[GradPhase]

I'm hoping to get some feedback from people with experience (I know there are a lot of nurses on the board!) but I'm in a lot of pain...

It's in my abdomen, slightly above and left of my bellybutton, on the side. Almost as if it's a little above and a little below where my rib cage ends, from the front to the back... and well..

I was laying in a really weird position two nights ago, playing with the cats I'm kittysitting... and I sneezed... and it hurt so bad I nearly screamed. It settled down a lot and didn't hurt much that night, but it's been hurting pretty bad since yesterday.

The person I'm house sitting for will be home in the next two hours, and she's a doctor (ideal, right?) so I'm going to ask her about it when she gets home - but I was just hoping to get some info until then about what it could be? Could it be just a pulled muscle? Or actual damage? I'd say on a 1-10 scale, if I'm laying down it's about a 6.5 but if I'm walking it's more like an 8.5 if 10 is "It hurts so bad I absolutely can't do it"

It's more like a "If I have to do it, I can, but I'm holding my breath as I hobble very slowly to the kitchen because that seems like the right thing to do since it hurts so much"


Any ideas?

[winning the war]

I've pulled some belly muscles before, and I don't think there's too much on the left side. Have you tried a warm compress? Definitely you should talk to your doctor friend though. Hope you feel better!!

[mandalinn82]

Does it hurt worse when you breathe in? It could be a rib issue (yes, I've known people who broke ribs on a hard sneeze) or pleuritic chest pain (particularly if you've had a virus or lung infection recently...I get this and it freaking HURTS to move, but it typically doesn't last as long as your pain has).

Curious to see what the person you are housesitting for says.

[beautifulone]

Ouch Eskinomad, I hope it's nothing serious and that you feel better SOON.

[Pixiesue]

I had a freind who did no more then lift a lightweight childs chair and a muscle got caught on a rib and was bruised for ages! Hope this isn't your problem

[tamaralynn]

Eek! My mom fractured one of her ribs a few years back after a violent sneezing fit. I hope that's not what happened.

let us know *gentle hug*

[GradPhase]

My doctor is delayed and wont be home til 9 now. 4 hour wait. I'm glad there's nothing major on that side, but oh I hope it's nothing that will take long to heal. Classes start soon! And I have to fly Tuesday! Ohhhh man.

Thanks very much for the wisdom and support like always, ladies! I'll just be here for a few more hours... wallowing in my own self pity..



PS - Yeah, it hurts to breathe. But even not to breathe. And this is really gross/weird, but it hurts to pee too?

[ddc]

I just saw this. Did you figure out what it was?
I'm also thinking rib or diaphragm.

Best wishes

[GradPhase]

Yep! Went to the ER last night. Had a great doctor/nurse pair! They started with giving me a shot of B-12, so I could eat four bananas in a row (I'm guessing for the potassium?) (I'm allergic and the B-12 helps the reaction), and then take a muscle relaxer. Apparently it was a "really really impressive cramp". What was REALLY impressive was how fast the muscle relaxer worked - today I feel great. A little bruised on that side, but I can walk to the kitchen while BREATHING! That's multitasking at it's most valuable!

Thanks for all the concern ladies