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Inflammation around ribs?

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Posted 3/26/2015 1:58 AM (GMT 0)
I'm really struggling this week. I know the plaquenil is going to take some time to kick in- it's only been less than two weeks.

At the gym last week I felt a weird sensation in my left pec while stretching my arm. It felt like a lump or something near my rib that was real tight. I can't really physically feel a lump or anything, but I keep getting that pulling sensation there when I stretch a certain way. Now I'm getting weird sensations on and off around all parts of my rib cage. When it happens on my back, it feels more like a numbness or burning. I'm wondering if this is inflammation around my ribs?

Every time I get a new symptom, I always second guess what's wrong with me. I know the hug feeling is a common symptom of MS- maybe my mind is overthinking this?
Posted 3/26/2015 4:02 AM (GMT 0)
Yup, you're over thinking it -- pretty common among the newly diagnosed, so don't sweat it.

I suggest that you quit testing the area (quit stretching to see if it still hurts) for a few days, drink plenty of water, and if it's still there in 4-5 days call your Dr and ask about inflammation.

It may be that you need more than plaquenil.
Posted 3/26/2015 12:51 PM (GMT 0)
I seem to have a certain soreness/tightness in my chest that lasts a few hours in the mornings. I haven't figured out what it is yet but I'm no longer alarmed about it.

I had really bad chest/rib pain when I was first diagnosed and got super worried about it, but it turned out I had pulled my rib muscles doing detox (twisting) yoga. Every time I do this type of yoga I get the same pain. Have you made any changes to your workout routine?
Posted 3/26/2015 1:05 PM (GMT 0)
No changes to my workouts, although these past few days my endurance has been very low, so my workouts haven't been that great. My chest doesn't hurt when doing any type of chest exercises though, and I've pulled muscles before and it doesn't quite feel like that. The numbness part of it is a really strange feeling.

Whenever I was getting all my tests done to figure out what was wrong with me, I had a nerve conduction study that found I had ulnar nerve entrapment. They didn't really investigate at the time because that wasn't the reason I was having the test done. I read ulnar nerve entrapment can stem from neck issues, the chest, or thoracic area. I'm wondering if maybe I've got a pinched nerve somewhere causing some of these issues.
Posted 3/26/2015 1:11 PM (GMT 0)
That could be it, it is definitely worth letting your rheumatologist's office call. Mine usually encourages me to call with any symptom changes.

I don't know anything about ulnar nerve entrapment, but I personally dealt with a lot of numbness/tingling that has greatly improved with my meds. When my symptoms really first came on a few years ago my leg went numb for days and I saw three doctors who all had no idea what it could be and wound up diagnosing me with low B12. Now it all makes a lot more sense!
Posted 3/26/2015 1:57 PM (GMT 0)
Yeah- they told me I had b6 toxicity, low b12, low vitamin D. Once I got all my levels to normal, it made no difference.

I notice the ulnar nerve entrapment at work, as my hand goes pretty numb if I rest it on my desk too long while typing. I looked up some stretches online for thoracic outlet syndrome that seem to help if I do them frequently enough.

My rheumatologist seems more concerned with tests results as opposed to symptoms, so I don't think letting them know would change his treatment recommendations at all.
Posted 3/26/2015 2:44 PM (GMT 0)
I have ulnar nerve entrapment and carpal tunnel. I wear braces to bed that keep my arms and wrists from bending through the night. I hate it as I'm a curled up kind of sleeper but it does help.

My cardinal rule now is with any new, weird pain (that is tolerable and not severe) I give it 5 days to a week. If it is still there I get it checked. If it isn't I generally chalk it up to some wacky wonderful inflammation that has passed on. Actually as I've become tired of doctors it's more like two weeks I wait which likely isn't good but yeesh, one can only take so much prodding and poking!
Posted 3/26/2015 5:06 PM (GMT 0)
I've heard about the braces before. I'm a very chaotic sleeper as well, and I find my arms sometimes going completeley numb at night to the point that I have to pick them up with my other hand to move them.

It's also hard to go to a doctor and try to describe these weird sensations we all get. Since I'm only 26, most of the doctors already have treated me like I'm crazy. You wouldn't believe how many times I've been asked if my job is stressful or if my relationship is stressful or if I've ever felt like I was having trouble breathing. I'm stressed because I'm sick, not the other way around!
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