Hi DocSarah,
I got the result of my blood test: all negative for Lupus. Well, my chest pain was getting worse, so I called my rheumatologist's office, thinking it might be related to Lupus. I was able to get an appointment today, and that's when I got the result.
My heart rate was high all morning. When I was at her office, it was 112, and she told me to monitor it. Also, my blood pressure was high: 144/80. She did find some tenderness in my rib -- front left to side to back left and told me I had both Costochondritis and Intercostal Neuralgia. I asked her why Medrol (it wasn't quite Prednisone I was taking since my last appointment with her) hadn't been helping with these inflammations, and she said she was puzzled too. It all started about a week ago with a brief shooting pain in my chest and now it's a constant pain in my whole left upper body, including my arm and hand.
She told me to take Advil, etc to see if that will help. If not, she will give me an injection this Friday. When I got home, however, I noticed her instruction sheet said ,\"Do Not Take Advil, etc, if you are taking Prednisone or other NSAID.\" I called her office and left a message, but have not heard from anyone. In the meantime, I called my Internist's office and made an appointment for tomorrow. I just want to make sure other causes for my chest pain be ruled out if necessary.
Have you heard of anyone with AA having these conditions: Costochondritis & Intercostal Nueralgia??? How about any chest pain? I don't know how I got these. Also, I am glad I don't have Lupus, but I still don't know where swelling & joint stiffness come from. Medrol did seem to help with swelling so far. What does or could it mean, then? I didn't think fibromyalgia causes swelling of joints, etc. I am puzzled.
Thanks for listening.
Mitsuyo