I have the good old lupus chest pain....Have had it for a long time. Went into a bad flare in July and still trying to get it under control. I started plaquinil 3 months ago. Can't seem to get below 7.5mg of prednisone. 10mg prednisone works a little better but dr wants me to try Imuran with the 7.5 prednisone instead of upping prednisone again. I take meloxicam, pepcid ac, ambien and tinzidine at night for sleep. I take headache medicine when I have the bad headaches. My blood pressure had gotten down to 88/48 for a while but it has come back up low normal for me. The chest pain used to feel like someone was sitting on my chest and then went to a sharp pain when I would take a deep breath in or let it out. It was hurting into my back but since I have gone from 5 to 7.5 mg it has seemed to help with the sharp pain. I have had ekgs, stress test and checked for ulcers,espohigus hernia, no digestive problems. My chest is mainly sore feeling now in between breast bone. Do have some pain in my right rib area off and on. Im nervous about taking the Imuran from the side effects it could produce. I have gotten much better since I started taking the meds with fatigue, and confusion. The pain in my feet and legs are a little better. Ive been trying to rest everyday and stay hydrated. I have bad days and ok days but NEVER NORMAL days anymore. Really on the fence about adding yet another medicine. Any input would be appreciated....Thanks
acupuncture has helped with my pain management tremendously, but I am new to the process and my pain is in the back knees and hip. However if the pain is caused by muscle or joints in the chest and surrounding area I dont see what it can hurt. And sometimes it is even covered by insurance YAY!
Sorry you not well with your chest and ribs and your on a fare bit of meds to help you.
Knick Lupus can expand our organs which i've found out and lupus causes swelling with them and if your ribs are aching as your reumo or GP for an x-ray because if you have Spondylitis at all you can get theat in the ribs as it's painful....it could also be due to the pressure put onto the nerves in the spine due to cervical spondylosis which i have and it does hurt my ribs and the gastro surgeon also confirmed it.
It's worth getting checked out than keep suffering...Hugs Terri xxx
I also was having the same symptoms. I had blood checked and CT scan to rule out blood clot, since I am at risk for those. Finally after meeting with my Internal Med Dr he figured it was fibromyalgia and started me on Elavil and flexeril. For the first time I have pain relief in my chest, back and neck area. I really hope they figure out what it is. I know pluerisy can also cause chest,rib pain. That one will hurt when taking a deep breath. Hang in there:)
Quite correct on everything you've stated and have they confirmed to you that you have Antiphospholipid syndrome also known as Hughes syndrome as i've got it through DVT and i'm now taking baby asprin of 75mg but pleurisy alone is a pure nightmare and the pain it gives off is terrible.
Hugs Terri xxx
Jusme said:
I also was having the same symptoms. I had blood checked and CT scan to rule out blood clot, since I am at risk for those. Finally after meeting with my Internal Med Dr he figured it was fibromyalgia and started me on Elavil and flexeril. For the first time I have pain relief in my chest, back and neck area. I really hope they figure out what it is. I know pluerisy can also cause chest,rib pain. That one will hurt when taking a deep breath. Hang in there:)
Terri, yes I tested positive for that. I take 81mg asprin. I wish I would have known sooner. It explains why I couldn’t carry a baby full term. I am blessed that I have children though. It is so nice to find a group of people who know what it’s like to live with Lupus.
Well once you have hughes syndrome they still have to keep checking your bloods to make double sure...it's not just hughes syndrome which could have caused you to have a child full term, as lupus prevents a woman having a child, as i've never been blessed besides miscarriages, the disease cause so many issues for we but at lest you have children and that's a god send.
Thank you for the complement to us all...as we do know what it cause but it's great when you know there's a 2nd family out there for you in times of desperation also.
Do takecare and all my love Terri xxx
Jusme said:
Terri, yes I tested positive for that. I take 81mg asprin. I wish I would have known sooner. It explains why I couldn't carry a baby full term. I am blessed that I have children though. It is so nice to find a group of people who know what it's like to live with Lupus.