Going through some sort of flare up..my facial rash has come back..its so itchy as well and skin is going dry and flaky..this has made me extremely fatigued..
2 days ago..I started with left side mid back pain..initially felt maybe a muscle pull..applied topical ibuprofen but didnt help..had paracetamol..nothing..eventually at night I took 1 naproxen( I have GERD issues) so cant take NSAIDs.
Yesterday I seemed ok..however this morning it's back with a vengeance..any ideas? Waiting for a call from the GP
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lufibabe
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Lungs have very few pain receptors so is most likely coming from elsewhere Having had chest pain for for 7 years it sounds like it could be pleuritic pain .have you tried heat pack or applying pressure ? Chest pain isn't uncommon in lupus.
Ok glad to hear that you're being taken care of..n quickly!! Looks like you'll probably be going to hospital so pack a bag of essentials to get u through the day..u don't know how long it's gonna take.
I wish u luck n please keep us posted lufibabe..I'm not surprised you're scared but you're in the best hands 🤗🌈😽😽xx
Sorry to hear that you are experiencing a flare at the moment. According to information in The Lupus Ecncylopedia, pleurisy can cause abdominal and back pain which can occur in 2-7% of people with lupus. I hope that your call with the paramedics helps.
Here a few links which I hope you will find useful;
Coping with itchy rashes -
The Lupus Encyclopedia provides helpful tips and information on how to treat dry/itchy skin which is listed below:
• Take shorter baths and showers
• Do not use soap on most body surfaces, except underarms and private areas
• After bathing or showering, pat the skin dry; do not rub (rubbing removes moisturising oils)
If you are in a flare I suspect it could be costochondritis - I regularly get this in a flare - if you think about all the connective tissue between your ribs and where ribs attach to your sternum at the front and spine at the back it makes sense people with disease affecting their connective tissue would have this. If you try pushing around where your ribs attach to your sternum/breast bone down centre of front of chest and it is tender it is likely this. I also get problems at the back too - if I put my back to a wall and push upper back gently into wall and it is painful that is good indication of this too. I find the only thing that stops my costochondritis pain is actually taking prednisolone for a few days, even if I take for only 3 days it stops it. Painkillers is all my GP has ever said to take but hardly touches the pain (even morphine) dulls it but as soon as wears off it comes back with a vengence. Not sure if this is what you are struggling with but thought this might help.
I have had costo of the upper ribs before...this was the lower ribs and the A&E doctor said pleurisy. When I checked my discharge letter it said costo...I am going to speak to my GP and see if we can do something about this. I have symptoms but no diagnosis.
I will keep persevering till I get to the bottom of it. This group keeps me going.
It might be it was pleurisy as my sister with same diagnosis has had that. I think you can actually see pleurisy on a X-ray but not Costochondritis . You do need clarity as they are completely different conditions. Pleurisy is inflammation in lining on lungs so as you breathe in and out as the linings rub against each other very painful. I have never had this so can’t add much more about pleurisy.
Hi lufibabe. I've had EXACTLY this twice this year. First time hospital ruled out clot and said it was pleurisy. Painkillers barely touched it but it died down over time. With rest. Then last week it came back and the GP sent me to the hospital and the consultants were undecided between pleurisy and costochondritis. But it's not a clot. From what I have learnt, pleurisy is common with lupus, but clotting is too, so they need to check you out. But agree, it's very scary! Painkillers and rest. I find too much activity makes it worse. It is very, very painful and mine hurts to touch as well. I use an ice pack too as that seems to help. Also, for future scares, each time my GP has said it's unlikely to be a clot as it came on very suddenly and acutely. They have to check you out, but it takes a little of the fear away when you recognise the symptoms. Hope it settles down soon. x
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