Pleurisy

[Leenalina]

What kind of symptoms have you had? How was it diagnosed?

I have never had it. Now I have sharp pain in my chest, but it is not hard. It comes and goes.

[lupus-support1 Administrator]

Dear Leenalina,

It is always important to see your doctor. Only your doctor is able to diagnose what is the matter. One symptom of pleurisy is pain on taking a deep breath - however, there are other symptoms. The thin membrane sac which envelops the lungs is called the pleura. When it is inflammed, it is called pleuritis. If fluid forms and seeps out of this membrane, there is a pleural effusion. It is important to note, that because the pleura does not contain lung tissue, there should be no fear of lung disease.

Pleuritic pain is found in 40-60% of patients with lupus. I have had this several times. Effusions are found in 20-30% of patients and for 2-3%, pleurisy is the initial manifestation of lupus. The pain can be on either side of the ribs or front or back chest pain. In a chest x-ray, effusions (fluid) can be seen. An ultrasound or CT scan will also show fluid.

Pleura-like pain can also occur in infection or in lupus patients who have rib fractures as a result of osteoporosis, trauma or steroid use. Patients with fibromyalgia (20% of lupus patients) can also experience this kind of pain. The doctor has to distinguish between these conditions.

If there is pleural pain but without effucion, the doctor may try NSAIDs (Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory) drugs. Sometimes prednisone (steroids) are given up to 40mgs a day, but this may not be necessary unless there is an effusion. Anti-malarial drugs (Plaquenil, a basic drug used in lupus) decrease pleural inflammation over a several month period of time.

Please note: I am not a medical doctor and I urge you to go and see your doctor as soon as possible. A diagnosis will relieve your mind!

I would also like to invite you to join LUpus Patients Understanding & Support (LUPUS)'s LuPUS Message Board. Joining is free and it offers free information and free online psychological support. You can ask questions and talk to others who may have similar experiences. Here is the URL: lupus-support.org/LuPUSMB

If you have any problems, please email me: roz [at] [lupus-support] [dot] [org] [dot] [uk]

Be well and keep in touch!

Ros

[Leenalina]

Thank you very much for information and invitation to L. Message Board! Fortunately I have an appointment to rheumatologist on Tuesday.