[LoopyLoo]

Hi all,

Firstly thanks for everyone for replying to my previous post re my unexplained pain on Friday. I decided to see how I felt over night with the painkillers and take it from there. Although still in some discomfort on Saturday morning I did feel better.

I went along to the hairdressers later and while sitting in the chair the dull ache in the my back intensified and travelled up and over my shoulder. I knew I had to call the doctor as something wasn't right.

Hubby was out so I got home and called NHS24 who advised me to go to the GP Emergency Clinic at the hospital. I packed a bag (you just get that feeling) and when hubby came in half an hour later off we went. The doc was lovely and felt that he could take no chances and would admit me. The shoulder pain was causing him concern as it may be heart related. I was taken to A&E and given an ECG and chest x-ray......by this point I was getting a little upset and scared.

I was then moved to an acute medical receiving ward and waited 4 hours to see a doc....your usual NHS waiting time. My bloods, urine, ECG and x-ray were normal so they ruled out kidney, spleen and heart and were now querying a clot. More bloods were taken (D-Dimer test) and I was transferred again to a ward for the night.

Yesterday morning I saw 4 doctors - again all my tests were fine but I was still very tender to touch around the left chest area. They are now thinking musculosketal (?) and wanted to transfer me to the rheumy ward at another hospital for a couple of days - the one where I see my current rheumy.

As I was more reassured that nothing serious was going on I asked them to discharge me and that I see my rheumy as an outpatient. They weren't keen as I go on vacation on Saturday (flying) but relented.

In hindsight I should have agreed to be transferred as it's not guaranteed I'll see the rheumy before I go away. Hubby and family are understandably concerned. I am at work today albeit with painkillers but apart from the pain and tiredness I feel fine. I do wish I hadn't been so stubborn at the time but being in hospital was driving me crazy - stupid I know.

I'll keep you all posted.

Hugz,

Pam xxx

 

[Katharine]

Hi Pam,

Thanks for letting us know how you were getting on, we had been wondering and a little worried.

I'm glad it's not something immediately life threatening but it does sound like you should see your rheumy as soon as you can.

Hindsight is a lovely thing isn't it...

Katharine

 

[greenhaggis]

Pam,

I'm relieved that you went to the GP who then sent you to hospital. Sounds like you have had lots of test done!

Perhaps if you phone your Rheumi's secretary and ask for him to call you you can explain all that's going on - he may well see you as an emergency appointent!

Take care!

Love Lesley

 

[LoopyLoo]

Thanks Lesley and Katharine :grhug:

I wasn't convinced that others were chasing for the rheumy appointment before Friday so I called myself (I hate doing stuff like that). Especially as the pain increased again this afternoon. I was all round the houses before finding out that my rheumy is on holiday. They put me through to the secretary on the rheumatology ward who would speak to another doc and call me back.

So the upshot is that I have to attend the rheumy ward tomorrow, hopefully as just a day patient and see a doc that is also a lupus/connective tissue specialist. If they want to keep me in then I'll go with it this time.

It did upset me that I ended up in hospital even though every doc I saw told me that I did the right thing - it probably just hit home that as lupies we never know what can happen.

The one thing I've learned is that it's good to have decent PJ's on hand as I can't wear hubby's t-shirts in hospital. :rotfl:

Hugz,

Pam xxx

 

[Joandublin]

Hi Pam

Im sorry to hear about your experience but I sure can understand not wanting to stay in hospital unless its absolutely necessary. I know I would have been hot-footing it out of there at the first possible chance!

I hope you get some answers tomorrow. Perhaps a course of pred might ease the pain if its being caused by inflammation? I hope you can get to go on your vacation on Saturday. If they do keep you in tomorrow it might only be for a night or two so its best to follow their instructions methinks.

Lots of gentle hugs and hoping this resolves soon for you

Luv n stuff
Joan:rose:

 

[lin]

Pam im sorry for what as happend to you, but hope they get to what is was going on, and i do hope your holiday still goes ahead for you
wishing you better days

take care Lin xx

 

[LoopyLoo]

Everyone of you are so right - we are so good at giving others advice but when it comes to ourselves........hmm. I know how precious the rheumy beds are in my area and I feel that I only need a hospital bed if I feel so ill that I can't get out of one. Now I realise that is not the case. This part of things is all new to me and I don't like it.

I have to tell you though, weird things and fate happen at the strangest times. When I was transferred to the ward there was a girl in her early twenties who was visibly upset. There was only her and I and I asked if she was ok. She said that she's just been told she may have lupus and didn't know if she was going to die. I won't go into her details as I've given her the address of this site but isn't that spooky? The nurse made us tea and sandwiches and we sat up till 3am chatting. She said she felt much better after and I'll probably see her in the ward tomorrow. What are the odds eh?

There is a very good chance we'll have to cancel our trip to Sardinia. Hubby is ok with that but I wasn't. At the moment we've only paid the flights which were very cheap but I know he really needs a break too. I do realise that I've been caught up in me over the past week and others have had to deal with the fall out. Hubby told me that he is scared he'll have to deal with a situation while we are away. That I can't ignore. The word has also gotten out with my friends and they gave me absolute for going to work etc.

I will take the doctors advice tomorrow and accept what he has to say. Thanks so much for letting me vent, I've needed this site more than ever right now.

Hugz,

Pam xxx

 

[ALWIN]

Hi Pam

Sorry, my attendance is a bit sporadic at the moment. I did not see your earlier post. I am glad you have been checked out in hosp, despite the waiting and anxiety. At least you know you have had the major things checked out.

I hope you get some answers / the pain goes soon.

Where about in you back, exactly, was the pain? Was it your left or right shoulder? Nerve pathways are very weird. Sometimes you can get pain miles away from the actual problem. For example, you can get shoulder tip pain from a dogy gall bladder / gall stones.

Thank goodness for all the fancy equipent they have, eh?

 

[keebler]

Pam,
What a rough time you have had. I hope you find out what is going on at the doctors tomorrow.:hug:

I seem to forget sometimes how hard this is on our spouses. It is scarey for them too.

What nice timing for you to meet the young girl. It was nice to hear you helped her. You are very kind to reach out to her, and help her.

Take care Pam. I hope you get to go on your trip.


Lyn

 

[bugsy]

Hi Pam :hello: :flowery: :hello:

I really hope that they manage to find out whats going on with you tomorrow (well today actually). I think you have done the right thing to chase up the appointment cos if not you wouldn't have seen anyone this week then you would have been going on holiday wondering and worrying what was happening where as this way hopefully you will find out whats going on.

I wish you all the best and i will keep my fingers crossed :fingers: that you get things sorted, the pain eases and you managed to go on holiday pain free and worry free.

Take care :hug: Jo :hug:

 

[BigSis]

Hi Pam,
I'm sorry about the way things are just now. Hope the docs get you sorted soon.
Real bummer about the holiday, but hubby is right.
It's hard enough trying to describe this illness in english let alone a foreign tongue:hehe:
Take the very best care of yourself

 

[Clare.T]

Hello Pam
I am sorry you have been having such a rough time these past months and now this new problem ! . I hope you can get some reassurance and relief today and it turns out to be nothing important
How very disappointing about your holiday. I know you would feel worse if you went and had to see a doc in Sardinia - I wouldn't want that situation either

All the best
Hugs
Clare

 

[karen.w.]

(((((Pam)))))

I have only just seen your post.....I am so sorry to hear you ended up in hospital :sad: but you were very wise to go!

how are you feeling now?..good luck at the hospital today :luck:
please let us know how you get on?!

It's understandable you are disappointed about your holiday pam,this blasted disease always picks it's moment's :sad: we had to cancel our holiday last year due to me having to stay in hospital so I can empathise...my hubby,like yours was very understanding about it but I still felt bad,silly I know as these things can't be helped

take good care pam & I hope you get some answers today!
lot's of love & hug's to you :there: :hug: karen x

 

[greenhaggis]

Hi Pam,:getwell:

Sorry to hear that your trip to Sardinia is off - I'm sure your hubby will book another trip for when your feling better!

I'm glad you phoned the hospital and are being treated and having things investigated further! Let us know how you get on today!

PS. I had to phone my Immunologist of Friday as feeling lousy and he even spoke to my GP. I even had an emergency appointment yesterday with him. Outcome was flare and a chest infection (never had chest infection before), steriods and antibiobics prescribed plus bloods taken. This only happened because I was feeling in an assertive mood (which is not that often), but it worked!! It felt good for a change that GP and Immunologist were giving 100% service - I've not had that ever before!

Lots of love and hugs!

Lelsey:flowery:

 

[TootieBear765]

Hi Pam!

Sorry I didn't catch the start of your story (been out in left field for a week or two with a nasty tummy bug and the delights of the insurance/legal/car hire paperwork after an idiot in a Transit van took me out at the start of the month!)...

I know EXACTLY what you mean about not wanting to stay in hospital. I am usually the one who rugby tackles every passing uniformed staff member (porters included lol) to beg and, indeed when needs must, attempt to bribe them to let me out. Its easy to forget as you are lying there looking around you at people who seem so very ill that you probably are as bad but don't want to think about it... I'm going to try reverse psychology and ask to stay and book my meals for a week - maybe if I make myself look like I'm making myself too much at home, they'll send me home in future!

I'm also sad to read about your holiday having to be postponed! I'm due to go to Disneyland Paris in just under 6 weeks and it was booked long before my flaring started... but I'm still going to go and see if I can pick up some of that magical fairy dust... if it cures me, I'll bring back enough to go around (lol just realised how that might sound and no I don't mean the illicit types, I mean the Tinkerbell kind!!) Failing that I'm going to coerce Goofy into pigbacking me round the park!

I'm sure though that both you and your hubby will benefit from going at a time when you feel you'll both be able to enjoy it with no (or at least probably) less stress on your mind! As for work, I'm a lot like you, others nag me for being here but I find on balance, it can take my mind off my pain for a bit and gives me an excuse to get up and about... if I didn't I know I'd just be sitting at home eating ice cream and watching American sit-coms (such a pleasant thought tho!). When it comes to work, be your own judge but make sure its the right thing for your health and happiness...

I'll make a point of coming back to check out how you got on...

Take care,

Lynette x

 

[elisabethm]

Hi Pam just to let you know that i hope you are feeling better how did you get on today i do hope you got some good news what a shame about your holiday hope you get another one booked when you feel better wishing you all the best Elisabeth:foryou: :foryou:

 

[LoopyLoo]

Costochondritis.

:grouphug2: Thank you everyone for taking the time to reply - I really do appreciate it. I've just realised what a blether I am when spaced out on pain meds LOL! :wacko:

It seems I have Costochondritis. I know many of you have had this and boy can I sympathise - the pain is just awful.


The doctor we saw was wonderful and a very experienced Lupus man. He said my bloods were extremely boring which was a good sign and at first he queried shingles. After an hour of examination he said it was definatley Costo. I am sooo relieved it's nothing too serious. I can't fault any of the care I've had even though we have a good old moan at the NHS. Oh and I've to see my rheumy again when I get back!

AND........we CAN go on holiday!!!! :excited: (ooh that hurts LOL). But I have to behave myself and rest completely. Not a problem - for once I will do as the doc says.

The other plus point is that I've lost 8lbs as I've not felt like eating - always a silver lining eh. :lol:

Gentle hugz to you all.

Pam xxx

 

[elisabethm]

HI Pam i am so glad that you are getting to go on holiday so i hope you have a great time and remember to rest with your feet up ALL THE BEST Elisabeth:cloud9: :micbounce: :cloud9: :cloud9: :woohoo:

 

[mysharonna]

Hi Pam,

So glad you are able to go away! You MUST take it easy until then..no exceptions!

I've had a touch of Costrochondritis in the past, yes it is very painful and scary...feels like you are having palpatations and a heart attack. Did they prescribe any meds? I think they gave me antiinflammatories back then, but not 100% sure.

REST! REST! REST! And feel better
Sharon

 

[Sage Hen]

Hi Pam,

I was so happy your going away on holiday! I hope you feel better very soon, so you can get the most out of it. Take good care of yourself...

Love,
Sandy