sternum fracture | Arthritis Information

4 days ago I caught a small cylinder of washing powder from laundry shelf...BANG I felt as if a brick had been dropped from a great height on my chest.
X ray confirmed a non displaced sternum fracture... I rang my Rheumy and he has upped Tramadol etc .. the pain is horrible... I see him next week so might know more , like how long , does it heal etc.

Can anyone help with info.. I am assuming its osteoporosis. I am still on 5mg Pred..
I will copy this and post on the other boards.
oh my gosh....... that sounds horrible... Never heard of such a thing happening.

I hope it heals quickly and causes you no more discomfort!!

OUCH! Sorry for the pain. I broke my ribs 2 diffrent times, almost a year apart to the day. It was zero fun. It took me about 6 weeks to heal. I have no idea how long it will take a sternum to heal.

I slept in my daughters bed at night. She had a twin size bed and it was along the wall, my husband put the those long body pillows along the wall and I was able to sit on the edge of the bed and sort of just lay down with the support of the pillows along my back, it was easier to get in and out, I didnt have much room to spread out, but I couldnt get comfortable any other way and the support really helped, I am sure laying down is the worst. I feel for you, I also remember being aware of every breath. It helped to hold pillows to my chest when I sat..I had them tucked everywhere around me . Good luck.

lisa

Lyn, I'm so sorry! I hope its not osteo, have you had a bone density run lately? I've never had anything happen like this but I do know somewhat how it feels after having heart surgery. Do be careful of lifting anything at all and especially anything over head; or rather, don't lift anything! I did like Lisa and slept either on my back or propped at an angle with a body pillow. It took me a full three months to heal, but that was different circumstances. I found button up the front shirts were easier to deal with (less painful to put on) than pull overs! Also, try doing things using one hand or the other rather than both at the same time.

Please let us know how you are and no more laundry! Good grief, Lyn.....sounds so painful. You might want to ring your primary doctor and get a stronger pain medication. Most likely your RD won't prescribe anything stronger than Tramadol and I don't think it will touch this pain. Waddie gave you some good advice about lifting. I sure hope you get some relief. Lindy LinB2010-05-01 18:39:02Thank you so much for your understanding and advice.
Our bed is now like a pillow stair-case (numerous pillows stacked up and I have on PJ's button up the front, a Raised toilet seat and an electric lift chair.. my wonderful family have got me organised!!!(( if only one of them would wipe my bottom )))
I am seeing my primary care Dr tomorrow, Monday here. He was away last week and I got the result from the duty Dr. then its my Rheumy on Wednesday. I am not looking forward to getting dressed and the short car trip.. just being a bit sorry for myself today...
I have had 2 once a year infusion of Aclasta / Zometa/ Reclast .. all names for Zolendronic Acid, in Dec 08 and Dec 09. These are for people who have had a osteoporosis fracture and cannot tolerate the other meds. I have an oseophageal ulcer from taking NAIDS for 13 years. I take 40 mg Nexium for this.
The T10 fracture was in late 2008 and as I had not had another fracture I was confident the Aclasta was working!!
Thanks again for your kindness, it really helps x

Lyn, just wanted you to know I am thinking of ya. I hope this heals quick. Take care of you and I will be praying. So sorry about your troubles. Question does 5mg of pred help with the swelling?

I took prednisone for two and a half years. I take Lryica now and that helps with the pain. It helps with the muscle spasms also. I am so much better off. That is how it works for me. My opinion is all.

At least I do not hyperventalate from pain being so bad that I can not handle it.

It is so hard to get off of prednisone. I know that for a fact. Also the Lyrica does not work imediately. Certainly one may want to look in to it if the prednisone is causing health problems.

I know some people have to take it because of adrenal problems and they not have a choice.

When I made the change I got shots in my toes first. The shots do not last very long but they helped until the Lryica kicked in. My feet toes and ankles are my worst places. Then the shoulders elbows and the list goes on.

well Lryica has some side effects of course so does the prednisone. I think I have less side effects from the Lryica. My brain had to get used to it. Then well everything is hunky dory now. I have been on it about three and a half months.

I hope things get better for you. Keep us posted.

Also I had been wanting to wish you well. Everytime I started to post on this thread someone would interupt me. So I have been thinking about you.