Is there anything they can do at the ER?

[underwaterrhymes]

I am in the worst pain of my life due to my fucking ribs. Tyelnol is not touching it and I was seriously crying tonight when I got home. I have a very high threshold for pain and I've never experienced anything like this. (Yeah, if labor is worse than this I am delusional for hoping to go med-freee.) OB thinks its costochrondritis.

Right now I'm pressed up against an ice pack and it's manageable to the point where I think - hey! it's getting better! - but every time I move, breathe deeply, cough, etc. really awful pain radiates throughout my rib cage to the point where I'm crying out, which I'm sure is a lot of fun for my coworkers. Pressing on my ribcage induces shrieking.

H wants to take me to the ER, but I don't know that there is anything they can do or give me because I'm pregnant. IS there anything they can do? Or am I just going to have to strap an ice pack to my ribs for the next 7 weeks?

[sjh722]

Ouch! That sounds miserable.

I have a bad back (herniated discs) and my OB/midwife practice will give muscle relaxers and Tylenol 3 after the 1st tri. I think if that doesn't help, they'll give norco/vicodin. (Thankfully mine has been under control so I haven't had to take anything stronger.)

Can you call the on-call number for your OBs office before you go to the ER? Sometimes other doctors are hesitant to prescribe stuff to pregnant ladies. My back surgeon said all I could take was Tylenol and when I asked my midwife about it, she said that was ridiculous.

[underwaterrhymes]

I feel dumb going to the ER, though. It's not like it's anything serious... it just hurts like a motherfucker.

[alzi]

(hug)

I was in tears last night too - I couldn't breathe without it hurting. I don't know that there is anything they can do. I was telling H like 10 minutes ago that some things are a pain in the ass? Pregnancy is a fucking pain in the vagina. I'm over it.

I hope you get some relief soon.

[underwaterrhymes]

sjh722 - I was just at the OB yesterday and she indicated that really the only thing she could suggest was acupuncture.

I'm going to look into it for sure.

I'm being such a baby about this. I am not a complainer!

[alzi]

Feb 5, 2013 18:31:24 GMT -5 underwaterrhymes said:

I feel dumb going to the ER, though. It's not like it's anything serious... it just hurts like a motherfucker.

Not dumb. But did you call your dr office and talk to the on call nurse/doc? I'd see what they said before going to the hospital.

[underwaterrhymes]

alzi - ((gentle hugs)) I hope you feel better too. I wish this was one thing we couldn't commiserate on.

[SKP82]

Oh UWR, I am so sorry you're in such pain.

Did your OB say if there was anything you could do to get some relief?  ETA : didn't see your response above about acupuncture.  I would definitely try that.

[SKP82]

I googled it and some people have found relief through a chiropractor.

[underwaterrhymes]

Feb 5, 2013 18:35:46 GMT -5 SKP82 said:

Oh UWR, I am so sorry you're in such pain.

Did your OB say if there was anything you could do to get some relief?

Ice and heat (but I prefer ice), Tylenol, and acupuncture.

Tylenol does nothing.

Ice helps a LOT, but only if I consistently have it up against my ribs.

I haven't tried acupuncture yet, but I'm going to make it a priority. I have no idea if it will work, but I'm willing to try anything that won't hurt the baby.

[lilafowler]

I feel so bad for you! Since you're in the third trimester I don't think you have to worry as much about painkillers and the fetus-tell them the tylenol is not working and you are in agonizing pain.

[nursewife]

I would go to the er to get checked out. They should be able to help get your pain under control. If your in extreme pain, it could put your blood pressure up. I would want that checked as well.

[underwaterrhymes]

Feb 5, 2013 18:42:22 GMT -5 nursewife said:

I would go to the er to get checked out. They should be able to help get your pain under control. If your in extreme pain, it could put your blood pressure up. I would want that checked as well.

It was pretty low yesterday when I had it checked - 90 / 60. It usually hovers around 100 / 70 or thereabouts.

But it didn't hurt this bad yesterday either.

[cleo29]

This might sounds nuts, but I wonder if wrapping your ribs would help. I don't know, i almost think pressure, while it might hurt at first, might help.

So sorry you are hurting.

[underwaterrhymes]

Feb 5, 2013 18:45:21 GMT -5 cleo29 said:

This might sounds nuts, but I wonder if wrapping your ribs would help. I don't know, i almost think pressure, while it might hurt at first, might help.

So sorry you are hurting.

I did try an ace bandage last night, but it hurt too much.

Maybe I'll try again and leave it on longer?

[lizard]

Would the ER even take you though? I know when I was sick and went to the ER, they wouldn't touch me because I was pregnant and sent me right to labor and delivery. Definitely talk to the on-call doc. The last trimester is so tough. Hang in there!

[sjh722]

I might call the OB, then, and tell them it's unbearable pain and that you're headed to the ER. I hope there's something they can do to help.

[julesf84]

I would go to the ER. If it prevents you from sleeping and causes pain when breathing, I'd definitely consider it valid! Pregnancy is painful, yo!

[lightyears]

does it hurt to touch or when you breathe in? is it reproduceable?

they can help you manage your pain. but idk if you want to wait that long.

[cvillern]

Lurker here. Costochondritis causes serious pain. I don't know how far along you are but can your doctor give you a prescription for narcs?

I had hydronephrosis when I was pregnant and had to take narcotics. My midwife assured me it was better for my baby if I could breathe. I have a super high pain tolerance and that shit hurt.

I would go to the ER or at least page your OB.

[mudslide]

There are things that are safe to take during pregnancy. I take Tylenol w/ codeine. Unbearable pain is absolutely worth an ER trip if your dr won't help you. I'm sorry that you're in pain. I hope you feel better soon.

[underwaterrhymes]

Feb 5, 2013 19:01:17 GMT -5 lightyears said:

does it hurt to touch or when you breathe in? is it reproduceable?

they can help you manage your pain. but idk if you want to wait that long.

When I take a deep breath it hurts, but not as much as when I press on my ribs. Pressing on them hurts terribly. Coughing also hurts a lot.

My doctor initially mentioned PE, but given that pressing on my ribs causes immediate pain (and I don't really have any other symptoms of PE), we ruled that out.

I'll call the on call doctor at the hospital and see what they say.

I just feel silly.

[lightyears]

Feb 5, 2013 19:07:13 GMT -5 underwaterrhymes said:

Feb 5, 2013 19:01:17 GMT -5 lightyears said:

does it hurt to touch or when you breathe in? is it reproduceable?

they can help you manage your pain. but idk if you want to wait that long.

When I take a deep breath it hurts, but not as much as when I press on my ribs. Pressing on them hurts terribly. Coughing also hurts a lot.

My doctor initially mentioned PE, but given that pressing on my ribs causes immediate pain (and I don't really have any other symptoms of PE), we ruled that out.

I'll call the on call doctor at the hospital and see what they say.

I just feel silly.

don't feel silly. you shouldn't have to suffer! <3 

hope you find relief soon.

[ginger]

I get costochrondritis! Take ADVIL. (Don't do it. Talk to your doctor first. You're not supposed to while pregnant).

Can you take advil while pregnant? I forget. It sucks monkey butt when it happens!

Feel better.

[ginger]

Oh and costcochrondritis is inflammation, so tylenol might lessen the pain a bit, but won't help with the inflammation. Might want to call the after hours doctor to get a second opinion on what you can take.

ETA: Mine always happens in the upper chest area between my shoulder and breastbone. I too get that same can't breathe feeling. When it first happened I thought I was having heart trouble. I know it's a sonumabitch. Hope you get relief soon.

[underwaterrhymes]

Feb 5, 2013 19:26:21 GMT -5 ginger said:

Oh and costcochrondritis is inflammation, so tylenol might lessen the pain a bit, but won't help with the inflammation. Might want to call the after hours doctor to get a second opinion on what you can take.

Unfortunately Tylenol is it. Anti inflammatories are  a big no-no when pregnant.

I just talked to them and pretty much they reiterated what I already knew.

I can call back tomorrow morning and speak with my OB to see if she can prescribe something that is pregnancy friendly for the pain.

[ralphlauren]

You poor thing   I hope that they are able to give you something to take the pain away

[FloFTW]

There are absolutely painkillers that you can take while pregnant. You deserve relief!

[ginger]

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO



I'm sorry. I was hoping they'd tell you something or call you something in...but I guess they are afraid of lawsuits and all. Bleh.

I think I'd duct tape ice to me. Except...ice melts....I might just keep adding layers until the morning.

I'm kind of dramatic though.

[underwaterrhymes]

I just had a mini sob fest. I was hoping the person I talked to would just say, "Why yes! We can prescribe you this and you'll feel better in the morning!"

Unless I'm short of breath or wheezing, they said it was not necessary for me to come in.

I'm going to just call my OB first thing. Coedine is not an option for me as it makes me have that crawly, itchy skin feeling, but there's got to be something I can take that is okay for the baby but stronger than Tylenol.