Costochondritis in lupus

I've just come back Dr's who has said I have Costochondritis showed me diagram etc and what is inflammed in the rib cage said antibiotics should clear it up. When I questioned if its related to lupus he said no. I haven't had a cold or flu and this has been happening for a few months now. Has anyone else had this and what was the outcome? Thks 😊

[PMRpro]

healthline.com/health/costo...

Far be it from me to question your GP's knowledge - but I have NEVER heard of antibiotics being used for costochontritis. Pleurisy maybe...

[Hidden in reply to PMRpro]

Thank you for your reply I'll just wait a week then go back 😊

[Joy_1 in reply to PMRpro]

Yep I agree with you PMRpro.

I have heard that it is common in folk over 50 years old. And that it can go on for some months and to just put up with it as it will go away in time.

[Freckle1000 in reply to PMRpro]

healthline.com is a very good website. Thank you for that PRMpro !

[PMRpro in reply to Freckle1000]

It is - a lot of very good info there as well as contributors who have walked the walk.

[Bebe76]

I had costochondritis when I was flaring badly. My GP said the only thing I could to was take painkillers and apply heat. The pain was in my upper ribs and close to the sternum.

These sites might be helpful regarding your question between lupus and costochondritis:

enthesis.info/pathology/cos...

medicinenet.com/costochondr...

"Costochondritis can be an independent health condition by itself or sometimes can be a feature of a more widespread disorder. Examples of health conditions that can feature costochondritis include fibromyalgia, psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, reactive arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, and inflammatory bowel disease (such as ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease)."

Antibiotics won't help with costochondritis unless he thinks it's somehow related to a bacterial infection - this is called infectious costochondritis. It's usually associated with surgery or trauma and is rare.

[johare]

I agree with all that's been said and interestingly another person who posted about chest pain also discussed this. costochondritis is a condition in its only right and is more prevalent with certain other chronic condition as already mentioned. I too have never heard of antibiotics given for this, only for bacteria infections.

[Hidden]

Thank you guys I thought so as I've had since summer months on and off I thought I get it checked as I thought it could be cancer. I'll ring my rheumy on Monday see if I can get appt. My breathing was bad this morning due to the weather getting colder felt my head tightening up shoulders and neck pain which by the way i mentioned yesterday to the gp!!! Thanks again feeling a lot better than this morning.

[nanagill]

Hi there, yes I've had this a couple of times, most recently a couple of months ago. Went off to A&E with bad chest pain. Had 2 lots of blood tests 4 hours apart, chest xrays, ECG before they said it was costochondritis. No medication given just advised to rest and take pain killers. It lasted a few weeks but I understand it can go on for some months. Hope you feel better soon.

[Hidden in reply to nanagill]

Thk you

[Cann]

I don't take antibiotics since they wrecked my health in 2000. I don't think any of us with auto immune problems do well on antibiotics and let's face it, how can any doctor say for sure that your inflammation is not linked to your Lupus!

[Hidden in reply to Cann]

Thk you

[Bmagrl]

I've had it before and the GP said anti inflammatory meds such as Advil, Aleve, etc... would help with the pain. Gentle heat helped also. He definitely didn't recommend antibiotics.

Everything I've read says it can be related to Lupus, which I have.

Good news is that the costochondritis episodes tend to clear up fairly quickly, usually a couple weeks .

I hope you feel better soon!

[Hidden in reply to Bmagrl]

Thk you 😊

[Joyjo]

I’ve been getting costocondritis on and off for 25 years. It clears up for. Little bit then comes back with every little flare. Pain killers are the only thing for it.

[Hidden in reply to Joyjo]

Thk you

[Unf4bul0us]

Hi I’m 21 and I regularly get costochondritis when I’m flaring. Your GP is wrong as it’s definitely caused by lupus so antibiotics won’t do a thing! It’s basically caused by your immune system creating inflammation in the connective tissue between your ribs, I also get it in the tissue between my lungs and my ribs. It’s pretty horrible but thankfully mine usually calms down if I keep topped up on NSAIDs xx

[Hidden in reply to Unf4bul0us]

Thk you everyone has been so kind with their replies...when do we get a break it's another thing to add to the list just when you think you've cracked it and learn to manage it something else comes up its like a vicious roller coaster rant over!! 😁 xx

[Unf4bul0us in reply to Hidden]

Hahaha yes that’s exactly what it’s like!!! The joys! Xx