RIGHT SIDE RIB PAIN CONTINUED

[Suebirch]

THIS IS AN ADDITION TO MY PREVIOUS POST I JUST GAVE....


I just wish I could get a correct diagnosis and on the right pain medication so I can deal with my pain and function more properly.I have had many scans, Upper GI,x-rays, plus tons of blood tests and no answer. I finally gave in and went into the ER today because I was actually in tears I couldnt stand it anymore. I also called my pain clinic to tell them that the steriod epideral I had is not working and that it gave me hives on Sunday. They called me back to tell me that the steroid medicine can take up to 7 days and to continue to take my other meds. This is the second time I have had this epideral and it didnt work the first time so they figured they would do it again. The pain during the procedure hurt really bad, and since these two didnt work I will not do another. I have my second physical therapy tomorrow and I am sure that it will be a big waste of my time again. The pain clinic doctors are talking that if the epiderals dont work then they are talking about putting in an implanted devise. (Not sure if it is the internal tens unit type thing or the medication one) Since the tens unit does not help on the outside, I dont see how it can help if they implant it in me. I dont want to go through any invasive surgery for nothing. I want results and so far it has almost been a year and I just want some relief.

[Suebirch]

Yes, I totally agree with you that my doctor should have never just cut me off cold turkey and boy I had the worst withdrawl symptoms that even most people can imagine. I do go to the ER when the pain is severe and then they help me manage my pain for a little bit.

I really appreciate you trying to help me, and I sure wish you were my doctor. I have been to alot of them for this and nobody can seem to give me any answers other than irritated muscles and nerves. BUT, I cant get the right pain meds that help me cope with my constant, sharp, stabbing pain I feel all the time.

Thanks again!

[valpuq]

Hello,
First of all, I just wanted to comment that it was very wrong of your doctor to cut you off the vicodin suddenly like that! When stopping long term use of narcotic pain medications, such as vicodin, lortab, and percocet, the patient should be tapered or weaned off of them because the very nature of the narcotics on their receptors in the brain DO cause a level of addiction, not just when they are abused.
About the rib pain, if you take a look at the photo (on the URL below), you can see the location of the gall-bladder behind the right rib cage. My guess would be that when you took that fall shortly after your surgery, you may have accidentally irritated the healing site of surgery and perhaps it did not heal quite right internally and some of the nerves from that area are being stimulated somehow, like being pinched or stretched.
I'm a medical student, but I've still got a LOONG way to go before I'm a doctor so I'm not an expert.

http://www.easttroy.k12.wi.us/hs/dept/science/bottum/Adv%20Biology/digestive/danatomy/images/Gall_bladder.gif