Parsonage Turner Syndrome

Aka brachial neuritis. Anyone else have this? I was just standing at work with no lifting etc and got a sudden severe sharp pain on upper right chest above breast under collar bone and into right shoulder/arm. At first I’m thinking it is the pleurisy or pericarditis but this is different. (However, did have pretty bad pleurisy again a few weeks ago). When I looked it up this parsonage Turner syndrome comes up and is often linked to autoimmune and/or lupus. Still have that awful sharp pain. Thank goodness I have a rheumie appt this coming week.

I didn’t know it had a name. I know with me the lining around my heart is thinning so that causes pain when my blood pressure gets to high. I also was diagnosed with a heart valve defect after i found out abou the lupus so I don’t know if its cause and effect or just another symptom of the lupus.

Ive never heard of that particular illness but I know that Ive had inflammation around the lining of my heart and lungs. I have also gotten a really bad pain felt like a heart attack but it was the barretts esophagus. I hpe your rheumy helps you get through this. You may have to get on prednisone to take care of it. hope you feel better soon.

I actually have an appt with rheum on Tues. Will see what he says. My pericarditis was lower and closer to my actual heart. That still flares up, but since I got my medical degree from “Google University”, I will let you know what the real professional had to say.

Thank you for posting about this. I have had pain in the exact same area for the past few days. I assumed it had something to do with either my collarbone or cervical discs. It doesn’t help that I’ve been trying to pass a kidney stone the past few days. The funny thing is that I have a hot rice bag on my shoulder while I’m typing this…lol Please let us know what your rheumy says. Thank you and gentle hugs to you. Annemarie

Glad I read these postings. I have had similar pain except it is under my breast and wraps around both sides of my chest and into my back. My rheumy said it's probably just another one of those "annoying" Lupus symptoms. As I have had xrays, ultra sounds, MRI's, etc.,etc. for this and other various aches and pains, I just accept it. I love Annemarie's comment about the hot rice bag:)

I alternate between hot and cold. Some nights I have a soft ice bag on my neck for a migraine, heat on my chest for whatever that pain is, another ice bag on my left knee.....lol......I have run out of heat and ice packs. After years of doing well on Lupus, and being able to continue my life with few interruptions due to the Lupus, I had a major flair about three years ago and life has never been the same. No point going into all the ailments....you all probably have had them or are having them right now....I am blessed in having a loving and understanding husband. I feel so badly for those of you who have to suffer thru this without support. Please try and find a support group....besides this wonderful site:).....close to where you live and/or a friend with whom you can share stories and some laughs. Find some movies, books, DVD's, etc., that make you laugh. I hope you all can face the future with a smile....or at least a grin.....even on those really horrible days we all have. May God be with you and grant you strength.

I thought I had responded but must not have hit “reply”.
Anyway my rheumie listened to my chest and says it is pleurisy. I asked how it could be pleurisy? It feels so different from my usual where the pain is lower and not so high up but he said if the upper part of your lung is inflamed the pain can be referred to upper chest, collar bone and even shoulder and sometimes arm. The pain just started so instantaneously out of the blue though. So strange. (Guess I’ll know soon because the parsonage turner causes pretty dramatic muscle weakness.) So far I just have pain and worse fatigue which is worse with deep breath.
On another note he also took an xray of my swollen hand/thumb. Of course there is arthritis, bone spurs and a partially dislocated thumb. He thinks this is just OA and not lupus related. Oh well it’s always something!