Calling any Nurses/Medical Professionals - A topic distraction...Pls Respond...

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#1 Nov 15 - 7PM
Anonymous (not verified)
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Calling any Nurses/Medical Professionals - A topic distraction...Pls Respond...

Hi,

Okay, I have Fibromyalgia which from time to time gives me a case of costochondritis...WHAT IS THAT?...Okay, it's an inflammation of the chest wall that feels like pressure/heart attack - very painful and when you go to the ER, they ask what meds your on, you tell them they ask why and you say cause you have Fibro, they shake their heads, write you off as a headcase and send you on your way...Nonetheless, because it mimics heart attack - I usually go...I hate spending eight hours to be written off as a headcase, but in the off chance...you know....

Okay, now here is my dilemma...

Friday night, I had a pain in the upper left quadrant of my chest. It wasn't stabbing but it was a substantial ache. I did not feel dizzy or anything...that pain is gone, but now I have a pain in my thoracic spine/general back area and right below the sternum. I noticed some fullness in my front neck region around where the thyroid might be...in the hollow part right beneath where a man's adam's apple might be?

I don't feel short of breath, but I've read heart attacks in women can come on slowly, with subtle signs...I just don't feel like marching into the ER to be told to get my stomach some digel...LOL - I also have mild indigestion, but no burning.

The pain in my back was pretty intense last night but not sure...

Anyone?

Nov 16 - 11AM
Briseis
Briseis's picture

Michelle

I was gonna respond last night but we had a hell of a windstorm and though we were in one of the FEW neighborhoods who didn't have a tree fall across our powerlines, it did knock out the cable internet company :D I don't think you need to see a cardiac specialist. Your primary care doc will not refer you to one, nor will your insurance pay for one UNLESS you already demonstrate certain cardiac symptoms. And chest pain, with EKG's ruling out a heart attack is NOT a cardiac symptom. If you have a family history of cardiac disease, if you smoke, are over 45, are significantly overweight, have diabetes . . . then at your next primary care doctor visit, ask that they do basic cardiac screening labs. If the labs show stuff that needs taking care of, then there you go. An EKG does more than tell if you are or aren't having a heart attack. It will tell if you've already had one and where. It can reveal "ischemia", which is poor circulation to one part or another of the heart muscle, an "impending heart attack". So if you've gotten a few EKGs that clear you, and your labs and your family history and lifestyle do not point toward cardiac disease, you can rest assured your chest pain is not likely to be a heart attack. I realize you are one of many who got the brush off from MDs because of your fibro. But you won't get anywhere with them by pushing back at them. This will only reassure them that you ARE a psych patient in disguise. That is just the way things are. You won't change it. In fact, it doesn't hurt THEM, it only hurts YOU. If you must push back, NEVER become hostile or sarcastic with the doc. I'm not defending asshole doctors here. I'm defending YOU. When you want something from someone else, you don't get it by acting demanding and entitled. That's what we teach our kids. When you want something, NEGOTIATE. Respectfully. You are in a one down position, like it or not. You will be guaranteed to get little but brushed off if you have an attitude of "You'd better give me . . . !!" This is just a fact. I'm not saying it's right. It's just the way the medical system and it's denizens WORK. You catch more flies with honey than vinegar anyway. This advice is coming from the inside of being in healthcare for 20 years. You need to understand both sides of the equasion so you can make it equal for you. I'm also saying "be empowered". That does not mean be "demanding". NEGOTIATE. Present your case like a lawyer. And don't go to the ER for pain medication if you can at ALL help it. That's advice for everyone. Unless your leg bone is sticking out. If you have chronic pain issues, it means advocate and get your ducks in a row with your primary doc. The ER sees massive amounts of drug addicts and fakers and attention seekers. Seriously. They are LEGION. And the ER docs and nurses really should be SAINTS and see each and every patient as a unique individual . . . but they can't. They NEVER have that kind of time or energy. I barely do and I work on a medical floor. Besides, docs and nurses are either no more intelligent than usual, or only slightly more so. They are limited human beings. I joke that I LOVE nursing, because NO amount of money makes up for the kind of shit I have to deal with (literally and figuratively). The kind of stuff that would make a layperson turn and barf on their shoes, or run screaming. I want you to get exactly what you need, when you need it. And when I give people this little "speechification" lol, I do so because I sense a bit of antipathy toward the folks in my profession. I don't BLAME you one bit. I'm just saying you have to work the system, not fight it, to get what you need. Docs and RNs need to be educated about Fibro and CFS. And their best educators are patients who are patient with them. We are just people, too, and don't learn well from angry people. And no, we SHOULDN'T already know. That is giving us way too much credit. We DON'T already know. Hope this all makes some sense :D gives you a little more insight, perhaps, and empowers you to, with DIGNITY, seek and get the care you need and deserve :)
Nov 16 - 1PM (Reply to #33)
Scoop
Scoop's picture

This is good advice , the

This is good advice , the biggest problem we have in the UK is time , there is just not enough time to really give the patient what they need , i left the NHS 10 years ago and i KNOW things have got worse . My good frind has fibro and it is a constent battle for her to find a doctor that will listern to her , all they want to do is dose her up with anti depressents . If you where in the uk i would say keep going back to youre GP untill they refure you but i know in the States things work diffrently ... oh sorry about the spelling im on the mobile ... xxx
Nov 16 - 1PM (Reply to #26)
michele115 (not verified)
Anonymous's picture

Glad you're safe Brie

Falling trees aren't pleasant...
Nov 16 - 1PM (Reply to #27)
Briseis
Briseis's picture

It was a little unnerving.

It was a little unnerving. The patient rooms have these huge windows and you could see branches flying at you. The entire east side of Olympia was out of power, so driving home at 12am without stop lights and flying scraps of fir trees was interesting. I was thrilled to see we still had power, and that my chickens/ducks/geese had not been blown away into the Sound. Oh yeah, and the property is almost all trees. I will find out the damage after I'm done babysitting the demon grandson.
Nov 16 - 1PM (Reply to #28)
michele115 (not verified)
Anonymous's picture

Awww Brie, don't call baby boy a Demon...

I love baby boys!!!...they're full of energy and determination...Lord knows my son had me rip roaring mad when he was little...Christ, I'd be rich if I could bottle up that energy... He's normal now...LOL
Nov 16 - 2PM (Reply to #29)
Briseis
Briseis's picture

My son was this total ADD

My son was this total ADD kid, swung from the chandeliers, squeaked and made constant noise, so I always knew he was alive. Ritalin turned him into an actual STUDENT at school. But when he hit 14 or 15, they hyperactivity vanished and we threw them out. The grandson is 20 months old. He has discovered "I am my own person. I can cause amazing things to happen." He just called someone on speed dial, I don't know who, it's my daughter in law's phone :D He gets this look on his face and it is pure evil glee. And the word "No" merely means "run!" or "do it faster/more/and grin evilly while doing it" :D
Nov 16 - 2PM (Reply to #30)
michele115 (not verified)
Anonymous's picture

Love it!

I miss those days...
Nov 16 - 5PM (Reply to #31)
blueeyes
blueeyes's picture

Dear Michelle,

If you miss those days, come on over. I have a very cute blue eyed 5 month old with dimples for ya! XO
Nov 16 - 7PM (Reply to #32)
michele115 (not verified)
Anonymous's picture

I'll snatch him up Blue!

He is beautiful BTW... Like his MOM
Nov 16 - 1PM (Reply to #23)
michele115 (not verified)
Anonymous's picture

Brieseis

Thanks for taking the time to respond...the only reason why I get a little fearful is because I did have an episode months before everything went haywire... I had palpitations, a wave of pressure over my chest, fainted, thank God I was on the couch, semi conscious, could hear but could not see...then a lot of light dots?...then slowly things came back into focus. I went to the hospital expecting them to send me home with a lollypop...they kept me there for ten days three in a step down unit... Did all kinds of tests, thankfully nothing - allegedly my sugar was up to 500 yet they say I don't have diabetes...A good thing, but I do have palpitations from time to time? So, I do get a little worried. As per meds...I only needed pain killer in the ER for the migranes I would get when I first got sick but wasn't diagnosed...I'm talking about the General Practitioners... But I do understand what you're saying. I have a good doc now, but when these things flare late at night, he's not a cardio guy... I think I do need another workup just to make sure - just to be safe... Whatever they can do I'll take - at least I know I did the best I could and if they miss something well...family will at least know I tried... Just ran into my neighbor 45 stage 3 Ovarian Cancer...her doc kept giving her antibiotics telling her it was an overactive bladder and a UTI...
Nov 16 - 1PM (Reply to #24)
Briseis
Briseis's picture

It sounds like you got a

It sounds like you got a good work up then, they would have done labs up the kazoo too. And nothing was wrong? You don't know whether to shit or go blind after something like that :( I hope this will help you feel less anxious that your heart is OK . . . ovarian cancer is a sneaky sonofabitch. It is almost impossible to diagnose UNTIL it is stage 3 or 4 :( . As far as I know, there aren't any blood tests that can catch it early, just CAT scans/MRIs, which they don't hand out very easily. Heart probs, on the other hand, are pretty cut and dried unless you have a bizarre, rare defect. If they told you your heart is fine, it 98% probably IS fine. Palpitations . . . they are scary. Feeling faint and greying out, I'd have my butt in the ER too. You did all the right stuff. And if I had THAT happen, and felt further symptoms, I'd be just like you. Worried. Going to the ER for chest pain shouldn't ever get you the stink eye. God I wonder how they got a 500 on your blood sugar?? That would have really freaked me out too!! I really, really DOUBT they missed something with your heart. I really do. There's a chance, and docs have been known to fail. Usually not with such cut and dried stuff, though, like heart probs. Now cancer? I have seen SO many major fuckups :( . Tragic tragic ones. One was a 33 year old who's tumor started sticking out of her BACK before they'd listen, and she was full of lymphoma :( . She's a miracle, though, and is almost ready to have her first BABY. After they told her the chemo would zap her ovaries. Can I give you my email addy? I have some other ideas if you want to talk about them [email protected] . I hate it when people feel like they are being ignored and are still very scared.
Nov 16 - 1PM (Reply to #25)
Briseis
Briseis's picture

oh, and speaking of

costochondritis . . . I had it for six months!! I was going to PROVE to the exNarc that I was not a granny, and drove my ATV over a small cliff and smashed three ribs. The pain persisted for SO long afterward. It feels like someone is trying to drive a spoon through your chest wall and twisting it at the same time. I don't take opiates or narcotics but I know even they wouldn't have worked for that kind of pain. I would have had to be in a coma to not be in pain. I did Aleve and Motrin every day for months. So much for my kidneys.
Nov 16 - 12PM (Reply to #21)
blueeyes
blueeyes's picture

briseis..

Ok, there was a storm! Ah ha, that explains it. I was wondering where you were on this. I knew your answer would be what it was because you are suck a kind worded person. I look up to you because I would have said "ER nurses do not care what level pain you are in but we have to ask." That's not to say I don't care about my patients, because I do! But man do I get tired of dealing with clueless patients. Somedays, I love this job and I follow up with patients to make sure they are ok (on my personal time). Others I show a hard exterior to weed out the BS! I 100% cannot stand when a parent calls, it sets me into a tailspin. I think "your child is in college, cut the cord." At the same time I had a mom call last wekk and she was the sweetest person I've ever met. Michelle, I'm not talking about you here at all, I understand and agree with your feelings on this topic. I'm just addressing B's nice post on how frustrating "seekers" are. I know your not one of them, you want care and justice.
Nov 16 - 1PM (Reply to #22)
Briseis
Briseis's picture

Nurse bitching :D

The "seekers" make it very hard on people who need legitimate emergency care. They are exhausting and unless you get a grip on yourself, a nurse or doc can get bitter. I don't personally think that is an excuse, but it is what happens, and not every RN or doc is going to work on their attitude problems. Plus, the emergency room is NO place to expect a diagnosis, even though they give provisional ones. You gotta be not breathing or spouting arterial blood to get an excellent work up. Half the patients on my unit have admitting diagnoses that have nothing to do with what is REALLY wrong with them. It's not because the ER docs are idiots. It's because they are ER docs, and they focus on specific things. It's a conflict between Real Life and the fantasy perfect doctor or nurse. We can't fix your LIFE. But we can keep you from dying, most of the time. The media gives a very floofy image we can't live up to. We're paying the mortgage and have trouble at home and our back or feet are killing or we just got screamed at by someone for doing what we thought was the right thing to do at the time.
Nov 16 - 10AM
sunflowergrl70
sunflowergrl70's picture

gallbladder?

It could be gallstones which can cause some referred pain in the back and throat. Costochondritis is inflammation of the cartilage between the ribs. Can you take antiinflamatories for that?
Nov 16 - 1PM (Reply to #19)
michele115 (not verified)
Anonymous's picture

Sunflower

Thanks! Actually, as per my post, I'm feeling better...the rain had to come through the clouds...LOL Still sore, but it's not as intense... I have to go easy on the anti-inflammatories cause of my stomach...but when the going get's bad...I pick my poison!
Nov 16 - 10AM
michele115 (not verified)
Anonymous's picture

I Will Live! Hooray!

At least until tomorrow...we fibromites feel bad weather DAYS before...we've had some really beautiful weather and I was concerned as to why I was feeling so bad cause in decent weather things arent so bad...well, turns out it rained last night and is cloudy today...Great indicator that it's weather related...now that the clouds have released the moisture, the barometric pressure had dropped...and the pain is not as intense... I will however, take all of your advice and follow up. EKG's don't do anything other than confirm that your heart is beating. I agree Jaycee - and everyone else...cardiac specialist...just to be on the safe side. Hugs to you all...
Nov 16 - 6AM
jaycee
jaycee's picture

michele

michele, you are not crazy, better to be safe than sorry, just because you have fibro, doesnt mean you cant have other problems. stress is a major factor in women's health, and the stress could have really done a job on your heart, i get the back pain and the chest pain when i am overwhelmed, but i fear sometimes, its caused by the stress and there really is damage to my heart. i dont know how old you are but if youre in your forties, i suggest, and not to scare you, you see a real doctor, not the er jerks who assume everyone is crazy, because they dont have the time to do proper testing. dont scare yourself, but get an appointment with a specialist and get to the bottom of it. xoxo Jaycee

Jaycee

Nov 15 - 11PM
betty2020
betty2020's picture

Have you asked to see a

Have you asked to see a cardiac specialist? Ask if they can do testing. My sister in law had this done. They put dye in her and took some pictures. She ended up having a blockage that they fixed immediately. Problem solved and she is healthier than ever today. She dealt with symptoms for 2 years before they found out the real problem. Not saying this to scare you but maybe it requires further investigation. only one way to go...Forward (tm?)

only one way to go...Forward (tm?)

Nov 16 - 12AM (Reply to #15)
michele115 (not verified)
Anonymous's picture

I have an appointment with the RHEUMY

On Wednesday Betty, he's the one that understand I'm not crazy when it comes to the FIBRO at least...LOL I will speak with him, thing is because of my age, and what Blue was expressing, there is a lot of bias...you really have to have your guns cocked when dealing with docs as they tend to dismiss your symptoms as being all in your head. I can't begin to describe the trauma trying to find relief...really the pain was so bad - Oxycontin did not touch it I was one step below methadone for pain and nothing touched the pain! I was high as a kite but felt the pain right through! My doc is one of the best in my area, there are probably on five that really believe and treat fibro...this doc saved my life and he took me in and did not charge me - at that time I had no money, lost my job because of the undiagnosed illness but frequent absences...it was an ordeal. I started looking into how I could kill myself because I could not imagine that level of pain for another ten years, and at 35 I figured I'd have to suffer at least another 40... I wouldn't wish this on my worse enemy - not even the NARC - but praise God, the pain is bad but it is manageable, not on the level that it was. I stil have flares, and the combination of other conditions make me unable to sustain employment as just managing daily living actiivty takes its toll - in fact, I may have this pain in my back and sternum just from doing the laundry! Everything comes with a price...but I will definately talk to him and see if he can set me up with someone he knows rather than the doc in the boxes Aetna provides... Thanks!
Nov 15 - 11PM
M
M's picture

in a reverse scenario...

I have found myself healthier, energetic once xhN moved out. same with my cat---no more insulin shots!
Nov 15 - 11PM
blueeyes
blueeyes's picture

costochondritis

I don't know much about costochondritis, but I do work with some (stress some) doctors that believe its a symptom of Fibro. Also, it can cause chest pain, this can be acute or this can be severe but not life threatening. I pasted a link below. Many docs say Fibromyalgia is a mental disorder? I disagree but I haven't researched this topic. My line of work is STD's , sore throats and panic attacks in college kids. They never have a need treated for costochondritis. Keep me posted and If I hear anything, ill keep you posted. http://mobile.associatedcontent.com/article/558267/what_is_costochondritis.html
Nov 16 - 12AM (Reply to #8)
michele115 (not verified)
Anonymous's picture

Hey Blue...I got a message for those Quacks you work with...LOL

Not offended by YOU I understand you're expressing the docs ignorance, but Fibro is not a mental disorder but many docs have not been educated on the condition which is why I've had to become an advocate in my own health and healing. MS was considered a mental disorder before enough people got sick and perhaps a few politiicans had family members afflicted then they decided to actually up some funding. Prior to that, women were institutionalized and tortured in mental institutions, given electric shock treatment because MS was believed to be a condition all in thier heads...yes... Until there is funding for research, many doctors will be in the dark. It is believed to be neurological in nature having to do with the pain processers in the brain. So, in a sense, it is all in the head - but no in the way Doctors erroneously think. I also have CFS/Chronic Fatigue...another "headcase" diagnosis but interestingly enough the HEAD of the CDC decided to squander six million dollars of funding on God knows what when he received a Memo from the WHO notifying him that there was a great fear of an epidemic invovolving a Retrovirus *like Aids? that had the ability to become an epidemic. Of course, money was spent on trips, green leather sofa's perhaps and God knows what. This past October his head was handed to him on a platter and basically he was accused of falling one thread short of commiting a crime against humanity....Aids folks if they don't die from complications of other systems or the meds, die from a Leukemia. CFS suffers, on the other hand, genrally face a fate of Lymphoma. I want to make it clear, I don't have Aids...but a retrovirus eventually causes a cancer. That is what I know. I also know that you can be born with these viruses that are passed down genetically. If my father wasn't shot, he was slated to die from lymphoma. That is what I know. The Head of the CDC was accused as having committed a crime against humanity because in 97 when he got the memo, the concerns and questions were very much equal to those concerns and questions with AIDS. Can it be passed on to offspring, can it contaminate blood, is it sexually transmitted. To date we have no answers... Not offended at all Blue, but now, go back and tell those Docs they need to get their heads out their asses. Docs like them is what had folks like me six years ago, ready to kill myself because the pain was unbearable and they refused to treat me with compassion and instead of trying to help me saw me as drug seeking and a malingerer!...and of course, offered me an antidepressant. Now, there is also a component to trauma that may be involved with Fibro...stress hormones in overdrive that eventually do permanant damage to the body...I might drink a cup of that - but the Jury isn't out yet. But it's not out on a lot of things...so all you can do is take it one day at a time. You are correct however, the costrochrondritis is a very common symptom of Fibro - but that is what is so daunting...Docs in the ER like docs that you work with, just shake their heads thinking I'm a headcase looking for attention when all I am really trying to do is make sure it's that damn Chostrochrondritis and not a heart attack - there are a lot of fibro folks who have died from heart attacks cause they thought it was the chostrochrondritis...but after a few rounds of false alarms...you just grow tired...LMAO Love you babe... Hugs!
Nov 16 - 12AM (Reply to #10)
michele115 (not verified)
Anonymous's picture

We now return to our regularly scheduled programming...

BTW Blue, that was a pretty good article you posted on the Costrochondritis... The condition needs a better word though - I misspell it in a myriad of ways...LOL Perhaps my next project will be to take on the AMA...
Nov 16 - 5AM (Reply to #11)
blueeyes
blueeyes's picture

Costrochondritis (costro?)

We could call it costro, like costco the warehouse store. Yea, it's quite the mouthful. The AMA loves to abbreviate. Lol. I'm glad your feeling better. The doctors I work for? Whew, I respect 4 of them, well no, 3. I work with several. We have 8 total, plus they are GP and I never ever see fibro at work! My friend was diagnosed with having fibro and she too lost her job due to sick time off. It's sad. She is so depressed to the point that I had to keep a safe distance from her because she would not go see a therapist. She leaned on me and I was there for her, however I'm not a professional on depression and my days were filled with her pain. I had to make her become responsible for herself. Healthy boundries,lol. I still keep in touch but she is whacked out on pain killers that I can't keep up with her moods. This condition happened when both of her parents were killed in a car crash. The doctor DID NOT believe she had Fibro but ahe did find an out of state specialist. Healthcare as a whole is a F'in mess! I'm fighting (getting nowhere) with my insurance company and the local government for mental health coaching. Idk if you read my therapy vs mentoring post a few days back? I think you did, I remember your responses. I am pushing this issue to the fullest and luckily I work at a big organization and have some strong backing. However, I do not expect to get anywhere but I'm fighting as hard as possible. XOXO
Nov 16 - 1PM (Reply to #12)
michele115 (not verified)
Anonymous's picture

Baby Steps Blue

First get yourself together then take on City Hall... But yes, I concur, the entire system is atrocious... My take is because HMO's are running the show in cahoots with Big Pharma... Why research cures when to mask the symptoms creates a greater need for meds? Years ago there was "Talk Therapy" Now, we get kids labeled ADHD...uh, look at schedules...I know here, kids don't even really get a lunchtime anymore. How do you have a kid sitting at a desk ALL day long, not burning up the energy to be shuffled to the After-School where again, homework, quiet time and snacks but no active energy burning... Then we get mad at the kids.... Raising Cain I suggest - you have a baby boy right...get your hands on it... Kids need to rip and tear, bottom line.
Nov 16 - 12AM (Reply to #9)
blueeyes
blueeyes's picture

yes!

That's why I stressedf some doctors. They do not look into it. Whick is why the specialist is your best bet.
Nov 15 - 9PM
michele115 (not verified)
Anonymous's picture

I'm feeling a bit better

I have an appointment on Wednesday...if it gets worse, I'll humble myself and go get labeled a headcase with a healthy heart... It could be worse I guess... They could say for once it isn't in my head and I have a bad heart...that wouldn't be good. I'll stick with being a headcase...LOL thanks guys.
Nov 15 - 8PM
Disillusionedx2
Disillusionedx2's picture

when in doubt

Have it checked out ER or your physician ASAP,if you feel it's emergent head to the ER pronto, if not at the very least phone your physician (someone should be on call) and inquire, but do not play around with it, you never know until you are evaluated by medical professionals, feel better. stay~striving

stay~strong

Nov 15 - 8PM
NancyM
NancyM's picture

Topic

I don't think this is a topic distraction at all. From what I have gathered, Fribromyalgia is a very common symptom of Narcissistic victim syndrome. (ps..I have no medical background.) Others include Hyperthyroid, hypothyroid, the triggering of arthritis (related to fibromyalgia). The common thing with these ailments is that they appear to be psychosomatic, ie they are brought on by the Narc experience of stress and abuse. It isn't enough that we have to deal with healing from the Narc, our bodies are so down beaten that it is like they are turning against us as well. In my own experience I had the onset of a lot of the symptoms of these diseases, but time and healing after NC have reversed the pattern. Sounds to me like you are having some of these normal symptoms, but I am no expert and I would say it is better to be safe that sorry. Who cares if they may think you are being an alarmist, it is better to be safe than sorry....it is your health. Also it may be worthwhile to get your thyroid function checked out. My doctor was quite amazed how I reversed the pattern without medication.

Nevergoback