chest pain | Arthritis Information

Hi everyone from Durban, South Africa.
I have been having frequent chest pains - not in the lungs - but on the bone of my chest. I didn't think there were joints in my chest!
Anyone else have this?

thank you

Hi and welcome hiphop

To the best of my knowledge it is possible to have an inflamed sternum. I've
been having chest pains, but mine is from pleurisy.

Hope you feel better soon!I have an inflamed sternum, and it does get very uncomfortable, but you should inform your Dr., chest pain of any kind is nothing to mess around with. Take care....
PS...WELCOME TO THE BOARD

I agree with Staci,any chest pain needs to be looked into right away.

I have chest pain that is secondary to the pain in my right shoulder blade and ribs,Dr. says inflamation and put me on pred. which has helped.

Good luck to you and look forward to getting to know you more.
Sheila

HipHop~I have a horrible time with pain in those breast bones. It's caused by inflamation as a result of RA. It was very scary at first...but my RD confirmed what it was. Once we increased my medication it took case of it. Any time my medication wears off that's the first place I feel it.

Like the ladies said though; chest pain is a scary thing and can be very serious as well. Make sure to have it checked out just to be certain it's not something more serious.

If it is indeed just inflamation in your breast bones; try a cold pack on the area that's affected. I can't stand anything too cold...but a cold pack works wonders. Advil will also settle it down some.

Hope it eases up soon. I know all too well about that pain.

I went to the hospital with chest pain once after ra onset but before it was diagnosed. They never figured out what it was. Now I think it was ra. GO FIGURE.

My son and I have both had RA related Costochondritis which is inflamation of the sternum and connective tissue of the ribs. This may or may not be what you are experiencing. Best to let your MD know ASAP.

Here is a link you can check out:0)

http://arthritis.about.com/od/costochondritis/index_a.htm

feel better,

Pam

My son and I have both had RA related Costochondritis which is inflamation of the sternum and connective tissue of the ribs.

Pam...do you mind me asking how you find out about this? The first allert I got to my RA was an inflamed Sternum. The Dr. ordered a chest X-Ray, but looking at the results, I don't think they were looking at my Sternum, more the lungs. Is there a spacific test that needs to be done to diagnos it, and what do you do to treat it? Thanks in advance...Staci

Hi Staci,

I have had both pleuritis and Costochondritis. Pleuritis was many years ago and I had terrible pain when I would inhale also certain places the Dr would apply pressure would hurt terribly. the pain from the Pleuritis was all the way around the chest wall front and back. That was treated with Indocin (SP) may not even be used anymore as this was many years ago. The Costochondritis in both my son and I has been dx just through Office exam and symptoms. The pain is generally in the sternum and rib cage. Also we both complain of pain on inhale with this too. Treated with NSAID. My son since starting Ibuprofen therapy has had complete relief as far as this problem. Everyone is diffierent though. When he first complained we were told it was Asthma and he was put on 2 inhalers. I questioned the dx because he has never weazed....ever. They insisted it was Asthma. I discontinued the inhalers after a short time because there was no improvement. We got a new GP and he was diagnosed first apt. with JRA related Costochondritis.

Good luck to you, I hope this helps:0)

Pam

This sounds very familiar. I have been having those pains as well. It is usually a sharp, shooting pain right along that bone in the chest. It doesn't last for long but they did do x rays today of my chest as well so maybe this will give some insight when the results are read. I have nver heard of Costochondritis. I will definately have to check that out. Thanks for posting the link, Pam.
Copyright ArthritisInsight.com