disturbedme
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 12346
posted
I, quite often, get these weird pains in what either feels to be my heart, lungs, or ribs. It's usually on the left side. And I usually notice it only when I breathe in.
Once in a great while it'll even feel like there's something sharp in my lung/heart/rib area and when I breathe in it hurts and is kind of sharp and something feels "caught" in there and only when I breathe in really deep does it feel like it becomes uncaught and it doesn't happen again for... what is usually every month or longer apart. (I have no idea if that makes sense, but that's the only way I know how to explain it.)
Does anyone know what I'm talking about and have this as well?
It could be my heart, but I've just last year had lots of heart tests done (before I was diagnosed, actually, because I was having palps and tachycardia) and everything came back normal. I don't know if this would most likely be lung or rib pain.
-------------------- One can never consent to creep when one feels an impulse to soar. ~ Helen Keller
My Lyme Story Posts: 2965 | From Land of Confusion (bitten in KS, moved to PA, now living in MD) | Registered: Jun 2007
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just don
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 1129
posted
Hi, Sorry to hear your having pain!!
I forget the name of it,,it is inflamation of cartilage in that area that HURTS like crazy like a heart attack,,,decieves LOTS of us!!!
SOMEBODY will come along soon and tell MORE about it!!than--just don--
-------------------- just don Posts: 4548 | From Middle of midwest | Registered: May 2001
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posted
No info, just commiseration. When I first had this, I described it to my PCP as 'something catching at the end of my respiration every now and then - hurts!'. The worst is the heart-area pain. But it is very occasional for me - always gets my attention for sure -
I'm sure you've been thoroughly worked up over & over, as have I, so I am not worried about 'the big one' or anything. But it is amazing what we have to put up with - and it's 'just another symptom'!
otm
Posts: 314 | From east coast | Registered: Oct 2007
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WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW Pleurisy (PLOOR-iss-ee) is caused by swelling and irritation of the membrane that surrounds the lungs. It is usually a symptom of another illness. It is also called Pleuritic Chest Pain.
Causes Pleurisy can develop from many things, including bacterial or viral infections of the lungs (such as pneumonia), TB, lupus, chest injury or trauma, a blood clot in the lung, or cancer. Sometimes a cause cannot be found. Doctors call this ideopathic (id-e-o-PATH-ik) pleurisy. Even though the cause isn't known, the problem can still be treated.
Signs/Symptoms The hallmark of pleurisy is severe chest pain that starts suddenly. The pain is often strong
or stabbing when you take a deep breath. It usually subsides or disappears between breaths.
It's usually felt on one side of the stomach area or lower chest. Deep breathing and coughing
often make it worse. You may also have a fever, pain when moving, or fast, shallow breathing.
Typically, you will be able to point to the exact location of the pain. In some people, the
pain spreads to the neck, shoulder, or abdomen.
Care While your doctor looks for the cause, you will
get medicine to ease the pain. This will help you breathe more easily too.
Risks Some cases of pleurisy clear up by themselves, but it's more likely that your lung problems
will get worse. Possible problems include pneumonia or fluid build-up in the lining of the lungs. Some problems can cause damage to the
Costochondritis is an inflammatory process of the costochondral or costosternal joints that
causes localized pain and tenderness. Any of the 7 costochondral junctions may be affected, and
more than 1 site is affected in 90% of cases. The second to fifth costochondral junctions most commonly are involved.
The onset is often insidious. Chest wall pain with a history of repeated minor trauma or
unaccustomed activity (eg, painting, moving furniture) is common. Pain may be described as follows:
Exacerbated by trunk movement, deep inspiration, and/or exertion
Lessens with decreased movement, quiet breathing, or change of position
Sharp, nagging, aching, or pressurelike
Usually quite localized but may extend or radiate extensively
May be severe
May wax and wane
Melissa
Posts: 3905 | From USA | Registered: May 2007
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disturbedme
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 12346
posted
quote:Originally posted by merrygirl: I believe you are discribing pleurisy or Costochondritis
I don't know if it's pleurisy, as I've had this symptom for quite a long time. I had it when I was young even (I think I was bit when I was young).
I've also had pneumonia (when I was in the 7th grade) so I got real painful pleurisy and that was a lot different than whatever this is causing me to feel once in a while.
Can lyme or co's cause 'mild' pleurisy or Costochondritis? Any idea?
I will talk to my LLMD about it next appt.
Thanks for the info.
-------------------- One can never consent to creep when one feels an impulse to soar. ~ Helen Keller
My Lyme Story Posts: 2965 | From Land of Confusion (bitten in KS, moved to PA, now living in MD) | Registered: Jun 2007
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disturbedme
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 12346
posted
quote:Originally posted by onthemend: No info, just commiseration. When I first had this, I described it to my PCP as 'something catching at the end of my respiration every now and then - hurts!'. The worst is the heart-area pain. But it is very occasional for me - always gets my attention for sure
EXACTLY! It feels like it 'catches'. It's very strange. Yep, it's very occasional for me too.
-------------------- One can never consent to creep when one feels an impulse to soar. ~ Helen Keller
My Lyme Story Posts: 2965 | From Land of Confusion (bitten in KS, moved to PA, now living in MD) | Registered: Jun 2007
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posted
Costochondritis has been a real bad symptom for me. It came on gradually and increased through the years with visits to the ER in the past year. Very bad.
Yes, it is scary!!! No (if this is what you have) it is not fatal and does relieve on its own but sometimes it takes awhile.
I have found that massage, moist heat, and NSAID's help and pain relievers when it is really bad.
Mine has gone away (I HOPE!!!) with tx....
-------------------- Seeking renewed health & vitality. --------------------------------- Do not take anything I say as medical advice - I am NOT a dr! Posts: 830 | From TN | Registered: Aug 2007
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CaliforniaLyme
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 7136
posted
With em that was Babs too and it has been gone for years & years-!!
-------------------- There is no wealth but life. -John Ruskin
All truth goes through 3 stages: first it is ridiculed: then it is violently opposed: finally it is accepted as self evident. - Schopenhauer Posts: 5639 | From Aptos CA USA | Registered: Apr 2005
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posted
Yes, I've had this! And I had it when I was young, too. So did/does my sister.
My sister learned from her doc a few years ago that sometimes that pain is actually a symptom of mild constiptation. Your intestine is very very long and wraps up under your rib cage. It can get a little kink that feels like a stabbing pain.
Seems weird but since I found that out I realized that usually when I get that stabbing pain when I breath in, I also have some intestinal issues going on at that time - maybe not as regular as usual for a few days.
Something else to consider...certainly all the meds we take can mess up our digestive systems. Try a high fiber diet for a day or two and see if you feel better.
We sure do talk about "everything" on this forum! Posts: 257 | From Connecticut | Registered: Oct 2007
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posted
my last attack of "pseudo - heart attack" landed the ambulance at my house. I was hyperventilating and sure that I was dying.
The ambulance people were really nice and helpful, however the ER Drs have me pegged as a hypochondriac.
I was told that I was having "classic Panic Attacks by the psychiatrist I was seeing so she doubled and actually wanted me to triple the antidepressant she prescribed.
I doubled it only to get 5 stitches under my knee and a severely twisted and bruised foot and ankle on opposite leg.
Next day I was seizuring and did not realise it so I went off the meds cold turkey.
I am sick of being patronized and told I need to be proactive, that my migraines are due to my diet.
That my migraine meds are being abused and to take other pills more frequently than the prn maxalt.
I hit rock bottom before I came up for air. The "Panic Attacks" still happen but not as frequently or severe.
I can relate to this totally and wish you luck!
Posts: 6 | From Kamloops, BC | Registered: Dec 2007
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