Sharp pain in sides and a what would you do?

merri

I've been off work since Monday, but late Tuesday I started to have sharp stitch like pain in my sides. I spoke to the GP yesterday and he seems to think it's probably because I've let myself get run down, giving the RA carte blanche to run riot into the tissues. Has anyone else had this? The GP said give it a couple of days, if I still have the problem then I need to see him as he's concerned that my condition is worsening (I could have told him that )

Physically I'm starting to feel better, the temperature has gone but my joints are still much worse than normal and the stabbing pain in my sides is just horrendous. It settled down last night but is back with a vengeance. I'm worried about being off work any longer, have been off since Monday. I want to get back to work but can't decide whether to try and go back before the stabbing pain has gone or whether to allow my body the time it needs to get totally better.What would you do?

valval

rest if you can work will be there but it no good you going in and having to come home couple of hours later if still there go see gp at least he can look at you and see if it is ra or something else it easy to put every thing down to it val

dibdab

Rest if you can, this disease takes so much effort even when we feel relatively well, and you won't be able to give work of your best if you're suffering. Maybe today is the day to go back to the GP? Hope it settles soon. Take care of yourself.

Deb x

stickywicket

I can't relate to this at all, merri. The GP said you should go back to him if no better so I think you should do just that. I hope it all eases up soon.

merri

Thanks for the replies. Valval and dibdab, you are both right about resting. Thank you

stickywicket - he said to give it a couple more days and then get back to him, which would take it to Friday The problem is that my supportive GP is off now until Monday, I'm left with the other one who told me that "RA is painful, you just need to get used to it." He won't do anything without the consultant's approval. I have spoken to the Rheumatology dept today and they have brought forward my appt to next Thursday, as this seems to have escalated into a flare. They don't want to give me anything else as they need to see me like this which I can understand but I just can't cope with the pain.

I'm stupid, I know that. Talking about going back to work while ignoring the fact that I have all of the symptoms of a flare. Sometimes I could just kick myself - if I could reach (bad joke)

villier

Oh Merri sorry to here you are in so much pain, I am glad you have seen sense about not going back to work I just wish I could help ease your pain for you, sending gentle (((())))s, roll on thursday.....tc......Marie xx

tillytop

I am so sorry Merri that you are struggling so much. It may be that what you are describing is RA related. I get pains in my ribs which I attribute to RA. I have also had some unpleasant stabbing pains in my sides recently which I think are probably muscle spasms due to shoulder problems.

Although your nice GP is off until Monday, if you are worried about how you will cope with the pain until then, is it worth maybe trying to ring the surgery for advice about the pain? Is there maybe a nice practice nurse you could speak to who could talk to the GP on your behalf? The doc may not be supportive but I would hope that no GP would refuse pain relief to someone who tells them they can't cope with the pain - and by the sound of it this is acute, rather than chronic pain. Maybe you could ask the doc if you can be prescribed something relatively short-acting to help with the pain for the next few days but which you could stop just before your rheumatology appt so that they still get to see how you are doing.

Thinking of you lots Merri.

Tilly xxx

merri

Thanks ever so much tilly and villier. Unfortunately my GP refuses to prescribe anything when I'm like this, as the next step is morphine and he will not budge. I will have to see the more supportive GP on Monday to get a sick note so if I can't bear it still, I will discuss it with him as he is a bit more open. I'm going to carry on trying to plod on until Thursday.

Stupid isn't it? It was only this morning that I twigged: extra pain - check, worn out and sleeping a lot - check, oh yeah, this is a flare up :roll: I really ought to know better...

I am worried in case it has started to attack my organs though, though hopefully I'm being a worrywart as per usual.

suzygirl

Sounds as though your body is telling you to rest. Have you ever had costochondritis? That causes pain and inflammation around the rib area.

I hope the flare settles soon.

stickywicket

I'd try not to worry about potential problems, merri, as it seems to me you have quite enough real ones right now :roll: remember, if the pain gets too bad you can always ring NHS Direct or whatever out of hours services operate in your neck of the woods. Meanwhile just rest up and go easy on yourself. Work can wait.

merri

No I've not had that suzygirl

stickywicket - sorry you speak a lot of sense. My OH is away at the moment and I missing his logical input.

stickywicket

I just find, whener I'm in a bad situation, that I feel more relaxed if I have a Plan B.

barbara12

Merri it depends if the pain in on the right side or left...that is what the nhs direct will ask.....if its left.. peppermint oil capsules are wonderful...if it gets any worse I would give them a ring they are very good.
I do hope it ease off very soon xx

merri

Thank you both. I know I sound defeatist, the problem is that none of the medical services around here will actually prescribe any stronger medication (understandably) as I've been through it before during a flare but the peppermint oil sounds like a good way forwards.