RA SHOULDER AND CHEST PAIN

[14penny]

what others have done if getting shoulder and chest pain and rib pain as not due to see rheumy till Jan 23 and really dont want to go to A n E and wait for 4 or more hours - any suggestions would be very welcome. 14 penny

[springcross]

Hi 14penny. You could ring the nurses helpline at the rheumy department and ask for help, that may get you in sooner than January.

[14penny in reply to springcross]

Have tried that and they say if there is a cancellation they will let me know

[springcross in reply to 14penny]

I hope you get one sooner rather than later.

[sylvi]

Try your gp first and if you get no help ring your rheumy dept. then. Other than that go to A&E i know you don't want to but you might need to darling. Hugs from me. xxxx

[14penny in reply to sylvi]

Oh thanks for reply, I think I may have to go A n E in the end as you say I really dont want to but will give it one more day as it has felt a little easier today. Thanks so much x

[vonniesims]

Any chest pain needs checking out either by GP or A and E. I think chest pain gets seen quite quickly in A and E

[14penny in reply to vonniesims]

will have to go there in the end i keep putting it off as the 4 hour wait is not a good thought. Thanks

[AgedCrone]

If your GP won’t see you….. try calling 119…..they are supposed to help people who can’t get appointments when they have symptoms like yours. 

[14penny in reply to AgedCrone]

Thanks I will try Dr again first and if no help will call 119 as my suspicions are Costochondritus.14penny

[RosieA]

I have UCTD and started getting terrible pain through back (shoulder blade area) and very sore ribs. Initially they thought it was steroids affecting my tummy, then Gallbladder, then fobbed off with NSAIDs for weeks, finally after seeing Consultant needed 7 months of steroids to control what ended up being costochondritis (with many other intercostal inflammation). Extremely painful and sadly I am now left with chronic costochondritis. Do get help as the soon as possible for whatever source you have access to. These things need to be investigated to prevent as much damage as possible. Hope that helps a little. x

[14penny in reply to RosieA]

Thank you so much for your reply you have confirmed what i have suspected and i am going to see Dr in October and will voice my concerns. Thanks again.

[bpeal1]

I would contact your rheumatology department about the shoulder pain (and possibly the chest pain - depending on type. If not a rheumatology thing contact GP). Either phone the nurse helpline if you have one. If not phone or email your consultants secretary (if you don’t have the number call the hospital main switch board and ask for it.

[14penny]

Thanks for reply, I did get a callback from rheumy nurse who was very light hearted about it and said if there was any cancellations she would let me know which I doubt she will get as we are all too pleased to even get an appointment, but I have got a GP appointment on 4th Oct so hope they can help. Thanks

[Deeb1764]

my Gp I have to say steps up in the day to day issues so in the past year X-rays for shoulders elbows and wrists plus worked out a prednisone system to keep me going. It helped a lot so I can self manage my steroids and use them when pain is bad etc.

I have to say my GP is fab If I say I am hurting bad X-rays just ordered and he cc’s the RA team. Now got a dexa scan being done again Gp Felt we needed a timeline on how my bones are with me taking so many steroids.

[14penny]

thanks for reply I am already on steroids but nothing seems to be helping much but Doc is seeing me soon fingers crossed he will be able to suggest something else. Thanks 14penny

[14penny]

Thanks so much everyone for your replies it all seems a lot easier now and doc has put me on pregabaline to calm it , hope it works,xx