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Idiopathic Small Fiber Neuropathy - chest pressure/tighteness

Posted by sf2021 @sf2021, Apr 8, 2021

Does anyone have chest tightness/pressure around the torso associated with small fiber neuropathy? My upper torso (below the breast line) feel extremely tight like someone is squeezing the front part of the torso. Breathing is not a problem but I feel like someone is crushing me; the symptom comes and goes. I am wondering if anyone else has experienced this symptom. If so, what worked to alleviate/resolve this terrible symptom. Thanks very much in advance.

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bordia | @bordia | Jun 17, 2023
In reply to @cipnsue "Yes, I have the torso tightening issue. It was the worst at first - had trouble..." + (show)
@cipnsue

Yes, I have the torso tightening issue. It was the worst at first - had trouble sleeping at all. Now it is less with Cymbalta, but I usually sleep with very loose fitting clothing and a small pillow to my chest area to "disguise" the pressure.

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I also experience the torso tightening band & it's difficult to find a position to sleep. I also use a small pillow to my chest. One neurologist I saw prescribed Gabapentin, but I only took it for a week because of side effect concerns and the neurologist didn't seem to know what the problem was. I've been seeing another doctor who specializes in demyelinating diseases (like MS, for example). He has noted a lesion at my cervical spinal cord but hasn't settled on a diagnosis.

I will talk to my doctor about the Cymbalta & see if it helps. Thank you for posting!

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1 reply
cipnsue | @cipnsue | Jun 17, 2023
In reply to @bordia "I also experience the torso tightening band & it's difficult to find a position to sleep...." + (show)
@bordia

I also experience the torso tightening band & it's difficult to find a position to sleep. I also use a small pillow to my chest. One neurologist I saw prescribed Gabapentin, but I only took it for a week because of side effect concerns and the neurologist didn't seem to know what the problem was. I've been seeing another doctor who specializes in demyelinating diseases (like MS, for example). He has noted a lesion at my cervical spinal cord but hasn't settled on a diagnosis.

I will talk to my doctor about the Cymbalta & see if it helps. Thank you for posting!

Jump to this post

Hmmm, I have a lesion on my thoracic spine. They did a PET scan and said it is not cancer, but a schmorl's node (a bulge in the disc).

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ginette | @ginette | Jun 18, 2023
In reply to @mafalda "I have the exact same symptom as you describe, the pressure band in my chest! and..." + (show)
@mafalda

I have the exact same symptom as you describe, the pressure band in my chest! and I almost feel I should not mention it anymore to the doctors, because any and all the doctors I mention this, don't understand or relay to it! I wish they will read these blogs! I have come to the conclusion that same as my legs and hands are becoming stiff, my muscles in my torso are also getting stiff. which brings me to question my diagnostic of CIDP????? BTW, my face around my lips is also num.

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Sclerodermia?

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helene71 | @helene71 | Jun 19, 2023

I have been having the same crushing pain in my right side mostly. It feels like you said squeezing the life out of me. It takes my breath away. I am going to see an Adult Endocrinologist to determine if the abdomen or the digestive system has a blockage as I am also very constipated with the Pregabalin for nerve spasms and I take arthritis pills Meloxican. The pain is debilitating I have to lay down and not move for hours before the pain subsides sometimes it just goes on all day and night. I am itchy all over but mostly between my shoulder blades and lower back. What a mess. I am wondering if the traumatic fall I had two years ago is a contributing factor to the neuropathy burning tingling and stiff toe pain that I am left with.

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trudi22 | @trudi22 | Oct 22, 2023

I am suffering from this chest pain right now. All on the left side. That never happens, for me, my pain and spasms are on the right..Regardless, 4 days now. I am miserable. I cannot even put weight on my left arm and/or hand. I am struggling to take a deep breath, and when I do, my whole chest hurts and my right abdomen. My left breast is tender to the touch (mostly near armpit) This is a first since I was diagnosed with SFN in 2020. I have a low grade fever. My home covid test was negative, thank goodness. Still worried, despite the fact I have had painful "flare ups" that have kept me laid up for days on end.

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