Hurts to breathe under left ribcage...lungs?

Hi everyone - I'm new to lupus so I know I've had some odd sypmtoms that could never be explained before - like feelings of a kidney infection when I've had none - flank pain...stabbing pain sometimes...etc.  I had a murmur as a child but its practicly closed although I do get fluttering now and again or it feels like it skips a beat...I don't know if they are related.

In any case, my dad had pluerisy when he was younger and has described it, but what I have is this sharp pain below/underneath my left breast.  It seems sore, and then a sharp pain when I take a breath.  Moving positions doesn't really help.  Laying down maybe a little because the pressure of my breast moves off of it (I'm fairly naturally large in that area - a D with a somewhat smaller frame).  In any case, I always just dealt with it and eventually it went away, but is this something I should be concerned with now?  I just started plaquenil , but its not close to my stomach - almost on my side actually but definitely under my ribs.  I feel like more my lungs than my heart would cause a pain like this but maybe its gas or something from the plaquenil? i have an appointment with my doctor in one week and since its my first appointment since being diagnosed and she knows the kidney problems/heart situations i've had I feel she'll send me to seperate specialists and run tests to see where we stand as far as those organs, but now I will definitly mention my lungs. I just don't know how serious is serious with this disease? I have many different conditions and have been a chronic pain patient for a while, so my tolerance to pain is high...I would never go to the ER unless its unbearable, but now I dont know if these smaller pains (although intense when sharp) are just as dangerous as something more painful?  IT's a lot to take in and understand...

Has anyone had anything like this and found it's related to their lupus? I'm kind of scared right now because it won't go away and is unchanged for the past 4 hours or so...sharp pain upon inhale and soreness afterwards...

I really appreciate your input and experiences.  Thanks so much.

Hi Pennstate. The pain you describe sounds like it could be a mild case of pleurisy. With a bad case the pain level can get up to a 10. Regardless, definitely bring it up with your doc.

As for all the other issues with lupus, prior to being diagnosed and not long after, my doc sent me for major diagnostic proceedures with every complaint I had. I think it's wise to have everything checked out, but I've come to learn that if I have joint pain and unbearable fatigue, of course it's lupus. Also if I'm short of breath it's lupus, cognitive & memory problems- lupus, pain in my eyes- lupus, diarrhea or nausea- lupus, mouth ulcers- lupus, terrible headaches- lupus, permanent rash on my throat- lupus. So basically I've learned to just buck up and accept these things unless I'm experiencing something  different related to these.

I'm glad you're seeing your doc and I hope all is well. Love, Butterflake

Please check with a doctor! I started a slight cough about 10 days ago and in the last couple of days it has gotten much worse. Pain to inhale and coughing up junk. DH called doc and said bring her over now. Chest xrays showed fluid in both lungs and my osat was at 61. I had worked outside this weekend and that the straw that broke that broke the camel's back, Nice big shot of cortisone and more meds to bring home. Yea! Doc kindly asked if I could take the nebulizer to work and my DH (also bossman) said sure! He told me I was pretty sick, next time come in sooner. Please double check everything. Better to be safe!

Hey everyone - sorry I've been MIA. Turns out a had early stages of walking pneumonia and something called condochodritis - where not my lungs, but the cartilage that connects my ribs was really inflammed. A z-pack helped the pneumonia and anti-inflammatories and a lot of rest helped with the cartilage. The doc said it was probably a combination of the lups and fibro that made it so inflammed in the first place but since it was around the same area they saw the pneumonia it could all be connected. In any case, I caught it early on so am doing much better but really rest is the only thing that helped along with the meds.

I really appreciate all of your responses as, since my dad had pluerisy I was pretty sure that's what it was - so I'm glad I got it checked out. I didn't even know the cartilege between could get inflammed?! Just something else I guess...in any case I hope you are all having a great day :)