Does anyone else suffer from chest and rib pain?

[Coco63]

Hi everyone, I just wondered if anyone else here ever suffers from chest and rib pain and pain on breathing? I don’t have it constantly, it comes and goes with all the other PMR pains but it was one of the features I had just prior to diagnosis 2.5 years ago. I was also wondering if it could be associated with the reduced pred as I am now down to 3.5/4 via DSNS. I also live in Corfu which has high levels of humidity and I’ve become something of a human weather vane !😂 Thanks all.

[piglette]

Have you seen a doctor? Particularly about the chest pain.

[Coco63 in reply to piglette]

Will do . I don’t feel it’s anything serious but will get it checked out👍

[piglette in reply to Coco63]

I agree, we know our bodies usually better than the doctors!!

[SheffieldJane]

This return of old symptoms could be exposed by tapering. I would get checked out by your doctor though. We have to be alert for GCA/Large Vessel Vasculitis too. Mine was diagnosed by a vascular ultrasound scan. I am occasionally troubled by Costochondritis which is an inflammation of the connecting tissue in the ribs, this might be another diagnosis. Good luck - chest pains need investigating.

[Coco63 in reply to SheffieldJane]

Having looked at the NHS costochondritis symptoms it’s seem to fit especially the pain worsened by pressing on the chest, and it certainly feels like inflammation type pain between the ribs . Thanks 🙏

[Mrsd12f]

I’m seeing the physio, tomorrow, mainly for reassurance that it is costochondritis and not something more serious. I’ve had bouts, off and on, more or less since my PMR diagnosis in 2015; the fact that I couldn’t breathe properly was what finally made me go to the GP.

[Coco63 in reply to Mrsd12f]

Good luck with the physio tomorrow and fingers crossed it is the costochondritis and nothing worse. Your situation sounds like mine in that the breathing problems as well as the other general PMR pain and disability made me go to the GP too. Sorry to hear you’ve had yours for so long.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Have you had it checked out by a doctor? It could be the PMR or it could be something like costochondritis - but that's fine providing you KNOW the difficulty in breathing is due to that. But DIB is always a concern that needs medical advice until you know WHY!

At what dose were you OK? You could well have overshot the dose you need.

[Coco63 in reply to PMRpro]

No, not checked out recently but will do. It does come and go, is actually slightly better today and as I said to Sheffield Jane it does feel like it’s some kind of inflammatory thing in between the ribs and when I press on my chest. I can’t really remember when I felt OK probably when I was on about 10mg 2 years ago but to go back to that now would feel like quite a set back. I’m beginning to wonder if it will ever go. I’ve just turned 60 but at times my body feels an awful lot older!

[Lenore58]

Before GCA showed up (unwelcomed guest!) went on a high dose of prednisone, I simply had PMR and was having similar symptoms. It sometimes hurt my ribcage, both front and back, to breathe in deeply. And my ribs would feel tender. It would come and go. Its gone now, due to the increased steroids, I am sure.

[Coco63 in reply to Lenore58]

Yes that sounds exactly like mine, rib cage pain and tenderness front and back, oh the joys of PMR! 😩I’m sorry to hear you developed GCA I’m very mindful of this possible complication.

[sidra1968 in reply to Coco63]

For what what it's worth, I have pain by the ribs side and back mostly)..very tender when touched/pressed. Much better now on the Pred, but it is still there sometimes, albeit not as bad.

[Ab-12]

I had chest pain for more than a year. The Dr told me, I had pulled a muscle.

[Coco63 in reply to Ab-12]

That’s terrible. Around Christmas 2021, when one still couldn’t see a doctor, I tried to describe my PMR symptoms to a GP over the phone and was told the same, that I’d probably pulled a muscle or two, after weeks of worsening pain including the rib/breathing problems I eventually got to see a a nurse who could find nothing wrong. I’m sure they wrote ‘hypochondriac’ on my notes. 😂

[Ab-12 in reply to Coco63]

Ditto 😂

[MillMoor in reply to Ab-12]

Same here. Sufferred for 3months. Thoracic xray showed up fractures on T5 and 6 due to osteosporosis!

[Missus835]

Yes. I also think costochondritis, as I have the same pains. Doctor said it would not show in an xray. I do deep breathing exercises throughout the day. I find it helps to stretch the diaphragm muscles. Hurts to lie on my side and on pressing. Very random, but always there, if one presses. Started as a little pin-like twinge just to the right of breast bone. Had this a few weeks now. Best get it checked out though.

[Coco63 in reply to Missus835]

I think I’m beginning to get a picture now with all the helpful replies. I’m certainly going to try the deep breathing exercises as recommended and do hope yours improves soon🤞

[Coco63]

Thanks very much, I will try this

[alangg]

Just to say - I had the same chest pain and at about the same dose of pred when I was reducing. Physio reckoned it could be that I was using muscles in my chest to do things that other muscles aren't doing because of the PMR affecting them. It went away after a while but sneezing, coughing and laughing all hurt a lot!

It's fine now that the PMR has decided to leave me and I'm off the Pred.

[Coco63 in reply to alangg]

Interesting to see I’m not alone with these symptoms as it isn’t really mentioned as part of classic PMR. Very happy to hear it has finally left you and that you’re off the pred well done, that gives me hope! 🥳

[perceptual63]

Yes, when I initially experienced PMR prior to being put on prednisone I had neck, shoulders, upper arms, back of thighs, buttocks, hips, and rib cage.

The rib cage pain made it difficult to turn the wheel while driving and also getting in and out of the car was difficult due to the weakness in my legs.

[Coco63 in reply to perceptual63]

Yep, exactly the same as me. I find driving/ turning my neck/body reversing and especially getting out of the car a nightmare in fact rising from any seated position because of hip pains it’s also a bit embarrassing! Hey ho looking forward to it leaving one day like @alangg and wish the same for you and all of us still suffering here 🤞😁

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Coco63]

If you want to tag someone with @name - you have to click on the name in the list that comes up as you type the name - otherwise it doesn't make the link. the name will turn blue and the @ disappears

[Coco63 in reply to PMRpro]

Ah, I’m a bit of a dinosaur 🦖 😂thanks for the tip!

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Coco63]

It's not obvious - like a lot of things on HU!!!

[Coco63 in reply to PMRpro]

😁

[PMRinUSA]

I have also had costochondritis occasionally since college, separate from my PMR diagnosis six years ago. I can often tell when it is coming on because I unconsciously feel my sternum when walking and find myself trying to glide/walk very smoothly. Then I know it's time to manage it with ibuprofen, higher than normal dose so do check with your doctor. Other times it appears suddenly. It's important to get it under control early or it can really get bad. I also stick on a lidocane patch over the area if it is really bad (may just be placebo effect lol but at that point I am desperate) and lie completely still breathing shallowly. Or, maybe yours is tied to PMR as other s have said. Either way, I hope it goes away!

[Coco63 in reply to PMRinUSA]

Thanks so much for that, very interesting, and some good tips there. Hope yours is currently under control!🤞