Pleurisy and Costochondritis

[finallyadx]

Hello fellow Sjoggies...so I have been having pain in my hest/rib case - like really bad pain, feeling short of breath for over a week.  I finally broke down and went the ER early on Friday morning when I felt I could not catch my breath easily and was diagnosed with pleurisy and costochondritis...

I was given an antibiotic, a prescription strength NSAID and a pain killer.  I have started the antibiotic and have been taking the prescription NSAID and at times I feel ok, but other times I am still in allot of pain and feel downright lousy.

This is my first bout with pleurisy or costo so I was just wondering if this is fairly normal?

Wouldn't you know that along with this misery, I am also having some parotid gland issues, ugh.

I have been helping to care for a sister who has cancer so I think it is all catching up with me. 

Any advice?  Has anyone used heat or cold packs with either of these illnesses and had it help?

Thank you to all.

[irish]

I have never had the pleurisy but I have had the costochondritis and that can be a bugger. It sort of wanes and ebbs. Lifting can most certainly make it worse. This affects the ribs and tissues between the ribs plus the sternum. I usually put some warm heat on my chest---not hot as hot is too much I believe. Just have to keep your doctor informed of how you are doing. Good luck. Irish

[Liz D.]

Yes,  I have had costo three or four times.  It can make you miserable! I feel for you.  I usually use warm instead of cold on it.  I use a heating pad.  It is comforting. Don't know if it actually helps though.

I definitely think it is common with Sjogrens.  I never had it before I was diagnosed.  It also sounds to me like you are having a flare on top of it with the gland swelling and feeling lousy.  The stress of knowing your sister is sick and your helping her can wreak havoc on your body.  Try to rest as much as you reasonably can.  Keep the NSAIDs going too until the inflammation around your ribs can calm down.

Hope you feel better soon and that your sister does well.

Liz D.

[cccourt1942]

Finally:  SO sorry I didn't see this message yesterday.  Costochondritis: THE single painful condition for me.  And the pleurisy:  The first time this condition found me in a physician's office, our school nurse pulled her car seats down..and laid me down to get me to our doctor's office.  I only wish I could remember what he did for me.  I was in late 40s.

At 50 or 51 I had breast reduction.  It's a brutal surgery--but glad I did it.  Afterwards I seemed to be plagued by pains along the bra line.  Wire under bras  were always uncomfortable..well the size I was THEY were uncomfortable...but I determined the pain I was suffering was from that surgery.  Then the day described above happened.  Pleurisy and rest was ordered. 

Fast forward about 20 years and the "pain" had somehow shifted from that bra line to lower left ribs...and encircled toward back.  I was dxed with the costo about 3 years ago.  Dr explained, gave me PREDNISONE..and at the time what I tht was a prednisone burst:  it was 10 or 15 mg for about 3 days, then 5 mg less, etc to zero.  I was moving so she gave me an extra amount to have in case it reoccurred before I was established with doctors in new place.  THAT was the ominous sign.  About 6 months later, indeed it reared its head again.  I took the prednisone.  Indeed you do believe you cannot breathe....indeed the ERs around where I live don't know what it is AND or DON'T treat with prednisone.  A year later I had my next severe attack..and that was my first ER visit.  I tried to tell them it was costo. They "hear" sternum, they say "chest".  The crash cart comes, and you say NO>>>it's costochondritis.  Thing is I didn't know you need a pain killer.  Eventually the heart problem was negated and a couple hours later the injection was given.  24 hours later, it reared its head again.  Back to the ER.  I had enough time tho to obtain a REAL prednisone burst:  30 or 40 mg per day @ 3, then down ten per 3 days till finished.   I live in Dallas, and have my profile for THAT ER filled in for treatment for costo yet carry an Rx for emergency fill from my doctor.  btw: with that RX I have a printout re: what costo is. 

The last time I had a spell was about 9 months ago in NYC.  In Mid-Town NYC hospital I presented myself along with my dx and THEY knew what it was.  Oh happy day!!  The lovely ER Dr. kindly informed me the pain caused high blood pressure they had to check my and the heart.  She apologized because she knew the pain costo brings on.  Anyway, got the shot, slept about 15 or 20 minutes, got up, walked out, hailed a taxi, went back to hotel--started the prednisone, and by the next evening, ready for the theater.  Miraculous. 

So pleurisy: back when I had that 1 attack, even my GP commented it was unusual to have one of that types of attacks.  That stuck with me.  Last summer when I had my next rheumy appt after the ER in NYC, I told her..and then asked about could costo be misdiagnosed as pleurisy.  She said she could see how easy that would be to happen.  Therefore: I guess my costo started in my late 40s...and pains after breast reduction had nothing to do with that surgery.  There is a costochondritis support group..and the MAIN focus is going without a bra.  I know you can't imagine that at your age, but by the time you're in your 70's, it's quite easy to imagine, do and live that way.  Or at least, I do.

Bless your heart.  I have had back pain for several months, seeing orthos now.  Was told by the hip/ortho I could have cortisone injection or prednisone.  I told him I was on LDP ...and he laughed saying what a prednisone burst was---and I kept quiet as I had such an Rx.  Had thought of using it during this back spell--but didn't cause the pain was nothing as painful as the costochondritis attack and want to be sure I keep it at hand for costo only.

btw: before the costo became somewhat regular, the sialadenitis (your parotid pains) was what I thought was the worst.  So you are suffering two of the worst SjS pains you can have.

Last: I have been told costo is "common" among SjS patients, but not exclusive to SjS.  I have never met anyone without SjS who has costo. 

Best of luck to you...I lie flat w' heating pad too!
ccc