Costeochondritis(so?) Please make me feel better :(
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So 2 days ago i was on a 2 hour drive. I have two babies. My son needed fed so i maxe him a bottle. I was driving with my left hand and reaching clear back to the right passenger seat in the middle row and was feeding him for probably a good 5 minutes. That night I started having terrible pain on my right chest and rib area. I woke up at 3am laying down and I every time I took in a breath it was sharp stabbing pain. Now here I am at night 2. The pain has seemed to lessen as every time I breathe it doesnt hurt as bad unless I take a deep breath. It still hurts to cough and sneeze and yawn though. My only concern now is that I get out of breath very easily. I cant even walk up my basement stairs (20 steps) without getting short of breath and the pain starting again. I need some reassurance. I'm only 24. I had many tests done and conclusion was Costo. She gave me 200mg ibuprofen..really? That didnt even touch the pain. When it hurts its like someone is breaking my ribs. I would rather have chils birth..no joke. Please guys. Tell me I'm not crazy and this is normal? I have terrible anxiety and I'm terrified of dying.
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Costo_Chris Guest
Posted
Hello. Believe me, YOU ARE NOT CRAZY ... and if your tests are OK YOU ARE NOT DYING, it just might feel like it at times! Costochondtitis seems to be a mystery to the medical world. Until I was diagnosed with it I'd never heard of it, not had family and friends. I'm sorry to hear about your situation, particularly when life must be hectic for you with two babies to care for.
I have had Costochondtitis for 15 months. I've had all types of medication and tests/scans, including MRI, all showing that I'm in good health. Once I resigned myself to there being nothing 'sinister' wrong with me, I started to eat very healthily and do daily easy stretches, used the Backpod device (see YouTube 'How to fix Costochondtitis' and did daily walks things have started to improve ... or at least I'm managing it better. It is improving to the point where I take relatively little medication (I don't really like taking it, but when needs must...) and only when absolutely necessary, say every three days or so, to give my body system a rest in between. I only take Ibroprofen and Paracetamol, which, with the knowledge of my GP I take at the same time (i.e. 2 x Paracetamol together with 2 x Ibroprofen.) This doesn't rid me of pain but numbs it. For example, last night I took the 4 tablets at 8.30pm, went to bed at 9.30pm and slept solidly until 5.30am - a massive refreshing sleep for me. So I know (hope, because I know how fickle it can be at times!) that I'll have a relatively good day today because I have had a good sleep. In brief my advice is:
AVOID STRESS - I know, easier said than done with 2 babies but I'm sure that anxiety worsens it.
GET AS MUCH REST AS YOU CAN - even if you don't sleep just lie on your back and take it easy.
KEEP DISTRACTED - with your babies this won't be a problem for you! Give yourself some 'me time'. I used to be really houseproud, probably bordering on obsessive. Now I just think that there's no rush and eventually jobs will get done. I now feel no guilt if I sit and do a crossword or some painting or go for a walk, instead of doing chores because I know which is best for me and will help me to recover more quickly.
EAT HEALTHILY - lots of veg, fruit, nuts, seeds, ginger, turmeric.
DAILY EASY STRETCHES & WALKING - this has helped a lot with my breathing.
You are young and resilient and will find a way forward. Experiment until you find what works for you and try to focus on the good things in your life.
Do get in touch again if I can help further.
Kind regards,
Chris.