Tight chest T3+ T4 fractures

[Teriparatide2024]

I have T3 and T4 vertebrae fractures. Sometimes (like this afternoon) I feel tight chested. Could that be because of the fractures (and not a heart warning!)?

I am looking for others’ experience, not advice. Thank you.

[dcdream]

Heart issues and warning symptoms should never be ignored. Discuss with your doctor to make certain your heart is ok.

[Teriparatide2024 in reply to dcdream]

thank you. I know what you mean. - I may ask for an ECG…. But today it’s all better after sleeping on my side (as I do) but putting my arm on top of my side to help open the chest space. It’s made a big difference. I’ll discuss it all with the rheumatologist when I get to see him.. In the meantime, it’s one day at a time.

[dcdream in reply to Teriparatide2024]

My husband had similar experience and relief by lying like you did. Maybe you lifted something too heavy and injured yourself. Talking to your doctor will provide your options. Good luck with this.

[Sunseaandsand]

Hello Teraparatide 2024

Since 4 of my fractures continuing to crush further I have what you are experiencing.

In my case it is the Spine pushing into the chest which puts pressure on the rib cage.

However if you mention any kind of chest pain to a doctor or consultant then they would advice call an ambulance.

It really is a difficult situation to be in. The muscles and Ligaments are affected when we have fractures and everything can take some time to settle into place

I knew my heart was ok but obviously things can and do change. It is always best to be on the safe side and have things checked out

Perhaps for your own peace of mind you could make an appointment and be checked out by your GP.

It is impossible for me to lay on my back as the pressure from the kyphosis in my back gives unbearable pain in my chest. ( It has taken me from August last year up to a week ago to move from my side onto my back to try it) as being on my left side all the time has brought all kinds of other problems with it.

I can’t move from my left side onto my back then onto my right side and am unable to get onto or off the bed without my husband assisting me.

Once on the bed he then has to help move me inch by inch further into the middle.

Over the years and increase in the number of fractures things have changed immensely and thus we have found ways to adapt to enable me to be on a bed when the fractures have healed.

Take care and make the call to your GP.

[Teriparatide2024 in reply to Sunseaandsand]

thank you Sunseaandsand

what kind of other problems has continuously lying on your left side caused? My husband died a few years ago, so I’m on my own to manage all this!

I’m good at knowing my own body, and believe that the chest pain I had was due to the fractures. I did chest stretching exercises, and that helped. I don’t trust doctors very much, but if I thought it might be heart related I’d go for an ECG.

When my back is bad, to get out of bed, I roll onto my front and inch to the edge of the mattress, then manage to get upright….

it was really helpful to read what you wrote. Thank you.

[Teriparatide2024 in reply to Teriparatide2024]

PS: Have you had a radiologist confirm that the fractures you had subsequently crashed more?

[emersee in reply to Teriparatide2024]

I am curious. If you don't trust doctors, who do you expect will read your ECG? And then, heaven forbid, there is an abnormality on your ECG - who is going to prescribe effective treatment for you? And then, will you under the care of a nurse, or doctor. I am very interested in your reply.

[Sunseaandsand]

Thank you for your response to my answer I am glad it may have helped in some way.

1 am sorry to hear you are on your own, it must be extremely difficult for you without the support of your husband.

I am of a very low body weight 6st so do not have much in the way of natural padding!!

As my husband helps to move me over once on the bed I can not raise my head so as a result of dragging my head along the pillow ( even with satin pillowcases it is not easy) my hair gets pulled and pushed away from my scalp and my left ear is squashed and rubbed.

At the moment I am having to turn into the pillow more so my eye is also squashed and gets sore.

I have reverted an ear infection which it has been suggested could be a result of my laying on the ear.

My knees are skinny so my bones rub if not putting some sort of pillow between. We have tried everything from bought to homemade and are now thinking perhaps we could look for a very small infants pillow to try!! If they are two big and bulky I end up with more hip pain so it needs to be smaller but then we have the problem of it staying in place.

The side of my foot causes a bigger problem as without anything to protect it the pressure sores get really bad. It is a case of protecting it best we can but in doing so all of this causes me to have hip pain/ pelvic pain.

Hearing your way of getting off the bed when your back is bad reminds me of when my fractures began to increase in number.

It would take my husband and I over an hour to get me off the bed on my stomach, he would inch me a little at a time by pulling my nightie and once I got to the edge he would then try to get a brace around me before getting me to my feet 😩

That was when things were easier

I actually have 9 vertebral fractures, plus 4 of them have fractured further. Two in August last year and the other two in November and December.

The November/ December ones continued to fracture until the end of February.

Yes I had them confirmed by X-ray and a MRI.

We were told the percentages of the height loss in the Vertebrae.

How did your fractures occur and when ?? T3 and T4 are higher up and it is more usual for the lower ones to go first with Osteoporosis.

I have never had a fall or injury, and certainly do not want to be having any now!!

[wellness1 in reply to Sunseaandsand]

I'm sorry you have all these challenges to contend with. Regarding problems with your ear from side lying, have you tried a small pillow with a hole in it? There is one called The Original Pillow with a Hole, but if you search 'ear piercing pillow' on Amazon, you will find less expensive ones.

[Teriparatide2024 in reply to wellness1]

Hi Sunseaandsand

sounds like you really have been through it! Of course I don’t know how tall you are therefore your weight is a bit unknown in relation to height? Do you also suffer from anorexia? In the past, I have had anorexia and bulimia, and surely that can’t help with getting the right nutrients! a hysterectomy when I was 36, followed by HRT, so who knows…

What is your DEXA scan reading? I’m trying to get my head around so many fractures of the vertebrae.

[Sunseaandsand in reply to Teriparatide2024]

Well my BMI was 16 but now I have lost height it is 18!!

No I have not suffered with Anorexia in fact I have always had a really good appetite and mixed diet, never much for snacking but always three meals a day.

I used to be of a slim build and lucky to have a good figure but began to lose weight when I was on the treatments for Osteoporosis and with each fracture would lose more.

I never returned to my starting point.

My last Dexa Scan was 20 months ago and I was -5.8. I have been told it will be worse now ( they have never been able to explain why I lose bone so quickly)

[Sunseaandsand in reply to wellness1]

Oh thank you, I am going have a look and get one ordered quickly ☺️

[Sunseaandsand in reply to wellness1]

Thank you so much ☺️ my message to you went to Teraparatide 2024. We are definitely going to get one ordered.

[wellness1 in reply to Sunseaandsand]

I hope it helps.

I suppose you have tried a knee pillow? Slumbar make one, but there are other brands, including memory foam. Anything that can bring some relief and help with sleep is a godsend.