For the last few nights I have had sharp pain in my chest pretty much behind my left breast. It only happens when I lie down at night. Does anybody else have this? I do plan on seeing my doc but wondered if anyone had any insight. Thanks.
costocondritis - did i spell that right??? inflamation of the ribs, I THINK...dang it..............Liz can make better sense of my post......LOLgo to the doctor
Does it hurt when you touch the area??? Does it feel better if you change position???
Karen
You know, it could be indigestion too. Do you have heartburn, or GERD or anything? That's typically where mine comes from.Costcochondritis is very painful and uncomfy and hurts all the time not just when lying down. With that said...who knows I could be wrong lol. GERD like Katie said is a possibility too. Until you get into the doc try taking a couple of pepcids at night before you go to bed and see what happens. It could also just be good old RA inflammation too.
Keep us posted on what the doc says!
I get horrible inflammation in my breast bones; but you better check with your doc before oyu blow if off as that. It scared me at first; but I know what it is now.
If it is that; ice packs work good if you can stand them. It's a lot easier in the summer!!
I save those cold packs that come with medications like Humira and keep them in the fridge instead of the freezer.
Better go to the doctor to make sure its not a heart problem. It was inflammation in my case, but you never know. It seemed to me similiar to how people describe a heart attack.
Laker
Thanks everybody. I do have acid reflux and am on medication for that but this is totally different. It's a SHARP pain. It does hurt to touch the area and the pain does get better if I change positions. Will book doc appointment tomorrow and will let you know if anything comes of it. Again, thank you.Sounds like RA inflamation. I had it but thought i was Having a heart attack. My doc said the muscles between the rib cage and breast bones become inflamed.I was tested for heart problems but they were clear.Go see your doctor to make sureI have had pericarditis twice. About ten years ago before I was diagnosed with ra. Do you have any dizziness? It really hurt me when I tried to take deep breaths. I was treated both times with antibiotics. My doc at the time said it was really unusual to get it twice but he never did any other tests. I now have a new doc.
Let us know what it turns out to be.
I made an appointment to see family doc. Can't get in till next week. My rheumy is two hours away so that's not really an option. I was fine last night but will go to ER if necessary. I do have occasional dizziness but hadn't really associated it with the chest pain. It does get worse with deep breathing.
I will let you know if/when I get an answer from doc. Thanks to everyone.
Cathy~
How ya holding up? Feeling any better?
I was wondering the same thing, Lovie. How are you today, Cathy?CathyC - What did your doctor say? I've been having the same symptoms for a few weeks, but it's gotten better. I thought it might be pericarditis. Here's a description from mayclinic.com:
Pericarditis is a swelling and irritation of the pericardium, the thin sac-like membrane that surrounds your heart. This condition often causes chest pain and other signs and symptoms.
Pericarditis may be acute or chronic. The sharp chest pain associated with acute pericarditis occurs when the pericardium rubs against the heart's outer layer.
Also, under causes, it lists:
Other causes of pericarditis include:
I saw a nurse practictioner at my PCP's office and she was clueless, and I'm trying to get seen by my rheumy about it also.
Anyway, I'm curious as to what your doctor said was causing your pain.
Cindy
[QUOTE=CathyC]Thanks everybody. I do have acid reflux and am on medication for that but this is totally different. It's a SHARP pain. It does hurt to touch the area and the pain does get better if I change positions. Will book doc appointment tomorrow and will let you know if anything comes of it. Again, thank you.[/QUOTE]
Pericarditis usually feels better when you lean forward. I couldn't lie down when I had it.i had sharp chest pains for awhile they would only last a few seconds but it was enough to stop me and it seemed if i moved it was even stronger. my doctor told me that some people instead of getting heartburn they actually get a sharp pain. i have been taking medicine for acid reflux for a few weeks and havent had one sharp pain but i still feel like there is a swelling a couple inches away from that spot. Check with your doctor on heartburn and inflammation could be either one.Cathy,
Are you doing any better?