RA & Chest Pains "Costochondritis"

[Frankiefocus]

Hi everyone, hope you all had a reasonable holiday season to say the least. I have asked this question before I think about chest pains or heart problems while taking methotrexate. I have read a report about RA effecting the bone structure around the chest area. It states "Costochondritis tends to be around your chest, while pain from a heart attack tends to be around your heart or in your shoulder or up in your neck and jaw," White says."

I do get the odd pain in my chest and my doctor did all the heart test and gave me the all clear, but no reason for why it was happening.

Have any you had this sort of pain?. I have included the link below.

everydayhealth.com/rheumato...

[allanah]

As long as you know it's not your heart phew.! Yes I get costochondritis. Its very painful and I see the rheumatologist who generally gives me steroid treatment. Do chat with your RA team x

[oldtimer]

Yes, I often get costochondritis. It is quite clearly in the joints either side of the sternum which become tender to touch (it needs a soft bra too!) It's particularly problematic when I also get a chest infection and have to cough - ouch! I can put my steroids up when I get it.

[Hidden]

Yes I’ve had this. I knew I wasn’t having a heart attack but the medics panic and I had to have my heart checked all ok.also told it can be reflux as methotrexate cause stomach problems.

[wishbone]

Frankie, I've had chronic chest pain for many years. Not sure exactly what it is but it's more or less confined to my upper breastbone area so I don't think it's costochondritis, which seems to affect the ribs as well. Apparently I have OA at the base of my neck and a radiologist once told me that this could be the root of the problem. The breast pain all but disappeared for a year or two but has recently returned and probably worse than it used to be.

I've had a heart attack and the pain was indeed very similar to the chronic chest pain I was having at the time (no pain in jaw or shoulders) but became more intense. You can never be too careful with chest pain, but as you've been checked out by your doctor then it shouldn't be anything to worry about.

Peace... v

[Hidden]

Quite often Frankiefocus. I first got it while having treatment for Breast Cancer. The nurse got me to lie on the couch and she put both hands on my chest and pressed hard YOWL I almost jumped off the couch. Sorry she said. That's Costochondritis. Which was a relief 'cos I thought it was connected to the BC. I wasn't taking MTX at the time as I was having chemo.