Does any1 experience inflamation in the ribs?

[Lisa78]

As i keep getting severe pain around my ribs and painkillers don't help.I read that it can happen a few years ago but not sure if its true.

[Barnclown]

don't like the thought of you having this too: you have enough on your plate

not sure if same version as yours, but yes, this has been a recurring prob for me, say maybe 1x per year or so over past 10 years. i don't 'see' redness on my rib cage skin or even swelling, but ribs feel sensitive to touch and when breathe. ok so could be a lung thing (as well as ribcage) but definitely my ribs themselves are sore - thinking about it now i've had my SLE/MCTD/hypermobility diagnosis (last june), and i am more informed about these conditions/symptoms, this rib thing sorta feels as if the tissues lining the ribs are what is actually sore which could be a soft tissue strain thing: aching sensitive soreness...in the past i have just toughed this out....saving my prescrip pain killers for major events usually spine-related cause basically they make me feel so weird and don't really help all that much anyway. usually eventually (say months on) a flare of my rib thing will just seem to sorta have melted away....but possibly your version sounds more acute than mine.

when i have something like this again, i'll check in with my GP or ring my specialist lupus nurse. but since i went on plaquenil 400mg/daily last june i haven't had this rib thing start up again

probably not v helpful, but i am truly feeling for you and hope you get some good replies

[Lisa78 in reply to Barnclown]

Thank you for your reply hun.I've had sle/mctd diagnoisis 4 15yrs now,i've just been started on Plaquinel 400mg daily as Azathrioprine & daily steroids were not combating the pain.I've inflamation probs with my stotmach,so could be like you say the tissues around my ribs could b inflamed.

[jani4063]

Hi Lisa

I have had problems like this mainly across the back of my rib cage, my rheummy consultant sounded my chest and said i have what is know as a pleural rub on both sides ...this is when the plueral linings of the lungs become inflammed and instead of gliding smoothly when you breathe in and out they grate causing sometimes pain when breathing....it seems to improve for me when my steriods are increased.

hope this helps

Jani

[Lisa78 in reply to jani4063]

That makes alot of sense,its mainly on my left & will check with my nurse.Thank you

[Hidden]

Prednisone / steriods should quell the painful inflammation issues.

Analgesics or opiates mask the problem - steriods address the cause (inflammation gone wrong).

Pleural problems are common. Sometimes triggered by breathing cold air, polluted air, heated air, ...

When you consider that the SKIN is the largest organ of the human body and all it does to protect us from exposure to harm internally and externally ... it's bound to complain and flare from time to time.

Long term steriod use can contribute to gastrointestinal problems. A rebound effect is known to occur. The more higher the dose the more aggravated the symptoms. There is a higher potential for Helicobacter growth in those one long term steriods. Probiotics might be helpful.

Tricky to manage - as we all know.

Please take care and as always best to consult your doctor/s when your symptoms worsen or flare.

May you breathe easy once again soon.

[Lisa78 in reply to Hidden]

I suffer from Gastritis caused by meds,i also have Coeliac disease also but the pain is definately around my ribs.I will have 2 get it checked if my increased steroid dose don't work.Thank u.xx

[Hidden in reply to Lisa78]

Yes good definitely visit your doctor/s. It must be sorted.

You might wish to ask for a Nutritionist referral specific for your needs (if you've not already done so). Altering food intake often can work wonders.

If it feels like porcupines inside your pleural space ... it would be advisable to rule out Shingles. Sometimes Shingles goes undiagnosed.

Take care of yourself.

[Melinda]

I've had pains around my ribs for years, so much so that it hurts to sneeze. I thought perhaps this was another lupus thing.

[tiredmum]

I have always put the pain in my ribs and chest down to pleurisy. It hurts to breathe deeply, coughing and sneezing can be agony, and strangely the pain always seems to be much worse on the right side.

Being on steroids really helps the pain, as soon as i finish a course the pain gets worse again.

Def speak to your rheumy nurse, they are fab.

[katerowley]

im not sure if this is the same i have had lupus for 19 years, but i developed severe sharp pains down my left side across my rib cage, it was that severe i couldnt stand, and i could harldy breathe, i was taken into hospital and i was told it was skeletal muscle damage, it comes and goes but i just take painkillers for it, but im limited to what i can carry, because it makes the pain worse.

[katerowley]

i have rib pain, ive had lupus for 19 yrs, it comes and goes, but since last year its come and not gone, ended up being hospitalised and they told me it was skeletal muscle damage.