Anxiety all day.....

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-27-2006
Anxiety all day.....
12
Fri, 02-16-2007 - 6:41pm
Ok, I am trying REALLY hard not to get freaked out about this. When I woke up this morning to get ready for my ear Dr appt, I noticed that whenever I coughed or sneezed today I had this stabbing pain in my upper abdomen! Its JUST below where your sternum ends and a little to the right. I have no other symptoms, and when I am walking, talking, moving around, its not there at all, just when I cough or sneeze. Normally I wouldn't think it was much except that it is really painful when it happens. So, of course I have been sweating and had anxiety about it all day. I eventually called my NP's office and made an appt for Monday in case it goes on all weekend. I actually made myself NOT ask for an appt today because I don't want to be overreacting and letting my anxiety about what it could be rule my life. I keep having the thought that it might be a hernia??? Like whenever I cough, something wants to "pop" out??? I don't actually see anything doing that, but that's sort of what it feels like. Anyone have one of these before? I went to WebMd and can't seem to pinpoint anything that sounds like what I have with their symptoms checker, other than maybe a strained muscle??? I am praying that is all it is and that tomorrow it will be gone!! I have been doing my deep breathing and it doesn't hurt at all when I do that, just the forceful stuff like sneezing and coughing. I keep telling myself that that is a GOOD thing, that means it probably isn't something life-threatening. I am going to write all this down on my papers for my *t* since that is one of the things I am working on. This is very scary to me since my "triggers" are always health related. I am working very hard to not let this take over my day. I went to the ear Dr, that was fine, I took the kids to Toys R us and am fine and we went to lunch and I ate and am fine. I also drove all the way home and unloaded all my Costco stuff with no problems, so this can't be anything REALLY bad right??? Please lend me your support, I know I sound like a hypochondriac but I am really NOT!!! Thanks in advance!! Hugs, Erin

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iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2003
Fri, 02-16-2007 - 7:12pm

I will make an educated guess and say that it's nothing life threatening. It sounds like you have done a good job of getting through your day. Can you take an ibuprofen or something and see if that helps?

I know what it's like to fret and worry over these pains and stuff - it's worse than the physical symptoms!

Hang in there.

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-27-2006
Fri, 02-16-2007 - 8:32pm
Thanks, yes, I agree it is probably nothing life threatening. I have since calmed down and had some time to relax from my day. It was alot busier of a day than I am used to lately and I think this weird pain on top of the stress I was already feeling just sent me into orbit. When I posted, I was still in the midst of feeling panicky as you can probably tell. Afterward, I went and layed down on my new memory foam pillow (yeah!) and did some deep breathing and self massage on my head for my tension headache. In the meantime, I did what my *t* told me to and asked myself alot of questions. Like "ok, if it IS a hernia, what is the worst that would happen?" Answer: I will go to the Dr and it will be treated and I am not going to die from it. Anyway, once I was able to rationlize my panicky thoughts, I feel much much better. I hope it goes away, but it if doesn't, I have an appt Mon to talk with my NP and we will figure it out. Thanks so much for helping me be the "rational" side, rather than the "emotional" one! Hugs, Erin
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-11-2004
Sat, 02-17-2007 - 12:41am
(((Erin))) I am happy to hear that you were able to distract yourself from focusing on the pain. Also, you put in a very busy day. I'm not saying that your pain is nothing, but I will go out on a limb here & say that *unrelenting pain, no matter what posistion or activity you're in* is more likely to *be* something. That's helped me out of some of those health concerns that nag @ me. GL! I hope you can enjoy your weekend. jan

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iVillage Member
Registered: 11-25-2005
Sat, 02-17-2007 - 12:41am
Erin I have had a cough for over a week and my muscles hurt
on my sides when I cough!! WHEW! Don't feel bad about worrying
3 years ago I thought I was having a heart attack since I had
terrible pain in my chest I had strained my chest wall from picking up
my grand baby!!! OMG!! They had to keep me overnight "just in case" until
the tests were done------ better safe than sorry sometimes!!
TAKE CARE and I hope you feel better this weekend-------- Judy
iVillage Member
Registered: 10-21-2006
Sat, 02-17-2007 - 2:52pm
Sometimes if you are coughing a lot, it can make your muscles sore down in the stomach area. It has happened to me before.
iVillage Member
Registered: 10-27-2006
Sat, 02-17-2007 - 4:54pm
I actually don't have a cough, I was just coughing a bit from drinking apple juice yesterday morning, you know how it is when you have gunk in your throat?? Then, you know off and on during the day a little cough here or there to clear my throat?? Otherwise, yeah, I would totally have figured it was from coughing if I was sick or something. Anyways, its still here today and now I actually do think I am getting a cold, I have a sore throat and stuffy nose but I am dealing well with that so that's a good thing for me. I am still thinking I must have pulled something somehow, its just wierd that its so high up in the abdomen, just under the rib. Whenever my emotional voice starts wandering, and wondering, I just think "STOP!! SHUT UP!" and then start thinking of only good things and it helps. Thank you all for your support, it really helps to write all of it out and know you guys aren't judging me or thinking I am nuts!! Big Hugs and a great weekend to all of you, its GORGEOUS here today!! Love, Erin
iVillage Member
Registered: 10-21-2006
Sun, 02-18-2007 - 4:34am
We don't think you are crazy. This is a normal part of having anxiety. Did you lift anything? Sometimes my ribcage gets sore when I carry my son around for awhile. He's only 23 lbs too, lol. <33 Good luck.
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-22-2003
Sun, 02-18-2007 - 12:36pm

Hi Erin, you were smart to make the appointment for Monday.

Sheri Ann

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-07-2007
Sun, 02-18-2007 - 1:55pm

Hey Erin...first of all big hugs to you, and I think you did the right thing about calling your doctor to get it checked out. It probably is nothing major, but if you have been coughing alot or sneezing alot you could have like a small upper respiratory infection or something and I used to get those ALOT and bronchitis really bad a couple of times and that def can make your chest sore if you are coughing and sneezing alot...if you have been doing alot of that it is very possible that it is a pulled or strained muscle in there somewhere...i can tell you when I sneeze really hard it hurts sometimes, makes my ribs ache even! But go get it checked out and make sure you don't have a cold or the startings of a bad cold, and if you have any Vicks or Ben Gay or (if you can find it) this medicated salve called Unkers (i have to order it online) and put it on your chest and see if that helps at all....but don't feel ashamed about needing your doctor to check you out....its like my doc said pain is there for a reason and if it keeps up get it checked out just to be sure...then your mind will be at ease. And if you can, take some nice relaxing time for yourself...make a hot cup of tea (chamomile is GREAT for calming your nerves) and curl up with a good movie with your kids or something you like...and don't feel bad...i would be doing the same thing if I were you...hey, its your body and you need to know its okay!! But just know we are here, and keep me posted!! Big hugs and luv

Krista

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-01-2007
Sun, 02-18-2007 - 3:09pm

Hi Erin, oh no you poor thing I hope all has been checked out now and you are doing ok, that it is nothing serious, I am sure it is just a pulled muscle. Try not to over think about it and keep your chin up! Remember if you do have something wrong we are very fortunate to live in an age where nearly all things are curable.

Take-care you!

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