Recurrent Pleurisy or something else?

I am a 28 yr old, healthy and active female.  My only current medical issue is an under active thyroid, for which I take .125mcg of Synthroid daily for the last 10 months.

In August, I woke up one night with SEVERE pain upon breathing.  Each breath was a stabbing pain in my lower left rib cage area and radiated through to my back and in my chest. The pain was sharp and quick with every breath.  My husband had to assit me out of bed and to the Urgent Care.  I had a clear chest x-ray and was diagnosed with Pleurisy and sent home.  I had no other symptoms or illness of any kind.

Then the day before Thanksgiving I started having a slight "twinge" of a pain in the same areas when breathing.  By the next morning is was very severe again.  I saw a PA at my doctor's office and received a CT scan to rule out an blood clot and had another chest x-ray, plus an ANA blood panel.  All were fine.  Again, diagnosed with Pleurisy and sent home with pain meds.  Days later, with no relief, they called in a Med-Pak (steriod) for me.  I took it and did get better, but it took 2 weeks.

Now it is January and today I woke up again with that "twinge" pain that preceeded the last episode and I am fearful that I am going to be suffering a full "attack" again by tomorrow and again, spend 8-14 days getting over it. What could possibly be causing a recurrent attack of Pleurisy in a healthy young woman with no illness?

Could it be something else?  What other tests should be considered?  Should I see a pulmonologist?

I am healthy, have had NO illnesses, no fever, no cough, etc.  HELP!

[National Jewish]

I would recommend seeing the Pulmonologist, as you have mentioned.  These symptoms could be coming from the lining of your lungs, inside your lungs or a nerve running the rib area.  Seeing a specialist with your CTs in hand would be a good next step.

[mowglita]

A related discussion, recurrent pluerisy or somthing else was started.

[anngags]

A related discussion, chest pain was started.