Sharp pain in left side

[moonflower83]

Hi all,

I have been very flarey lately - my mental and physical health is never good this time of year.

I have been quite breathless lately, especially at night and lots of painful and clicking joints.

Earlier on I experienced a sharp pain in my left side, lasted about 5-10 mins, a bit like a stitch but I hadn’t done any exercise. I have left a message with my rheumatology nurse but they usually take 48 hours to respond. I stupidly googled sharp side pain & lupus and am now slightly worried. It is my birthday in 2 days time too so would really like some peace of mind 😩

Do you think I have to contact anyone else or is it fairly normal? I only got diagnosed with MCTD & Lupus last Christmas Eve so quite a newbie. I am on Hydroxychloroquine 200mg twice a day.

Thanks so much x

[StriatedCaracara]

I had a sharp pain down my left flank a few months ago. I think it was when I turned. I think it might have been serositis of peritoneum - only guessing.

Was your pain in abs or chest?

[moonflower83 in reply to StriatedCaracara]

Hi, thanks so much for your reply. It was down my side, below my ribs, I often get a lot of aches & pains there and my GP previously thought it may be referred pain from my heart - some sort of inflammation. He gave me ibuprofen gel to rub in. However, it has never been this bad before or that sort of sharp pain. Guessing I’ll just have to take it easy the next couple of days and wait for the rheumy nurse to call xx

[Oshgosh]

You e done the right thing ringing rheumatology, they are there to support us. I get random pain . Which can be over my body anywhere from feet to neck. It’s a nuisance . They said it could be lupus , or could me Muclophenate side effects . I read about you a little. It resonated with me. I worked in Mental. Health for 30 years as a care asst. it was the best job. I’d ever had, I worked until 3 years ago. I studied with the Ou. I had to stop working on the bank due to illness ,It’s difficult having a chronic illness There is only 1 GPat our practice who has any knowledge /experience of my conditions , so unless I can get an appointment with him I find I know more than the Doc ( I’m not being smart.) so I manage with support from the nurse helplines. If rheumatology havny got back to you ring again tomorrow. I TRY not to google. Often on the forum there is someone who has had the same experience. There is always support. Take care of yourself . My lung disease makes me potentially vulnerable to anxiety and depression . I’ve had 2 online courses of CBT. I found it useful especially the fires course, just after my diagnosises. The second was ok, but the second was a bit off.

She kept trying to give me the 8am slot, advising me meet friends and socialise in the middle of the first lockdown . You could also ring lupus Uk for advice.they’re very informative . Sorry for long text. Take care of yourself x

[moonflower83 in reply to Oshgosh]

Thank you so much for your message I'm so sorry that you have also had to give up your work, bless you. Thank you for your advice and reassurance. I will look into the online CBT courses as I am sure they will be beneficial and I will chase up the rheumatology nurse again as I haven't had a response yet. Thank you again for your kind words and advice xx

[Oshgosh in reply to moonflower83]

Have you still got the pain ?The CBT was on self referral basis.

It’s quite hard work really or I found it so.

[moonflower83 in reply to Oshgosh]

I’ll speak to my GP re a referral, maybe in the new year. I haven’t had the pain again, thank goodness - probably just a random lupus thing. I had my booster jab yesterday but so far feeling ok - except for a sore arm 😩

[Oshgosh]

I’m glad you’re feeling better.I hate lupus,it’s like it thinks,what can I torment her with today? Along with everything else and the lung disease,it’s hard to know what is causing what.

Take care.