... You can determine costochondritis from pleurisy pretty easily. Costochondritis is inflammation of the cartilage along the sternum where the ribs connect. If you press along the side of sternum, it will hurt and elicit the same pain you are feeling. Pleurisy is deeper and there is no tenderness involved, just pain. They both respond to anti-inflammatories and heat, and both are... (11 replies)

... If it hurts too bad, doesn't improve, or you have any symptoms that might come from your heart or lungs, make sure you go to the doctor or hospital just to be sure that you're okay... (11 replies)

... Pleurisy usually develops after or with a respiratory infection... but you could have costochondritis - an inflammation of the little muscles in your ribcage. It's very painful to breathe deeply and expand your chest. The pain can wrap right around to the back or be in the front center of your chest. It can feel like a heart attack, but it's actually on the outside of your... (11 replies)

... I think taking the naproxen regularly, twice a day, will help the most. You may be feeling some residual pleurisy in your back, as it can be felt front or back or both. It is an inflammation of pleura, so the anti-inflammatory agents treat the cause of the pain. (11 replies)

... Pleurisy can come from smoking, pneumonia, blood clots in lungs, inflammation of the pleura from autoimmune disease, and sometimes it just happens for no apparent reason. It can last a few days, but usually responds to antiinflammatories unless there is a more serious underlying condition. (11 replies)

... Sounds like possible pleurisy, but could also be coming from the pericardium (sac around heart). Most cases of pleurisy are benign and self limited, often following a respiratory infection like a cold. But there are serious reasons for pleurisy too, so it's best to get it checked out. If you feel it can wait until tomorrow AM when your Dr's office is open, you could apply a... (11 replies)

... For the past 5 months I have experienced varying degrees of pain under my right shoulder blade. It was assumed it was a muscular injury, and I was sent to PT. The problem seemed to be easing. August 28th, I started with a sore throat. I immediately started taking Vitamin C and Echinacea, not wanting to get sick. 2 days later my son developed croup. I continued to fight being... (0 replies)

... feels like something is sitting on me! I't been going on for a couple of weeks. It doesn't seem like it's muscles it's deeper than that. Reminds me of when I had pluerisy years ago but I haven't even had a cold. ... (73 replies)

... About a year ago, I felt some soreness on my left ribcage. Right at the last rib there was what felt like muscle spasms, and pinching sensations that would come and go. Over the past year it came and went and I noticed that the area was swollen (not red) just puffed out and the pinching and other small sensations would continue, stop and come back. Usually I can press on a... (0 replies)

... Sounds like you are really busy, and may need to slow down and take care of yourself. Find someone to give you a hand. You need to get better, and I know pluerisy is painful, so you need some rest to get better. ... (6 replies)

... Is it pluerisy or something else....any advice or similar stories would really help me and make me feel better. ... (0 replies)

... Sounds like it could be pluerisy. Do a search on it and see if your symptoms fit. I went on antibiotics and muscle relaxants when I had mine. Hope you get some answers!! (2 replies)

... I had pluerisy about 20 yrs ago. I was put on antibiotics and a muscle relaxant. I think the pain went away after about a week. I have never heard of a nerve block for this. ... (4 replies)

... I, too, had pluerisy approximately 20 yrs ago. I picked up a bug from cleaning up after a flood that hit our city. ... (8 replies)

... Rain, I feel your pain about taking the time off from work. That has been the last three years of my life. All of my vacation, personal time, sick time has been used up with my condition. The chest xray will show your lungs and your heart. When I first started having problems, that was the first order. My doctor ordered it to see if I had a pneumonia or if there... (12 replies)

... :confused: My asthmas has recently flare up once again after 25 years, but this time, there is a strange burning sensation in my chest for 2-15 seconds everyday about 2-3 times a day. I had X-ray and CT scan, but my pulmonary doctor has not figure out what is the actual caused. I am currently taking Advair, Singulair and Aciphex. My breathing is OK, but the burning... (2 replies)

... Do a search on symptoms of pluerisy and see if it describes what you are going through. I had it about 20 yrs ago and it is pretty uncomfortable. ... (4 replies)

... You can look up "pluerisy" and see if any of those symptoms match what you are having. I had it about 20 yrs ago and it is an inflammation of the lining around your lungs. I had pain with breathing then but cannot remember if I had fever or the other things you mentioned. Good luck on feeling better!! (1 replies)

... of the lung lining that LOOKS like pluerisy but can't be because they've never seen it after pneumonia or lasting this long. ... (7 replies)

... It's been about 30 yrs since being in the nursing field so I'll give you an outdated guess. the pain in the left quadrant in your chest is probable over strained muscle from out of shape diaphram. The IBS is a whole different matter. Your anxiety level is sky high right? That to can produce pain and strain in suspicious areas like the chest. Since you started bike riding which... (2 replies)