Hi all.
I have Rheumatologist appt tomorrow. I’m wondering if anyone has or is experiencing tearing sensation in their central chest? Painful on inspiration and on movement. Numbness to elbows and extending to finger tips preventing comfortable position at night?
I thought it may be due to costochondritis??
I think you should call 111 for advice sooner rather than later. There are a number of things this could be, some trivial and some that need prompt action. You need to rule out cardiac, clots and large blood vessel problems. Costochondritis tends to be surface pain that can feel like a knife. However, your other symptoms I don’t like and think you need to have checked out as soon as possible.
Hi, the pain is more on the surface and the area is painful on pressure. If my grand kids accidentally bang their head against my chest.. I could cry with the pain. I will seek medical advice. Thank you.
I was going to advise the same as SnazzyD. You need to just take some medical advice on your symptoms as soon as you can really. Just to be reassured.
Hi I will do. Thank you
I agree with the others. I would be asking for professional advice.
Thank you.
I agree with SnazzyD - you can assume it is costochondritis only once all the other potential nasties are ruled out. Until that is done - the safest assumption is that it could be cardiac related and that MUST be ruled out.
I was diagnosed recently with costochondritis. It’s a very sharp pain, & immediately drove me to find the blood pressure machine & see what’s happening, before calling 111. But BP only slightly raised & painwent off. It did return so I went to the Dr.my pain, though, isn’t central,but to the left of the breast bone. I suggest you get to a Dr soon. I think any chest pain should be checked out, do not assume what it could be!! It’s a very sharp pain, nasty pain, but doesn’t last more than15 minutes for me…but then it always happens again, & is quite scary!
hi Pixit, yes the pain is very sharp and is sometimes on both sides of my chest, worse on movement and tender to touch. I will see what the Rheumatologist says today.
Glad you’re seeing somebody today, if it happens again, do ring for help immediately! Hope it’s something easy to solve!
Do you have an appointment with the rheumy today? If they aren't helpful do please seek medical advice at the ED if necessary because I am very concerned about your description of the symptoms - they COULD suggest a problem with your aorta. It probably isn't - but better safe than sorry.
Hi just left the appointment. Says to start reducing the steroid dose monthly by 0.5mgs … my suggestion not 1mg. To take Tramasol for the flare ups! Told him about the chest pain.. dismissed it as reflux!! Hmmm I think I know the difference between the two.
I am to call for an appt when I have the next flare up for bloods and mentioned blood test for ? Adrenal function beginning with S. I have seen it mentioned on this forum if anyone can enlighten me please?
I must say I’m not impressed. I told him I have 1 kidney and don’t want to take ibuprofen, he says that’s ok for short periods.. don’t know why I bothered attending the appointment.
"I must say I’m not impressed"
No, I wouldn't have been either. Tramadol does nothing for PMR pain. It MIGHT be reflux but it doesn't sound like it to me and central chest pain has to be considred to be cardiac until proven otherwise. So please, next time it happens, at least call 111.
Synacthen test - but a basal cortisol first shows if there is any point going the whole hog for a synacthen test.
Thank you for that.. ok then. Pain is on movement really…
My ED daughter says she wouldn't consider you to be wrong for turning up at the ED.
Adrenal function? - Synacthen test checks adrenals are capable of working -
patient.info/hormones/synac...
As you say, maybe a waste of time.. and for a flare you need more Pred … end of!
Thank you
I think consultant concerned that I have insomnia, irritability, anxiety etc.. wants dose reduced..
Huh - noone ever tell him that unmanaged PMR does that too? I had PMR untreated for 5 years - most of the so-called adverse effects of pred manifested in that 5 years without even a single dose.
Well he can look forward to hearing from me regularly regarding flare ups 😂
Excellent!!!
Yes I understand that.. and sometimes it’s a very fine balance between side effects and pain! But pain in PMR:GCA invariably means inflammation not under control which in itself can cause more problems.
I think I was diagnosed with chostochondritis last September, the pain was awful very much rib and sternum pain. . Coughing made me want to cry. I had rheumy appt by chance, he said nothing to do with him but thought it was chostochondritis and to see GP. He took it rheumy was correct and told me to buy a tens machine from Amazon, which by the way did help but I was wary of putting it over heart area. Lasted about 3 weeks I think then went away. Fingers crossed never to return!!
I get a ripping pain but more left sided always from mid afternoon onwards, even since I had a fall in the garden last year. My respiratory seems to think it’s acid related.
Take care
Wendy xx
Subcutaneous lump in chest.
Stiff sensation in jaws
Hollow/nervous sensation in stomach
Early morning discomfort in chest 
