I too have chest pain,and recently,it has become a part of daily life occuring several times a day,almost always on the right side,now and then,it settltes into central chest with a heavy aching feeling.Some times it is so intense I can't take the most shallow breath,it is piercing and I can't possibly move.I was 8 the 1st time I clearly remember it happening,even now it feels like I have a weight on my chest. I had anECG and it came back as normal,I haven't heard about the x-rays yet( on feb 17)

I have had lupus for almost 14 years now. I'm 29 years old and I was diagnosed just after my daughter was born in 1993. It's so weird to read about someone else having the chest pains. Just this past Summer ( in June ) I rushed myself to the ER afraid I was having a darn HEART ATTACK. With my mom being a surgical RN she said it would be best to go to the ER and see what was wrong.......guess what? They sent me home after doing SO MANY tests and said ALL of my tests were NORMAL. I went home still with chest pains that lasted about another week and then my bill came. $7,000 for a 5 hour ER visit.....NOW I THOUGHT I WAS REALLY GONNA HAVE A HEART ATTACK. This lupus thing is tricky folks. I think the doctors sometimes just run out of guesses when treating problems that challenge them.

I haven't been given a diagnosis for pleursy(SP) my ECG was apparently ''normal'',I have no idea what is going on,I have wondered many times if I should call 911,I know I am being booked for a CT scan,but other than that ,no information yet,it seems it takes forever for some one to post,so feel free to send private messages.

I was diagnosed in 1989 and have had vague chest pain for a long time. However, 4 years ago I awoke in the middle of the night with an elephant on my chest! I couldn't breath. I couldn't stand up straight. I could'nt even get my self dressed to go to the er! I spent 4-5 hours in the er, with them thinking I was a drug seeker. they ran thousands of dollars worth of tests, all to send me home with no explanation.

that afternoon I had an appointment with my pain management dr, told him the symptoms and he said " oh, that is COSTOCONDROITITIS". TOOK HIM ONE SECOND! I went home looked it up on the National library of medicine website, and sure enough it fit the description.

I have had many bouts with it since, but i know what it is and how to treat it.

COSTOCONDROITITIS: IS THE SUDDEN OR SLOW ONSET OF INFLAMMATION OF THE TENDONS AND LIGAMENTS CONNECTING THE STERNUM, RIBS, AND SPINE. THIS CAN LEAD TO LONG TERM SCARRING IF ANTI-INFLAMMATORIES ARE NOT USED TO REDUCE THE INFLAMMATION. this is seen in other rheumatoid conditions as well as lupus. you might want to be checked for other conditions such as sponylitis (arthritis of the spine) or psoriatic arthritis.

hope this sounds familiar and helps you find answers

good luck,

mia