chest pains & breathlessness.

Thanks you all SO MUCH for your wonderful messages of support and understanding. I would like to answer every post individually, but the net is soooo very slow it is taking ages to post even one message and as usual my time is limited.

I think you all probably have a better understanding now as to why I am not here as often, or for as long, as I would like to be.

Hugs and love and may God bless you all, Meganne

Dear Meganne,
It isn't easy to deal with unresolved medical issues, especially when they are causing pain. Praise God that it was not your heart, and may He give your physicians the knowledge to be able to correctly diagnose your problem and treat it.
My prayers are with you.
Hugs,
Jacqueline

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Dear Meganne, I am glad that your heart is OK, but sorry that you have always pain, you have been so courageous, and you are always...
You are an example for every one of us.
Love and hugs, I hope for you to-morrow better than to day
Claude

Meg has any of the Drs. mentioned Costochondritis to you? This is inflammation of the cartilage lining & in between the ribs. I have seen this & my son n law's mother has it. Everytime it flares up she says she is having a heart attack & calls 911(emer. no) It causes chest pain & shortness of breath because it hurts so bad to breathe. I'm wondering if this could be some of your problem/Lillin

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by meganne 19 Jun 2011

Thanks Lillian,
it doesn't hurt to breath I just feel like I've done a 200 metre sprint (I do remember what that was like :-))
The pain in the chest is almost constant and it goes through to my back as well.
It could be caused by the nine chest surgeries I had but it could also be caused by stress and it could even be caused by carrying the pneumonia virus.

I had these symptoms once before and I ended up with double pneumonia. I guess I'll just have to wait it out and see what happens.

I'll go and see the GP and take it from there.
Hugs and love, Meg

Meganne, I'm glad it's not your heart and very sorry you still have the pain!! "Take it easy" is hardly an option with all the things that are going on in your life. I hope won't have to commute between two houses much longer. And I know how tiring caring for an elderly person can be - I only did it some 40 hrs a week and was exhausted for 48 hrs afterwards. I hope you can share some of it with someone else, I'd go crasy too (and feel guilty about it or lose my temper however much I loved my dad).
Hugsa, and lots of love,
Martine

:-)))))

best wishes & calming thoughts. it takes a very strong person to do all you do, you are amazing!

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by meganne 17 Jun 2011

Thank you, I just bite off more than I can chew then chew like mad. LOL!!!
HNR, Meganne

Meganne, I am so glad that your heart is okay. My daughter was recently having the same symptoms. She too saw a cardiologist and all her tests came back okay. She then went to a chiropractor who discovered that she had three ribs out of place. He adjusted her and she is doing fine now. Perhaps you might want to check into this. It could be all the stress you are under, but if you are doing alot of lifting, it could be your ribs. This also happened to my SIL. He thought that he wa having a heartattack. All tests showed nothing wrong with his heart. Then his doctor felt his ribs and sent him to see a chiropractor. He got an adjustment and was fine. It sounds crazy but dislocated ribs can feel like a heart attack. It's always best to have the heart checked out first like you did. I do hope that you find an answer soon. Hugs, Marjorie

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by meganne 17 Jun 2011

Hmmm! I have been doing a lot of heavy lifting in the last 6 months, I suppose anything is possible. Thank you.
HNR, Meganne

by 1allamericangirl 17 Jun 2011

Meganne I was just going to mention that until I saw Marjorie's post. I too had that problem a couple of times & it was also my ribs causing my pain. I was even told by a doctor that I needed to retire from my job as that was what was causing my problems. The chiropractor visits did the trick.

by blueeyedblonde 17 Jun 2011

I've never heard this one before, but it is quite interesting and it also makes sense to me.

Meganne, Well at least that is great news. Hope that they can sort out the problem, and that you have not more chest pains and Breathlessness. You are in my prayers. Hugs and love Yvonne

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by meganne 17 Jun 2011

Thanks Yvonne, it's starting to wear me down more than MIL does. LOL!!

Glad it isn't your heart. I do hope they can get to the bottom of your concerns. Health issues can be very frustrating.
Hugs
T

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by meganne 17 Jun 2011

Me too Terri, it's quite annoying to have pain that pain killers don't affect. HNR, Meganne

Meganne, sorry you are so stressed. We all are!! Please start some kind of exercise program. Community or senior or what ever, It really relieves stress. My current gym has closed and the community center near me caters to much younger girls , but I am trying to find a class for me. Get someone to watch your loved one while you work out and you will benefit so much and you will get so much out of the class and inter action with others.

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by meganne 17 Jun 2011

I'm hoping to start an exercise program now I have the go ahead from the Cardiologist. It frightened me before as the pain got worse every time I'd start working out. There'll be no stopping me now, if I can find the time. LOL!!!
HnR. Meganne

Glad you're still here just wish the Drs. had an answer for you as it is so frustrating to not feel well but no one can pin point why. Of course its probably all the stress and depression you've been trying to deal with along with everything else. You need to take some "ME" time. Hope you're feeling better soon.
Hugs, Sis

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by meganne 17 Jun 2011

Thanks Sis, will be getting some relief after the 25th as I am definitely moving to Possum Lodge that week-end. Only problem is I'll have MIL with me (on my own) to cope with until Ray can make the move.

At least I'll be able to throw her over the balcony if she gets too demanding. LOLOL!!!
Only kidding of course, it's more likely I'll be the one jumping off the balcony! hahahahaha!!! Also kidding, don't panic. :-)))

I'm going to start dragging her to the shops once I'm back on home turf, I'll wear her out so she'll be too tired to keep getting out of bed every night.

Actually, Once I'm back on home turf I'll be contacting the health professionals to get some help with her. I know she'll carry on a treat and refuse to go, but I want her to go out with others her own age instead of sitting in one place all day. It will do her good.
HnR. Meganne

It is a relief that any heart issue was ruled out. Being a care giver myself it was a real stressful time. See if you can get some alone time and outside help to see if your discomfort can dissipate for you.

OMG meganne I been having the same problem for a while now and the same plus some kind of testings, one of the doctor said It maybe from nerves growing wild after the surgery{mastectomy} and told me that my pain may be like that for as long as I may live...so that will be a long long long time LOL....

Take care of 'you' my friend. hugs. Helen

Glad to hear it is not your heart, but stress can do terrible things to the body. Hope things get better soon. Hugs Sally

Good news...So glad to hear you don't have a heart problem! hugs.

Dear Meganne - is there a Community Health Centre in your area or at the local hospital? They might have be of some help or know know where help can be found. Years ago my mother had a few visits to a daily care centre for elderly people that was setup to give their carers a break - times and frequency to suit the situation. Mum's was a pleasant little group, kind people, comfortable surroundings and good food, and it gave her something extra to do and something different to think about.
It didn't avoid the 24/7 job but it did give everyone time to breath easy for a few hours.

Have you settled into your new home now? Are you finding a few minutes every day to smell the roses, or listen to the birds, or watch the gumleaves playing on the treetops? That's important, too.

AlmaG.

we have allkinds of help for persons in your shoes here in northern ontario,people will get them up,bath them and on and on and sit with them while you shop (for thread)lol Do you have any help??hugs carolyn

Sending hugs to help!!!

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I can feel your discouragement but I too am glad that it is not your heart! Can you get home care where you live? We have it here in Canada where a VON (Voctorian Order of Nurses) will come & take care of a patient/person & if need be just sit there for the day sew that you can have a break! I will keep you in my prayers Meganne! Keep up your spirits! This is good news

Dear Meg,

I am so thankful to read that your heart is o.k., but worried about all the other things going on in your life. Like all the other Cuties say, please take it easy and maybe Mum can have some respite care. Get Ray to look into it. Love and hugs Chris

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No wonder you are stressed out. I hope you can get someone to give you a little relief,perhaps a local church or a senior center( do you have a council on aging where you are?) could help. I assume you have told the cardiologist of the stress you are under. Take care.

Meganne, I'm thankful your heart is OK, but I know not knowing why you are having chest pains can make you even more stressed. How is your blood pressure, my Cardiologist says that very high BP and cause chest pains and shortness of breath. I can't imagine how tired you are from being a caretake 24/7. I will remember you in prayer also. Hugs, Judy

Stress can cause a lot of problems and there are times we don't even realize we are stressed until some of it is lifted from us.
I was having a lot of heath issues and was going downhill until my daughter took me to see a homeopathic Dr. After talking to me he at length, he said he figured I had enough allergies to kill me and that I had at least 30. We got the testing done (there is only one place that does this indepth testing)- they took two vials of blood and sent to the clinic and the results were back in just under 2 wks. - I had 36 food allergies. Since I have cut out pretty much everything the breathlessness is gone and I'm feeling so much better - I actually managed to walk for over 3 hrs. at the zoo this past Sunday when we all went there for my GS for his birthday treat. That was a lot of walking and going up and downhill.
It's a possibility that some of your problems could be food related?! I also no longer have the chest heaviness or feel like there's a band around my chest that's tight!
Good luck and hope you soon find out what is the problem.

Please take care of yourself....glad it's not your heart.

Hugs
Linda

I'm so sorry you've been having so much stress and pain. I'm glad that it's not your heart.

You need a break or some time "off" even if it were just one afternoon a week. One you know that it's yours to do whatever you want... Taking care of someone 24/7 for so long will wear anyone out... I'll be praying for you.

Hope you get sorted soon! I had dodgy hear rhythms some years ago and it turned out to be stress realated. It got better when the teenaged daughter went to university!

Sorry you still have pain but a good thing the heart is not the problem. I know it's difficult ; but try to take it easy.and perhaps someone can assist you in looking after the 92 yeras old.
Hope the pain will go away or at least will become less. Hugs for you ***

meganne, i too have been through elderly relatives living with us for years, the stress of my three children losing everything they ever worked for during that time tipped me over the edge with major heart surgery. i am so glad to hear it is not your heart but please listen to these smart cuties and take care of yourself and take time for yourself. stress is definitely a killer. love and many, many hugs. betty

I hope you figure this out soon! In the mean time take care of yourself!!

So pleased that your heart is OK - just take it easy.

Good news. And you are right. Stress causes all kinds of problems. You hang in there. If you need a break there are options for Respite care for our elders. Check into it.

Dear Meg, I am so happy to hear your problems are not heart related. I hope they find your answers soon. I am sure you are really stressed out. With the houses, the MIL, and the new place plus your health problems you have a lot to think about. I hope you can get some rest and that you will soon feel back to normal. Hugs, Mary

Sorry, for your stress.
Breathlessness can sometimes be caused by untreated GERD. Have you had an EGD? Treatment could be as easy as a super-sized antacid (perscription Zantac for example).

Meganne I hope you find out soon what causes your pain. Nothing is worse than the unknown. You have been doing a lot lately with all the renovation etc. Try to get some rest.

So glad you found one answer anyway Meg, stress certainly can cause a lot of problems and you have had a lot on your plate for the past couple of years, I am having the same complaint and they can't seem to come up with any explanation, I feel like there is a tight band around my rib cage...hang in there and try for some "Meganne time"..Hugs x0x0x0

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by meganne 16 Jun 2011

And when you lay down does it feel like an elephant is sitting on your chest???

Maybe I should have a few Scotches before I go to bed and then the ephalent will turn pink and fly away. LOLOLOL!!!!!

by sqdancer 16 Jun 2011

Ended up in ER and they seem to think it is a problem with my esophagus and have given me PANTOLOC, will see if that helps...No ephalents but will try some Red Wine not much on Scotch...LOL hugs Meg x0x0x

by sewbadly 16 Jun 2011

Esophagus issues can and are often tied in with GERD. When you have acid reflux to a significant degree, it causes cellular changes in the base of your esophagus that starts as Barretts Esophagus and proceeds from there. It can cause significant discomfort. The heavy doses of Zantac type drug and a medicine that empties your stomach quicker can both be helpful.
Good luck.

by 1allamericangirl 17 Jun 2011

Sewbadley is right here as I also have GERD & one day went to see my doctor with chest pains. He sent me to a heart specialist only to have him call my doctor & tell him to change my prescription to something else. That did the trick. The heart specialist said my esophagus was having muscle spasms. Needless to say I stopped going to that doctor right away.

Oh boy, you do have stress! I know it has to be taking a toll on you. Like rwalden says, you do need to be able to get some time to yourself. Maybe there is some type of senior daycare in your area or may someone with an elderly organization or church that can relieve you one or two days a week. Without you, what is this person going to do. You have to take care of yourself too. Another big job for you to do. Hugs for you

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Taking care of someone 24/7 can be very stressful, they are lucky to have you. Hope you can get some peace and help for yourself.
My heart goes out to you.

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by muflotex 16 Jun 2011

cound not say better !!!

So glad to hear you don't have a heart problem. I pray that your pain goes away. I understand your stress...we are dealing with husbands parents who are 90 and 91. I will be insane if this goes on for 6 years. Please take time for yourself as often as possible. Feel better soon!

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by meganne 16 Jun 2011

I can empathise with you, it is so demanding and very difficult, especially when they start arguing with you over everything because to them every day is the same and they think they've "done that", but really it was yesterday.

Life can certainly be cruel when it deprives a healthy body of the mental capacity to use it.
Good luck to you, hugs and roses, Meganne