trouble breathing with excruciating rib epigastric pains

[helpme345]

woke up on oct 24 2008 with severe rib epigastric pain and couldn't breathe i was hyperventilating i went to the er was given morphine and send home. i do have fibromyalgia, sciatica, costocondritis, depression, anxiety and a history of numerous surgeries i have had as a child parathyroidectomy, polyps removed from colon x 2. repair perforated ulcer, bleeding ulcer, gerd, kidney stone in r kidney is still there, the pain in my ribs epigastric areas was treated now with medrol pack i finished that, now i am on klonopin 1 mg which is addicting, and vicodin 500 mg q 6 hours. i have pain generally all the time but never like this and i never had this hyperventilation along with it. the hyperventilation brought me to the er x 5 times. i am not crazy will i go on like this forever. i have had chest xrays, blood work, cat scan of chest and adb all ok. please give me some answers this trouble breathing had me for a loop. i forgot i am alson on wellbutrin 300 mg and a new one serequel 50 i just take at bedtime please give me some answers thank you  i also have a degenerative disc in my spine as well





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[Tuckamore]

Hi again Helpme,

I am sorry you are still having so much trouble. It must be frightening when these episodes occur.

Have you been worked up by a cardiologist? Have they ruled out any cardiac problems? Have you seen a pulmonologist? Please don't misunderstand me I am not suggesting you have any lung or cardiac issues. I was just curious. It sounds more like anxiety to me. But again I am not a physician. What is your physician telling you?

It also appears like you are doing all the right things. I can't think of any suggestions other than the shallow, slow small breathes. Have you tried taking up a hobby that interests you? I know when my mind is busy with something I enjoy and that requires a bit of concentration my pain will sometimes ease. There are times I must be busy so I don't dwell on my medical condition and the pain it brings.

If you ever need to chat you may PM me. Talking to others who understand what I am experiencing also helps me. So please take care. And please keep us updated. We are here to support you when ever we can. Peace, Tuck

[helpme345]

i am taking klonopin 0.5 q 8 hours for the hyperventilating and the hydrocodone 500 for pain along with wellbutrin 300 and new one serequel 50 which are antidepressants . i take the serequel 50 before bed it helps me sleep. it feels like my ribs are in spasms, throbbing pain and then the hyperventilation occurs. i am trying to move about in the house doing little things to keep my mind off of everything. the hyperventilation occurs if when i do things in the house my breathing starts to go faster along with my heart i feel like a basketcase believe me i am not i have my faculties i also take vytorin for cholesteral , prevacid 30 for gerd and carafate for gerd symptoms ugg any responses are sure appreciated thank you all very much

[Tuckamore]

Hello Helpme,

Welcome to the Pain Management Forum of MedHelp. I' glad you found us. But I am very sorry to hear about all your pain and now this rib epigastric pain. It must be frightening!

You didn't say if the pain comes and than you hyperventilate or visa versa. Did you have an esophageal spasms? I have had them and they are VERY painful. The first time I had one I was convinced that I was having a heart attack and I hyperventilated also. Now that I know what it is I am not scared and I don't hyperventilate. And of course if you are afraid you will hyperventilate it can even bring an episode on. It happens when we become anxious. It often accompanies a panic attack.

For most ppl breathing into a hollow tube (such as the cardboard tube of from your paper towels) will ease you out of the episode or prevent one when you feel one is coming on. Take small, slow, SHALLOW breaths through the tube. When you hyperventilate you are moving oxygen in and out of your lungs too rapidly and your decrease your normal levels of carbon dioxide. They old remedy use to be a paper bag bag but there is much controversy surrounding it so the better recommendation is a hollow tube.

I hope this was your question. And I hope you will learn to control these episodes. Please let us know how you are doing. We are here to support you or just chat is you need to do so. Take Care, Tuck