Pleurasy

[Rosiaz]

Last year my Lupus doctor suggested that discomfort / sense of chest pain was likely to be pleurasy.Over the last months this has spread , and now my chest feels quite sore. ( it does not feel in like bronchial tubes and no.cough).

However , last week I did a few stretch exercises that possibly increased the pains.

Would I be advised to contact my GP , or the rheumatology hospital clinic and the help-line. . . .or wait and see. ?

[Debbie_kinsey Administrator LUPUS UK]

Hi Rosiaz

Sorry to hear your pain has been spreading and increasing.

According to The Lupus Encyclopedia, pleurisy is fairly common in people with lupus, with 40-50% of people experiencing it at some point. There are different treatments for it, depending on how severe or recurrent it is.

As you feel it has been spreading or worsening since they diagnosed it, it's definitely worth contacting your GP or rheumatologist. They can investigate to check if it is the pleurisy causing the pain, and prescribe treatments if necessary to help you feel more comfortable.

(If you have a sudden increase in chest pain that spreads to your arms, back, neck or jaw; makes your chest feel tight or heavy; also started with shortness of breath, sweating and feeling or being sick; lasts more than 15 minutes - then you should call 999).

Hope it improves soon, take care

Debbie

[Rosiaz in reply to Debbie_kinsey]

Thank you . It is comforting to get this feedback .

[Millie74]

Hi Rosiaz,

I’ve had pleurisy twice as a symptom of Lupus SLE. If your symptoms have changed since you last spoke to the doctor or the pain is increasing, I would advise you to speak to the GP again.

[Rosiaz in reply to Millie74]

Thank you Millie 74 . . . These replies take the place of being in the Lupus group coffee mornings I used to go to before we moved .

[Minnie2000]

Hi, I went to my GP earlier this year with pain when I was breathing in and sharp pain behind my shoulder blade. Also very painful when I twisted or moved suddenly. He diagnosed pleurisy but I also got a phone call from my rheumatologist to confirm this . My antiinflammatories were increased and they certainly seemed to help. Hope you get sorted soon.

[Rosiaz in reply to Minnie2000]

Thank you for your response . . . each one is appreciated . It can feel very lonely when everyone is mystified by one's hidden ailments .

[Laz2]

yes I have had pleurisy a few times- even when I was in my 20’s - usually when I have exhausted myself or ‘burnt the candle at both ends.’ I go to GP to be reassured but rest is usually the best medicine in my case (on top of the usual medications that maybe prescribed). Also I can’t get cold. I have to wrap up something ridiculous!! Keeping my chest area warm is a must.

[Rosiaz in reply to Laz2]

Each experience that has been sent helps me put a picture and understanding together . It is hard sometimes to do this with the myriad of changing symptoms. Thank you.

[sarahsch]

Hi Rosiaz,I get repeat pleurisy all the time & I'm prescribed steroids if it's bad. I can't talk in full sentences, have to pause to draw breath. I also get costochodritis (on occasion tietze) which is inflammation of the joints in the rib cage & hurts when you breath.

My experience is that the medical profession aren't very skilled when you present with two different issues in the same area, but I have learnt to distinguish them. Steroids for one, NSAID for the other.

I was told pleurisy is common in sle.

My symptoms might be worse as I have been told I have probably sustained damage to the alveoli as I'm permanently short of breath with only moderate exertion from an undiagnosed CTD in overlap.

Sarah x

[Rosiaz]

After the first week with rib/chest pain , I went back to a second tablet of hydrochloroquine sulphate on alternate evenings ( 200mg per tablet) . That was my prescription over several years. This may have been helping .Also some extra rest !