Hi just wondered if anyone else has acute pain or cramps in your upper body I have copd asthma and emphysema and when I laugh or cough.

[ajameb]

hi new to healthunlocked go by the name of ajame would love to hear from anyone else thanks.

[Puffthemagicdragon]

Hello and welcome ajame.I'm just saying hi. I have COPD but don't get and of your symptoms so sorry I can't help.

[papageno]

I suffer from other respiratory diseases [bronchiectasis and aspergilloma] and have experienced some very acute upper body pains. In my case, an osteopath diagnosed the pains as being caused by misuse of chest ancillary muscles. Because breathing is very difficult, I think it is very common to use wrong muscles and create chronic muscular pain. Osteopathic manipulations very a fantastic help in my case, but I also have to do specific exercises at home.

[Sylvsmum]

Hi, I agree with papageno (an opera fan?) that it is probably muscular. We use the wrong muscles a lot when our breathing is pretty much out of control - especially when laughing or coughing. Get some advice on breathing using various muscles, from your practise asthma nurse perhaps??

[Shirleyj]

I have cramps in my chest, don't know what causes them, but I have asthma and bronchi ecstasies, if I just relax and breath slowly, they do go away. I haven't had the pain for a while now, but it is very uncomfortable.

[ajameb]

Thanks to everyone who answered its much appreciated.

[Preshous]

A little while back I had Costochondritis and boy was that painful I really struggled for breath. This sounds similar to what you are experiencing but please go to your DR ASAP.

[Hidden]

Hi ajameb

I have been getting very painful pains in my chest that seem to start from middle back then creeps up to front, neck and jaw, this started in 2002.

The only thing that works for me is drinking a glass of cold water, the pain/cramp then goes.

When this happened a second time I was working with a group of under fives, head called an paramedic, my blood pressure was sky high, after two days in hospital they said it was chest muscule pain but still gave me gnt spray for angina. The spray never worked for me only the water.

A stress test ruled out heart problem at that time.

I kept getting the pains over the years, they last between 5/10 minutes.

I spoke to my GP and he thinks it's indigestion, or related to severe spine problem that I have?

I started on Lansoprazole for acid reflux six years ago, but still get the cramps in the chest.

About three years ago my asthma awoke from childhood, and the pains became more frequent, this year alone I have had fifty three episodes. So could be related to breathing.

I was advised to keep a diary to see if anything was linked to the episodes but they appear to happen at random, example, sitting quiet reading,

early hours three four am, several hours after eating,

sitting in my wheelchair when shopping,

after or during coughing,

having the pain four or five times in one day,I have tried taking gaviscon but it is only the cold water helps.

I do not get in a panic like I did in the early years, when I believed it was a heart attack (and been treated as a heart attack) those heparin injection are very painful!

My only worry is knowing how severe the pain is, and feeling like heavy weight is on my chest, that I might not realise if it was a real heart attack!!

So far they ( medics) do not know if it is spinal, muscular, reflux, fibromyalgia, or a lung problem. It stumps them when I show the record of times and dates.

Try keeping a diary as well you may be able to link it or see If it is random like mine.

B.

[ajameb in reply to Hidden]

Thanks very much I know what sets it off, I too drink cold water , the pain is really severe and I cant move, I have seen my Doctor who says its the extra movement in my chest from the breathing, but I seem to be getting alot of cramps in my arms and legs think I might ask my consultant thanks again to everyone.

[primrose71]

Hi Ajameb, i have been in hospital with something the same .....have copd.....first they said it was angina and gave me a spray then next time said it was my digestive system cant remember the next time what they said but checked all my heart and said my heart was ok so now i just put up with it olthough not getting it so often now but mine could last for an hour very frightening, as said keep a diary i thought it was always after a course of steroids but doc said there has never been any suggestion steroids do this. take care.

[Puffthemagicdragon in reply to primrose71]

I used to get quite severe pains in the stomach area a few years back..I had it for ages off and on. Suggestions were an ulcer and I had an endoscopy. Nothing was found wrong with my stomach. It was found I had the bacteria Helicobacter Pylori. One week on antibiotics and it went and I haven't had any problems since. It may be worth mentioning it to your doctor.

[Hidden]

I have copd and get upper body cramps when I turn around to reverse the car (breathless too) or am sitting in an awkward position. I never got this before I was put on symbicort, is there a connection??? I haven't a clue but it seems we have so many little irritations to put up with.

[frose]

Gilly, me too! As does my mum who also has COPD.

[libbygood]

I get a severe pain in my upper right back moves to the front occasionally, pain radiates to my jaw and even my ear. It always felt like trapped wind and also about 2am - 5am. had a camera down also a scan,plus my gall bladder out, i don't think they knew what it was said it was an aggravated nerve. Take pain killers for it now used to take gaviscon thinking it was digestion problems. Had it about five years, I think it's something to do with my COPD

Lib x

[ajameb in reply to libbygood]

thanks Lib x

[gillwigan]

Hi i have Emphysema and yes i get cramps under my rib cage, my consultant tells me its common in Emphysema it's when the lungs are expanded and they are pushing on your rib cage , hope this helps .

[ajameb in reply to gillwigan]

Thanks for your help