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Respiratory Disorders (Expert Forum)
persistent painful breathing for 6mths
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persistent painful breathing for 6mths
by miche02, Jan 02, 2005 12:00AM
I am looking for information or any advice on my problem. For the past 6 mths I have had pain (upper right back) when I breath (mostly deep breathing). I have been to the doctor and he said it was pleurisy. Was given indocin. That has done nothing to help me. Went to a specialist, he had me stay on indocin. That did nothing. I stopped that medicine about 2 mths ago. A lot of the time, the pain is just a sharp pain that radiates to my shoulder. It is worse when I lay down and if I lay on my right side. It really hurts then. I take advil sometimes. The pain still comes back. The only thing that helps is when that area is massaged or when I take a hot shower. I have had 2 chest x-rays-normal, and a chest CT 2 mths ago and that was normal. I am at my wits end. I don't know what to do and my doctor(specialist) isn't sure either. I am going to switch doctors. The doctor said it sounds like pleurisy but pleurisy does not last this long.
Can this be cancer that just isn't showing up? What other tests can be done (if any?) to help identify the problem? I am 33 yr old female, non-smoker. I have gained 20 lbs over the last 6 mths. What can cause the type of conditions can cause the type of symptoms I am having? Thank you so much for your time.
Miche
Can this be cancer that just isn't showing up? What other tests can be done (if any?) to help identify the problem? I am 33 yr old female, non-smoker. I have gained 20 lbs over the last 6 mths. What can cause the type of conditions can cause the type of symptoms I am having? Thank you so much for your time.
Miche
Doctor's Answer
by National Jewish, Jan 18, 2005 12:00AM
, Jan 18, 2005 12:00AM
Pleurisy is inflammation or irritation of the pleura, the sac that holds the lungs. This can cause chest tightness and pain, which is felt more with deep breathing and coughing. This can be caused by anything that reaches the covering of the lungs that should not be there, such as bacteria or viruses. Antibiotics will help a bacterial infection, but will not help a viral infection. Over time your body's natural defenses will clear a viral infection. Eventually pleurisy will resolve but it may take weeks. However it is unusual to last 6 months. During this time it is important to treat the pain so that you are able to breath as normal as possible so that other problems do not start. As you have already discovered 2 things that may help with the pain are:
1) an anti-inflammatory pill, like Advil® (ibuprofen); and
2) heat, especially moist heat, like a bath or shower.
It is extremely unlikely that this is cancer based upon your age and you’re being a non-smoker. Having a chest CT and 2 chest x-rays that are normal is reassuring. Since your symptoms have continued for 6 months you should have a thorough exam to be sure there isn’t some other problem causing your symptoms including the 20-pound weight gain. As an example when there is a problem with the gall bladder this may cause pain that is felt far away from the gall bladder. You may wish to see a different pulmonologist for a second opinion.
1) an anti-inflammatory pill, like Advil® (ibuprofen); and
2) heat, especially moist heat, like a bath or shower.
It is extremely unlikely that this is cancer based upon your age and you’re being a non-smoker. Having a chest CT and 2 chest x-rays that are normal is reassuring. Since your symptoms have continued for 6 months you should have a thorough exam to be sure there isn’t some other problem causing your symptoms including the 20-pound weight gain. As an example when there is a problem with the gall bladder this may cause pain that is felt far away from the gall bladder. You may wish to see a different pulmonologist for a second opinion.
