Rib pain turned out to be shingles!

rockchalkbride · April 2009

Just an FYI to you ladies, I was having horrible rib pain which the Dr. I saw Tuesday (not my regular Dr) said was just "normal" due to the uterus expanding upward, probably a strain of the rib muscles. I didn't agree since the pain was constant, did not change with position, and was only on one side. I also had a strange rash in the same area that he said was just "normal" also, since the skin is sensitive during pregnacy. (Since when is a rash normal?) The rash then appeared on the backside of my ribs on the same side of my body....and the pain worsened, so I called my OB and found out Friday it is shingles!

Not a lot I can do except take tylenol for the pain and wait it out. Just wanted to give you a heads up to not assume everything is "normal" aches and pains. (Oh and this was not my regular Dr that missed it the first time-I will NOT be seeing him again after all this run around!) If you think something is strange, then don't stop bugging the Dr. about it.

evenstar622 · April 2009

Wow, I'm sorry you have to go through that along with all the pains of pregnancy!!! I'm glad you got it diagnosed though. Thanks for the advice too! Good luck!

onelove13 · April 2009

Oh no! I'm sorry that you have to go through this! At least you were finally diagnosed correctly! I hope that it gets better fast

TennisWife815 · April 2009

Thanks for the PSA. Feel better! I'm sorry you're dealing with this in addition to baby.

mommy411 · April 2009

the rash ya dead give away..shingles isnt pretty

ChiOmegaGirl · April 2009

Uh oh...is shingles always accompanied by a rash? That might be a really stupid question, I feel like everything you wrote describes what has been going with me the last two days, except the skin doesn't appear any different. I'm actually shocked to look down and not see a huge black and blue mark - it hurts so badly!

rockchalkbride · April 2009

ChiOmegaGirl:
Uh oh...is shingles always accompanied by a rash? That might be a really stupid question, I feel like everything you wrote describes what has been going with me the last two days, except the skin doesn't appear any different. I'm actually shocked to look down and not see a huge black and blue mark - it hurts so badly!

The pain started a few days before the rash appeared. It was a very deep pain, constant aching that I couldn't really push on to make worse, but would be really sharp at times, like take your breath away sharp! Now the pain is more of a burning, irritating pain, along with a few sploches of rash around my rib from front to back.

Bride7-7-07 · April 2009

Oh, you poor thing! I don't wish shingles on my worst enemy. I had it a few years ago and it was beyond horrible. What really helped was putting an ice pack on the rash area with a fan blowing at the same time. I know it takes time, but it will get better. I wish you a speedy get well!