is this pleurisy???

[tcronrath]

Hi to all. I have had discomfort near my rib cage, espcially on the bottom. It was moving around for awhile, but has settled in the left front part the last few days. It hurts to lay on it and turning over is tough. Not too much pain when breathing in, just some. If I move a certain way it kills and touching it is painful. I just wondered if any of you have experienced this and should I make a special trip to see my rheummy?

Thanks,

Tammy

[olmphoto2]

Hi Tammy...I'm sorry you are having this difficulty.
Here is a Wiki link on pleurisy:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pleurisy
Pleuritic pain is usually quite sharp on inhalation but pleurisy symptoms can vary.
Could you have pulled a muscle in the area?  MyoFlex brand of topical analgesic helps me greatly when I have that problem.  It's a non-greasy white cream.
A rheummy likey wouldn't be my first choice to address this problem...an internist, or G.P....whoever your regular doc is.  A convenient care clinic or ER might be your only choice because of the holiday closings if you think you have an infection and it is getting worse.
I'll be keeping the good thoughts for you.

[olmphoto2]

P.S.  Myoflex is available at many pharmacies.  Just call ahead if you are considering purchasing it.

[Fairykissez]

Sounds like costocondritis, I have that too. My ribs alway hurt. I use ice and it helps a lot.

[Scottietottie]

Hi 

I've only had pleurisy once and it was excruciatingly painful and really frightening. Even shallow breathing hurt and a deep breath was just impossible. Pleurisy hurts on the inside. Costochondritis is the connective tissue round the rib cage getting inflamed. It can be pretty painful but pleurisy is something else.

Take care - Scottie 

[jazzlover]

Hi 

I've only had pleurisy once and it was excruciatingly painful and really frightening. Even shallow breathing hurt and a deep breath was just impossible. Pleurisy hurts on the inside. Costochondritis is the connective tissue round the rib cage getting inflamed. It can be pretty painful but pleurisy is something else.

Take care - Scottie 

-
I agree with Scottie. I've had pleurisy too and what you posted sounds more like costochondritis. (costrochondritis??)

[bloodless]

I had pluerisy once. Oddly, I was pain free. I just didn't get enough oxygen. Maybe it was the lack of pain that led them to believe it was pulmonary hypertension. Anyway, my pulmonologist diagnosed it as pleurisy and I was oxygen for about a year. You need to make an appointment with your primary care giver. You just can't ever tell.

[mshistory]

I have pleurisy, and for me, it is pain in the center of my chest that often radiates out behind the breasts, usually on the left and up into my left shoulder. Taking a deep breath makes the sharp pain worse, and also makes me cough. The pain level isn't constant. Sometimes it's not too bad, but sometimes it's pretty intense.

[sunkissed64]

I have costochondritis (sp?) and when I do have it I feel like I'm having someone hug me way too tight. Luckily I've only had it hurt so bad once to put me out of commission. You remember being a kid and participating in track and field day at school and you got a bad stitch in your side? That's kind of how it can feel like too. I don't do well with bending over either the discomfort is just too much.

Today? I'm left to wonder if sjogrens messes with the lining of my stomach and or intestines and I have to just laugh about having what we used to call in the 80s 'the squirts.' UGH I've never had stomach aches/upset stomach this much that has me going to the bathroom like 8 times a day. Thanksgiving knocked me out since me being the caregiver and head cook for my entire family toiled over making the whole meal again. I can do it in my sleep after just under 30 years of preparing the turkey day meal. Just wish I had the body of an 18 year old and their energy level again.