Scarry Flare
 

Any ideas on avoiding the ER next time around?

I had a flare that started a couple of days ago on my left side...go figure.
I cannot understand what started it. Laying too still?
I was so compressed that it wasn't allowing me to breath so I had to call the 911.
The pain was off the charts.
Never felt like this since before my surgery in 2002.
I tried my hypnotherapy, drugs, ice, exercises, contrast showers in the am and nothing...
I was so embarrased especially when 5 hot firemen showed up.
They really calmed me down and verified my pain knowing what I was going through.
They could not even register a BP on either side at home or at the ER due to the compression and lack of circulation. The young one was shoced but the ones with the knwledge were not shocked.
I was scared not being able to breath but the pain was over the hill.
The ER doc didn't physically examine me.
Just ordered an injection of morphene and phenegran.
The morphene is what I needed.
I still have the inability to move and reach with my left and a massive headache/
But, how do you live with this knowing morphene is the only drug that calms the muscles down to a degreee but not a cure?
I still have stiffness and pain.
Looks like I will be on heavy meds for several days.
Poop.

Docs appt today with Dr. Nudleman...
All he did was perscribed Norco and a muscle relaxant.
There has got to be a healthier way to deal with this crap.
Cyn

do you think it was an extreme chest muscle spasm?
Are your muscles soft & pliable or rock hard and rigid?

If so-
Have you ever tried a far or near infrared sauna, they have heating pads of that kind too and portable personal "kits"?

some low level or cold or soft laser treatments?

I have links about those in the sticky

Oh Cyn, how scary. I wondered how an ER would handle one of 'our' bad flares. With each one I debate wether or not to dial 911. That internal debate may cost me my life someday, so I'm GLAD you made the call. Better safe than sorry.

Perhaps morphine will only be needed on occasion? Just to make the ugly spasms and pain subside enough to bring you back to a ... 7? from 10?

I may start a new thread next week on Feldenkrais. I have 3 appointments scheduled with the local practitioner, my first one was Wednesday this week. Something I learned may help you now:

WE ARE MOVING WAY TOO FAST! (in an attempt to 'look' normal?)

She commented that she observed my "movements were too percussive", and said if I would move more fluidly and less 'jerkey' I would have a much better quality of life. Were I to move as slowly and as calmly as she insists, I'd be like Tim Conway's little old man character he did on The Carol Burnette Show... shuffling along going nowhere fast.

But it's where we need to be. I was told "if any movement hurts or causes the slightest discomfort - STOP". Improvement needs to be made on a near microscopic level - not measured by days passed or inches your arms can move or pounds lifted. You can try to push the envelope of pain, but you must stop with the slightest resistance. Eventually (I'm told) the brain will create new neural pathways and allow the body to move in less painful ways. Over the long term, this should cut down on the frequency and severity of our flare-ups.

I hope this will be helpful, if not, at least give you some hope to keep your chin up (figuratively speaking of course).
:hug:
Anne

anne- I hope you are able to share that Feldenkrais info, it sounds very interesting.

Jo, she has me keeping a daily journal... I should have lots to share.

Anne

ole- how are you? Muscles getting any calmer?
scary story.
thinking of you

Johanna

Had another of these breathing attacks, lasting 4 days. It's just now settling down. Had it gotten any worse, I would have gone to the ER. I did too much making Thanksgiving for the Family and entertaining out of town family. Thought it was my lungs - but bf reminded me I wasn't wheezing or gasping.

I am thinking now it was spasms in the intercostals. Making breathing painful. also had trigger points like crazy under shoulder blade and at sides - about midway down the ribcage.

Next checkup, I'll ask for a lung x-ray and heart followup, just to rule out scary stuff.

And am advising Family "I ain't doin' this no more!". :hissyfit:

:grouphug:
Anne

Did your flare up seem the same as before surgery?
I had surgery 20 years ago - and in the last several years I have had issues with my neck and left side - they have done two surgeries on my neck one was in august of last year
it was fusion of C5-6 and some work on the left side of each vertebrae
but I fell in Nov 2012 and now the left side is worse than ever

I went to pt and it is getting worse by the day
I am wondering if it is some weirdness of the thoracic from years ago

any help or suggestions of what to look for would be great!!!!!

thanks!!