Have any of you had trunk pain?

[Janna]

I can't seem to get this diagnosed so I have no idea if it is lupus related.
I get it only when I am asleep- it feels like I have a band around my trunk and chest and the pain gets so bad that I feel like my bones are being crushed. I wake up in the middle of the night every night, with this pain and am so stiff that it is hard for me to move. Any input is welcome and appreciated!!

[Clare.T]

I haven't had such a problem luckily and I am sorry to hear you are experiencing it - it sounds very uncomfortable :(

I have heard of a similar sounding 'band' symptom with MS but I can't remember exactly what they call it - girdle maybe ?

I know you from 'elsewhere', I think, and its good to see you posting here

Maybe another person will have more useful information.

All the best
Clare

[Lily]

Hi,

I do get a band of pain around my trunk (exactly as you describe, like someone is squeezing the life out of me, its a burning type pain) and I also get tremors there sometimes. MS was suspected originally, I've had this symptom on and off for around 6 years. I do have CNS lupus and lots of tremors and muscle stuff so I guess its to do with that.

As Clare said it can be a common sign in MS, but I just wanted you to know that it can also occur with other diseases.

Mine doesnt just occur at night though, but maybe you notice it more then?

love
Lily

[Janna]

Thanks Lily and Clare. MS was ruled out last year. One doctor thinks it could be neuralgic trunk pain. Clare- yes you know me from the old LFA site! Thank you for remembering me!!

[hollyhk]

This sounds like pleurisy as I've experienced. It is definitely a tight, wrap around feeling.

Holly

[Janna]

Holly- I have had it on and off for years and this round has been going on since May! Do you think I could have pleurisy that long? And- why would it be horrible at night and then a low simmer during the day? I wish I was smart enough to have gone to medical school!

[Lily]

Hi Holly,

I get pleuritis but this is a very different pain, both in its nature and location. So for me at least its not pleuritic.

love
Lily

[Janna]

Thanks Lily! I slept sitting up last night-propped up with lots of pillows. I only woke up once. So this is a clue- except i can't figure out the puzzle-LOL!
Maybe the neurontin is helping. I am only on 200 mg- started at 100 mg. I am so allergic to meds that my doctors always start me out slowly. I think he will bump me up to 300 at the end of the week. But I'd still like to know what this pain is. The neurologist wants my spinal fluid but I am not ready to go that route.

[Lily]

Hi again,

Sorry, on re-reading your post you get trunk and chest pain..........I missed the chest pain. I dont get that.

I guess its possible you have a couple of things going on (we often do) or that they are linked. When I had pericarditis I had the chest pain but it was more localised around the actual heart area, I certainly was worse when lying down and sitting up and leaning forward seemed to ease it a bit.

What does your Rheumy say about it? Have you seen one?

love
Lily

[Janna]

My rheumy says she has no clue. I have had periodarditis in the past but it was 8 or 9 years ago. I know that laying flat made it much worse but if I remember correctly, the pain was just in my chest. this is lower- starting under my bra line and down passed my stomach (hope that wasn't too much info!)
It is weird!

[MichelleAnn]

Have you had an MRI of your spine?....I have vasculitis on my thorasic spine, the lower middle of my back...the MRI showed the tiny veins, at first they thought MS of the spine, but it was ruled vasculitis...I do not really have any symptoms related to it I do not think...I have trunk pain and severe leg pain at nights....like a toothache that wont stop, I am unsure exactly where the pain is coming from....only thing that helps it or takes the edge off is Percocet...sleeping is uncomfortable, I awake with achiness and pain and numbness/tingles/like when hand is asleep in legs, it is not restless leg syndrome.
M

[Janna]

Yes I had an MRI last year. I woke up at 6:00 AM - alarm went off and I jumped out of bed not realizing that my leg was numb from the hip to toes! I fell and badly sprained my ankle. In the ER- they noticed that my eye pupils were different sizes so I ended up having many MRI's and an Emg.
I have neuropathy and one non specific white lesion on my brain. The neurologist was pretty useless. I'm not ready to look into it further because I don't want a lumbar puncture.

[sue90x]

Hi,
I get this periodically it feels like someones sat on my chest and crushing my upper body, the only way to releive it is to prop myself up too. A silly new doc changed my antacid med! I despair :worried: got new antacid but still get the pain I think by 42 I'd know indigestion pains plus rheummy clinic is overloaded at the moment my appt well overdue:rolleyes:
take care
love and hugs
Sue xx