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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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What Causes Pain In The Rib Cage When Diagnosed With Pleurisy?

A month ago, I was diagnosed by my PCP with Pleurisy. I started having pressure pain in my chest, around my rib cage, back, and arm inflammation. I had a chest X-ray, which was normal. The anti-inflammatories were not working at all, so he prescribed me Prednisone, which helps. I am almost done tapering off the prednisone, (40mg for 3 days, 30mg, 20mg, 10mg), but I still feel inflammation, especially near the back of my lungs. The doctor said if I still have symptoms, he will send me to a Pulmonary. I am just curious of why I don t know the cause. Most people it seems had a cold, flu or pneumonia. I have not been sick. I was sleeping in a strange way on my stomach with my arm stretched out over my pillow. I thought maybe this contributed to the rib pain, which progressed to pleurisy. However, this seems unlikely. Should I be on antibiotics?
Fri, 7 Jun 2019
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General & Family Physician 's  Response
Hi,

If a patient's immunity is low.there is a direct lung infection. If the patient's immunity is high, there is a limited disease in the form of pleurisy with a few symptoms.

You need an antibiotic course, NSAIDs like Advil can reduce pain and inflammation. Prednisolone is the steroid that is used to hasten up the fluid resorption and needs to taper off sequentially, which your clinician is doing.

Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.

Regards,
Dr. AJEET SINGH, General & Family Physician
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What Causes Pain In The Rib Cage When Diagnosed With Pleurisy?

Hi, If a patient s immunity is low.there is a direct lung infection. If the patient s immunity is high, there is a limited disease in the form of pleurisy with a few symptoms. You need an antibiotic course, NSAIDs like Advil can reduce pain and inflammation. Prednisolone is the steroid that is used to hasten up the fluid resorption and needs to taper off sequentially, which your clinician is doing. Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further. Regards, Dr. AJEET SINGH, General & Family Physician