Chest and Upper Back Pain

[tenaj46]

Happy Holidays Everyone. Just a quick question for those with more experience than I have. I was diagnosed with COPD and Bronchiectasis earlier this year, both mild and I have no symptoms except low oxygen levels when I sleep, the problem for the last 3 to 4 weeks has been pains on both sides of my chest about 4'' below my collar bone, and this w/e it's in my upper back between my shoulder blades. I feel fine in every other way. Don't want to leave it and end up in A&E over the holidays but neither do I want to trouble the GP. Does anyone know what it may be?

[corriena]

Hi i would see your gp as it may be an infection. Hope you are pain free soon

[tenaj46 in reply to corriena]

Thank you, will contact them today.

[Shancock]

It does also sound like some reflux maybe, as that can be in that part of the chest and almost always between the shoulders too. Check with GP, is it constant or worse just after you've eaten and at night? If so that's pretty classic for heartburn/reflux. Nexium would perhaps help.

[tenaj46 in reply to Shancock]

Thank you for the reply. It's not a constant pain and not particularly after I eat, it seems to be when I'm bodily tired like after I've been shopping in town or done a whole lot of vacuuming. I made an appointment today with the GP but it's not 'til late Thurs.

[Sammie1944 in reply to tenaj46]

I'm the same way if I've been on my feet to long like cleaning or shopping

[jackdup]

Are you using an inhaler and if so which one?

[tenaj46 in reply to jackdup]

Hello, thank you for replying. I have salbutamol but rarely find I need to use it. I do use the Anoro Ellipta every morning. Is there a problem with some of them?

[jackdup in reply to tenaj46]

There have been a few people on here experiencing similar issues. I have a pain that often starts just behind my right shoulder blade and eventually travels across my back and around to my chest. While it starts out as pain it often ends up more as a burning sensation and is very uncomfortable. I originally started having heartburn/reflux up the centre of my chest and was prescribed a PPI which solved that problem but then after reading a bit about PPIs I was apprehensive about taking it at least longer term and shortly after someone posted about the same issues as I was having and that it as being caused by Inspiolto, which was the inhaler I was taking. I stopped taking the PPI and the inhaler for a few days and the problem was gone so started the Inspiolto again and the problem was back only worse with the pain and burning sensation described above. I discussed the issue with my doctor so he prescribed Anoro hoping that would solve the problem and I could stop taking the PPI. A couple of days ago I stopped the PPI but the pain was back and have started taking the PPI again. I still get a mild burning/pain but am now in a quandary as to what to do so I don't have to take a PPI long term.

[tenaj46 in reply to jackdup]

I too have been down the route of PPI so I could take ibuprofen for the pain associated with fibromyalgia and I'm starting to think that it's the fibro that's causing the pain. Most people including GPs don't have a clue what it's like having to choose between which pills to take for the most pressing issue of the day. Take care and thank you for your help.

[jackdup in reply to tenaj46]

I agree

[Sjf129903]

Maybe lungs adjusting to the cooler weather

[tenaj46]

Thank you. Never thought about the weather having an effect but I do breath in through my nose when out walking, perhaps I should cover my mouth as well.