Hand hold, so much pain

[firsttimemamax]

Hi all,

I didn't want to put it on my family because they're already going through a lot right now but I've been in hospital all night with seriously bad pains around my heart/chest, I'm 32 weeks pregnant, they've done all the scans and tests they could possibly do and can't find anything wrong yet I'm in absolutely agony, haven't slept, can't lie down for the pain.
Getting to the point I just want my little boy here now and be done with pregnancy, it's been so tough.
Anyone else had similar experiences?

Yes, erosive gastritis. Can you ask hospital to check for Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection?

I can relate. I'm not in hospital and not in constant excruciating pain like you, but I rolled over yesterday and the pain in my chest was unbelievable. I almost called my husband to get an ambulance.

Then I realised I could move and rolled over again and was basically fine. Rang gp later who said it's likely I strained or tore an intercostal muscle on my left ribs.

It's uncomfortable most of the time, painful when I breathe deeply, roll to my left, twist to my right... etc etc. Sleep not really happening.

What pain relief are they giving you? You deserve pain relief.

Your family will want you to lean on them when you need support. That's what family is for. Is there someone you can call up just for distraction? Sometimes that's what support looks like, without 'burdening' them. To be fair, if you can't lean on family or friends during a crisis/ hardship, when can you lean on them? This isn't a time for guilt. You're allowed to say you need care. You're allowed to need their help. You're allowed to be 'selfish'. And if not during heavy pregnancy, when??

How are you getting on? Hoping there's some improvement, answers or support...

@physicskate

I can relate. I'm not in hospital and not in constant excruciating pain like you, but I rolled over yesterday and the pain in my chest was unbelievable. I almost called my husband to get an ambulance.

Then I realised I could move and rolled over again and was basically fine. Rang gp later who said it's likely I strained or tore an intercostal muscle on my left ribs.

It's uncomfortable most of the time, painful when I breathe deeply, roll to my left, twist to my right... etc etc. Sleep not really happening.

What pain relief are they giving you? You deserve pain relief.

Your family will want you to lean on them when you need support. That's what family is for. Is there someone you can call up just for distraction? Sometimes that's what support looks like, without 'burdening' them. To be fair, if you can't lean on family or friends during a crisis/ hardship, when can you lean on them? This isn't a time for guilt. You're allowed to say you need care. You're allowed to need their help. You're allowed to be 'selfish'. And if not during heavy pregnancy, when??

A torn intercostal could well be the issue. The intercostal muscles are under a lot of strain late in pregnancy and the pain from one tearing can be extremely bad. I would definitely suggest that to the doctors treating you.

@kensue19 - the doctors treating me? you mean the 3 minute phone appointment with the gp that I felt lucky to get?

Seems like there's not much to be done for a strained/torn intercostal anyway. Just time and rest.

Hi everyone,

Thanks so much for your replies and sorry to hear all the pain everyone is experiencing it's horrible and especially in a time where healthcare is not so easy to access.

So we went home and I had to sleep upright because I can't lay down but I did manage to get some sleep.

They told me my iron count is low (which I'm guessing is unrelated but it's worrying that I wouldn't have known if I hadn't gone in for tests off my own back cus of my chest...)

They told me to take paracetamol every 4-6 hours to see if it makes any difference, take a warm bath, have a hot drink and use a hot compress on the area. So I'm going to try all of those things and if no improvement go back.

It's a nightmare, I was hoping they'd just give me some strong painkillers and that would be it!