Comments for MysteryFlankPain.com

Comment on Reglan and my Hiatal Hernia by Poobarellah

Poobarellah — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 23:28:45 +0000

That is good to hear. Keep in touch!
Jason

Comment on Reglan and my Hiatal Hernia by CB

CB — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 19:09:18 +0000

hey jason! thanks so much for all your replies and posts. i’m going to look into the decompression thing…and also follow up with my gastro appt. i realize that i can not depend on the “doctors” to figure this out for me. so, i’m left to my own devices…online research and networking. even if the answer is not magically discovered here….please know that your words and journey have helped me. i hope that you continue to post on your progress. i’m so glad that your pain is healing! that is the most encouraging thing i’ve read in awhile. take care!
-christine

Comment on May 29, 2009 by Poobarellah

Poobarellah — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 18:59:36 +0000

CB, don’t give up! Continue what you’re doing and you’ll beat this. I learned about the hiatal hernia by researching online, plus I was diagnosed with one about 15 years ago.

Getting off the pain meds was one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to do. But, it’s done and I’m over them physically and mentally. It just takes time. There will be a time when you’ll have to do it to, but just keep in mind the physical part is only 72 hours and the mental part is a month or two at the most.

The gastro I first went to, even though I told him about my history with hiatal hernias didn’t check for one, nor did he seem interested in doing so. And he, by our standards here, was one of the best!

If you have bulging discs, did you try disc decompression, where they systematically stretch your spinal cord over a period of time?

Also, I don’t go to a PT anymore, but I purchased an exercise ball and do the exercises here at home. It’s good insurance and keeps your spine and it’s surrounding muscles healthy.

In short, as far as doctors go, I found that I had to “doctor” myself and “suggest” courses of treatment to these so-called “doctors” until I found the right one!

Hang in there and you’re not bothering me. I wrote this blog to help people and the more, the merrier!

Jason

Comment on May 29, 2009 by CB

CB — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 14:13:29 +0000

yes, i’ve seen a neuro and had numerous mri’s (and CT). i have a degenerative L5-S1. other than that, they only found the scoliosis (mild) and a handful of slightly bulging discs in the thoracic spine. the neuro said that neither were bad enough to cause such pain. he recommended a rhizotomy (sp) or intercostal injections into the rib area. i got the injections…but they didn’t work. what i meant by prominent is that the rib sticks out much further than the other side. it’s elevated when i lay down. however, that could simply be a result of the curvature. the longest i’ve done PT has been for 4 months. it’s so hard to commit to going 3 times a week. (what they prescribed)
standing is also beneficial for me. sitting and especially laying are the worst. unfortunately, i have a desk job and sit most of the day. btw, congrats on getting off the pain meds! that is remarkable. you really are an inspiration. i happen to live in an area where the health care leaves MUCH to be desired. ok, it’s awful. we have one of the highest rates of insurance billing fraud. so it’s been frazzling trying to weed through the doctors who just want my money and those who seem really interested in helping. (the latter have been very few) but, i will continue to forge ahead. maybe i will follow up with that gastro appointment. one last question if you don’t mind. (and stop me any time you want…it’s just so nice to finally talk to someone who has been through a similar ordeal) which doctor told you about the hernia or did you have to figure it out on your own? i researched hernias even before you discovered yours…and my symptoms didn’t seem to match up exactly. but i guess that doesn’t mean it can’t be the source. hmmm.

Comment on May 29, 2009 by Poobarellah

Poobarellah — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 00:21:14 +0000

I’ve never seen a rheumatologist. The Nexium and Reglan took a few days before they started working. I also find the more I stand, the better. If I lay against or put any pressure against the affected area, it begins to hurt.

How long did you do the physical therapy for?

When you say your rib is really prominent, what do you mean? Have you seen a neurosurgeon or had MRI’s/CAT scans done?

Comment on May 29, 2009 by CB

CB — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 19:56:49 +0000

physical therapy-check, chiro-check, pain mgmt w/injections-check. i’ve also received a few different diagnosis…from SRS to referred facet pain to pain originating from my mild scoliosis. (”oh, and maybe it had something to do with fracturing your tailbone when u were 17″) geez! i would like to think that maybe it’s an internal and not structural issue. then maybe the little purple pill could help me too! however, my rib is really prominent and always hurts. after 5 years, i still can’t figure out what makes it worse…but nearly nothing seems to make it better. i’ve tried to lay off caffeine, and i’m a social smoker. (well, i also head outside when my toddler decides to lose her mind and throw herself on the floor) anyhoo, my PT has been trying to “put the rib back in place”…but says that it just keeps popping back out. of course, other drs have said that this is impossible as ribs do not slip. who knows what to think. i haven’t seen him in 2 weeks. i feel like i’m spinning in drug-induced circles. (sounds more fun than it is) how long until the nexium/reglan started helping? was it immediate? have you ever seen a rheumatologist? oh, i also tried accupunture which was a total disaster. i couldn’t move afterwords..and the guy said it was because my body didn’t want to release the blocked chi. (that’s a whole other story)

Comment on May 29, 2009 by Poobarellah

Poobarellah — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 16:48:09 +0000

Also, try staying off of caffeine, chocolate, nicotine, etc. If you have a hiatal hernia they only cause it to flare up!

Comment on May 29, 2009 by Poobarellah

Poobarellah — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 16:47:01 +0000

Have you done any physical therapy? I did about 5 weeks and it helps. You build your core muscles which help stabilize your spine.

Yes, I had a tender spot on my rib that went away when I took anti-inflammatory medication. When the painful spot wasn’t there, the dull ache was present.

Go see the gastro and make sure he thinks “out the box.”

I’ve been off of pain meds for several months now. It feels good to be able to function off of them (although it sure felt good while I was on them)!

Don’t stop! Keep on keeping on and you’ll find your answer. I’m proof. My pain is still present sometimes, but it’s minimal and I control it, it doesn’t control me.

Finally, of all the doctors I’ve been to, they just seemed to go through the motions and wait to collect payment. It’s ultimately going to be up to you to research more and find out what the problem is. Don’t take shit from any doctor!

Let me know if I can be of any further help and best of luck to you!

Comment on May 29, 2009 by CB

CB — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 14:13:08 +0000

Hi! So good to hear from you…thanks for the quick response. I’ve been following your story for years. I’ve suffered from what I refer to as my “Ribby” for 5 years now. That is really interesting about the hernia and Nexium treatment. Maybe that is why all the therapy, chiro, and ortho stuff never helped for very long. I have also been diagnosed with SRS or aka “rib dysfunction.” None of my various “treatments” have brought any relief for longer than a day. I’m pretty sure we’ve done all the same things. Question: was your rib area ever sensitive to touch? My GP did recently refer me to a gastro. I didn’t go because I thought it would be another depressing round of endless probing only to find “nothing” wrong with me. So I have to ask, are you free of pain meds now? I’ve been on Tramadol for over a year now. It’s the only thing that seems to dull the pain and help me focus on things like my family and work…instead of focusing on pain all damn day. I have to admit that, most recently, I have lacked all motivation to keep seeing doctors. (almost convinced that I just need to accept this pain as part of me and my life) I thought, I’ll just wait and see if Poobarellah finds the answer for us all. Ok, so I won’t keep you much longer with my rambling. Please don’t stop posting..and take care!
-Christine

Comment on May 29, 2009 by Poobarellah

Poobarellah — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 16:33:16 +0000

Yes, CB. My pain is associated with a hiatal hernia and is controlled with Nexiuma and Reglan. My doctor still isn’t convinced of this, as low back pain and dull aches in your flank region aren’t considered traditional symptoms of a hiatal hernia (which 8 out of 10 adults suffer from).