Posted by Gena in General | 2 Comments
Get off my chest! I can’t breathe!
It started on Tuesday. I started feeling pressure on my chest. Assumed it was just a little anxiety but not a full blown attack. I’ve had enough of those that I know what it feels like. This was just different. Then I got a major headache and started feeling lightheaded. So I took it easy since it wasn’t too bad. Then yesterday it got worse. I was short of breath and felt like someone was sitting on my chest. A friend of mine told me to get in because it could be the start of the flu. So I listened and went in. Stoney stayed home with the babies and my sister took me in.
So I go in and of course get a mask because we don’t want to get anyone else sick. I explain my symptoms. Then they take me back to the ER and hand me a gown. I ask exactly what she wants off (I was thinking shirt and bra). “Oh well go ahead and leave your bottoms on for now and if he wants to do a vaginal, you can take them off then.” UMM Seriously? I’m short of breath and he MAY want to do a vaginal? Yeah I don’t think so! So we sit there for an HOUR and finally someone comes in and takes my stats. Things look great. Oxygen at 97. BP was a little high for me. 113/70 but still normal. They test for flu. Negative. Then decide to do bloodwork and an EKG. He thinks he knows what it is but wants to rule anything else out.
EKG and bloodwork all come back normal. Stats checked again and BP lowered and Oxygen at 94. The Doctor comes back in and says I’ve got costochondritis.
Costochondritis is an inflammation of the junctions where the upper ribs join with the cartilage that holds them to the breastbone or sternum. The condition causes localized chest pain that you can reproduce by pushing on the cartilage in the front of your ribcage. Costochondritis is a relatively harmless condition and usually goes away without treatment. The cause is usually unknown.
Lucky me right? I was told that it was probably a virus that I got. But I found out it’s pretty common in pregnancy when your ribs expand. After 5 babies, I have never had this happen. What’s worse is because I am pregnant, there are only two things I can do. Flexeril which is a muscle relaxer and Extra Strength Tylenol. Of course the tylenol doesn’t do anything and the flexeril just makes it tolerable. I also get as comfortable as I can like in a reclined position but I feel out of it. Between the flexeril and the light headed stuff, I just can’t seem to think.
Of course I am not allowed to drive while taking the flexeril. So next week when I drive to California, I’ll be praying Tylenol works to get me there. If not, I’ll just be uncomfortable for the ride.
Twitter: theladya
says:
This sounds like a miserable condition! I hope you feel better soon.
OMG!! I was diagnosed with this two weeks after I had my first baby (8 years ago). I had never heard of it and I haven’t heard of anyone else getting it until now. It WAS HORRIBLE!! I repeat – HORRIBLE. I thought I was having either a panic attack or a heart attack. It was almost worse than the childbirth.
Thinking it could be a breast infection, the ER Doc (ex-surgeon – very smart) asked me – but where on your breasts does it hurt? At the time, I couldn’t answer him. Then, a light-bulb went off in his head and he lightly placed one hand on my back and one hand on the front of my chest and applied light pressure – and I almost JUMPED off the table. He then knew exactly what it was and told me that it was infact costochondritis (No, Not Costco – this has nothing to do with the store
And, (plug your ears) it took MONTHS to get rid of it!! Months until it stopped hurting completely! What did get rid of it for me was acupuncture! I did this natural medicine called Pro-Trauma and acupuncture and it did the trick. One tip: don’t get a massage, that made it worse!
Readers – it feels like someone is punching you in the chest when you have it – so please sympathize with this poor woman!
All the best,
Jill @ Mombite
.-= Jill Dickinson´s last blog ..Kemby Diaper Bag Giveaway ($165)! =-.