|
|
|
|
|
Headlines:
|
 |
The Doctors Lounge Message Archive
This is an archived entry for a
more up to date version of this post
click here!
"The information
provided on thedoctorslounge.net is designed to support, not
replace, the relationship that exists between a patient/site
visitor and his/her physician."
Post subject: Sharp pain while breathing
Isef - Mon Jan 05, 2004 6:45 pm |
I am a 35yo male. I am currently serving in the U.S Marine Corps and have been in good health until the last couple months. I am a smoker of 8 years, smoking approx 10-15 cigarettes per day. I am a non-drinker.
In late November I started to get a pain in the right side of my chest just below my rib cage. The pain would be constant but get more severe at the top and bottom of each breath. On a scale of 1-10 the pain being a constant 6-7 with an 8 or 9 at the top of each breath. I was short of breath and could only sleep on one side of my body. I could not lay on my stomach or back because doing so was so painful. Any attempt to try to take a full breath the pain would literally stop me from completing the breath and I would feel a sharp pain.
I ended up going to the Emergency room after trying to "Stick it out" for 4 days. The physicians assistant on duty had an EKG ran on me that turned out normal and also had a chest x-ray done that he said was normal. I was then told I was probably "Backed up" and was given a Fleet enema and told to take some metamucil(sp) or some form of laxative.
The pain continued and after a week moved to my lower right back. Sharp pains while breathing and shortness of breath continued. After a week or so this pain went away. In mid December the pain came back only this time in the same spot under my lower rib cage on the LEFT side. The symptoms were the same with sharp pains at the top and bottom of each breath. I Went to the hospital and once again an EKG was performed that was normal. I was given an x-ray that was normal and I was released with some 800mg motrin. The pain stayed constant for about 4 days and i developed a slight temperature of 102.7 that went away within a day. The pain moved to my lower back near my left kidney and produced the same type of pain. I also had pain that would radiate over my left shoulder. I continued to work doing my military duties as best i could and would get winded waling 50 yards and the pain was so severe especially in the colder weather that I would have to stop half way to may vehicle to catch my breath and deal with the pain. Once I would get home i would have to sit right away and try to relax myself. It was then that a spontaneous cough occured and i put my hand over my mouth to cover it. When i removed my hand i noticed a clear mucus with a dark clot of blood with fresh looking blood in my hand. I hadn't had a problem with coughing other than an occaisonal cough here and there.
I went back to the Emergency room and the physician on duty did the EKG, Lung X-ray, urine and blood samples were taken. I was then sent out to the local hospital in Japan for a CT scan to check for a pulmonary embolism which I have a family history of having from my older brother to my aunts and uncles. The CT scan was performed and was negative for a Pulmonary embolism. The Japanese doctor said I had Pleurisy and prescribed some form of antibiotic and motrin for the pain.
I was happy that someone had finally determined what I was suffering from and I had the medication to finally beat this. I took the anti-biotics ( I am still trying to find out the name of the medication since it was written in japanese) 3 times per day and the pain persisted. After a couple weeks the pain got less and less. Just as I thought I was nearing the end of this I started developing a pain back again on the right side of my chest just below the lower rib cage. Exactly as it was before. I went to the emergency room when the pain got so severe that when I would breathe i would get a sharp pain and a convulsive type reaction that would stop me from finishing a breath. This time the pain being a 10 (on a scale of 1-10). I felt a cold sweat and nausea during this episode. It took me about an hour to get my clothes on to go the doctor because it seemed no matter how i moved or breathed the pain would get worse. I went back to the emergency room, had yet another EKG performed that took 3 tries because i couldn't lay on my back without the sharp pains with every breath that would throw off the sensors. I felt less pain sitting and hunched over than standing up straight or laying on my back. The EKG was normal, Urine test was normal, and Blood test showed normal except an elevated white cell count that the doctor said the type of white cells that were elevated meant a bacterial infection. His diagnosis was i was still suffering from the Pleurisy and prescribed PIROXICAM (20MG) that i take once a day. Shortly after leaving the ER the pain moved to my lower right back near where my right kidney would be located. Right now I have that pain that comes at the top of each breath. I can not yawn or anything bacause the pain is so intense. This pain will sometimes stop me from finishing a sentance (basically stopping me from finishing a breath). I also have a pain that radiates over my right shoulder near my neck.
Please if anyone can help me. I have been suffering through this for over a month.
I just had my yearly physical and my PPD test was negative.
I have no swelling of my legs.
I am not coughing up as much blood as before but the mucus that i do cough up is kind of a really light pinkish color.
I am sorry if I didn't include anything or if i failed to explain anything. I hope you can give me some guidance. Thank you in advance.
|
Post subject:
bill - Mon Jan 05, 2004 8:15 pm |
Hi!
I was wondering if a sputum cytology or a bronchial lavage was done?
bill
|
Post subject:
Isef - Tue Jan 06, 2004 3:05 pm |
Bill,
No, this wasn't done and I haven't a clue what it is unless it was the doctor (Physician's assistant) using a tongue depresser and looking in my throat. Thank you for responding.
|
Post subject:
bill - Tue Jan 06, 2004 4:07 pm |
Hi!
Sputum cytology is nothing but the examination of the sputum or phlegm under a microscope to study the changes in the cells of the lungs. A bronchial lavage is to examine the washings of the lung for any abnormal cell. It would be best to discuss regarding these with your doctor.
Warm regards,
bill
|
Post subject:
Isef - Wed Jan 07, 2004 2:24 pm |
Thanks again bill!
I will discuss this with my doctor on my next appointment on Monday.
|
 send
to a friend
|
|
|
|
Are you a physician or a nurse?
Would you like to join us and help patients online by volunteering even a few
minutes of your time?
Get started here by becoming a
member of The Doctors
Lounge. |
|
|
|
