My Pred regimen after four years is down almost to 3.5gm.
A few months ago I developed chest pain and after lots of tests it seems that my heart is not responsible. The hospital emergency doctor this week says the pain is caused by inflammation of the muscle around the (higher) chest bones. He prescribed ibuprofen gel.
My question is " why doesn't the Pred deal with this?".
Any comments will be much appreciated.
Thank you.
I have assumed that the area involves articulation of the ribs to the chest bone with cartilage which is not flush with blood vessels. Therefore the availability of Pred to the area might not be great enough to help, especially if the dose is low like yours. People still have to have some joints injected with steroid even when they are on Pred and sometimes that’s done with costochondritis too.
Thanks SnazzyD
As far as I understand this, you could be right. The pain is more-or-less constant which may be due to the need to breath! (If you see what I mean, every breath causes movement.) Pain is more painful when coughing, bending, breathing deeply and, especially, if I sneeze. Paracetomol helps a little. Probably too soon for the ibuprofen gel to make any difference.
Reading other posts I wonder whether Pred is the culprit but I doubt this.
Hi and I sympathise with this because of my own experiences. I had to go to A&E with it and was told to take 1000mg Paracetamol. It always works well but some episodes can last longer than others. Regards
The blood supply to some parts of the musculoskeletal system isn't particularly good, especially cartilage. So the pred just doesn't reach those parts.
After a recent visit to A&E my husband was diagnosed with costochondritis. He was in a great deal of pain and was advised to take painkillers and was prescribed lidocaine patches to wear for 12 hrs a day. After a couple of weeks of painkillers, rest and applying heat to the painful area he is much improved. I hope you find some relief
Many thanks for your replies.
Costochondritis sounds probable. Although pain started on right hand side and shoulder blade it moved to centre recently. Hospital doctor didn't mention costochondritis but maybe he thought I couldn't cope with such a long word. He prescribed the gel for only twice each day (leaflet states four times and I think this would be better).
I obviously can't go back to A&E. I have to find a way to get past the GP receptionist ("we don't do chest pain here as we don't have the facilities").
I'm due to see GP about Pred so I may use that to bring up about the chest pain.
Point out to her that not ALL chest pain is heart and the ED told you it was muscular (costochondritis isn't muscles but that's by the by) ...
I pointed out to her that I had had ECG 24hr, BP 7hr, Echo, Pet/CT and seen a cardiologist - it isn't heart but she didn't listen . Of course, it's not her decision, she is only following orders. (Bbut her manner could do with improvement - which raises the point that there seems to be a high turnover of receptionists at the moment.)
I will have words with my GP when I see him.
(I suppose I could tell her I wanted to see the GP about costochondritis!😜)
She isn't the one with the medical degree and I know a few ED staff who'd give her a piece of their mind!!!
I have recently more or less recovered from a bout of costchondritis, and you have my every sympathy. Very painful and very limiting. To be able to yawn again and take a deep breath was quite something. I had that gel too, but suspect rest and heat played a big part in recovery. Fortunately it did not take the lead from pmr and went relatively quickly prob about 4-6 weeks. Hope you get relief soon.
Hello China Wuntoo.
I too, like another reply you have had, use Iboprufen Gel for Costochondritis. After open heart surgery, I had a continual pain, where my wires have been placed. Iboprufen, has emiminated virtually all of the symptoms, it is great to use. I suggest 10%, which your GP will add to you prescription. The 5% one, did not help at all.
I am sure that this will work for you.
Enjoy the sun.
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