My rude awakening

This morning at about 4:00 I woke up in extreme pain. It felt as though a rod had been pushed through my upper left abdomen and through my mid back. I knew what the back pain was - a rib out of place. I have had this pain before. The stomach pain was my concern. It started just below the center of my ribcage, followed the left side of my ribcage and down. I took some pain medication and went back to bed, hoping to get some sleep so I did not miss any work.

Unfortunately for me, the pain got worse instead of better. I took a bath, hoping to ease the pain and relax enough to sleep. The bath helped but brought very small and very temporary relief. I tried some sudoku to take my mind off the pain.

It was about this time that I noticed I could physically see a difference between the left side of my abdomen versus the right side. It looked and felt swollen. I was tempted to go to the emergency room but new what my back pain was and wondered if the other pain was related. I decided to see the chiropractor first but knew I would have to wait until later in the morning. It was still only about 5:15.

I went back to bed, attempting just about any position to find relief. Pressure on my stomach just made things worse and this is what kept me awake. Eventually, and after a few tears, Steve grabbed the massager and used it on my back hoping to help. Again, temporary relief and when he was done I was right back where I was previously. I decided to take another bath, which brought no relief.

Finally I was in so much pain I couldn't even stay still. I took some Phazyme just incase the pain was gas related and decided to park myself in my comfy chaise lounge chair in the living room and let Steve have some peace, no sense keeping him awake too. There was nothing he could do. This was about 6:45 - 7:00. Sitting in the chair actually brough some relief to my back and stomach, although it took a while. I remember looking at the clock at 7:20 thinking that soon I might be able to call Dr. Fowers and beg for some help. I knew he would be up and going somewhere between 7:30 and 8:00 as I have had 7:30 appointments with him in the past.

Lucky for me, I didn't get that chance. Suddenly my head was bobbing, it was 8:00 and the pain had subsided enough for me to go back to bed, after calling in sick (I tried earlier but for some reason the message system wasn't picking up). Somewhere in there Steve called Dr. Fowers for me and got me an appointment. It wasn't until 1:30, but at that moment I was grateful. It meant I could sleep some more - which I did until 12:30. In those 4 1/2 hours I got the best sleep I have had in a while. I really needed it apparently!

Steve and I have been going to Dr. Fowers as our chiropractor for just over 5 years. He has seen me pretty messed up. But today he actually brought out his stethescope and seemed rather concerned about my stomach pain. I told him I suspected it might actually be a front rib. He checked and I was partially right. It was three ribs in front and some very knotted abdoment muscles.

So after quite a bit of pain and work I am somewhat better. My muscles are still very tender and I have been very exhausted all day (that much pain takes it out of you) but should be good.
I just hope I don't ever have to go through that again!