Ow-Ow-Ouch

[Iggy]

I work until 10 pm Tues through Friday's.

Last Friday after I got home, my left side started hurting. At first I thought it was gas. For my "lunch" I had had two beef/chicken burritos with the red rice and refried beans on the side. Well the beans were partially uncooked. I just spit out the hard beans and didn't think much of it.

So when the pain hit, I thought it was gas from the partially cooked beans. So I drank half a can of room temp classic coke cola. That usually gets me passing the gas. The pain became worse.

I took four Tylenol's, and curled up on the sofa. Saturday the pain got worse. I had a bowl of chix soup and LOTS more Tylenol.

By Sunday the pain had hit 12 on a scale of 1 to 10. I found the closest Urgent Care that was open and husband drove me there. After talking to me, and poking me in my side and under my left breast, they told me to get to ER.

UC thought it was my pancreas. So ER ran a CT Scan- after they inserted an IV and dosed me with a syringe of Demerol. Pancreas is okay- liver is enlarged (wrong side) have gall stones (wrong side), gall bladder is NOT enlarged.

After 4 hours ER sent me home with a script for 12 Demerol pills. The pills really kill the pain. They also lay me back so much, husband had to help me walk to the bathroom. Monday I am doped up and sleeping most of the time.

Tuesday I go to the Chiropractor- He took away the pain, used these electrodes on my side and ice packs. WOW- I want that machine. You can keep the drugs, just give me that machine.

I saw the Chiropractor on Wednesday too- Thursday I was on my own. All I had was three pills left so I sat on the sofa and watched DVDs most of the day, or slept propped up with a zillion cushions and two cats!

I went to see my Primary Care Physician this morning. She could not believe that the ER didn't take xray of my ribs! She did more constructive poking, prodding, twisting of my legs and waist, etc than the ER ever dreamed of. All ER did was poke my upper stomach and left side.

She had xrays taken and lo and behold I have a broken rib. Not much they can do. Gave me 20 MG of Vicodin (I only take half a pill at a time. Works great. I am not nearly as loopy), and told me to keep seeing the Chiropractor, just tell him about the rib and that my lower back is out.

I see the Chiropractor this afternoon. I can hardly wait- I like those electrical things. They stop the pain, and relax the muscles. Lasts nearly 24 hours too.

My liver is enlarged because my diabetes is out of control. So it is time for me to take responsibility, to eat correctly, monitor my glucose and to quit fooling around.

As for how my rib got broken - - - don't have a clue on that one. The only things I can think of is I sneezed as I bent over from a sitting position retrieving a pen from the floor that I had dropped. Or when I reached through my window at the drive through ATM, or reaching to get my mail from my street rural mail box- the mail was clear to the back and I really had to stretch to get it. Yep, did all three after I left work Friday night.

Believe me, I will be extra careful of doing any stretching, lifting and twisting from now on.

One broken rib- it hurts, it hurts a LOT!

[Guest JoshDwellington]

oh, glad someone actually found out 'bout the broken rib !

how long will it take you to recover fully ??

my grandma was diagnosed with diabetes too last month, sucks !

[prospectmom]

hope your feeling better. Chiropractors are awesome. Are you talking about EMS Electrical mucsle stimulation??? I have a tens unit works wonders fits on my side and helps with pain tremendosly

[Maureen]

I've never been to a chiropractor and I have a few friends who love theirs. When I was growing up one of our neighbors, who was a hypochondriac, always went to the chiropractor. So I think I have an old, negative bias about them.

[Moksha]

Shouldn't the physician be concerned with why the rib broke so easily?

[Maureen]

Ribs can crack from coughing.

[freckleface]

Be well, Iggy. Get plenty of rest and DH give you a good foot massage.

[mlbrowninwa]

Hope you feel better soon. I have broke ribs twice, one on each side. First one was giving my son pointers on "proper" tackling for football. Only problem with that.. he had on the equipment and i did not. Helmet to the rib cage and bingo. No very smart looking back. Second time slipped and just twisted wrong and POP, second one on the other side. One side has healed and never given any trouble. Football helmet side always has a little ache to it, but I have come to not even recognize it much anymore.

Take it easy while it heals up, and watch out for those kids getting ready for football season.

[Iggy]

Ribs can crack from coughing.

Or sneezing or straining or bending sideways to pick something up or set something down.

[Iggy]

oh, glad someone actually found out 'bout the broken rib !

how long will it take you to recover fully ??

my grandma was diagnosed with diabetes too last month, sucks !

It could take from a week to several weeks- depends on how severe the break/crack is and how active/mobile I am.

I can't reach into the washing machine to get the clothes out, and I am not forcing myself to find a way to do it without help. I will haul the clothes to the nearest laundry-mat that has front loaders first. Fortunately, husband will empty the washer of each load, load the dryer and empty it and I will fold and hang the clothes. I can't lift my cast iron skillet without pain. So I will use my smaller cast iron griddle w/handle and take longer to fry/cook meals. Husband will lift and drain the 5 qt pots, etc.

I was diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes about 2 years ago. It is a major life change.

[Iggy]

Shouldn't the physician be concerned with why the rib broke so easily?

She has scheduled a bone density test for next month- I also have a Well Woman exam scheduled- which will include tests for osteoporosis. I am to take calcium supplements or drink three glasses of 1% milk a day, or the equivalent of. I really like milk, cottage cheese, cheeses.

[prospectmom]

I once broke a rib wrestling with my hubby :] we were tickling each other and carrying on and ouchie...... boy did I get some xtra nice treatment from it

[Iggy]

I've never been to a chiropractor and I have a few friends who love theirs. When I was growing up one of our neighbors, who was a hypochondriac, always went to the chiropractor. So I think I have an old, negative bias about them.

When my next older sister first found out I was going to a Chiropractor for my migraines she threw one heck of a fit. I had to hang up the phone on her!

I have suffered from migraines since I hit puberty. They are debilitating- I am blind during them, the pain is a 100 on a scale of 1 through 10! They last anywhere from 8 hours to 8 days.

My husband took me to see his chiropractor at the onset of the migraine. I was in so much pain I don't know what the Dr did to me. All I know is the pain slid down my body and exited out my fingers and toes. The Dr had me go get full body xrays and come back the next day. I was able to drive to the Radiologist on my own.

My back was so out- it took 5 weeks to get it back in place, I saw the Dr twice a week during those 5 weeks. My insurance covers 20 visits a year.

I use maybe 15 of them per year. From now on, I will be seeing him on a regular basis for the rest of my life. YES, the rest of my life. Because I don't always sit in the perfect position, nor do I sleep in the most perfect position. I get carried away cleaning house and move furniture by myself when I shouldn't, and then end up with my neck and shoulders hurting and killing me. ONE visit to the chiropractor and I am pain free.

Life happens and your spine gets out of alignment. I get sick and end up coughing and popping my back out. During the monsoon season here in AZ, I end up sneezing all the time - dust, mold & spores are being blown all over from all over and I sneeze them out of my system.

Since I have been going to him, my right arm no longer kills me at the end of the week- keyboarding and moving the mouse around 10 hours a day at work.

There are Quack Chiropractors just like there are Quack Medical Doctors. My Dr is a Dr of Chiropractic Medicine. He is also a very spiritual man. Along with the typical magazines in his waiting room, there are bibles and christian spiritual magazines, and now there are Books of Mormon . No, he is not LDS - I really don't know what faith religion he is. Before he did anything to me this last time, I asked if he and my husband and I could have a prayer first- His eyes lit up and he went and got my husband, and the Dr asked to offer the prayer!

I was so panicked and in so much pain- the prayer reassured me, and I calmed down so that I was not fighting what the Dr was trying to do. Remember, this was before we knew the rib was broken/cracked.

I am well aware of the rotten Chiropractors out there. I am also well aware of the rotten MD's out there too!

[Iggy]

hope your feeling better. Chiropractors are awesome. Are you talking about EMS Electrical mucsle stimulation??? I have a tens unit works wonders fits on my side and helps with pain tremendosly

I didn't ask what it was- though the receptionist said they have portable ones for sale.

I nearly fall asleep when I am hooked up to it. I don't, cause I am afraid I will fall forward out of the chair - but the effects - -no pain and really relaxed muscles- - lasts for hours and hours. Wonder if he can hook them up to my neck and shoulder muscles?? I'll ask on Monday when I next see him.

[Seanette]

I once broke a rib wrestling with my hubby :] we were tickling each other and carrying on and ouchie...... boy did I get some xtra nice treatment from it

Happened to me early in my marriage. Horseplay, we wound up on the floor, DH somehow did a minor knee-drop onto me....

Still have the occasional twinge in my lower left ribs, and discovered that the bra (which extended down to my hips) I'd bought to go with my wedding dress did a very nice job providing needed support for the rib.

Edited July 25, 2009 by Seanette
reword for clarity

[prospectmom]

Iggy you should get one I use it for my neck shoulder area and it is awesome.... I have chronici pain and it is the best tool in addition to my meds, exercise, etc. I wish I could go to a chiropractor they are awesome . Helped me alot but no insurance and no xtra money I will send my teenage kids who are busy in sports first. They go every year.... costs are worth it.

[Iggy]

UPDATE:

Just got the Summary of Patient Services for my stint in the ER

Pharmacy $25.00

Med-Sur Supplies $48.16

Sterile Supply $21.60

CT Scan $3,213.00

Emerg Room $1,737.00

Drugs/Detail Code $30.00

Laboratory $935.00

I paid a co-pay of $175.00, the balance now is $5,834.76. I was in there for 4 hours- that is $1,502.44 an hour!! Don't know how much my insurance will pay. Had I been admitted, then there would have been no co-pay and insurance would have paid 100%.

All that and they didn't find squat! Didn't bother or think to take a chest xray to check for broken/cracked ribs. Thank goodness my PC Physican did and yes one was.

One thing that I just noticed- the return address on this is not the AZ address - it is Omaha, NE address! They outsource their billing department! For crying out loud-

[Tough Grits]

UPDATE: I paid a co-pay of $175.00, the balance now is $5,834.76. I was in there for 4 hours- that is $1,502.44 an hour!! [...] All that and they didn't find squat! Didn't bother or think to take a chest xray to check for broken/cracked ribs.

That is awful Iggy!! I am so sorry. I hope it all works out. You'll be in my prayers! Love Ya...

~TG

[Iggy]

That is awful Iggy!! I am so sorry. I hope it all works out. You'll be in my prayers! Love Ya...

~TG

I go back to my PC Dr this Monday at AM- I will be the first appointment - she will go over my xrays-blood tests and hopefully give me a Rx for mail in meds. Then Tuesday I go for a bone density exam/test??? That appointment is at 10:30- if it doesn't take too long, I can get breakfast before I go to work at noon.

My concern regarding the insurance is- if the hospital is NOT contracted with my insurance carrier, then I will paying the difference. If they are contracted then I won't be paying the difference.

There are two radiology places in town. AZ Radiologists and Desert Reflections. The first has a contract with my insurance- they have agreed to accept the payment my carrier pays them, no matter what they bill.

The latter one accepts my insurance carrier but they are under no contractual agreement. If you call and ask them if they have a contract with my carrier they will say: We honor that carrier. To me that is a yes. To them it is a way to get you in there, then hit you with a bill.

When I go to a new Dr/Clinic- I ask to see a copy of the contract they have with my carrier. That way I know for sure. This hospital and Desert Reflections Imaging Center are one and the same. That is why I am worrying a bit.

[Iggy]

UPDATE: Saw the Dr. I did not break or crack my rib- just pulled it really bad.

She wants me to have my gall bladder out. I haven't had any more pain since I have been to the chiropractor. I am eating less fats. I will talk with the surgeon this wed and see what he has to say. Unless my gall bladder is diseased or way full of stones, it is staying put!

My A1C's was/were up to 13. WOW:eek: that is way way too high. Should be 7 or lower. My Blood Glucose levels average 295- WOW:eek: - also way way too high.

I am on Lantus insulin injections. On the 11th of Aug I started out with 10 units, then I am adding one unit each night until my fasting bg count in the AM is at 120 to 90. I am at 16 units and 187 fasting bg. I'm getting there.

Took me 45 minutes the first time I injected my self with the saline solution trial pen. I cried and shook and gnashed my teeth. I was such a wuss!

The first time I injected the insulin, it took me 10 minutes. Now I can do it it about 2 minutes. The prep takes the most time. Laying everything out, putting the needle on, swabbing the area with alcohol, then waiting for the alcohol to dry.

I can NOT believe that I am saying this- but I honestly can not feel the needle at all. ALL my life I have been terrified of needles- they have always hurt- I could hear them as they pierced my skin- (big EEEEWWWW) What I can feel is the pressure when I depress the button injecting the insulin. I have to hold the pen with my left hand, and then depress with my right. I also have to concentrate hard on making sure that the needle/pen is removed by backing it out straight. I tend to raise it upward- that hurts a wee bit doing that. Not at that moment, but later.

Another bonus to all of this, Husband is agreeable to go on the same diet as I go on. Eating 45 carbs per meal/ with 1/2 the meal to be vegetables, 1/4 protein & fats and 1/4 to be starch's.

[lost87]

I have to take blood thinners shots in my stomach 3 times a day so i know your pain! I've been taking them for 2 yrs now and they still hurt just as much in the stomach as when i first started.....lol when i had to do the first one i was sitting in the hospital with the nurse trying to get me to do it for about 45 minutes...now i do it in about 30 seconds while im driving, etc. its not a big deal anymore but it still hurts! and those dang bruises...I hate those

[Iggy]

I had my gallbladder surgery this morning. Went it at 6:30 am and left the hospital at around 12:30pm

The roughest part was when I woke up, and felt like I couldn't breathe. My throat was all clogged up- at least it felt like that - and I couldn't take deep breaths.

My stomach hurts- when I cough(am not supposed to do that without holding my hands over my right incision site. Or when I laugh (do same thing with hands), or sneeze (yada, yada,. . .)

I have only taken 1/2 of a pain pill. My head aches and the pain pill isn't for that. Matter of fact, the pain med GIVES me a headache. I am not to take any aspirin for two weeks. When I go to bed, I will take two tylonol for the headache so I can sleep.

I am not looking forward to injecting my diabetes meds tonight either. My favorite side is used up- that is where two of the incisions are. I'll have to do my left side. {{{sigh}}}

I forgot to ask if I can take my meds now- I'll see if they told Husband as I was still pretty groggy when I left.

I do feel better- I am soooooo glad I got a Priesthood blessing at Church yesterday. I am soooooo thankful for my Husband- he took extra days off of work to be with me. AND he will have to take next tues off to take me to the Dr for my follow up. Dr won't let me drive until after he sees me next week.

[pam]

Give it a few days Iggy and you will feel so much better. When I had mine done..I couldn't take deep breaths either and I honestly thought I was going to pass out from not getting enough air.

[BenRaines]

and back when Pam had it done the only meds were ether to put her out and a little jack daniels to ease the pain.

Ben Raines

[john doe]

Hey, at least Florence Nightingale took care of her personally!