Posted , 7 users are following.
Hi. I have been experiencing Costo symptoms for a while now. Occasionally I have the sharp pain but mainly I just have a tender costo joint under my breast. I get aching anywhere from under my breast, my ribs and back and my shoulder. I also have a swollen collar bone. The knobbly end near my sternum definitely sticks out more and it occasionally aches too. Has anyone else got this?
0 likes, 12 replies
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liz47921 julie92319
Posted
Hi Julie, I have the same symptoms apart from the sternum being more prominent, so I can't really help you there, sorry. My main areas are ribs on the right and shoulder blade pain. I only really feel the area under the breast when I wear an underwired bra, so I avoid that at all costs. I've had costochondritis for over 4 years now, but I'm still searching for something to ease the symptoms, or ideally get rid of it altogether. I'm new to the forum, but I've had some really good suggestions from other sufferers on here already.
laura18022 liz47921
Posted
Hi Liz,
I've been battling Costo since Dec 2016.
Made major live changes and still have really bad flare ups and can't pin point the causes. I do have to wear bras
. Lol
I try not to wear underwire. Would love be to get some of your ideas. I've been to chiropractors, physical therapy and everything in between. Plz at your convenience can you share?
liz47921 laura18022
Posted
Hi Laura, I'll certainly share with you anything that I find helps, I've only been on the forum since yesterday, so I haven't had a chance to try out all of the suggestions given to me yet! However, I have had some relief from using a foam roller to do some stretching (I'll attach a link, the video is at the bottom of the article). I went out and bought the roller yesterday and I've used it three times since and I can feel a small improvement, especially in my area of pain around the shoulder blade. It's early days yet, so we'll see! I've always had short term relief from using heat/cold packs and Tiger Balm on the painful area, but like I said, they are only temporary and never take the pain away completely, which is my goal (isn't it everyone's?!) I've also been advised to use a tens machine, with caution on the chest area due to electrical current, I haven't tried that yet! Good luck! Here is the link to the foam roller stretches:
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liz47921 laura18022
Posted
Hi Laura, I have replied to your message a couple of hours ago,but I included a link to a website and for this reason the reply is waiting to be moderated. If it doesn't get passed I shall message you again, but without the link!
laura18022 liz47921
Posted
laura18022 liz47921
Posted
Thanks so much Liz! I had heard about the foam roller for stretches. I may get one and try theses slowly. I was doing stretches in PT and made it worse. I use ice often when massive flares up happen. Seriously the only thing that relieves me is xanax. I've tried everything! Now very low sugar diet and I walk a lot.
Tens machine? I'll have to google that.
Thanks again!
liz47921 laura18022
Posted
You're welcome. I have weird reactions to most of the strong painkillers (Tramadol and Codeine cause insomnia), so I am limited to what meds I can take unfortunately. The quest goes on! I'm a great believer in exercise though and because I have reactions to things I am starting to rely on it more and more (I also have spondyloarthritis, so I have to keep moving!) I also found that physio made my pain worse though, so I have never tried it again. I'm contemplating acupuncture as I had good results with it when I had a bout of sciatica last year. I'll let you know if I try it for the Costo.
laura18022 liz47921
Posted
Honestly most pain killers do nothing. This has been a very painful week! And keeping moving is difficult with the pain but it's a must. My next try will be acupuncture. I just wish insurance covered it. I may get a tens machine as well but what I'm reading is that it's for sore muscles! Who the heck knows! lol I'm having a pity party this week....sorry and thanks for listening!!!
liz47921 laura18022
Posted
No worries! I know exactly how you feel. I had a bad flare last weekend by lifting something that was at chest height, I just forgot and did it much to my dismay! I'll continue with the foam roller as it does seem to be helping a little bit, and see how I go in a few days. Take care and let me know how you're getting on.
Conta10 julie92319
Posted
HI, I have the swollen collar bone and swellings on the right upper end side on the sternum. I have a rib, too, that looks weird, looks like a lump. My chiro gives it some massage from time to time and he says its dislocated. i have no idea why that is. The area under my ribs aches constantly. Btw, if you have swellings it's called Tiezte's syndrome. Some ppl say its a little bit different from costo, and when I read about the differencies in the two, I just selfdiagnosed myself with both costo and tietze. LOL. And I dont really care, it really doesnt matter. Its painful and annoying anyhow.
ray63269 julie92319
Posted
jeremie36462 julie92319
Posted
Hi! I've been diagnosed with costochondritis few days ago. Started last December 2017 with a sharp pain under my breast. All I thought it was heart burn or somethig else. Pain went away, then around January after experiencing severe coughing due to asthma, costo flared up again. Decided to see a doctor a gave me Arcoxa for pain. But it doesn't help. Now I have tender upper ribs and a swollen collar bone. Back aches that radiates through my right arm. Ugh! I really hate this feeling. Hoping I could be with my old self. Praying for your recovery and for everyone else experiencing this