MalouDP Posted April 17, 2006 Share Posted April 17, 2006 I have been having some intermittent sharp pains on my chest. My dad died of LC at age 50. with my husband sick, I am just horrified to have it checked. The pain is like niddles or a stubbing like sharp pain that last 3 seconds. sometimes I also have a crooked on my neck and numbing and or tingling on my shoulders that travel through my hands. I am not on any kind of medication. My GYN told me 4 years ago that my breast is lumpy. I did have 2 of those b-9 lumps removed, one in each breast I am just very scared and can’t seem to find the strength or courage to see a doctor. I am trapped with the what if trauma. Who’s going to take care Of my husband? Please feel free to yell at me, I probably need it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cindi o'h Posted April 17, 2006 Share Posted April 17, 2006 Hi Malou. I think you need to get that neck checked out. Hopefully there is just something very minor there that can be worked out maybe by a chiropractor or exercise physiologist...something along those lines...I am guessing that there are some discs that are pressing on some nerves causing the tingling etc. Get it checked before it gets any worse. See if you can make it better starting with the least invasive.. Stabbing pains in chest...many times this is associated with anxiety. Pain and untreated lc don't go hand in hand. See doctor for your symptoms. Do tell the doctor about your fears. Actually fears may be affecting your neck too. We get all tense in the neck and shoulder areas. This is coming all from "little doctor Cindi" hahaha.. Kinda know what I am talking about and kinda don't .. So, go see a real (good) doctor to see what is going on. Cindi o'h Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MalouDP Posted April 17, 2006 Author Share Posted April 17, 2006 I love you Cindy O'h. My mom said she will call 911 on me if I won't go to the doc. Now I got her stressed out. What have I done? Am I losing it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ry Posted April 17, 2006 Share Posted April 17, 2006 Don't worry about going to the doctor--most likely as Cindi said it is anxiety. With all you are going through it is most likely stress related. I was having lots of tingling and numbness in my legs, and some weird symptoms. I went to the doctor and he said it was stress. Amazing how once they tell you there is nothing to worry about you just feel better. Make your mom feel better and go. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carolhg Posted April 17, 2006 Share Posted April 17, 2006 Malou, Please do get yourself checked by the doctor. You will be able to get rid of the 'what if' stress that you are going through right now. Most likely it will turn out to be stress and anxiety. Be kind to yourself and take care of yourself as well as you take care of your husband. Prayers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don Wood Posted April 17, 2006 Share Posted April 17, 2006 I also vote for checking with the doctor and being sure all is ok. The caregiver needs to take care of herself first in order to take care of others. Don Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J.C. Posted April 17, 2006 Share Posted April 17, 2006 I vote for a visit to the doctor right now. don't delay the anxiety will get worst and also the pain. Give us news after. xo Jackie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Linda661 Posted April 17, 2006 Share Posted April 17, 2006 I understand that kind of fear very well, you are not alone and you are not "losing it." As others have said, it is probably stress-related, including the intermittent, brief sharp pains, but do get it checked out for your peace of mind -- I had the same sort of things you describe and just had to override my fear and go to the doctor anyway. It's sort of strange how us caregivers start developing "symptoms" that way to have us get into those kind of mind games with ourselves -- I know many people who that has happened to as well. By the way, I have had neck stuff and tingling in arms and such for years -- that is what got me to a chiropractor about 10 years ago. What helped me actually get rid of it was massage therapy (after a doctor check!!!). The tensing of the muscles from stress and repeated motions with the body was affecting the nerves.....regular massage alleviated the muscle tightness and the numbness went away -- I do have to keep up with it though to keep the numbness at bay, especially now with the tremendous stressors in my life. Linda Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dadstimeon Posted April 17, 2006 Share Posted April 17, 2006 Malou--Take care of yourself too, we all know it is just as hard for the caregivers. Rich Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hollyanne Posted April 18, 2006 Share Posted April 18, 2006 Malou - Go to the doctor! If nothing else, it will relieve your anxiety. Stress can do SO much to your body. Please go. Holly Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jorja Posted April 18, 2006 Share Posted April 18, 2006 Oh Malou... I agree with the rest it is probably anxiety. My mother is going through it right now. She has tremors, dizziness, headaches etc. It is hard because she became so strong when my dad was diagnosed and now when things have "settled" down with my dad, these symptoms have been popping up. Please go to the doctor and maybe he can give you some anti-anxiety medication. It will ease your mind knowing that it could possibly be anxiety. love, jorja Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kasey Posted April 18, 2006 Share Posted April 18, 2006 Malou, Let's be sure you are taking proper care of yourself these days! A quick go over by the doc may be all that is needed to allay any fears you may have. Now.............go and do it ASAP....ya hear! Kasey Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RandyW Posted April 18, 2006 Share Posted April 18, 2006 You have to take care of yourself in order to take care of your husband. See your Doctor and find out now what it is. Probably Nothing During Debs Funera and that whole week I kept rubbing my chest and had to see my Doc. Just a broken heart but that was no surprise for me!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blaze100 Posted April 18, 2006 Share Posted April 18, 2006 Hi Malou, If you just go see family doc and tell him your dad had lc and you have chest pain, they should order a chest x-ray. It's easy, painless. Don't take "no" for an answer. Mostly like nothing, but you never know. I had some gnawing pain on my right chest and shoulder, but then my tumor was large. Wishing you best of luck, Barb Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MalouDP Posted April 18, 2006 Author Share Posted April 18, 2006 Thank you all. I know I needed you all. The terror is killing me. I haven't touch any kind of anti depressant, I know I should have. I wish I never told my mom, I hate to see her so stressed out now. She been this road before with my DAD and every little thing she just cry so hard. I love you guys. I promised I will go see the PCP. Love to you all. Malou Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maryanne Posted April 18, 2006 Share Posted April 18, 2006 I am going to use a Nike saying "JUST DO IT" Call and make an appointment. The rest will be easy. You will see its probably nothing but aniexty and maybe you just need something to calm you a bit. MaLou.... JUST DO IT.... call and make an apointment. You hear me DO IT!!! Maryanne Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
adela Posted April 18, 2006 Share Posted April 18, 2006 You need to check this out. Your husband is strong enough in spirit to support you and help you to go see a doctor. YOU MUST MAKE A APPOINTMENT WITH THE DOC. Adela Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mskim Posted April 18, 2006 Share Posted April 18, 2006 ((((Malou)))) Stress inflicts in so many forms. I have had all the symptoms you are decribing... I smoked for years too.. I even get HIVES in not so convenient places in addition to my 'heart attack' and 'stroke' symptoms. I have anxiety, and I was walking around with my shoulders up around my ears like earrings. I have meds to take now when the rollercoaster ride gets too fast and I go the chiropractor about once a month and that took care of my neck and tingling in my arms and fingertips for the most part. After all that, I still called my doc and said "what do I need to complain of so that I may get a chest scan to make sure I don't have lung cancer?" I am waiting for the response so I can ease my fears. I grew up in a house and a car with 2 parents chain smoking, then smoked myself for 13 years. Nearly every person in my family tree (above me) has had cacner of some sort or died from it. I think get checked out completely. They can help you and ease your fears. Sorry for the book. Hugs, Kim Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ztweb Posted April 18, 2006 Share Posted April 18, 2006 I will not yell, but will whisper...go, go, go! Take care of yourself, and keep strong! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ann Posted April 18, 2006 Share Posted April 18, 2006 Malou....As Larry the Cable Guy would say..."Gid Her Done" You'll feel much better after you get all checked out and can put all these fears behind you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shirleyb Posted April 18, 2006 Share Posted April 18, 2006 Malou, Ditto on what everyone else has said. Now to add to the story. I too had the same symptons you are having only as time has gone by, mine have continued to get worse. Didn't think much of it. Knew it was stress. Well when my brother in law passed away back in Jan, I ended up having a mild heart attack because of the stress. So into the doctor I go and since have had numerous tests. Well, I got the results about two weeks ago. Because of the stress, I have a form or heart failure THAT CAN BE TREATED WITH MEDICATION! This was brought on by stress! The stress involved with my husband getting sick and then passing away, losing my mother a year ago on the 9th, and then my brother in laws passing was just too much. Stress can do all sorts of crazy things to you. YOU MUST TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF if you want to be any good to anyone else. So make your appointment, let us know when it is, and we will all be cheering for you to get good results. Remember to take care of you too. Praying for us all. Shirley Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MalouDP Posted April 18, 2006 Author Share Posted April 18, 2006 Wow, It's amazing how many of us caregivers have the same symptoms. Maybe they need to make a diagnosis called "CI" (Caregivers Illness). I will let you guys know after I get the test results. Seriously, I don't want to know. But I will have to do it. Love to all. God Bless Malou Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shineladysue Posted April 18, 2006 Share Posted April 18, 2006 Malou, So glad you are taking care of yourself. I let a lot of my own physical symptoms go while Mike was ill and now I am going through a battery of doctor appointments and trying to undo the damage. I let Lymphedema in my legs get to the point of infection and danger... I'm under the care of a wound specialist now and that is just the beginning. If you can possibly take care of you, please do it. God Bless you. Love and Prayers, Sue Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MalouDP Posted April 18, 2006 Author Share Posted April 18, 2006 Oh Sue, I hate for you go through all of this. At least you are going to all the necessary steps to get the treatments. Thank you so much for encouraging me to see the doctor, you and every single one of you here my cyber family. I am sure this will save my life from long term neglect brought on by worries and fears of our sick love one, at least this far I'm sure, that the stress I have been carrying and trying to hide is building up on my chest and it is even painful to breath sometimes without the tears dropping out of nowhere. Love to all Malou Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TamHol Posted April 18, 2006 Share Posted April 18, 2006 I’m new to this forum but I do know anxiety can cause all the symptoms your talking about. That and some ulcers can give you all the tingles and pains you’ve described. Stress is the main cause of both problems. Any heavy lifting you maybe doing can cause pinched tendants and nerves that again … will give you the same symptoms. What if it’s not something major? You don’t know until you get there, however if it it simple …… It may not be for long! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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