Re: Chest Pain

Posted By CCF CARDIO MD - MTR on March 01, 1999 at 11:51:04:

In Reply to: Chest Pain posted by Cindy on February 26, 1999 at 13:53:00:






2/1/99-I began to have a stabbing pain under my left rib directly beneath
my breast. I was also having periodic sharp shooting pains. The next
day the pain was a stabbing pain that felt it went all the way through
to my back. I saw my doctor who did a heart test, Diagnoses: Pleurisy.
It hurt to sit, exhale, and talk. Finally it seemed as of the week of 2/14
that the pain was much milder and hopefully going away.
I have had periods of cold sweats, where I felt extremely hot, broke out in a
sweat but my forward was cold and clammy to the touch.
Today 2/26- I have the sharp pain again almost as bad as the first day, in addition
there is also pain in the center. The rib hurts to the touch in addition
to the center area between both ribs. I have had for about a week periods of
short quick episodes where I feel a quick shortness of breath. Is this Pleurisy,
how long does it last. My current medical history is positive diagnoses of the following
Hiatal hernia, IBS,  and a year ago after a period of about a 1 year span that I had sore
joints, I was tested for Lupis, Lymes disease, Arthritis. I was diagnosed with FMS, although
my blood test showed an abnormal white blood cell count that was high. I was tested for
hyperactive thyroid, negative, I have recurrent Bladder infections and had testing
done to make sure that there were no irregularities there except that I have a auxillary spleen
and hidden spinal bifada. I dont know if any of this is related, but at this point I feel very
confused as to whether the proper diagnoses are made. I feel certain I have FMS, IBD, and
Haital Hernia, but feel there has to be more to it, What do you think?






Dear Cindy, thank you for your question.  I think that FMS refers to fibromyalgia syndrome.  Given your symptoms and history, I suspect you have an inflammatory condition of the rib cage and perhaps the lining of the lungs (pleurisy).  It's often hard to determine what causes this condition, but it can often be treated with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents like motrin or aleve.  It's also hard to determine how long the symptoms will continue as well.  Thus, I suggest you speak to your physician about taking anti-inflammatory agents.

I hope you find this information useful.  Information provided in the heart forum is for general purposes only.  Only your physician can provide specific diagnoses and therapies. Please feel free to write back with additional questions.  Good luck.
If you would like to make an appointment at the Cleveland Clinic Heart Center, please call 1-800-CCF-CARE or inquire online by using the Heart Center website at www.ccf.org/heartcenter.   The Heart Center website contains a directory of the cardiology staff that can be used to select the physician best suited to address your cardiac problem.