Hi, I have been diagnosed with Lupus since the early 80s. The past couple of years I have had severe chest pains. I have had an angiogram and do have a small blocked vessel that could cause some pain, but not what I am experiencing. My Dr has finally just put me on pain pills and even that isn't ending all the pain..Has anyone else with lupus had chest pains?
Hi Tonzie -
I've had chest pains but they were related to pleurisy - doc did CT scans - ended up draining my lung of fluid twice (NOT fun if you aren't a fan of big horse-sized needles!).
Chest pain is certainly nothing to take casually - and pain meds is not solving the problem - it's only masking it. I would do some jumping up and down and hollering. Maybe a second opinion? Maybe a specialist? Do you feel like your doc is writing you off?
Thank you for answering me. I feel like I have been jumping up and down to the Dr. I have been to about 4 different Dr. for other opinion....Nothing>>..Maybe they are writing me off, and they may think it is all in my head, but its not. Sometimes I feel like a hypocondriac tho because with lupus and fibro, I have had so many different ailments that from day to day I don't know what is going to be wrong next. But thanks anyway.
Potassium is the fastest, safest, cheapest way to rid yourself of chest pain. If heart pain meds are not helping and you have lupus, chances are you have pleurisy. Pleurisy does not always show up on the X-rays they use to diagnose. If you can't get anything else to work, give potassium pills a shot. They are over the counter and if you follow the directions on the label, the pain may be relieved in as little as two days or less. Potassium is something that your body makes as well as uses what you ingest through foods (i.e. potatoes) When you drink pop, or take blood pressure medicines, potassium is leached out, and allows water to collect around lungs and heart causing searing pain that can be bad enough that you can't bear to breathe, moving from your sternum to your spine and encompassing what feels like your entire ribcage. If all else fails, give it a shot and see what happens. It won't hurt you, but it might help you.
Thank you. I am definately going to give it a try. I am really desperate and willing to try anything and potassium could certainly be the answer. I have had plurisey (sp) in the past, but it was many years ago. I wonder if once you get it, you can get it more easily? I used to get it every year when I was in my 20s.....Thanks again...
chest pains? 
