COPD pain + doctor
Finally went to urgent care for chest pain, got chest X-ray that showed copd, been trying for over a week just to get someone at pulmonologist to answer the phone. The chest pain is ruining my life, and quite scary. I’m fairly young and raising my grandkids. I work remote but it’s highly demanding. I barely move at all anymore due to the pain and shortness of breath. Is the pain common? Does anything help? It’s about an 8 hour wait at the ER here so I am hoping to avoid that route but not sure how much longer I can stand it. I’m wondering if I just suck it up and start moving if it will help. Only about 10 pounds overweight so that’s not an issue but the past year of napping and not moving out of fear has taken its toll. Advil and aspirin don’t seem to help.
I hear how difficult things are for you and while back and rib pain can be common with COPD it is definitely important to get checked out by a doctor if it isn't getting better. I know the ER is something we would all like to avoid but if you're doctor isn't able to see you soon it might be a good idea to consider going just to see what is going on. What do you think? All the best, Sam S. (COPD.net, team member). it's all online now
Coastalgirl,
I deal with rib pain a lot. But I keep it fairly under control. I exercise and stretch daily. This seems to help. I know sometimes I sleep wrong and wake up with aching ribs. Morning COPD coughing and lung clearing does not help. I treat it with exercise (as stated above), heating pad applied to the area several times a day helps a lot, controlled coughing as in huff coughing helps to not make it worse, taking Tylenol twice daily helps, and sometimes a good soak in the tub with as warm water and Epsom salts as you can stand help. Correct posture is also an important factor in keeping rib pain at bay. I can usually get the pain under control within a matter of hours by using different combinations of mentioned above. One other thing, if your pulmonologist doesn't answer the phone or respond in a reasonable amount of time to your inquiry, you might consider changing doctors. Take care and God Bless.thanks
Hi Coastalgirl, and welcome! I see you are a new member here having joined yesterday, late in the evening. We are glad to see you are already engaging with the community through this, your first post.
I see my fellow community members,and @CopdGirl, as well as my colleague, , have already responded to your initial post. I will say that I agree with all that has been said.
For you to be in so much (chest) pain - an evaluation is in order - sooner, rather than later.
What do you think?
Please do check back and let us know how this all turns out for you. We have a genuine concern for your good health.
Wishing you well, Leon (site moderator COPD.net)
