Pain upon deep breaths

[amyshol]

Hiya, everyone. I know I haven't written much in these boards, but I've been reading a lot. It's really nice to have people to relate to. Anyway, the reason I write tonight, since January, so for the last 2 months, I have been having pain in my back between my shoulder blades. At first it felt like a pulled muscle, but then it started to hurt when I took deep breaths. Now I physically can't take deep breaths without leaning back and lifting my shoulders up to expand my chest cavity. It's weird. And I still get the pain when I do breathe in all the way.

So I'm just wondering if anyone else has experienced similar problems. I talked to a physical therapist who I work with because I didn't think it was related to PA since there is no joint back there. She said that the ribs connecting to the spine could be the site of inflamation and that would explain the problems inhaling all the way. But for sure, I will mention this to the reumy next week. I'm on mtx, 20mg, for 3 months, btw. :)

Amy

[JesseLou]

You have little joints between the spine and rib cage that can become inflamed. You also have tissue between the ribs that can become inflamed in PA, and this is called costrochondritis. If you have this in the tissue between the ribs and breast bone, it hurts tobreathe.

The other thing that can cause back and rib cage pain is an inflamed shoulder. When a shoulder becomes inflamed, the muscles around it try to keep it from moving. This is called "guarding". The guarding muscles are in almost continuous spasm, and so what begins around the shoulder can spread to the neck and upper back and eventually the whole upper body gets into the act.

[Nasus]

I feel for you. I had long dental work done for 5-6 hours in November. My ribs in my back hurt since then when taking a deep breath. I had xrays done to make sure no ribs were broken or cracked. Still hurts at night to sleep on that side. I don't know, I think any weight or pressure on our bones hurts us. Time will tell.

[tpd70]

Amy,

I deffinatley know what you are talking about. I thought for sure I had something broken at first but quickly noticed that it was only after sleeping or laying down. I am sure it is inflamation in the shoulder and spine area that would cause pain with deep breaths. I did my second injection of Humira a week ago today. I have not had that pain for 2 weeks now!

Tom

[janelee]

I had a very bad upper resp. infection last year.....I coughed until I thought I was going to explode. Anyway....I seriously thought I broke my breast bone. My rheumy told me it was very common to have pain in the breast bone area......

[lewislibrarian]

Oh, JaneLee, I know just what you mean. I'm getting over a bad headcold and have coughed until I can feel every rib. This is miserable. I think the oddest rib/back/chest pain I've had with respect to the PsA is pain under my shoulder blades. I think it was tendony rather than jointy, but god did it hurt. And you couldn't get at it to massage or heat or anything. Misery! I couldn't roll over in bed, I couldn't put my arms behind me to bathe or dress. Coats were horrible to put on. My rheum treated it as a flare since I was so deeply affected by teh pain, but it took me months to figure out the connection and get to teh doc for treatment.

[CJ-888]

Yes sounds just like the first how my PA first showed up. Ever see Alien, When it pops out of that guys chest. Sorry, but that what comes to mind. I used lie in bed in tears wondering if i had cancer or somthing. Doctors could't explain.
And the pain between the shoulders. They looked at me like i was crazy.

But the good news is. 20 MG MTX, and Humira seem to take care of this. I still have lots pain in hips, sacrum. But pain in chest, ribs and spine between shoulders is much better.

take care all,
chriS

[janelee]

Lewis...that is no lie that it takes months to get past that pain after being sick. I thank God daily that I have not been sick AT ALL this winter. That is a first....and I am on mtx...folic acid, feldine, wellbutrin, Lexipro and Concerta!! I can't believe my immune system has been so good this year!!
.
Chris...
I am starting Humeria at the end of April....however...I might call and see if I can get in sooner and go ahead and get started. I am hoping I get good results from it. My main problem right now is my ankles, wrists fingers and neck. Does anyone have a hump on their neck? I have a large hump and it hurts really bad at times. What is the dose on your mtx? I would really like to get off of it if the Humeria works...however, my Rheumey said that the mtx and Humeria works the best....we will see.

[Nasus]

Janelee, stay on some Metho with the Humira. My Rheumatologist told me it makes Humira last 40% longer. You might be able to cut back, but not all the way

Chris, I get the chest rib pain with deep breath also.

[CJ-888]

Janelee:
My main concern is my sacrum/hips and my right arm. I take 20mg mtx a week. Yuck, makes me sick and weak. Thinking about asking for injections. Less side effects hopefully. Asked my Dr. about going of MTX. He said no! Maybe if we can stop progession, I can cut back. Combination of both works best.

Just took 5th humira shot. A month ago I had spots on hands, elbows, chest, ribs, knees down to feet, scalp, ears , you know everywhere. And it was ******, red and swollen. Now, i barley itch. And no red spots. Few pink spots, but amazing results with Humira. Hope its works on my PA.

Bump on neck? Like a scist? SP-? Or like tendon, muscle or glands.
My glands will get swollen, cause a hump on my neck. Can really hurt, make it hard to move neck.

take care,
chriS

[janelee]

Wow...I am very lucky that I don't have the skin problems along with mine. I am hoping that I don't develop it later. The only skin issues I have is dryness. I use tons of lotions...but I am just dry. I think I will take that over the other. I hope it gets better.
.
Lewis...I am sure I will go with what the doc recommends...and he is saying the same thing you are...that it works better using both drugs together.

[amyshol]

I went to the rheumy on Friday and asked her about the shoulder/back pain. She said it is not unusual for pa, but it most commonly happens where the ribs meet the sternum. It's called cronochondrtis or something like that.

I have not had much relief from the MTX, so she increased to 25 mg and said that was as high as she would go. In 2 months, we will discuss the next step which she said most likely will be adding an additional med.

Hopefully, when the weather gets warmer, things will calm down. Last summer, my nasty hands and feet cleared up and have been clear ever since. :)

Have a good one, all!

Amy