I was dx'd 2.5 yrs ago and I have a new sx that I cannot seem to shake. It is going on 3 weeks now and I am getting worse, not better. I am not sure if it is from MS or not.

It started as a sharp pain on the right side of my chest - sort of in the bone - I described it as a "screwdriver in my chest". It has expanded over the weeks to include my right shoulder, my neck, my back and my throat - mostly on the right side. It truly feels like my bones are too small for my body. I question whether it is an MS pain because I can trigger it - sort of. It is generally always there - but the sharp stabs are from movement. All of the other MS pains I have had were on auto pilot - there was nothing I could do to make them come and go - but this I have a wee bit of control over - I can't make it go away - but I can make it worse.

I went to my GP last Monday - he took xrays of my chest - which showed no issues with bones, lungs, etc. He suggested that my next step be to either the neuro or spine specialist (I have a bulge at C5/6 that I have had for years - I know what caused it and know when it is bothering me - this is not the same pain at all - but you never know if something could have changed with that).

I have an appt with the spine guy Wed.

My GP gave me 500mg tabs of Naproxen and told me I could take up to 3 a day. I had already been taking that amount OTC for a week when I saw him. No real benefits noted. I stopped that Saturday and started on some Neurontin (300mgs 3xday). I haven't seen any real benefit from that either - except that I fall asleep easier at night.

Does this sound like an MS thing? Think I am seeing the wrong doc this week and should just call my neuro?

I have my doubts because nothing else is bothering me - bladder works, no extra numbness, no vision issues - all of my usual hallmarks of a flare are not present. But this pain will not let up - and is getting worse.

It is to the point that I am in tears after a few hours of life. I can't take a deep breath. I can't pull my pants up. I can't lift anything heavy at all - and by heavy I mean the Sunday paper, a full container of OJ, my purse (LOL), etc.

Any and all help is greatly, greatly appreciated.

Thanks ~

Gina

Hi Gina,

WOW! You really are having some unique problems. Some of which I've never heard of associated with MS. But as you know with MS, it has its own personality.

I would be very concerned because when your body is in pain it is telling you something is definitely wrong and needs to be addressed. I would also call your neuro at the least to get it put into your chart and at best to get his input on what this might be.

My first thought is you may have an infection in the Sternum, which I had last year. The symptoms I experienced were very much like yours and my PCP put me on strong antibiotics and a pain killer. It went away after about four weeks. This would account for your worsening of the pain by movement and trying to breath deeply. I was always short of breath during this time.

I get the feeling your GP on scratched the surface of trying to find out what you cause of this pain may be. Continue to see the Spinal doc but make sure you do call your neuro and tell them you want him to call you back that you are in terrible pain.

Keep us informed.

Sorry. That sounds truly agonizing.

I don't think any of us can tell you if it's MS or not. You're doing the right thing by going to the spine guy and with a call to the neuro, you should get some answers.

Good luck!

Craig ~

Did you have a fever or any other signs of an infection? How did they determine that that is what it was?

This is my only sx - so far (fingers crossed). I am not finding chronic pain to be all that much fun.....

Moonwolf ~

I have no idea either Hopefully I should find out more on Wednesday when I see the spine guy.

Thanks to both of you for the help! I am glad I googled long enough to find where braintalk went to.....

Gina

No, I had no fever just chronic and acute pain. Main symptoms included difficulty breathing, shortness of breath, pain if I tried to take a deep breath, and many times if I moved just right the pain would radiate to my ribs and shoulders.

How did the PCP determine a Sternum Infection? By just putting pressure with his hand directly on my sternum and I about went through the roof.