My visit to the ER

T

thefrogprincess

New member
So I've been having chest pain on the right since Tuesday. I talked to the on call pulmonologist on Wednesday. He was an idiot. He said it was a strained muscle, I've had strained muscles, even in my chest. This is not a strained muscle. He said that if it didn't get better head to the ER. Well, it wasn't better. Brian came with me and I checked in. They get to you fast when they think that your heart is about to explode! I was hooked up to this and that monitor.

My Heart rate was high. It topped out at 116. But my EKG was normal so they knew I wasn't having heart problems. I went for a chest X-ray. That showed spots of fluid in my lungs (mucus). Also, some of my blood worked indicated a possible blood clotting issue. So to rule out pulmonary embolism I had a CT. I've never had one of those before, it was an experience. They shot me full of iodine and I got really hot all over. It was wierd.

I got back to my room and I had a new nurse. She was a major idiot. She asked me all the same questions that everyone else had before and then asked me "So, do you have CF all over, or just your lungs?" I gave her a look that said "What the h*ll?". But I actually said "Uh...all over, that's how it usually is." I should have said "Do I have DNA all over? Yes? Then there is your answer!"

My CT results came back and I didn't have a PE thank goodness! They said it was "indiscriminant chest pain" which means of course "we have no idea what the h*ll is wrong with you but if it doesn't get better see your regular doctor, and if it gets worse come back and we'll do more tests and not give you any answers." They THINK it is a mucus plug, so I am supposed to increase my HTS to 3 times a day (because I don't have to work or anything) and have Brian beat the cr*ap (litterally) out of me with my percussor and hope I cough up something nasty.
 
T

thefrogprincess

New member
So I've been having chest pain on the right since Tuesday. I talked to the on call pulmonologist on Wednesday. He was an idiot. He said it was a strained muscle, I've had strained muscles, even in my chest. This is not a strained muscle. He said that if it didn't get better head to the ER. Well, it wasn't better. Brian came with me and I checked in. They get to you fast when they think that your heart is about to explode! I was hooked up to this and that monitor.

My Heart rate was high. It topped out at 116. But my EKG was normal so they knew I wasn't having heart problems. I went for a chest X-ray. That showed spots of fluid in my lungs (mucus). Also, some of my blood worked indicated a possible blood clotting issue. So to rule out pulmonary embolism I had a CT. I've never had one of those before, it was an experience. They shot me full of iodine and I got really hot all over. It was wierd.

I got back to my room and I had a new nurse. She was a major idiot. She asked me all the same questions that everyone else had before and then asked me "So, do you have CF all over, or just your lungs?" I gave her a look that said "What the h*ll?". But I actually said "Uh...all over, that's how it usually is." I should have said "Do I have DNA all over? Yes? Then there is your answer!"

My CT results came back and I didn't have a PE thank goodness! They said it was "indiscriminant chest pain" which means of course "we have no idea what the h*ll is wrong with you but if it doesn't get better see your regular doctor, and if it gets worse come back and we'll do more tests and not give you any answers." They THINK it is a mucus plug, so I am supposed to increase my HTS to 3 times a day (because I don't have to work or anything) and have Brian beat the cr*ap (litterally) out of me with my percussor and hope I cough up something nasty.
 
T

thefrogprincess

New member
So I've been having chest pain on the right since Tuesday. I talked to the on call pulmonologist on Wednesday. He was an idiot. He said it was a strained muscle, I've had strained muscles, even in my chest. This is not a strained muscle. He said that if it didn't get better head to the ER. Well, it wasn't better. Brian came with me and I checked in. They get to you fast when they think that your heart is about to explode! I was hooked up to this and that monitor.

My Heart rate was high. It topped out at 116. But my EKG was normal so they knew I wasn't having heart problems. I went for a chest X-ray. That showed spots of fluid in my lungs (mucus). Also, some of my blood worked indicated a possible blood clotting issue. So to rule out pulmonary embolism I had a CT. I've never had one of those before, it was an experience. They shot me full of iodine and I got really hot all over. It was wierd.

I got back to my room and I had a new nurse. She was a major idiot. She asked me all the same questions that everyone else had before and then asked me "So, do you have CF all over, or just your lungs?" I gave her a look that said "What the h*ll?". But I actually said "Uh...all over, that's how it usually is." I should have said "Do I have DNA all over? Yes? Then there is your answer!"

My CT results came back and I didn't have a PE thank goodness! They said it was "indiscriminant chest pain" which means of course "we have no idea what the h*ll is wrong with you but if it doesn't get better see your regular doctor, and if it gets worse come back and we'll do more tests and not give you any answers." They THINK it is a mucus plug, so I am supposed to increase my HTS to 3 times a day (because I don't have to work or anything) and have Brian beat the cr*ap (litterally) out of me with my percussor and hope I cough up something nasty.
 
C

coltsfan715

New member
What kind of chest pain have you been having? I think I saw another post you made on this but I can not recall.

I am sorry you had an ick experience at the ER.

As for the CT Scan I HATE that iodine. lol The first time they gave it to me I thought I had peed my pants lol. I started trying to take my pants off thinking Oh NO I have peed - dear God ... the woman just yelled at me .. stop moving and undressing lol that is just a sensation it is NORMAL lol. They should have told me that beforehand could have saved me some embarassment. Geez!

Hope you start feeling better and that if it is a plug you get it cleared soon. Make sure to drink plenty of water too that should help it loosen a little and get some fluid in the secretions.

Take Care,
Lindsey
 
C

coltsfan715

New member
What kind of chest pain have you been having? I think I saw another post you made on this but I can not recall.

I am sorry you had an ick experience at the ER.

As for the CT Scan I HATE that iodine. lol The first time they gave it to me I thought I had peed my pants lol. I started trying to take my pants off thinking Oh NO I have peed - dear God ... the woman just yelled at me .. stop moving and undressing lol that is just a sensation it is NORMAL lol. They should have told me that beforehand could have saved me some embarassment. Geez!

Hope you start feeling better and that if it is a plug you get it cleared soon. Make sure to drink plenty of water too that should help it loosen a little and get some fluid in the secretions.

Take Care,
Lindsey
 
C

coltsfan715

New member
What kind of chest pain have you been having? I think I saw another post you made on this but I can not recall.

I am sorry you had an ick experience at the ER.

As for the CT Scan I HATE that iodine. lol The first time they gave it to me I thought I had peed my pants lol. I started trying to take my pants off thinking Oh NO I have peed - dear God ... the woman just yelled at me .. stop moving and undressing lol that is just a sensation it is NORMAL lol. They should have told me that beforehand could have saved me some embarassment. Geez!

Hope you start feeling better and that if it is a plug you get it cleared soon. Make sure to drink plenty of water too that should help it loosen a little and get some fluid in the secretions.

Take Care,
Lindsey
 
6

65rosessamurai

Guest
Moronic-that's a word I haven't heard in a long time!!!

I give a "Banzai" to idiot/moronic nurses!! (I've been doing "banzai's" with idiot drivers in Japan, since they never seem to die away! But, it's a joke between me and my wife, cause getting upset about it won't do much good! LOL!)

I had gotten a gastrointestinal test done a few months back, and had to drink that white stuff (barium), which was pretty nasty...and the machine they put me on felt like a roller-coaster ride, which I almost let all that barium release all over that lab!! Can't relate to getting shot-up with Iodide, but I'm sure that was no fun, either!

Out of curiosity, was the chest pain on the right side in the rear? Had you been checked for gallstones? Some cases are different, but I've had two basic types of feelings like a knife was thrusted into my side, or in the case where it was a sharp pain for a while, which eventually went away, but would come back at a later time (possibly another gallstone passing). I had been tested long ago, and the ultrasound scan indicated gallstones at that time, when I'd get those pains the most frequent--I thought it was a heart attack at first!
Just a thought...
 
6

65rosessamurai

Guest
Moronic-that's a word I haven't heard in a long time!!!

I give a "Banzai" to idiot/moronic nurses!! (I've been doing "banzai's" with idiot drivers in Japan, since they never seem to die away! But, it's a joke between me and my wife, cause getting upset about it won't do much good! LOL!)

I had gotten a gastrointestinal test done a few months back, and had to drink that white stuff (barium), which was pretty nasty...and the machine they put me on felt like a roller-coaster ride, which I almost let all that barium release all over that lab!! Can't relate to getting shot-up with Iodide, but I'm sure that was no fun, either!

Out of curiosity, was the chest pain on the right side in the rear? Had you been checked for gallstones? Some cases are different, but I've had two basic types of feelings like a knife was thrusted into my side, or in the case where it was a sharp pain for a while, which eventually went away, but would come back at a later time (possibly another gallstone passing). I had been tested long ago, and the ultrasound scan indicated gallstones at that time, when I'd get those pains the most frequent--I thought it was a heart attack at first!
Just a thought...
 
6

65rosessamurai

Guest
Moronic-that's a word I haven't heard in a long time!!!

I give a "Banzai" to idiot/moronic nurses!! (I've been doing "banzai's" with idiot drivers in Japan, since they never seem to die away! But, it's a joke between me and my wife, cause getting upset about it won't do much good! LOL!)

I had gotten a gastrointestinal test done a few months back, and had to drink that white stuff (barium), which was pretty nasty...and the machine they put me on felt like a roller-coaster ride, which I almost let all that barium release all over that lab!! Can't relate to getting shot-up with Iodide, but I'm sure that was no fun, either!

Out of curiosity, was the chest pain on the right side in the rear? Had you been checked for gallstones? Some cases are different, but I've had two basic types of feelings like a knife was thrusted into my side, or in the case where it was a sharp pain for a while, which eventually went away, but would come back at a later time (possibly another gallstone passing). I had been tested long ago, and the ultrasound scan indicated gallstones at that time, when I'd get those pains the most frequent--I thought it was a heart attack at first!
Just a thought...
 
T

thefrogprincess

New member
Update! The ER had all my test results waiting for my regular doc when she got in this morning and she looked everything over. Her nurse called and said that my doc thinks its plerisy (sp?). I've never had it before so I have nothing to compare it to but I looked up the symptoms and it fits. The pain is on the right side of my chest about halfway down. I feel a little pressure all the time, but with any type of movement that pushes my lung closer to my rib cage (deep breath, coughing, leaning forward, laying on my side) there is a lot more pressure and a lot more pain. Nothing out of the ordinary for me showed up on my chest X-ray and I don't have any signs of infection so we're going with plerisy for the time being. Over the weekend I am supposed to take 600 mg ibuprofen 3 times a day and alternate heat and ice as much as I can. If I'm not feeling better by Tuesday I'll call back and I'll probably have to go on prednisone.
 
T

thefrogprincess

New member
Update! The ER had all my test results waiting for my regular doc when she got in this morning and she looked everything over. Her nurse called and said that my doc thinks its plerisy (sp?). I've never had it before so I have nothing to compare it to but I looked up the symptoms and it fits. The pain is on the right side of my chest about halfway down. I feel a little pressure all the time, but with any type of movement that pushes my lung closer to my rib cage (deep breath, coughing, leaning forward, laying on my side) there is a lot more pressure and a lot more pain. Nothing out of the ordinary for me showed up on my chest X-ray and I don't have any signs of infection so we're going with plerisy for the time being. Over the weekend I am supposed to take 600 mg ibuprofen 3 times a day and alternate heat and ice as much as I can. If I'm not feeling better by Tuesday I'll call back and I'll probably have to go on prednisone.
 
T

thefrogprincess

New member
Update! The ER had all my test results waiting for my regular doc when she got in this morning and she looked everything over. Her nurse called and said that my doc thinks its plerisy (sp?). I've never had it before so I have nothing to compare it to but I looked up the symptoms and it fits. The pain is on the right side of my chest about halfway down. I feel a little pressure all the time, but with any type of movement that pushes my lung closer to my rib cage (deep breath, coughing, leaning forward, laying on my side) there is a lot more pressure and a lot more pain. Nothing out of the ordinary for me showed up on my chest X-ray and I don't have any signs of infection so we're going with plerisy for the time being. Over the weekend I am supposed to take 600 mg ibuprofen 3 times a day and alternate heat and ice as much as I can. If I'm not feeling better by Tuesday I'll call back and I'll probably have to go on prednisone.
 
T

ToddH

New member
Glad to hear they figured out what was going on. I think we've all had some glorious moments in the ER. The Best for me was when I was at the end of a run of Home IV with a PIC Line and a friend of mine tripped fell landed on my line and pulled it out by about 15cm, and ripped most of the bandaging off thus exposing the site (he felt really bad and it was totally unintentional wtih absolutely zero alcohol involved, lol go figure). Anyways, I went to the ER, told thyem my sitch and explained the meds were done and I was having it pulled on Monday (This was Saturday evening). So the ER doc looks at the whole scenario, goes to consult with another doctor, they both comeback, look and then concur the best plan is to just tape the thing back to my arm and leave it till monday cause they've never dealt with pulling a pic line before (gotta love interns with inexperienced residents eh =D). At which point Ie explained the need for the pic to remain in a sterile environment and that that environment had now been completely compromised and the line could not be just pushed back in (another of his thoughts on how to handle it). In the end I had to pull the line myself in front of him so he could see how it was done. In the end it was kinda funny when you look back, but my god.
 
T

ToddH

New member
Glad to hear they figured out what was going on. I think we've all had some glorious moments in the ER. The Best for me was when I was at the end of a run of Home IV with a PIC Line and a friend of mine tripped fell landed on my line and pulled it out by about 15cm, and ripped most of the bandaging off thus exposing the site (he felt really bad and it was totally unintentional wtih absolutely zero alcohol involved, lol go figure). Anyways, I went to the ER, told thyem my sitch and explained the meds were done and I was having it pulled on Monday (This was Saturday evening). So the ER doc looks at the whole scenario, goes to consult with another doctor, they both comeback, look and then concur the best plan is to just tape the thing back to my arm and leave it till monday cause they've never dealt with pulling a pic line before (gotta love interns with inexperienced residents eh =D). At which point Ie explained the need for the pic to remain in a sterile environment and that that environment had now been completely compromised and the line could not be just pushed back in (another of his thoughts on how to handle it). In the end I had to pull the line myself in front of him so he could see how it was done. In the end it was kinda funny when you look back, but my god.
 
T

ToddH

New member
Glad to hear they figured out what was going on. I think we've all had some glorious moments in the ER. The Best for me was when I was at the end of a run of Home IV with a PIC Line and a friend of mine tripped fell landed on my line and pulled it out by about 15cm, and ripped most of the bandaging off thus exposing the site (he felt really bad and it was totally unintentional wtih absolutely zero alcohol involved, lol go figure). Anyways, I went to the ER, told thyem my sitch and explained the meds were done and I was having it pulled on Monday (This was Saturday evening). So the ER doc looks at the whole scenario, goes to consult with another doctor, they both comeback, look and then concur the best plan is to just tape the thing back to my arm and leave it till monday cause they've never dealt with pulling a pic line before (gotta love interns with inexperienced residents eh =D). At which point Ie explained the need for the pic to remain in a sterile environment and that that environment had now been completely compromised and the line could not be just pushed back in (another of his thoughts on how to handle it). In the end I had to pull the line myself in front of him so he could see how it was done. In the end it was kinda funny when you look back, but my god.
 
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