Swelling/lumps in left side of chest/ribcage....

[lisakay]

I have suffered from strange chest swellings & pain for several years now...started almost 7 years ago. Only on the left side of my rib cage. I have seen every doctor known to man kind it seems...even Mayo Clinic. No one knows what causes it..or even what it is for that matter...they just want to give me cortisone injections. I gave up on that a long time ago...not fixing the problem and they hurt like MAD!. So for the last 3 years or so, I just deal with it. It comes and goes...hurts and swells the most after I have done lifting or moving of heavy objects. Was diagnosed with APS two years ago after PE & DVT. Could this be a part of APS? Or am I still a medical mystery??

I was a dancer for many years...but I just can imagine that is what its from. No trauma to the chest.

[MaryF Administrator]

How strange, I know it is possible to get hernias in that area, did they rule out a sliding hiatus hernia? Just a thought. Mary F x

[lisakay]

Thanks for the reply Mary!! And no, I have never been checked for that. Done Xrays, MRI's, Bone Scans...you name it, its been done. I love being UNIQUE!

[MaryF Administrator in reply to lisakay]

Hernias can slide about.. and the clue is how you talk about the lifting etc etc. I would try that, the actual hernia might be miles away from the ribs?

youtube.com/watch?v=-KPsGUC...(Not working as expected?)

Mary F x

[lisakay in reply to MaryF]

Thanks Mary!! This is interesting! I see a new APS specialist tomorrow in Chicago, I will touch base with him about this.

This site and the people on it truly amaze me with their willingness to help and educate. Truly a blessing that I found it, no longer feeling alone. That means more than you know! XOXO - Lisa

[MaryF Administrator in reply to lisakay]

Thanks for that, and the same of course applies to us. Mary F x

[CanaryDiamond10 in reply to lisakay]

Hi Lisakay! Would you mind referring the APS specialist you found in Chicago to me? You know, name, number, hospital what you think of he/her? I would sure appreciate it. My Rheumatologist isn't taking any more patients she is so full. So when co-patients ask, I am at a loss. Thanks from the heart. CanaryDiamond10

[lisakay in reply to CanaryDiamond10]

Hello! Happy to share. His name is Dr. Matthew Adess and he is at NorthShore Medical Group in Highland Park, IL...just north of the city. Number is 847-480-3800

He is a Hematologist, but also Internal Medicine. We thought he was really nice, but we didnt feel he was very informative on APS. As I am finding, they understand what is going on with the blood, but nothing else that is going with our bodies.(for instance when my INR drops WHY I feel so horrible and crazy symptoms arise) He suggested I try Xarelto since I am stuggling with coumadin...but its too new and risky at this point. I will be sticking with Coumadin. I am going to keep searching for specialists, and I will share any information that I find. XOXO - LisaKay

[pluto5]

for a number of years now I have had very tender painful ribs which the doctor said was costochondritis, inflamation of the rib cage, but they don't know what causes it and there doesn't seem to be a cure either.

[lisakay]

I am going to look into this....THIS actually makes sense (I googled it)!!!! Thank you so much APsnotFab!!

[MaryF Administrator in reply to lisakay]

Good...I have learnt about this today also! Mary F x

[MichelleG]

I googled my symptoms and clicked this link and Lisa Kay has Hughes Syndrome APS like me and I'm in a lot of pain with swelling on the left side of my chest that comes and goes and no doctor has been able to find cause, they call me a medical mystery because they have seen so many rare things happen with my body and the way it responds to medication and treatment! I'm in so much pain again and I'm tired of the hospitals and I just want someone who can relate or someone who can pass along helpful information about this! I'm new here but hopefully LisaKay could inform me if she ever got answers because this disease must be causing this because I'm having the same issue, I would gladly love to hear from others whom may have a clue or helpful information because I'm sitting here debating yet again weather to go to the hospital because the pain is so bad that it's also causing me anxiety due to the fact that I'm clueless as to what's happening with my body! It's depressing, I'm desperate for help. Thank you.

[lisakay in reply to MichelleG]

Hello MichelleG! I completely understand your anxiety, frustration, and pain. I too am a medical mystery and no one, not even MAYO clinic could tell me what its from, what causes it, and what it is. I went to so many specialists, it was crazy! I can say that once I gave up dancing, it helped. ALSO, we noticed that since I have been on warfarin (Coumadin) the swellings have almost stopped completely...I have been on it for three years now. Is that a coincidence? maybe. But I suffered through it for years and the pain at times is so terrible. Many told me it was Costodrontitis (sp?)...which is basically swelling of cartilage. But no one could tell me why it was happening.

Yoga and light Pilates also helped me.

Are you on Coumadin for your APS?

Do not apply heat, cold packs are better. Heat will only cause more swelling.

I did go through LOTS of cortisone injections. But those themselves are very painful and it would only help temporarily. You can only have so many of those injections in the same location..three I believe and then no more. Not good for the body.

I wish I had a solution for you. But maybe just having someone to talk too will help you.

I am so sorry you are going through this, I know first hand how hard it is and how it practically consumes your daily life.

Try and stay positive hon! I am here if you need to chat!! (HUGS) gentle ones.

[bmswami]

Dear brothers/sisters, today only I just came to log this site:

Regarding swelling in the left ribs I also suffered and found some relief I just wanted to share which may help you also:

My daily routine

I glass hot water with 1/2 lemon first thing in the morning along with a single clove of garlic,

I cup of tea made from ginger, pepper, nutmeg, little milk.

I avoided all kinds of oil food, no fries, no non veg,

I regularly use powder of flax seeds in the food

I regularly take curds in each meals (small cup)

Very important thing I do linga mudra ( it's a kind of yogic posture of holding hands) you can learn from GOOGLeing it.

And ou guru had told to do meditate . Medication is an outside treatment where as meditation is the inside Theraphy which I found to heal.

My pain had been subsised by 80%

God bless you all.

Regards