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Reactive arthritis - chest pains

Are there cardiac manifestations of rheumatoid arthritis that are not audible on a stethoscope. I've been diagnosed with the condition, have experienced chest pain, and been told it's costochondritis by my GP. However, the affected area does not become more painful when pressure is applied, leading me to believe that this is possibly a misdiagnosis (I acknowledge the fact I'm not a doctor myself, and hope I'm not a hypochondriac, either - I just want to make sure he's got it right!). The condition's continued for three months thus far, and I was hospitalised for two weeks. I've been referred to a second rheumatologist, with a sub-speciality in vasculitis, but they have a long waiting list, and my appointment's in mid-June. Can you help? I'm 15.

Current medication:
Piroxicam,
Omeprazole,
Sulfasalazine,
Codeine,
Paracetamol.

Thanks.
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Avatar universal
A related discussion, help me was started.
Helpful - 0
773637 tn?1327446915
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Dear Glen,

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease in which the body’s immune system attacks itself.  The heart can be involved, however, with inflammation of the valves, inflammation of the sac around the heart (pericarditis), or inflammation of the heart muscle itself.  Without fully evaluating your findings, I cannot say for sure what is happening with your chest pain, and what the cause of it is.  However, pericarditis can cause chest pain, so it would be appropriate to ensure that you don’t have this as the reason your chest hurts.  That said, the most common cause of chest pain in children and teens is chest wall pain.  It’s not necessarily reproducible with pushing on it, it is often sharp and hurts worse when you breathe in, and is not due to the heart in any way.  It is benign and does not cause problems.  Your GP should be able to make tell by the history, examination, and an ECG if this is the cause of your pain.

Reactive arthritis is not associated with cardiac involvement, however.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Sorry, I meant "diagnosed with reactive arthritis" - I'm going mad!
Helpful - 0

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