Lupus Support Group

Lupus is an auto-immune disease in which the immune system cannot distinguish between threats (like viruses and bacteria), and healthy cells and tissue. As a result, the body produces antibodies that inflict cell damage, most commonly targeting joints, skin, kidneys and the nervous system. Join the group and find support for coping with lupus.

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gardenchic 09/15/2013

I have had sharp pain on the right side of my chest for 24 hours now. It's to the point that I can get a full breath, and have to breath really slowly through the pain to fill my lungs most of the way. The doctors know that with the Lupus, I have been diagnosed with pleurisy and I think that's what this is. The part that worries me a little is I've also had a pulmonary embolism (on the left side) years ago, but I don't have a fever or rapid heart rate this time. I'm not asking for a dx, that wouldn't be fair. But I really don't want to go to the hospital on a Sunday. wait times are pretty long here, although I'm pretty sure they would fast track me with my breathing problems and medical history.
the good thing is the pain is better than yesterday, and I want to wait until tomorrow to go see my regular doc... I just don't know if I should wait that long. *laboured sigh*

SleepyT 09/15/2013

I deal with this lovely facet of Lupus. I've not had the pulmonary embolism but have had strokes and wound up in ICU with pericarditis.

Do you have a clinic in your area? or maybe a nurse line to call before you go in?

I have Xanax I take when it gets bad. The point you're talking about not being able to get a full breath freaks me out. I would have already been at the doctors if I had a previous embolism, but that's me. I prefer to err on the side of caution. I'd go and take a good book.

Let us know how it goes. Take good care.

gardenchic 09/16/2013

I went to the doctor's today after doing chest x-rays, etc. and they're not sure what it is. they're pretty sure its costochondritis, but we're going to monitor it. (we've ruled out the p.e. and anything heart related. but it could still be pleurisy or pneumonia or, etc). it's just so frustrating that it's happening at all.

gardenchic 09/22/2013

Well it turns out it was costochondritis, and it had almost gone away, now its back. I can't get over this. I can't take a full breath and its really starting to wear on me. anyone have ideas?

nanny1611 09/22/2013

What did your doctor suggest? If nothing else is working for you, here are some websites about natural remedies for costochondritis. Don't know if they can provide any help or not. My big supplements are InflamericZyme (from Olympian Labs), Lauricidin, and Olive Leaf Extract. These help me a lot. I noticed that serrapetidase is mentioned on a few of these sites, and that is an ingredient in InflamericZyme. Best wishes to you.
http://costohope.blogspot.com/2009/08/cosotchondritis-natural-healing.html
http://www.regenerativenutrition.com/content.asp?id=325
http://collectivewizdom.com/Costochondritis-SymptomsandTop10NaturalRemedies.html
http://www.livestrong.com/article/397133-herbal-treatment-for-costochondritis/

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