after MONTHS of going thru trying to find a diagnosis, I understand your pain and frustration. I went thru 2 or 3 xrays, 2 sonograms, at least 3 o 4 cat scans, an esopogram, blood tests, you name it. I was turned inside out and always been told, "nothing that can cause that kind of pain",(but yet, im fructose intolerant, so they say, i had an inflammed messentary, i had a small intestine bacterial overgrowth, im possible gluten intolerant, many many wrong diagnosis, but they say, with all those tests, we know you are healthy! I knew this pain was too intense for any of that. Wasnt until the MRI was done that they actually saw what was going on and it was very serious. Surgery within a week, currently on the mend. If you have been on pain pills for months as I was and they are treating the pain but not the problem, insist on an MRI. my pain was severe upper abdominal almost charlie horse pain across the bottom of my ribs, the next day it felt like I did 1000 sit ups at night). Remember, rib pain can also come from the back. Take charge of your own body, without you doing it, no one really will. They have no idea how bad your pain is or what you can take. (I have a very strong pain tolerance, so they really had no idea how bad it was, except to keep giving me oxycodone which I had no choice but to take).

Taking a lot of pain killers could account for the swollen/inflamed liver!

I've had pleurisy and believe me, it was the must excruciating pain I've ever experienced, far surpassing hard labor. I described it as a constant hot poker in my side. Unfortunately, I saw a very young doctor in what passed as urgent care, who leaned toward my husband's thought of kidney stones. Gave me a shot of Demerol and told me to see my regular doctor the next day. He, much older and experienced, said pleurisy right away and put me on antibiotics. I did have to sleep in the recliner for 5 nights to better breathe, but I quickly recovered after the antibiotics.

Mine doesn't feel like a hot poker. Mine feels like 3 broken ribs. But every test says no.

I know it's not lung cancer because I had that in my left lung & it doesn't feel like this.

Plus I haven't had these causes.

• A viral infection, such as the flu (influenza)
• A bacterial infection, such as pneumonia
• A fungal infection
• Rheumatoid disease, such as rheumatoid arthritis
• Certain medications
• Lung cancer near the pleural surface

I'm so sorry you're going through all this. Hopefully, after all the tests you had yesterday, your Doctor will reach some conclusion, perhaps the same one they did, and can begin treatment for you.

So sorry you feel crummy, Paw. Hope you are on the mend now!

DH had similar pain to yours for weeks and weeks. There were many ER tests and no findings for that during a prior admission of UTI/sepsis. Then, during a regular checkup with cardiologist he had blood work done and had a white count of 35,000! Back to ER at cardio's direction and they jumped on it and found pneumonia and a super bug. Put him in isolation on IV antibiotics and pulmonologist inserted a drain and got 3 liters of pus from the pleura sac. He was in the hospital for a full 7 days and on antibiotics for 30 days. No more pain since.

We have no idea why it wasn't picked up somewhere along this odyssey, but are eternally grateful to those two doctors, to cardio who was so proactive and to pulmonologist who is so diligent with follow up.

I had pleurisy years ago. So painful, I could barely breathe. When I got to the ER, they thought I was going into cardiac arrest. After they diagnosed it, they put me on antibiotics. I had to sleep sitting up the first couple of nights, couldn't lay down. When it got better, they called it pneumonia. I know I hope to never have it again.

Oh, pleurisy is so painful....haven't had it for many years, but recall how excruciating the pain was.

I hope that you get to the bottom of your pain, Paw. I am glad you had a good experience in the ER and hope you get a resolution soon.

Wanttoretire & Joan, wouldn't you know if u had pneumonia? Maybe I do but I sure don't feel any different than I have for months.

I'm just so frustrated. I want them to cut me open there & look around. Something isn't right somewhere.

Scott..get your rear back to the ER or doc...did they start an antibotic? Does it hurt when you breath? Inhale or exhale? No fever or chills recently?

So sorry you are having all these problems, Scot . I sincerely hope your doctor will be able to make a positive diagnosis now, and 'fix' whatever is wrong. Please keep us posted on how you are doing

Rusty

I hope that you get relief from your pain quickly.

Yes it hurts when I inhale. Going to doctor tomorrow. No antibiotics given.

Pleurisy is extremely painful, don't disregard that diagnosis because it sure could be. I agree some antibiotics or injection of antibiotics should have been given. Are you sure it wasn't in the shot you were given?

The nurse said it was a pain shot and went in my left butt cheek. Still hurts there today, was a big needle. But I honestly don't know what it was until I see the bill.

I'll need a tranquilizer when the bill arrives. I have a $200 ER copay. $500 deductible then it's 90/10 coverage.

The registration nurse told me to talk with billing when the bill arrives since I'm on permanent disability & fixed income. I'm sure my portion will be at least $2,000 bucks. Lord help me!!

I had walking pneumonia a couple of years ago and never had a clue. Went to urgent care for something else and they diagnosed it. In DH's case, yes, aside from the pain, he felt generally lousy for a long time prior to being admitted for pneumonia, but chalked it up to the pain and old age……..

Doctor visit was good. He said it's not pleurisy. He scheduled a CT scan on Monday & was disappointed the ER didn't do one.

He injected my rib cartilage with a steroid & lidocaine shot in one test area. I wish he did the whole area but this is just a test spot for now.

The pain is definitely still there, but not as bad. I'd say 5/10 on the pain scale.

I know this sounds stupid but I wish they'd save $20,000 on all these expensive tests, give me a local, make an incision & take a real look. But they won't.

I'm sorry you are having this issue and wish you well, soon!

I'm sure Monday can't come fast enough. Try to get some rest. Kathy G in MI

I'm surprised he didn't send you for the CT right away. Are they going to look at the abdomen as well as chest?

Sincere wishes for a quick diagnosis and recovery.

Yes, will be nice to get this test over with also.