Ribs and sterum pain, can anyone help please?

skezier
skezier Member Posts: 11,333
edited 6. Apr 2009, 07:34 in Living with Arthritis archive
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! :wink: 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

Comments

  • lindalegs
    lindalegs Member Posts: 5,398
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    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 :D
    Love, Legs x
    'Make a life out of what you have, not what you're missing'
  • skezier
    skezier Member Posts: 11,333
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    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
    debatat Member Posts: 659
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    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
    skezier Member Posts: 11,333
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    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
    debatat Member Posts: 659
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    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
    skezier Member Posts: 11,333
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    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? :wink: You take care and thanks again. Cris
  • debatat
    debatat Member Posts: 659
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    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
    skezier Member Posts: 11,333
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    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
    colinone Member Posts: 1,039
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    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
    mistywillow Member Posts: 711
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    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
    skezier Member Posts: 11,333
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    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....... :wink: 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? :D
    Take care,
    Cris x
  • lindalegs
    lindalegs Member Posts: 5,398
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    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. :D

    ...........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 :D
    Love, Legs x
    'Make a life out of what you have, not what you're missing'
  • skezier
    skezier Member Posts: 11,333
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Legs,
    I am glad you had such a good time, I wholeheartedly (maybe too much!) agree that payback pain is often worth it! :lol::wink::D

    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......... :D:D

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