As people with lupus know, it’s a condition that can cause unpredictable and sometimes bewildering symptoms throughout the body. Among the more unusual symptoms noticed by members of MyLupusTeam is a burning sensation in the ribs.

“Has anyone ever experienced a burning sensation in their rib cage? It’s also like a bruised feeling,” one member wrote. Someone else responded, “Yes, I get this feeling in my chest and can’t get a deep breath.”

Read on to find out potential causes and ways to manage pain in the ribs with lupus.

Chest Pain in Lupus

Approximately 76 percent of MyLupusTeam members have reported that they experience pain other than joint pain. Lungs are affected in about half of people diagnosed with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), and that can cause chest pain. Lung conditions that are linked to lupus and may cause chest pain include:

• Pleuritis, also known as pleurisy, an inflammation of the membrane that surrounds the lungs
• Acute lupus pneumonitis, an inflammation of lung tissue that can occur suddenly
• Chronic, or fibrotic, lupus pneumonitis, an inflammation of lung tissue that develops gradually
• Pulmonary hypertension, a type of high blood pressure in the lungs

Chest pain can be an indication of a serious condition, such as heart attack. If you experience chest pain, you should report it immediately to your rheumatologist, cardiologist, or primary care physician. SLE is associated with a higher risk of cardiovascular disease. If you’re experiencing chest pain and shortness of breath, it could be an emergency that warrants a trip to the emergency room.

What Else Might Cause a Burning Sensation in Ribs?

Although it’s possible that chest pain from a lung condition could produce a warm or burning sensation, there are other health conditions more specifically associated with a burning sensation in the area of the ribs.

Intercostal Neuralgia

In some cases, lupus can cause damage to nerves. One symptom of nerve damage is intercostal neuralgia, which causes neuropathy (nerve pain) in the area of the ribs, chest, and abdomen. This type of nerve pain can cause a burning sensation. Pain or burning sensation from intercostal neuralgia may feel like bands wrapping around the chest and back and may cause back pain as well.

Costochondritis

Lupus is also considered a type of connective tissue disease, along with rheumatoid arthritis and scleroderma, because it can affect musculoskeletal tissues such as cartilage, muscles, tendons, and joints. Some people with lupus experience an inflammation of the costochondral joints and cartilage, which connect the ribs to the sternum (breastbone). This condition is called costochondritis and can cause soreness in the chest wall, along with a burning sensation.

Fibromyalgia

About a quarter of people living with lupus also have fibromyalgia, a pain disorder that can cause widespread pain throughout the body, including the chest. Pain can resemble a burning sensation.

Acid Reflux

People with lupus develop gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), also known as acid reflux. GERD can cause heartburn that may feel like a burning sensation in the ribs. Side effects from nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and corticosteroids (steroids) can aggravate acid reflux.

One MyLupusMember wrote of the pain in their ribs, “It turned out to be reflux from my prednisone.”

Tips for Managing a Burning Sensation in the Ribs

If you’re experiencing a burning sensation in your ribs, there are steps you can take to manage the discomfort.

1. Start by Getting Medical Advice

Always talk to your health care team when you have a concerning symptom that may be linked to your lupus. Your doctor can assess whether this chest pain may require emergency care.

It’s important for your rheumatologist to determine if you’re experiencing symptoms of a lupus flare-up or another condition and to discuss appropriate treatment options. Your doctor may suggest blood tests or X-rays to see if another condition is causing the burning sensation.

Your doctor may also advise an over-the-counter NSAID, such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), naproxen (Aleve) or aspirin, or an analgesic medication such as acetaminophen (Tylenol).

“I’ve been using moist heat and taking aspirin for years to help,” a MyLupusTeam member said of their rib pain. “I first had the symptom about 35 years ago.”

2. Apply Heat to Your Chest

A heating pad, warm towel, or warm shower or bath may help relieve a burning sensation in the ribs. Although it may seem strange to apply heat to an area that already feels warm, the sensation of burning is actually a type of pain, and heat can help reduce lupus pain for some people.

One MyLupusTeam member shared their experience: “I have had this burning sensation with no letup. I’ve tried everything. A heating pad, believe it or not, helps some. My doctor’s treated me for pleurisy with meds, but no change.”

3. Get Plenty of Rest

Getting enough sleep and rest is essential for people with lupus. In fact, researchers have found an association between a lack of sufficient sleep and an increased risk of developing lupus. If you feel symptoms, such as a burning sensation in the ribs, coming on, it’s important to get the rest you need.

“It seemed to get better with rest and not using my chest muscles,” offered a MyLupusTeam member about the burning feeling in their ribs.

If you have trouble sleeping, talk to your doctor about managing sleep disturbance.

4. Limit Your Exposure to Harmful Light

People with lupus can experience an increase in symptoms from exposure to sun and fluorescent and halogen lights. Light sensitivity can cause skin rashes in people with lupus and can also worsen other lupus symptoms.

5. Experiment With How You Position and Move Your Body

A burning sensation in the ribs that may be due to inflammation can be aggravated by how you position and move your body.

“I have a bit of costochondritis happening at the moment. Always worse when lying down,” a MyLupusTeam member said.

“I have it every day, especially on the left side. It goes away after I get up and move around,” a member shared. Another member wrote, “I also have severe pain called costochondritis in my breast bone. Massage helps me so much.”

Your doctor can give you a referral for a physiotherapist for physical therapy to help with appropriate exercise, physical activity, and general body movement to manage pain from lupus.

6. Take Care of Your Mental Health

Lupus is a risk factor for depression and anxiety. Depression has been linked to increased pain in people with lupus. Practices such as yoga, meditation, and mindfulness training have been shown to reduce stress and depression, improve sleep, and decrease chronic pain in people with lupus.

“I’ve had this every time I have a flare!” a MyLupusTeam member wrote about rib pain. “Listen to music, meditate, and try stretching lightly.”

If depression or anxiety is affecting you in your daily life, ask your doctor about a referral to a mental health professional.

Find Your Team

On MyLupusTeam — the social network for people with lupus and their loved ones — more than 222,000 members come together to ask questions, give advice, and share their stories with others who understand life with lupus.

Have you experienced a burning sensation in your ribs? Do you have more tips for how to manage this symptom? Share your experience in the comments below, or start a conversation by posting on your Activities page.