Severe pain and restriction in my ribs difficult breathing

Also too painful to wear a bra In very bad flare at the moment 3 weeks

Severe mouth ulcers unable to open my mouth to take pain killers.

All help welcome advice needed as desperately in pain

[billi]

Hi Moonflower,

I am so sorry for your pain just now and as a Behcets sufferer for 28 years I really do know how it feels. Here are so e tips I have picked up along the way.

Plenty of rest so that your body can fight the flare

Clenil inhaler for the mouth, vagina and anus. Best if started immediately but still good at later stages. Several puffs on each area at least 4/5 times daily gradually reducing as flare subsides.

Clenil spray for nostrils a one each nostril 2/3 times a day...can also be used down below if neccessary .

Steroid creams for lesions on the skin.

Obviously be sure you have no allergies etc...always check with your GP before embarking on any new meds.

A great tip is (and many of us know and use this). When you can't even take water you need to keep hydrated and the best for this is COCACOLA......it eases the pain, cleanses and refreshes your mouth, tastes good and doesn't hurt!!

What other meds are you taking just now myself and others find Colchicine excellent for ulcers flares but some patients find othe meds more suitable. All meds have side effects, I have always tried something for at least a month for my body to get used to...if still a problem with side effects or no improvement then I try something else.

Believe me you will get through this but you must listen to your body and rest and don't push yourself too hard too soon. I know this seems impossible at times but you have to be strong.

Take care

Lots of hugs and smiles

Billi

[andreafm]

Hi moonflower

Sounds really rotten at the moment...I too really suffer with the rib pain and restriction. It's like someone putting a rigid belt under your breasts and as you say wearing a bra or even tight clothing makes breathing even more difficult. My thoughts are that it maybe the Lymphatic system in overload as it is trying to clear the inflammation etc.

Strangely enough I also get indigestion with trapped wind and so the bloating makes the breathing even more difficult and sometimes virtually impossible. I take windeze or wind settlers, which seems to help with this if you are also getting the bloating. Also regular taking of Peppermint pearles if you can take them helps to stop the bloating flaring if it is a problem.

I also use massage my ribs and lymphatic areas with oils and Epson salts in the bath. I have a jakuzzi bath and find this really does help to release toxins. If you haven't got one just soaking and massaging yourself will also help. Juniper is good for draining lymphatics and lavender for relaxing rigid muscles and they smell lovely too.

As for your mouth being too sore for pain killers....I had patches for a while, which gradually go into the system. The ones I had [Fentynol] did make me feel rather woozy and drousy. Maybe your Dr could prescribe them.

Hope some of this makes you feel a bit more comfortable.

[mandyf]

Have you tried a soluabke painkiller through a straw (like panadol, solpadine or disprin). I find it helpsif you can let it sit on the mouth ulcers for a while it numbs them a bit. I used to have a bottle of water made up with solpadine and i would use it every few mins on the ulcer to give relief. I would swallow the mixture so it was also getting into my system. Just be sure you don't exceed the dosage. For some reason i also found garlic may and milkshakes helped. I really hope you get some relief. I've found for thd bloating the best thing for me is tweo buscopan tablets with a motilium tablet and a hot chocolate made on milk. No idea why the hot chocolate helps, it may be a comfort thing.

[suzannenmike]

Hello Moonflower,

Bless you, you are in a bit of a predicament.

Do you think the pain in your ribs is a condition called costochondritis? This is inflammation of the tissues, muscular and otherwise, surrounding the ribs. It is quite ordinary for anyone with an auto-immune disease such as BD to suffer with this, I have been told. My last attack was cleared up in a couple of weeks by a short sharp dose of steroids.

If you usually have trouble swallowing pain killers, ask your GP if he might prescribe fentanyl or another trans-dermal patch. They are usually very effective.

I hope you start to feel better soon, I can sympathise.

All the very best, Suzanne.

[Michja]

Hi Moonflower,

I haven't suffered this pain but my 11 year old daughter suffered from it badly over the past two years. Now on IV Infliximab and all other medicines it has calmed down. When she has a bad flare it can still happen. We find the best thing is sleep and rest. Let the body try and recover. I also put Epsom salts in her bath for her body.

Good luck Michelle