Ribs and sterum pain, can anyone help please?

skezier

Hi,
I am getting real bone pain in my ribs and sternum..... feels like the low grade ache I get in my long bones at times, and I was just wondering can you get arthritis in those bones? I guess there are joints but it may just be a down day when everything hurts eh?! :roll:
I saw my Rumo this week, he is such a nice guy and since my drs and other consultants aren't I am so lucky it's this one who is! I don't have AS (wrong kind of fusing :? ) but he has changed my poss RA to a certainty........ Mind the blood tests may not confirm it. He did say he wouldn't believe a negative looking at my hands and feet and how tired and ill I feel....... I don't know what that means though. Toni said about the one that doesn't show in tests, I know if I go trolling I can find some very good posts on that one but I just have so much rib and sternum pain.... He is sending me for a chest x-ray, I must make the appointment eh?! :oops: So I just wondered can you get arthritis in your ribs and sternum?
Hope all's well with you all, take care, Cris

lindalegs

Hi Cris,

I get rib and sterum pain with my RA occasionally but this more a pain when I breathe and I can also get a soreness under my ribs but it's not an ache that's there all the time.

Do they think your RA is sero-negative then as that doesn't show up in bloods?

Hope you feel better soon.

Luv Legs

skezier

Hi Legs,

I'm sorry you get it but glad to know its not just me. He said RA, he said my wrists and hands and feet are typical. They play up a lot and for years its been mentioned but the last and only blood test was neg. He's done several tests, 3 are for types of RA I think? RF, something beginning with a E and again letters and one the same with a C on it. He said if it's negative they will do it again. :?

He's a good guy and he is aware that my gps are not that good so he has done some more blood tests as an in case. I have never seen him when I been ill before so it was good timing eh?!

Just out of interest and being nosey, do you also have a high white cell count? Mines always high and has been for a long time. The best thing is he has asked for my drip as urgent and that always help me feel less dead!
Now if I could just stop falling asleep when I sit down...... Take care, Cris

debatat

Hi Cris

Yes you can get a type of arthritis in the area you mention. Also you can get inflammation of the connective tissue in that area its called costochondritis and is very painful. I have had this they told me it was arthritis, fortunately a steroid injection cleared the problem. You have my sympathies it is very painful and quite tiring.
Hope it clears soon.

Deb

skezier

Hi Deb,
Thanks for answering, I had something like this when it snowed, it backed off after 2-3 weeks I think it's back! :roll: I am sorry you have it as it really does seem to make you tired! Could you tell me where they injected you please? I see the pain clinic over my neck jabs in a couple of weeks and she may be willing to do my neck and ribs eh?
You take care and thanks again. Cris

debatat

Cris

They injected my thigh it was an all over injection, not a local one. I don't know if they would inject there. Worth asking. You could try a hot water bottle on the area or rubbing pain relief gel on it in the meantime.

Deb

skezier

Hi Deb,
Sorry I was thinking of the other type of steroid. He said if the bloods had anything he would be in touch so maybe if they do I could ask him for that?
I shall try the hottle thing, it always helps my spine. I seem to be hunched up and that wont help so I shall go and make my body do some work and get some more gel. I wish I could stop coughing! No body told me there would be days like this....... :? Or weeks eh? You take care and thanks again. Cris

debatat

Cris

I didn't realise you were coughing, are you ill with the pain, or is it just pain. I know coughing won't help, but sometimes the chest wall can become inflamed due to a virus such as pleurisy which is a completely different thing, although also caused by good old arthur!!! I would get it checked at docs just in case. They might be able to alter your meds. Hope it improves for you soon.

Deb

skezier

Hi Deb,
I have to go for a chest x ray to rule out that kind of stuff. I think its just the immune system is useless! I got a cold back in October and all it does is keep reinfecting. I do have 2 autoimmune things and I will be better at throwing it all off once I have the drip......... He mentioned I was run down, probably anemic and basically falling apart! I don't normally let it show but you know what bad days are like eh? :oops: You take care and thanks again, Cris x

colinone

Hi Chris Sorry about it but the answer is yes, I suffer really bad with chest, Ribs, sternum, Muscles and collar bones. It can be quite scary at times and its hard to get used to. It seems to be a milder type of pain than the other pain but it is scary. Mine comes and goes
However i would advise anyone with chest pain to see the GP but having just seen the rheumy i guess he checked you out. Take care and i hope it eases soon.
Colin

mistywillow

colinone wrote:

Hi Chris Sorry about it but the answer is yes, I suffer really bad with chest, Ribs, sternum, Muscles and collar bones. It can be quite scary at times and its hard to get used to. It seems to be a milder type of pain than the other pain but it is scary. Mine comes and goes
However i would advise anyone with chest pain to see the GP but having just seen the rheumy i guess he checked you out. Take care and i hope it eases soon.
Colin

Hi Cris
Seems like you are having a rough time at the moment. I sent you a Pm earlier today but clicked some button and whoosh don't know if i sent it or the ether has it! You can get arthritis in any joints and pain in any tendons or ligaments etc sadly, but if you have a cough too maybe you have something else. I know you don't have a very supportive GP practice do you, but if it persists it probably does need checking out.
Take care of yourself
Gillx

skezier

Hi Colin,
Thanks for getting back to me. Bit of reassurance that it is 'normal' helps in some way. Take care, Cris

Hi Gill,
They don't like me seeing them........ and I really don't like seeing them....... I have had 4 lots of antibiotics but I just keep reinfecting and when I get the rip it should help! :roll:

I do that with emails, I have done something stupid today, for some reason the page doesn't go down and I end up writing it blind.......... :oops: Makes for an interesting life eh?
Take care,
Cris x

lindalegs

Hi Cris,

Sorry I didn't get back sooner but hubby and I went to London on a coach trip yesterday and typically overdid it and am paying for it today - ouch :roll: It was well worth it though.

...........anyway to answer your question I don't know what my white blood cell count is, would it be in my Mtx Blood Record Book and if 'yes' what initials will it be under - when I know I'll let you know? I would think it'll be fairly okay as my RA is well under control (at the moment :roll: ) and I don't think you're being nosey - I'm very open and will answer any questions asked - how can we help each other unless we pose and answer what's asked?

Luv Legs

skezier

Hi Legs,
I am glad you had such a good time, I wholeheartedly (maybe too much!) agree that payback pain is often worth it!

The white cell count comes up in the general bloods, mine is probably because I have the accrosinosis so without the drip I don't have near enough blood in me. It makes lack of oxygen and in tern I don't heal so up goes the white cell and I also get very high platelets count. The high white cell one denotes infection but I often don't think I have one at the time blood is taken...... :? I got these autoimmune thing so that may also make it go high eh? Just they are quiet just now, quick touch wood! :roll:

Hey least this time I aven't lost my cope! It can't escape its chain.........

Take care and I hope your payback is short lived,
Cris