Chest Pain and Lyme

Hello- I was diagnosed with Lyme two months ago after being bitten by a tick. Went through 21 days of antibiotics, now on another round of different antibiotic for a sinus infection. This is new to me and I'm doing the research. What a nightmare. My main concern just now is that I'm feeling heavy chested and have pain in my chest. I went to the doctor yesterday and he dismissed it by saying I was breathing through my nose and because of the sinus infection I was not getting enough air into my lungs. What a ridiculous answer because I know my body and I know that regardless of breathing through my mouth or nose, it's challenging. My concern and question has to do mainly with the chest pain (and also neck pain - my entire neck, front, sides, back of neck). I understand that severe consequences of Lyme can be inflammation of the heart. How do I know if this is happening to me and I should go to the ER? Does anyone have any experience with this? How does one know if this is just another mysterious symptom or a threat to my life? I don't know what to do just now. My other concern is menengitis, which I understand can be the other life threatening problem. I have no fever, just an incredibly sore neck. I would appreciate any input/advice anyone has from their personal knowledge or experience. Much thanks from a single mother of three teens in Tampa. I never knew a Boy Scout kayak trip down the Peace River would result in this. My current meds are cipro, tramadol and a very small dose of lexapro for anxiety.

Chest pain is very common and really there can be a multitude of symptoms. One very common one is a condition called costacondritis. It can be minor, r feel as if ou were having a heart attack. It is the inflammation of the joints that connect the sternum to the ribs. It can cause pain, shortness of breathe, pressure.. the symptoms really go on. Its inflammation of the joints, exactly what lyme loves to attack. You can try taking some Advil to see if the pain goes away. I was taking 800-1200 mg until the costicondritis passed (about 2 months), but it still flares up sometimes, not nearly as long though.

I would certainly pay attention to your pulse rate and blood pressure. Do you have a little home machine? They can come in really handy. If you have concerns, certainly talk to your dctor about checking out your heart, but if you see a cardiologist, I suggest you find one that is knowledgeable in lyme, because the same symptoms can mean entirely different things.

Good luck,
Samantha

Begonia,
I too have been experiencing chest pain for the last two months. It hurts when I breathe but the pain is not severe. Now the back of my necks and shoulders are tight and stiff too. I was told the chest pain was probably heartburn (not too sure I believe that). I also suffer from lyme anxiety so I know that I may be a little more worried about this symptom than I should be. I think the costochondritis is a reasonable assumption as well. Not sure it's a symptom of lyme but I think for me if it was something more serious it would be worse by now.