NRAS Logo
Logged in as: pedro-pmc Search | Moderate | Active Topics | My Profile | Members | Logout

New Topic Post Reply
Chest and Back Pain Options
Manee
#1 Posted : Wednesday, April 25, 2012 9:29:21 AM Quote
Rank: Member

Groups: Registered

Joined: 7/6/2011
Posts: 11
Hi All

On Sunday I woke up with a tight feeling around my chest. I thought it was odd but still felt well enough to go swimming (just for 10 mins). Anyway, about an hour later my chest pains got much worse that I found it difficult to walk as each time I took a step I was practically immoblised with pain so had to stop. I went to the out of hours doc who told me to go straight to A&E. I was seen very quickly and was given the usual barrage of tests for heart disease (blood test, X-rays, ECG) and all came back as normal. Eventually, the A&E surgeon came to see me. Asked me a whole lot of questions about my RA and then proceeded to poke my ribs. I think his concern is that the RA was causing inflammation in my ribs and sterman. So I was given pain meds and steroids and told to rest for a couple of hours before being sent home. I had a further attack on Monday but I have felt much better since then though I do feel as though someone is poking me in the top of my back and the middle of my chest.

The A&E consultant suspects that it might be costochondritis or fibromyalgia but I would need need to go back to my rheummy/GP for further diagnosis. The GP can also refer me to the chest clinic to rule out any heart disease but all my risk factors are good at the moment. I have referred to Google and it does seem as though my pain comes from Costochondritis but I thought I would post here to see if any one has had any similar experiences. The A&E has increased my steroids and told me to take paracetamol in the meantime. If this is what it is then will it just go away by itself?

Thanks
Dorothy-W
#2 Posted : Wednesday, April 25, 2012 10:04:25 AM Quote
Rank: Advanced Member


Groups: Registered

Joined: 9/13/2010
Posts: 786
Location: east anglia
sorry cant help but must have been scary,hope you find out cause,dorothy
Rose-B
#3 Posted : Wednesday, April 25, 2012 1:46:20 PM Quote
Rank: Advanced Member


Groups: Registered

Joined: 4/20/2010
Posts: 1,749
Location: Somerset


Hello there.

Sounds you have been feeling really worried with those symptoms.

I was interested to see the A and E diagnosis. Over the past week I have had horrid sharp pains under
my left shoulder blade and the pain is so sharp it appears to travel through to my left chest, It like a compression.
So I went to GP last week he gave me thorough examination but did not come up with anything. It could be
inter costal muscle ! ! So is it RA ? I see specialist next week

So I was interested but sorry to hear of your pain as well.

Rose x
Sue10
#4 Posted : Wednesday, April 25, 2012 3:08:46 PM Quote
Rank: Advanced Member


Groups: Registered

Joined: 6/18/2010
Posts: 351
Location: Herne Bay Kent
Hi

I had a similar experience last year and the gp said it was chondiritus....apologies for the spelling.
I am pleased to say it cleared up and I have not had it again.
Hope your's soon goes.

Best Wishes

Sue
crazychick
#5 Posted : Wednesday, April 25, 2012 3:52:39 PM Quote
Rank: Advanced Member


Groups: Registered

Joined: 12/6/2009
Posts: 177
I have this pain too. I had it a few weeks ago and it went after about 10 days but is back again.

It is really uncomfortable and last time i kept on gasping for breathe with it.

Love Shirley x
Merielpb
#6 Posted : Wednesday, April 25, 2012 4:42:52 PM Quote
Rank: Advanced Member

Groups: Registered

Joined: 10/13/2011
Posts: 62
Location: Cirencester
Costochondritis (Tietze's syndrome) is inflammation of the costochondral (ribs and costal cartilage) junction. It causes pain and tenderness in a localised area within the region from the second to the fifth costochondral junction. Its main differential diagnosis is myocardial infarction / angina and it may account for 30% of presentations of acute chest pain. It is a self-limiting condition which is treated with anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).

LynW
#7 Posted : Wednesday, April 25, 2012 4:50:35 PM Quote
Rank: Advanced Member

Groups: Registered

Joined: 12/4/2009
Posts: 2,127
Location: Thornton Cleveleys
Hello!

It does sound from your description as though it may be costochondritis in which case the steroids should help settle it down. My daughter gets this and the pain can be quite bad at times. It's certainly worth discussing with your rheumatologist who should be able to give you a definitive diagnosis. I think the condition is regarded as one of many auto-immune diseases; it is inflammation of the cartilage that attaches the ribs to the sternum. It is often found accompanying diseases such as Rheumatoid and Lupus. Often it will disappear on its own but for some it can become a chronic condition.

Good luck, hope you feel better soon,

Lyn x
My son, Ian, completed the BUPA Great North Run on 15th September running for the National Rheumatoid Arthritis Society (NRAS). You can read his story at http://www.justgiving.com/ianlukewilson

Manee
#8 Posted : Saturday, April 28, 2012 4:04:50 PM Quote
Rank: Member

Groups: Registered

Joined: 7/6/2011
Posts: 11
Smile Hello Again


Thanks for your replies. I haven't managed to get hold of my Rheumatologist yet but I hope to book something in soon. I am pleased to say the pain went away during the week but then came back yesterday evening around bedtime. I found it very uncomfortable to get to sleep and ended up some paracemtamol. I am glad it is not my heart but I am guessing this might be something I am just going to have to live with. I am going to keep a diary to see if there is any pattern on when the pain comes on. Other than that I am just going to try to take it easy which does not seem to be too much of an effort given all the bad weather we have been having recently.

Have a lovely weekend.

Agnes x
Users browsing this topic
New Topic Post Reply
Forum Jump  
You can post new topics in this forum.
You can reply to topics in this forum.
You cannot delete your posts in this forum.
You can edit your posts in this forum.
You cannot create polls in this forum.
You cannot vote in polls in this forum.

SoClean Theme By Jaben Cargman (Tiny Gecko)
Powered by YAF 1.9.3 | YAF © 2003-2009, Yet Another Forum.NET
This page was generated in 0.151 seconds.