Does anyone have problems with chest pain when they are experiencing a flare up? I've mentioned to my Rheumy but she didn't seem concerned. I was wondering if it's a common symptom
8/ 1/08 10:26am
Holy Schmoly! THANK YOU!!!! I have had this off an on for YEARS!! Complete with the occasional, expensive and ultimately unproductive trips to the emergency room! I thought I had this chalked up to asthma, which I also have, but it still never sat totally square with me. Allergist kept saying the pain must feel like "heaviness when you inhale". I'm finally like, well no but ok cuz that's the closest thing I've found to an explanation. But really? Really truly? It's a total sharp pain like something grabs you out of nowhere and it completely stops you in your tracks. It's like you don't even want to move or breath cuz it hurts so bad. Is that what you guys experience? It even makes me holler out sometimes, scaring the crap out of the cats not to mention the kids. I've had same response from Rheumy too. He's like, "Really? Huh." Then moves on. It's just frustrating cuz it HAS to be something. I'm not making it up!
7/31/08 11:52pm
Yes, it is common in RA and Fibromyalgia. It is called Costochondritis and is TERRIBLE. I have it too, and it can sometimes be more painful than any of my RA and other Fibro symptoms. It is inflamation in the tissue of your rib cage by your heart. It is not dangerous and it is just "superficial" pain. I have found that a warm heating pad on my chest helps as well as a hot bath.
Hope you feel better soon.
8/ 7/08 12:46pm
You say chest pain? But is it near the breast bone? If so....Ive had this for yrs to, The doctors thought id started suffering with panic attacks, Which isnt me at all....So ive learnt to live with this symptom for around four yrs now....Im wondering wether its medication related?
Rachel xxx
1/11/09 5:42am
YES, and it is agony. I had extended pain from several crushed discs in my spine due to an accident, and there are times when this chest pain is almost that intense. Heat alleviates the pain to some degree for me, taking 600 mg. of Ibuprofen in addition to my Arthrotec 75 helps, as does taking Paramecetol. (These are not recommendations to follow without asking your doctor!) I have found this helps, often considerably, but, of course, it doesn't prevent the pain from returning. The symptom is one of the more extreme manifestions of RA, and, fortunately, many RA sufferers do not get it.
Your doctor, like mine, has heard this all before and it is part of the big picuture of RA. Remember, regardless of New Age silliness, no ones feel your pain but you - no one lives in your body but you. If your doctor fails to focus on the quality of your life, I would - and I have - look for another physician.
6/14/09 5:44am
I know this is an old thread so I'm not sure if anyone will read, but:
I too have been experiencing hideous chest pains. Sometimes it will be short (as in, a few minutes short) and more recently, I've had two separate instances of prolonged pain over a week. The first was on my right side, and currently is on my left (although it's clearing up now, and I will be going for a bone scan tomorrow). I do not have a clear diagnosis from my rheumatologist at this stage, although given my family history and current symptoms I believe that I am developing RA, and I have a strong feeling this is related to the RA.
6/24/09 8:32am
Yes, it could be Costochondritis. I use DMSO, pharmaceutical grade, on my chest and it disappears completley.
2/11/10 11:47am
Thanks for all the answers everyone! I'm having the pains again today, radiating into my left shoulder. I think I'm having a minor flare up that's been affected by the awful cold weather we've been having lately. But I'm definitely going to bring this topic up again at my next Rheumy appt.
2/11/10 1:39pm
Ya I've been diagnosed with some Gerd, Gastritis and that H.Pylori. Just started a triple antibiotic prescription. We'll see if helps. I had chest pains but alwo some upper stomach burning too. Dr not sure it how much it will help with the chest pains but we'll see. Then he wants to do a stress test even though the EKG results were fine. I just wonder if i could have Fibromyalgia as sometimes the pain shoots to my back. Anyway good luck to everyone! keep us posted.
7/ 6/10 5:16am
Ive been having this chest pain for over a year now, off and on, but more intense in recent months. After the emergency room, stress tests, and getting referred to just about every doctor imaginable, I finally realized my Rheumatologist might be the right one to see me for this pain that has me concerned. I was diagnosed with RA at the age of 3 months old, and recently turned 50. I have managed the RA very well over the years but never experienced the chest paiin until about age 49. Tonight, I woke up and the chest pain has radiated up in to my left shoulder. I have an appointment to see my Rheumatologist in 2 more weeks to see if we can get to the bottom of this ongoing and persistant discomfort in my chest.
3/24/12 12:47pm
can you apply dmso cream over your heart?
11/14/10 10:51am
I was just recently diagnosed with RA & have this horrible chest pain that runs across the top of my chest above both breasts from left to right. It's almost like a constant ache/really sore muscle but I can apply pressure on my breastbone and it is really painful like my bones are super sore. It hurts when I cough, take a deep breath or do anything that gives motion to that area. Does anyone feel like this???
11/24/10 11:43am
I feel the same chest pain as you! I was diagnosed 2 years ago with RA. I haven't taken any meds since the beginning of this year. I went to my PCP with the chest pain and she said she thought it could be related to my RA so she gave me some meds for it. I started taking them and they made me feel so sick, I stopped. I now need to go back and see her or my RA doctor. I do know what you feel though. As I am sitting her I am my chest feels so heavy and the pain is up into my shoulders. It is an achey kind of pain and motion makes it worse! Deborah
12/26/10 2:12pm
I've been wondering the same thing. I've had pain to my chest wall.
8/ 8/11 1:53am
I was in the hospital for 3 das last month,Doctors thought it was my heart.As it turns out it was not my heart it was a Rheumatoid flare up.My Doctor Cardiologist said my chest pain is due the the Arthitis.The pain had and still do is underneath my left breast.Heart pain is in the middle.......Good luck
3/24/12 4:25pm
Yes I have had the chest pains but not as severe as everyone else.
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Saw the DMSO pharmaceutical grade on Amazon, but it says for lab use only. I'm confused. What do you get? A rub on gel? Where do you get it? Thanks. Bill.