I too have this type of pain/tightness in my upper/center of my left chest area. Pain level varies with and without activity. After reading these posts I guess it is the Lupus. I have had the tests in the past with no findings. I had always thought it was one of the many places of past injuries I deal with---maybe not though.
I have had the same thing as you and also had every heart test in the book but nothing was found.Sometimes i just have a light pain in my chest and at other times it feels like a band tighting around my rib cage.I have chalked it up to just another sympton
What you probably have is called costochondritis. It is very common in Lupus and other autoimmune disorders. I have it a lot. It is inflammation in the chest wall that surrounds your front and back. That’s why it hurts straight through. This also includes inflammation in the connective tissues in your ribs. Pain is worsened by movement like leaning forward, turning over in bed, inhaling and exhaling fully. If your pain is worsened when moving this is what you have. Pleurisy etc. pain is constant regardless of how you move. That’s how you can tell the difference. The best way to treat it is to have your doc increase your steroids by a mg or two for a few days and possibly your NSAID meds too. This is not fatal but it sure feels like it is. I also find a bit of relief by putting some mentholatum or vapor rub on my chest. As always see your doctor but know that costochondritis doesn’t show up on any x-rays etc. So many docs forget about it. Hope this helps a little. Feel better soon!
I'm not diagnosed ... but I definitely have this! It was the worst when I had pleurisy, but it still happens randomly. My recent chest x-ray came back normal. My inflammatory markers are all in normal range, but still, the chest pain. It's scary as hell! I've had some relief with heating pads. But I guess I'll just add this to the list of weird things to ask the rheumatologist this week. ((Gentle hugs!))
I can sooooo relate to what you are saying. I have had a big problem with this symptom or group of symptoms. It is not for the "weak" of heart. :)
This has been an overriding problem in my struggle with Lupus. They have diagnosed it as pleuritis/pericarditis even though there have been few tests to confirm it. It is a very insidious problem that reflects the swelling of the pleura (lining of the lungs) as well as the lining of the heart or pericardium. I have had multiple tests such as ct scans of chest as well as several echocardiagrams. I was examined by my rheumatologist as well as my cardiologist and they have both conferred that this extreme discomfort is due to pleurisy/pericarditis.
Treatment has included colcrys, prednisone, opiates, arthrotec and methotrexate. It has been a bear. They have slowly weaned me down to only a small dose of methotrexate and I am better. I still get the occasional tightness and pain going back to my shoulder blades but i use it as a sign that I need to get more rest.
This is not in your head. It is real and extremely painful to where you feel as if you are having a heart attack. Ask your rheumy about it and don't let it be ignored, either by yourself or your medical professional.
Keep me posted. I'd love to support you in this and have your support also.
My best,
Mimi