(little history, then new symptoms) I have had chronic left neck and shoulder pain for a few years now, it has gotten to the point of being excruciating now. I have also had for a little more than a year, a pain in the left abdomen (ovary?) with abdominal swelling, i go through nausea, night sweats, cold sweats, I have a hard lump on the left side of my neck that HURTS all the time. Right now the neck and shoulder and abdominal pain is REALLY bad but suddenly I have pain in what I guess is my back on the left side. Doesn't feel muscular, because I know that feeling. Feels like it is in my ribs or lung lining or something like that. Hurts worse in abdomen when I walk and worse in back/chest if I talk loudly or clear my throat or certain movements. Pain is worsening since the onset of it yesterday. I can't sleep, I don't have a doctor or insurance. I have 4 kids and no way to get to the hospital unless it's a true emergency. What is the likelyhood that my sudden 'back' pain is an Emerg?
2007-06-26 19:37:44 · 5 answers · asked by Anonymous in Health ➔ General Health Care ➔ Pain & Pain Management
I only need advice if you are in the medical profession please. I know I need to see a doctor and I have EXHAUSTED the internet myself and have many ideas of what it "could" be. At this point I need a professional opinion. thanks :(
2007-06-26 19:39:56 · update #1
I will reiterate...I have no insurance, no doctor, and going to the ER is a big ordeal in my current situation. I will go for sure if this is worse in the morning, but if there is any red flag here I want to know.
2007-06-26 19:44:10 · update #2
I started having this "back" pain yesterday, it has gotten progressively worse since then. It is only when I cough, or move certain ways or speak loudly that it hurts, it is definitely not muscular.....could this still mean that a heart problem could be the culprit? My neck and shoulder pain is something I have all the time, though it is QUITE severe right now. (obviously if I have 4 kids and I am up at 2am) I took 2 benadryl which normally help me doze off but right now the pain is too severe to lie down and close my eyes.
2007-06-26 19:54:53 · update #3
UPDATE - I didn't go to the ER yet. I got a few hours sleep though. The pain is all still there (as i said before, the newly developed "back" pain is only situational). Cold sweats are driving me nuts. I took my temp (with a digital ear thermometer) and it said 95.5 consistently. I think I may try to get to the ER today. I will have to wait until this evening though. As we all know, docs in the ER aren't going to exhaust themselves trying to figure out what is really wrong. Anyone know of any test it sounds like may need to be run here so that I can ask them to do so?
2007-06-27 03:23:10 · update #4
Only you can decide if this is an emergency. From what you say, I won't even venture a guess but, I'd say to get to an ER and make it soon. Worry about the bill later.
Find a baby sitter for the kids and a ride. I just helped a friend with a bad situation, she wouldn't go to an ER until I convinced her, she was in a coma when she arrived, one of her kidneys failed and the second one was going.
Don't mess around, you sound bad.
2007-06-26 23:55:38 · answer #1 · answered by cowboydoc 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You bet that is a true emergency until ruled out otherwise. When women come to the ER with sudden onset back pain, we become first and foremost concerned of possible heart attack.
Please note, when you go to the ER, it is important that you explain that this is a new type of pain you have not had before. Many burn out Triage nurses may simply contribute this pain to your history and not put you in the fast track.
Again, you need to get to the ER ASAP as back pain in women can equate to myocardial Infarction.
2007-06-26 19:44:28 · answer #2 · answered by John P 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Don't worry about the insurance, just go to the hospital, you sound like you really need to see a doctor!! The most important thing is that you take care of yourself so that you can take care of your girls, they are depending on you. There are state funded programs that can pay for the hospital bills, those are tax dollars that I don't mind paying. I hope that you feel better!
2007-06-26 19:42:34 · answer #3 · answered by C. J. 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm not so sure since i can't check you. But it sound to me your abdominal pain probably refers to peritonitis. Lung infections not much giving sign, but if you said you feel sharp pain when you clearing your troat, it must be pleuritis. And yes, it is emergency. You better go to ER right away.
2007-06-26 20:29:14 · answer #4 · answered by . 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
only you can decide if it's an emergency. make an appointment with your doctor in the morn for a full exam and tests.
2007-06-26 19:40:07 · answer #5 · answered by KitKat 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋