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Costochondritis

Posted , 5 users are following.

mitouback
mitouback

Im 62 years old and fit as a fiddle. 5 weeks ago I noticed pain in the middle of my sternum. It gradually got worse, especially if I was sitting for any length of time, like in an arm chair reading or by my desk using my PC. Last week it got 100 times worse. Its now in my upper back, between Scapulae and it radiated down my arem and in my arm pit. Doctor says it is Costochondritis. I ice the area, Ive staerted to got o a Chiropracticer who will work on my shoulderblades to see if there is a mis alignment somewhere...I am in such pain that Ive become very very upset. It gets me down. I cry alot. I live on my opwn and I feel at a totral loss. I find it hard to work as Im in constant pain. The ONLY time I get some relief is when I ma busy and my body is warm, ; like when Im running around the house doing things.. Bending down can be a huge issue, picking up a chair or even lifting the kettle can set it off.....Ive been told its there for good and I don't want to believe that. If it is, I am not sure how I will cope with this pain. I take antiinflammatories and icing my chest regularly. Nothing seems to help...except it is, like I said, slightly better when Im up and about. As soon as I sit down, it starts. Lying on my back is sometimes ok, sometimes not. Lying on my side is a No-No.....I eat foods that are considered anti inflammatory...Im goinf for a massage in 4 days and combining t6his with adjustm,ent on my shoulderblade. If these two things don't work---I dont know what to do.  I can't understand how I got this disease...???? Its a mystery. Any advice ? 

0 likes, 4 replies

4 Replies

  • can4484
    can4484 mitouback

    Posted

    I couldn't figure it out for more months. End up i have ribs out of place which i believe is from the chiropractor I saw. Unfortunately the only was to fix it is to see one so that's what I'm trying now.
  • Loo_pulpy
    Loo_pulpy mitouback

    Posted

    I found after Chiro work it was twice as bad??

    I think everyone is different but like you in 5 years I've had about 8 months of no back pain and cried like a baby when bad or when I'm really fed up with it .

  • lori99596
    lori99596 mitouback

    Posted

    I've now read your whole post and see that you have seen a doctor.  Where do you live?  I would suggest seeing another doctor if possible.  I'm not nearly that bad and just have to avoid leaning over forwards or carrying heavy things.  I wonder if Valium would help as it's a muscle relaxer and I was talking to a lady some weeks ago who has cancer and she finds Valium is the only thing that stops her pain,.  You need to get plenty of rest.  Is there a local authority or health worker who could arrange some help for you with household chores?
  • bob73443
    bob73443 mitouback

    Posted

    Mitouback,

    I am so sorry to hear that you are in so much pain.  I also have this condition, but for me it's somehow related to my PMR (Polymyalgia Rheumatica).  For months, I didn't know what was causing the pain, which for PMR also included the shoulders, and even the upper thighs.

    Once I was diagnosed with PMR, I was put on prednisone which almost immedately relieved the pain.  It's still a bit rough on me, especially in the morning, but as the day goes by and the prednisone kicks in I lead a very liveable life.

    I'm not suggesting that you have PMR, because you have not mentioned lower back or leg pain.  But it all this happened quickly, and if it involved more than only your sternum, you might want to do some reading on PMR or maybe ask your GP if he'd give you a trial dose of prednisone.

    All the best,

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