Chronic lung pain but few other signs

[WeaverS]

I'm new to this thread, and have asthma-COPD which was diagnosed in Jan 2020. I have this weird chronic pain in my lower left lung; in exactly the same place I had it three years ago after a bout of pnemonia. (It lasted for nearly a year, and was described as neuropthic pain.) Now I've had it again for about a month or more - it doesn't hurt when I breathe in or out, I can exercise pretty much normally, my breathing isn't catchy, and have no clear signs of temperature, coughing or excessive mucus, or more tightness and breathlessness than usual. My daily treatment is triple inhaler plus Salbutamol when needed.

I'm reluctant to go to my GP as investigations often come back clear, but I sleep very badly, and the left lower lung area hurts quite a bit both day and night. Also I have had many flare ups over last year and rescue meds don't feel as if they make any difference. I'm a bit at a loss...

Thanks for any advice.

[sassy59]

Welcome to the forum Weaver. Hopefully some of the friendly, helpful folk on here will be along soon but I would suggest contacting your GP and explaining exactly what’s happening to you and how your feeling.

I wish you well. Xxx

[WeaverS in reply to sassy59]

Thank you Sassy.

[UHelga]

Welcome WeaverS ! Your pain sounds similar to what I had last year. Mine was just behind my breast, mostly in the same place but sometimes it would travel to the side or back. I would sleep badly too but had no infection. I ended up having a mammogram and an ultrasound and it was then suggested that the pain was caused by an inflammation of intercostal nerves or muscles between two ribs. I have noticed since then that my ribcage expands a lot during the course of the day and wearing anything too tight can make the pain flare up again. On the whole it has got better since I started an online seated yoga class and do more stretching.

I would have a chat with your doctor though because I think there can also be other conditions that cause this type of pain.

[WeaverS in reply to UHelga]

Thanks, UHelga. I get exactly the same problem at the end of the day - have to undo anything tight. Interesting that yoga has helped but, like others suggest, I think I have to get back to my GP.

[Tia4209]

The upper abdominal organs are also under or close to your lower ribs. What I thought was lung pain has turned out to be my pancreas but only your GP can help distinguish what is causing the pain. Hope you get answers soon. x

[WeaverS in reply to Tia4209]

Hi Tia, hunting on the web did make me wonder if there was something to do with my pancreas, as pain doesn't get worse on breathing in and out.... but it does if I hiccup, which is weird...! I do hope your condition can be well managed. All my best wishes.

[Badbessie]

There are a number of conditions which could cause your symptoms. You are not wasting your GPs time by making him aware of your situation.

[WeaverS in reply to Badbessie]

Thank you for your encouragement, Badbessie!

[Hollyjt]

Hello Weavers I have problems with pain in my left rib cage I have bronchiectasis and asthma, Had lots of infections these last few months Went to my GP who sent me for X rays I had two they came back with shadow on my lung where I have this constant pain. I'm on Iv antibiotic at the moment. I'm to have a CT scan on Thursday Best to let you GP know what is happening so they can help you. Take care Holly Xx

[WeaverS in reply to Hollyjt]

Yes, Holly, I will... thank you.....and very much hope for the best outcome for you.

[Hollyjt in reply to WeaverS]

Thank you for your best wishes. Pleased you have decided to get it seen to that's best thing to do. Holly 🤗👍❤️

[Alberta56]

Welcome to the forum. Hope the various messages encourage you to go to your GP and persist until the problem is sorted out.🧡🧡🧡

[WeaverS in reply to Alberta56]

Thank you, Alberta. I will.

[Hidden]

U are like me but i also experiencing mucus, cough and yea this pain is my main symptom. It is In the middle right side of my back. It never leave me alone except when i sleep. I also found difficult to stay flat on my back beacuse of this, extra mucus and chest tightness is generated. Doctors tells me its asthma but my symptoms do not fully refect this disease. I started to think i have IPF maybe caused by a chronic form of evali (my problems started with the use of e-cigs). Meds do not help alot.

[WeaverS]

Hi Speranza, I'm so sorry you too have unresolved symptoms. It is difficult to know what is going on, as we all seem to have so many and different experiences of asthma and copd. I do hope you can find a way through.

All best wishes.

[Patk1]

R u taking painkillers for it

[WeaverS in reply to Patk1]

Hi Patk1,Sorry not to reply earlier - my HealthUnlocked messages go to Junk whatever I do.

Yes I am taking painkillers. Mostly paracetamol, but on one occasion did forget to take ibuprofen after food... Not a good idea! Won't do that again. By the time I got to my GP she reckoned it is possibly gastritis, rather than lung origin, so given Omeprazole. It can be a side effect of my inhaler and also Prednisolone. I'm totting up the side effects. Thanks for your message.

[Patk1]

Hope omeprazole help - i find thm v gd.i presume she told u not to take ibuprofen as they can irritate stomach

[WeaverS in reply to Patk1]

You're right, Patk1! Initially I thought it was pleuritic pain so less significant. As soon as i knew it was gastric, NSAID's total No-No! Thanks so much for your help.