ER trip yesterday

[revolution breeze]

Severe chest pains, shortness of breath. EKG and bloodwork came back negative (hooray!) but the doctor said that my Sjogren's has caused inflammation in my breatstbone and ribcage. He said RA does not usually manifest itself in the chest/abdonminal area. You learn something new every day! Oh well, hand me my prednisone.

[Altoid_Cyclist]

1. Sorry to hear about the ER trip.

My sister has had a lot of trouble with an as yet to be determined auto-immune disorder. The Doctors know that it's some type of AI problem but they haven't been able to pinpoint which one it is or if it's a combination of disorders.

The last time that I talked to her she mentioned that she was also having trouble with pain and inflammation around the breastbone and ribs.
Prednisone and other drugs seem to alleviate it for awhile but the problems always come back in a new spot or one of her regular problem areas.

Good luck in the future. I hope that the Prednisone works for you.

[revolution breeze]

2. Thank you.

I have had RA for almost 30 years (Juvenile RA diagnosis at 14) so I can live with the autoimmune. Cardiac issues run deeply in the family and that scares the heck out of me.

[Altoid_Cyclist]

3. Cardiac issues run in my family also.

I've had two MI's with the first one happening right after I turned 50. My father had his first one at 50 also. I had an older brother who was only 35 when he died from an MI. I have another older brother who has also had his share of heart problems. Luckily, so far my sister hasn't had a heart attack or anything, but the disease and the medicines cause some strange cardiac rhythms and blood pressure fluctuations. She still manages to get out in the kayak as often as possible, but the health problems are taking their toll emotionally.

Her husband also has a ton of medical problems. Luckily she lives in Germany so they won't lose their house due to being ill.

And then there's my oldest surviving brother who is 67 or 68 and is still running half marathons and has had no issues other than elevated cholesterol readings. However, his wife is fighting breast cancer so our family seems to be cursed when it comes to health issues.

Try to stay positive and take advantage of the good days! :thumbsup:

[marybourg]

4. Google "costochondritis" and see if that sounds like it. Common with autoimmune

diseases.

[Altoid_Cyclist]

5. It's been a while since I spoke to her, but I think that was the term that she used.

She's just to the point that as the old saying goes; sick and tired of being sick and tired.

She's been to so many specialists in Germany in the last ten years or so that she's frustrated that she still doesn't have an actual diagnosis other than something in the A-I spectrum.

She's been running a fever for over a year and the Dr's. just tell her that as long as it doesn't get any higher then she should just ignore it.

As long as she's able to go kayaking, she is able to live with the constant pain, fatigue and fever. I just worry about the consequences if she gets to the point where kayaking is no longer an option.

Luckily she has the family attribute of stubborness on her side so she is able to shrug off a lot of discomfort, but she also tends to get blood clots in various organs and that is probably her main concern.