I had PT at home and of course hurt. But i'm still hanging in there.

Am patiently waiting for my new laptop to come so I can be wireless with no virus again!!!!!!

I am looking into the msn incident with a huge attitude....you guys know my style......

take care all....praying for us alll.


Victoria

...had a checkup with my state-supplied Dr. - She's very good and competent. But I really don't think she has the time or desire to understand what's happening to me.

My last pain episode (2 wks ago) was the worst yet... threw up all my pain meds; pale; heart palpatations/flutters; shaking; couldn't see (could only open rt eye); could hardly speak; freaked me out enough to start getting my final affairs in order. I asked the Dr. today if I should go to the ER the next time this happens. She started to order a head CT and pain mgmt...HAHAHAHA. If I had the $$ for that I wouldn't be in the clinic seeing her! At the clinic from 2:30-5:30 today for that. At least I got all meds refilled. Her answer - which isn't a bad idea - is a suppository for nausea along with meds when this happens. Guess I'll give it a whirl! (was she sending me a subliminal message?)

Wishing everyone here more pain-free days and lottery winnings!!
Anne

((((anne))))

i had to use those type of suppositories when i pregnant with sistermonkey (baby #2) i swear i couldn't keep air down.

i hope they help.

Anne,

How did the episode start? If I wear a bra, or sometimes even just sleep on my side, I irritate the brachial nerve that branches off the plexus. It was injured by the vaccine reaction and then irritated or injured again during surgery. It runs down along the rib cage, with a branch between the first two ribs and another branch that runs across the underarm and down to the elbow (don't know where it goes from there).

When it's irritated, the branch between the first two ribs causes chest pains (faux angina). When these start I get pale, clammy, dizzy, can hardly draw a breath, and very nauseous. If I have a bra on, it has to get off, right this minute! If I can get into fresh air, that helps, and I have to consciously use relaxation breathing, deep breaths from down low.

The bad part was when these attacks started happening when I was lying down, trying to sleep - just from the pressure of my arm against the nerve. I'm not sure if there was a link, but it seemed like the nerve flare was linked to anxiety. I practiced using deep breathing and being purposely calm and letting go of things during the day, and the nerves calmed down shortly after.
Which was good, because it's hard enough to get sleep anyway, without panicky attacks of chest pains and breathlessness.

This nerve is also what causes the burning elbow pain and underarm pain, that surgery and other treatment hasn't been able to resolve - that's because it's a permanent nerve injury. I just finally learned this from a visit to Dr T in May. However, the trial SCS DID cover both the pain in the elbow AND underam, and brought an amazing sense of relief! How I pray that the permanent SCS surgery is successful!!

Your description sounds so similar, I wonder if maybe this nerve wasn't damaged in your first surgery? Do you think that's possible?

Think of you often,
beth

Anne, I have had these type of attacks. (about 14 total in the past 3 years) It would start with the left arm pain and then left shoulder and upper left cervical and shoulder blade. The heart palps would start, weakness and dizziness would follow, could not speak and had to lay down for about 45 minutes until they passed. I do not know what triggered these but when one of these hits you again, go to the ER room and ask them to take heart Enzymes, i.e. Troponin and CK-MB to make sure it is not your heart. If these heart Enzymes are normal a good ER doctor will repeat them in 4-6 hours. This is a must. They MUST be repeated in 4-6 hours if the first set is normal.
It is not unusual for women in their forties to have heart problems brought on by other conditions. Many ER doctors frown when a younger woman presents with "unclassic chest pains" but more women are presenting differently than men and are not being taken seriously. Peace of Mind is everything. I know. Wishing you better days ahead.

that's good info to know- about the enzymes
Thanks Lisa


[heart Enzymes, i.e. Troponin and CK-MB ]

I hope I can remember those if I need them.

I have become an outspoken advocate for women and heart disease. I will be listed in a book coming out in April/May 07 and am currently writing my own and also an article for a magazine...(Time to be determined). As much as we all dread Breast Cancer, BC can be cured if found in time by getting regular mammograms and good monthly self exams. I know of 5 breast cancer survivors (10 years plus now) 1 in 9 women die of breast cancer. One in 3 women die from heart disease. HD is the no. one killer of women. Don't let any male doctor intimidate you when you present pain or "anything" that does not feel right. Act upon it and get your records and view results yourself. Get educated on this disease and especially if there is a family history and one is diabetic. You may be saving your own life.

lisa,
i am a big advocate to self breast exam. on an all ladies board that i post on ( just local chit chat ) we have specific date each month for everyone to post their exam results. and boy howdy...you don't post your results by 6pm emails pm...phone calls!

it is surprising how fast the month goes by and how easy to forget. more than once i have been reminded. i treasure those pm's!!

how exciting to be writing that article. i hope you share it with us when you are done, or tell where to get the publication.

TODAY I....

pass along greetings and let jo know that I still exist however, been limiiiting my 'puter time

Curious... Monkeys (here I thought they all were just angels)... in Devils clothes

astern, I surely hope all is normal with and that you can avoid the DR

Beth... well I never tried the bra thing (just not me) however it is like I have brought up on other threads and asked my doctor... how the heck are to know when we are in the throughs of a heart attack or stroke, at times, the pain I get spreads across my chest numbene down both arms and seating ane elevated pulse just brought ou by the pain at times goes up the left side of my nec and causes my left eye to fltuuer and not focus proprly aka stroke? anymore I just assume everythin above the waist to be RSD or TOS hope all works out

flippin... I think therapy incresed my TOS as does my Doc, hope who ever is working on you has TOS experience

Dawn, truly I hope your fussion is set in place and the graft site is feeling OK! They have you in a Philadelphia (STIFF) callor or soft the phila makes it har to turn and the smell from sweating undr the foam gts bad all in all, I think you will do fine

Victoria... comm on you and attitude that boggles my mind great seeing you around

Lisa, when I worked in the lab the cariac enzmes were done X3q12hr, because a peson with an athletic heart will be high... though you are correct and a 12 lead EKG are great thinggs and as on TV it is stated # 2 killer of heart attacks are women so guess safe than sorry fit this bill

MARK-N-GOOBER Wishall a great day