Costchondritis - Tietze syndrome
Posted , 9 users are following.
I'm 31 and was diagnosed in 2010
I was diagnosed with costchondritis/ tietze syndrome 6 years ago on my left side. No answers on how or why it happened to me either, I had no recent trama to my chest or rib area, or tried any new exercise, which the doctors told me were normally the cause of it. I've been fighting with it for 6 years the hardest was the 1st year, I dealt with a lot of "anxiety" is what the doctors said from it the 1st year. I like being a strong person and this condition can be debilitating at times and I hated it. It not only effects the ribcage/chest area but I would have so much swelling that I felt like I couldn't breath normal, all the muscles in my neck, shoulder, upper back and chest would emit pain and swell and become rock hard. A spreading burning/ tingling sensation that would move all over my chest and back that would spread down my arm. I went to emergency room's, which turn you away because you come in complaining of chest pain and Bam they throw you on the ekg. Well your heart is fine, go follow up with your primary. Seen 3 different doctors and always the same never understanding. Always throwing medication at me. They had me on Prozac, Xanax, Ibuprofen 800 and steroid shots. All they ever seen was a girl crying trying to figure out what was wrong herself. I dont think they understand how much it can effect you it was so bad at the time i couldnt barely move the left side of my body because the tightening and swelling on my chest would make it so hard to breath and my heart would thump so hard and fast i thought I would pass out. I wanted answers and a permanent fix not a cover up. After a year I took my self off all the medication whichave I know you shouldn't do but at that point I had no trust in doctors that they could help me. And when ever I felt like I was having an attack I would talk my self through. "I'm stronger than this" I know there are people who have it a lot worst than me and in a lot more pain and for the anxiety part of this condition that works for me. Doctors told me it clears up within 6 months to a year. Well here we are 6 years later and yep still have it. The gravel-like Cartilage never goes away and they are bigger on some days and smaller on others with dull pain that I've learn to just deal with. Which my family and friends always know when I'm hurting and I don't realize that I do it until they point it out because it's become a habit, is hold my ribcage or rub it. I do have "episodes" where I have the symptoms that I dealt with in the 1st year of being diagnosed with it. Only when i have over worked my upper body, like when I painted my house I had a bad flare up for days. Or when I've done heavy lifting rearranging furniture in my house or doing yard work (weed eating). I hate it, but I won't let it stop me I just deal with it the best way I can until it passes. I take over the counter NSAIDS, use ice packs and heating pads. I feel like it's something that I will just have to deal with with for the rest of my life. I stopped asking when will it go away? I was told by a friend that I could try a chiropracter. Has anyone tried that?
0 likes, 9 replies
Ipsydaisy tiffany54305
Posted
You have just described me completely. I saw a doctor last week in face and got nothing but a lecture on how I need to talk to a psych..grrrrrrr!!!!!!!!!!!! They will not take my seriously and cannot understand how bad this is because they can't see it for themselves so thereofre in their heads, it's not real.
I am having difficulties with the breathing and tightness of chest and the spasming and pain. I am giving up on going back to the doctor, I don't want another lecture. I feel helpless at the moment, but am like you, I try and talk myself though it, though some days it can be horrible.
I have never seen a chiro, but have considered it. I have also considered a massage therapist. Part of me is scared that it will make things worse and when I am just getting through the days right now, I really don't want worse. I think the only person who could understand this is someone who suffers the same. You end up feeling like a prisoner of your own body.
Cass73 tiffany54305
Posted
I got costo last year and was a triple whammy: virus plus coughing plus moving large number of storage boxes. Was sent to heart specialist, allergist etc etc, finally more or less agreeing it was costo. Heart specialist ran his finger down the left side of my chest and as I elevated from the chair said my heart is fine, it's costochondritis .
I lwas told to go to a very expensive but excellent osteopath who also does acupuncture. She released the muscles in my ribs in maybe 2 sessions. Relief after the first one though. I do have to watch it. No real swimming for the past year, more moving arms a bit in the water, kicking legs, etc. Now swimming a bit more. If you go to a chiro, they will have you going forever. But does help if you have coverage. The osteo, on the other hand will get you better faster, and not expect you to be a long term patient. They plan on healing you quickly. If you are working it saves a lot of time. Do investigate this. Don't go to Any OSteo. Ask around for a really good one. Hope this helps.
floridagirl tiffany54305
Posted
Hi I am 51 and I was diagnosed with costochondritis 9 months ago. And your having alot of the same issues as me and so meny others that i have read on this fourm. Some days i just can not do anything, today is one of those days. The pain runs up my shoulders and around to my back. And it feels like every nerve in my upper body is firing off all at once. Somedays i feel like this condtion isnt going away. I know how I hurt myself, I picked up something wrong and heard a "pop" and excruciating pain followed. And ive not been the same since. And i too feel trapped in this condition that I had never heard of before i got. It changes everything, I live in Florida and we love to fish and camp and go on the boat but i never feel strong enough and i know i cant cast a fishing pole. My husband is awesome and is always ready to help and especially calms me down when i have a panic attack. I haven't went to a chiropractor I couldnt take anyone touching that area where my pain is. Nor have i tried an Osteopath. My Dr has me on 500mg Naproxen twice a day and a 4mg Zanaflex (muscle relaxer) at night. The Naproxen doesn't take the pain away but i think it helps with the inflamation. And the zanaflex helps me sleep for the most part. And i feel so bad that you've been going through this for 6 years. God Bless you. I am so scared that this condition wont go away anytime soon. Its life changing and im so Thankfull that i found this fourm because i know im not the only one. Friends and some family really dont understand what it is and the usual comment is "oh you still have that?" So thank you for sharing your story and i wish you the best of health. And recovery very soon.
CheekiKat tiffany54305
Posted
Calcium Orotate cured me. Google costo and calcium orotate studies, you'll find that it cures even stubborn Cades of costo and tietze. I can't find it at any store so I order it from amazon. I've been on it for 1 month and wow its cured me. I've had it for 2 years. Everytime I life anything heavy I would get shortness of breath and pain for days. I couldn't life boxes at work or anything. A couple days ago I lifted heavy boxes for my boss because I had to and I dreaded feeling the costo pain but it never came. Over this weekend I did a bunch of cleaning and picked up full loads of laundry baskets and today no pain. I feel normal again. This is the cure folks. Costo is a calcium deficiency. Calcium orotate is easily absorbed in our bodies any other types of calcium is not. So you have to start taking specifically calcium orotate. Share your recovery please!
venkatt88616 tiffany54305
Posted
I m 23, I too have chest bone pain or sternum bone pain which started 5 years before. I took x rays, ecgs etc but no one could find the reason for that pain. And I was searching for medicines and found Homeopathy medicine Rananculous bacilous 200 suits the symptom of mine and started using it. Actually I read it in a forum. Its almost 10 days and I m feeling like my chest bone pain has reduced to 40 percent from 100.
If you have dbts abts the medicine google it. If it suits your symptoms then well and good, use it and your pain too will fly away.
I m posting this bcoz I know how the pain will be. And I want others to recover from this.
Thank you
Thumbs up
venkatt88616
Posted
while sleeping sleep straight like your eyes must see the ceiling.
venkatt88616
Posted
grace28398 tiffany54305
Posted
Hi Tiffany,
Im so sorry you are dealing with this. I have had Costro for one year. With very similar symptoms. Cold soft ice packs help, or heating pads, Also A medication called Neurontin from my dr helps pain and helps anxiety and sleeping as well. I did PT , helped a little bit. I have heard good and not so good about chiropractors. If you do choose to go, make sure they are very gentle with your chest area. I am waiting to go to a pain management specialist. I pray alot too. Helps me through the not so great days! hang in there. It does get better. You sound like a very styrong person...Good for you!! Thats an awesome quality
bernadette40879 tiffany54305
Posted
I was diagnosed only today altho i knew about a year ago but could not get doctors to agree. I paid £200 for a private consultant appointment last year and he dismissed costo outright. Along with this info and that i also had persistent cough then my gp performed many tests on lungs, heart etc, xrays, ct scans etc.In the absence of finding anything they put me on reflux tablets. Fast forward today when i saw an excellent NHS consultant after having many tests in their clinic.I still have to suffer the indignity of wearing a machine for 24 hours with tubes up my nose & into stomach before i can stop the reflux meds. I find this thread very helpful and will certainly try some of the suggestions.