Stomach aches (was Wheezy class)

[Guest guest]

This is very true . Depending on the level and intensity of the

asthma attack, some people end up using their accessory muscles as well.

Some are located around the diaphragm, and some around the lungs in the

chest wall. (Intercostal muscles) You can have pains from a burning

sensation or mild cramping all the way to stabbing sensations during and for

many days surrounding a severe attack as these muscles go through the

changes of swelling and cramping.

Since we do not use these muscles at the intensity that they work during

severe attacks, inflammation can occur, and as we take solu-medrol or other

steroids to decrease that inflammation, sometimes rapid cramping happens,

causing stabbing sensations. I've had all of the above happen to me at one

time or another.

The burning sensation occurs as with any muscle that you use suddenly given

an intense workout. Muscles secrete lactic acid when worked hard, which

causes a burning sensation. It's unpleasant to be sure. I remember it well

from not only asthma attacks, but from my former days as an athlete. I don

t miss the days of sore legs from track workouts!

Usually there is a progression for the use of these muscles, as you breathe,

you use your diaphragm. As that begins to tire, you will need your

accessory muscles attatched to it. If the attack persists, eventually, you

will begin using your intercostal muscles. By the time those weaken, you

will be in full respiratory arrest. Not a pleasant thought, but that is the

progression as my doctor has explained it to me in full detail. Hopefully a

person has sought medical attention before the intercostal muscles are

needed, and has been intubated before they would ever give out.

So, always, if you feel any discomfort, and feel that you may be using any

of your accessory muscles during an asthma attack, don't wait for it to

break on it's own, take it as a sign that you need to call 911. This

information has saved my life. That stomach ache is there for a reason, it

s a red flag and a big warning sign for you to follow!

Your doctor can help you figure out a plan for the discomfort that follows

an attack!

Breathe easier!

~

-------Original Message-------

From: brown_with_blue

Date: 01/05/07 15:45:07

Subject: [ ] Re: Wheezy Class

I have had the stomach aches with my asthma also, mine is not gerd

induced though. my doctors have always said that it is from your

stomach muscles helping to push your diaphragm up and down as you get

more tired during/after a bad attack. It makes sense to me as it

always feels like I've just done about 500 crunches.

rebecca

[Guest guest]

,

Thank you so much!

This was a great post, information all asthmatics should have. And I sure

didn't. Thank you so much for putting it so clearly, the progression, so I

can know what to do.

For me, I've not had hospitalizations or 911 calls, but I've had some very

bad coughing attacks, seeing " stars " and residual intercostal muscle pain

afterwards. I hope I never do need 911 but at least now I'll feel more

confident that I will know my symptoms well enough to do the right thing if

I ever do need emergency help. Thanks again!

And further on the intercostal pain, I had a stabbing pain there on my side

that lasted about 4-6 weeks that was absolutely excruciating every time I

coughed. So much so that I would have to hold that area steady with my

hands to " cradle " and support the rib cage and blunt the pain caused when

coughing just a bit. Doc said it was a rip in the intercostal muscle. That

was this past year and the worst I've experienced. It was really awful and I

hope I never have that again.

Leena

> replied:

> This is very true . Depending on the level and intensity of the

> asthma attack, some people end up using their accessory muscles as well.

> Some are located around the diaphragm, and some around the lungs in the

> chest wall. (Intercostal muscles) You can have pains from a burning

> sensation or mild cramping all the way to stabbing sensations during and

> for

> many days surrounding a severe attack as these muscles go through the

> changes of swelling and cramping.

>

> Since we do not use these muscles at the intensity that they work during

> severe attacks, inflammation can occur, and as we take solu-medrol or

> other

> steroids to decrease that inflammation, sometimes rapid cramping happens,

> causing stabbing sensations. ....................

> Usually there is a progression for the use of these muscles, as you

> breathe,

> you use your diaphragm. As that begins to tire, you will need your

> accessory muscles attatched to it. If the attack persists, eventually, you

> will begin using your intercostal muscles. By the time those weaken, you

> will be in full respiratory arrest. Not a pleasant thought, but that is

> the

> progression as my doctor has explained it to me in full detail. Hopefully

> a

> person has sought medical attention before the intercostal muscles are

> needed, and has been intubated before they would ever give out.

>

> So, always, if you feel any discomfort, and feel that you may be using any

> of your accessory muscles during an asthma attack, don't wait for it to

> break on it's own, take it as a sign that you need to call 911. This

> information has saved my life. That stomach ache is there for a reason, it

> s a red flag and a big warning sign for you to follow!

>

> Breathe easier!

> ~

>

[Guest guest]

I agree - this is very helpful information. I don't get stomach

aches, but I do get back aches and of course my rib cage hurts when I

cough a lot.

I also get a lot of swelling in the back of my neck and the tops of

my shoulders when my sinuses get really inflamed. I always suspected

the inflammation just continued to these areas but it was confirmed

by xray the last time I had a really bad sinus episode.

It is important to remember that, when we are having our asthmatic

episodes, our whole body is WORKING to move air. The last time I had

a severe asthma episode, my blood pressure was through the roof by

the time I got to the pulmo's office. The CNA who took my bp was so

scared for me she immediately told the head nurse who said, " well, no

wonder, her blood's having to work harder to get oxygen to her body

since her lungs can't do it. "

Take care, all of you,

Addy

Group co-owner

Make sure to discuss any changes in your treatment plan with your

doctor.

>

> This is very true . Depending on the level and intensity of

the

> asthma attack, some people end up using their accessory muscles as

well.

> Some are located around the diaphragm, and some around the lungs in

the

> chest wall. (Intercostal muscles) You can have pains from a burning

> sensation or mild cramping all the way to stabbing sensations

during and for

> many days surrounding a severe attack as these muscles go through

the

> changes of swelling and cramping.

>

> Since we do not use these muscles at the intensity that they work

during

> severe attacks, inflammation can occur, and as we take solu-medrol

or other

> steroids to decrease that inflammation, sometimes rapid cramping

happens,

> causing stabbing sensations. I've had all of the above happen to

me at one

> time or another.

>

> The burning sensation occurs as with any muscle that you use

suddenly given

> an intense workout. Muscles secrete lactic acid when worked hard,

which

> causes a burning sensation. It's unpleasant to be sure. I

remember it well

> from not only asthma attacks, but from my former days as an

athlete. I don

> t miss the days of sore legs from track workouts!

>

> Usually there is a progression for the use of these muscles, as you

breathe,

> you use your diaphragm. As that begins to tire, you will need your

> accessory muscles attatched to it. If the attack persists,

eventually, you

> will begin using your intercostal muscles. By the time those

weaken, you

> will be in full respiratory arrest. Not a pleasant thought, but

that is the

> progression as my doctor has explained it to me in full detail.

Hopefully a

> person has sought medical attention before the intercostal muscles

are

> needed, and has been intubated before they would ever give out.

>

> So, always, if you feel any discomfort, and feel that you may be

using any

> of your accessory muscles during an asthma attack, don't wait for

it to

> break on it's own, take it as a sign that you need to call 911.

This

> information has saved my life. That stomach ache is there for a

reason, it

> s a red flag and a big warning sign for you to follow!

>

> Your doctor can help you figure out a plan for the discomfort that

follows

> an attack!

>

> Breathe easier!

> ~

> -------Original Message-------

>

> From: brown_with_blue

> Date: 01/05/07 15:45:07

>

> Subject: [ ] Re: Wheezy Class

>

> I have had the stomach aches with my asthma also, mine is not gerd

> induced though. my doctors have always said that it is from your

> stomach muscles helping to push your diaphragm up and down as you

get

> more tired during/after a bad attack. It makes sense to me as it

> always feels like I've just done about 500 crunches.

>

> rebecca

>

>