the Pharmacist. Actually, I was asking the Pharmacist some questions. I couldn't take it or maybe I could and just didn't last night because I had taken Nexium 40mg earlier yesterday morning.

But this morning, very early, I got up and took a Zegerid with a full glass of water, sat up for just a little while and then went back to bed. It has helped a lot this morning. But the spasms are still coming in little waves.

Anyway, I AM watching what I eat and don't know why these spasms came on all of a sudden. The ONLY thing I can think of is that I was working on some paperwork as I said for my husband and was leaning forward alot when I was sitting and not sitting back in a chair. The other thing was...I HAD to go to the grocery store a couple of days ago. There was no one else to do it. So, from now on I am going to wait for a weekend. The guys at the store will carry them to my car so that's not an issue. But I am going to have to have my husband carry them in. Either that or have something like 50 bags to carry in that are lightweight. :D I should have been thinking and had the guy just fill them only half full. Ugh.

Anyway, my PM did say if they dissipate just cancel any injections. But I am still going to have to and get the xray done. In the meantime; just the meds and moist heat...which feels good.

[slipnslide]

Kathi,

Unfortunately, I had back labor with all three of my kids so I never had those tightening belly feelings when in labor and am not quite sure what that feels like:o;).

I'm glad the belly is a little better:), as for the tightening, i dunno:(.

Kim

[Kathi49]

Kim,

LOL! And I had NO labor pains during labor...got the epidural VERY early on. :) I was thinking a minute ago...it feels like those Braxton Hicks contractions in a way. That's the closest I can come to.

Anyway, I was just reading up on some of this and it seems this is more of postural thing although I don't know for sure. That's why I will be getting the xray. But it can cause pain in the upper abdomen as Mark said too. So, who knows??! It is one of those dillema things...is it the spinal or is gastro or is it both? And I should have clarified. When I was working on my husband's conference materials I was NOT at the computer. I was assembling folders, materials, etc. So, I was leaning forward alot and reaching and doing it for a long time. And I did stand up from time to time because I could feel the ache. And to be honest, I didn't do this all day...I worked on it off and on.

Sooo...the articles I have been reading say to keep moving. :) Which means...I need to get off of here and TRY to get a couple of errands done and get home. :) As an added thought, this weather isn't helping matters etiher!

[Nana4&cntn]

Kathi,

I am sorry to hear your '57 body is having contractions. Boy, do I feel bad for you!! Kathi, you got off easy, I had all 3 of mine natural, no epidurals, no pain meds just breathe and pant. I was in an AF hospital, they forgot dependent wives are people too. lol
Kathi, I am praying your pains are not Tspine, my mom has a herniation at T5, the docs have refused to do surgery as she really doesn't have much pain unless she does something stupid. She is also 70, so that is a major risk factor.
I really will be praying it is just gastritis, I know gastritis is no fun, but the alternative sucks.
My '58 body would have a conniption fit if I was having labor pains again.
Seriously, I am glad to hear you are feeling a bit better today, If it is postural,maybe a brace for a few weeks will help? I have a brace, but don't wear it often as it tires me greatly. I think Marks statement awhile back was very true, about braces weakening the muscles. Okay I am making no sense here. So, I am signing off.

Take care,
Kathy

[Kathi49]

Kathy,

LOL! Yes, I got off very easy with actual labor. It was the months prior to labor that were excrutiating. Long story...but the docs basically said Stage 2 pain in the weeks before. Sooo, oh yeah, having that epidural after all those weeks of pain was great! And I was 80% effaced in my 6 month. In the 7th month...here she came! :) That chick just wanted out LOL! And I am just teasing...it was a rough time...but she did well for a preemie. I can't imagine going "el natural"! :eek::) You are a brave soul. :)

Okay, I am tad bit better today. Sooo...the nurse at the Gastro doc is going back and forth with him at the moment. He evidently wanted to know what the spine doc had said before he made any decisions/comments. AND...I kept missing the nurse's phone calls...duh!!! So, just a minute ago I let her know everything the PM had said, etc. But what I had forgot to tell her or anyone is that sometimes it feels like something gets stuck when I swallow. I did have an esopahgeal stricture before...so maybe it came back. Anyway, I guess the nurse will discuss with him what they want to to next. Maybe an upper GI again.

I will put it this way..intestine feel fine, stools are great lol. BUT...if I only knew HOW to belch...I would LOL! I am just one of those that can't do it on my own. It just has to happen by itself...unlike my brothers who can just belch at will LOL! I just never learned how to do that. :D Either that, and sorry if I am gross here...just pass gas for about 30 minutes and I would be relieved! So, now I just need to shut up and wait and see what the Gastro doc wants to do. :)

[Mark N]

Kathi, it is good to hear you are a bit better. Don't you just love playing phone tag? Any chance you can email your doctor? Take care of yourself and try some Gas X pills if you need to belch.

[Kathi49]

Thanks Mark,

It is MY fault that there was phone tag going on. I had to run an errand and the nurse had called. Then I tried to call her back and she was at lunch. So, I just FINALLY was able to talk to her a few minutes ago. No need to email the doc...his nurse will call back...she's good about that. It is just me...I need to stay in earshot of the phone LOL!

[Nana4&cntn]

Kathi,

Happy to hear you are feeling better. Like you I am unable to belch, I have never been able to even if I begged my body to do it. My daughter can out belch her brothers and father combined.

I dislike telephone tag, almost as much as when I call someone then forget who I am calling. That doesn't happen as much as it used to when I was working.

My daughter was a preemie also, 33.5 weeker, Sound as tho your daughter was very early.

I hope everyone gets their stuff together so you get the answers you need from your doc. Keep us posted.

Kathi

[Kathi49]

Kathy,

LOL! My daughter can too! It makes me gag when I hear her do it but she thinks it is funny. Oh, and, yes, 32 weeker here...3 lbs. 9 oz. which isn't too bad really considering what I know now. I once got out a package of chicken and told her to hold it because it was the same weight that she was. :) Anyway, for a preemie...now 24...she can really let those belches rip LOL! You are making me laugh because if the truth be known, just like your daughter, my own IS louder than my husband.

Mark,

I have some Gas X so I will try it...again.

I'll let you know what the Gastro doc has in mind once they call me back...should be tomorrow.

[Kathi49]

The Gastro office called back this morning. The plan is...take the Zegerid for about two weeks or so and then if I still have issues; he wants to do another upper endoscopy. The last one was in 2005. I did ask what to take if I felt I needed an antacid in the evening. I can't take Zantac and I can't remember exactly but I know I can't take Tagamet either...if I recall it interferes with one of the meds I take. Anyway, I told her that Gaviscon always seemed to work pretty well. So, she said it was fine to take the Gaviscon in the evening if I felt I needed it. I wonder too; the Align probiotic works great for the IBS but I think it might be causing some bloating too. So, I am going to stop that for just awhile and see. So, there's the plan for now and I am trying to refrain from eating anything after dinner. You know...ice cream and things of that nature. :eek::) And I already told them; I can't sleep elevated because of my neck. When I do that, it makes things worse for my neck. So, I will continue to watch what I eat and I have been looking for triggers as I go. So far the only thing that really sets me free is any fried food which of course makes sense. That and spicey foods. So...bland it is or rather baked, broiled, etc. Oh, and in looking back to age 20 or so. I had to go to a GI doc then too for a pre-ulcerative conditon. I remember him saying that if I could just belch I would feel better LOL!