1. Community
  2. Bones, joints and muscles
  3. Costochondritis and Tietze's Syndrome

Costochondritis

Posted , 4 users are following.

anony94001
anony94001

I had been having some random stabbing pains in my chest and sometimes my left arm at the same time, for around a year. It happened mostly when I twisted around to go to sleep. I also have EDS/Hypermobility Syndrome So I just ignored it.

About 3 weeks ago, it happened again, but this time I started to panic really badly in the middle of the night. I went to the doctors the next morning and he had told me I had pulled a muscle, and sent me on my way with some Diclofenac gel. I did not get any releif from this and went to A&E a few days later. They took a heart trace, and some bloods and everything came back negative, so I was then diagnosed with just panic attacks. I was sick of the panic attacks and returned to the doctors again and he prescribed me diazapam for a few days. It helped the panic a little, but not the pain so I returned to the doctor another two times, both of which were a waste of my time. 

I then changed my doctors surgery, my very first appointment he diagnosed me with Costochondritis. I've been taking naproxen now and they haven't really been the miracle I was hoping for so far. It has helped a little bit... I think.

My rib cage is physically swollen to touch, Stabbing pains in my chest that make me instantly panic. I've been getting twitching everywhere, fluttery feelings, sometimes itching on my tender spots. Feeling shaky

I've been coughing lots more too, and now my throat is all scratchy. I'm sure there are more but I can't think.

Do these symptoms fit with this?  

 

0 likes, 10 replies

10 Replies

  • anony94001
    anony94001

    Posted

    Hypermobility causes problems like dislocations due to faulty connective tissue. I dont know if this could play a part.

    The left shoulder that hurts when I breathe sometimes, and hurts randomly, is very flexible and clicky/cracky at the moment.

    I have always had problems with my ribs being painful, if i bumped in to something it will instantly feel like i just pressed on a huge bruise

  • tami55
    tami55 anony94001

    Posted

    Sorry that you are having pain & anxiety. My 20 year old daughter has EDS 3 as well, costochrondritis, tietze's. Were not sure if the latter are correct. Is your blood pressure low? Are you lightheaded, brain fog, feel as if you are going to faint?  If so, a Cardiologist can test you for dysautonomia as well. My daughter was just diagnosed last week. She was getting severe pain in her chest, the ER dr's. gave her a GI Cocktail which helped a bit. Do you have any GI related issues that usually go along with EDS? When the pain is intense she has panic attacks & rightfully so. I feel so terrible for everyone  that has to deal with these medical issues. Feeling unvalidated & frustrated because Doctors for whatever reason usually tell you their plan for you and rarely divert from it. I hope you feel better & get some real answers. Remember, May is EDS awareness month! Spread the word & educate people. 3 years of you're crazy to finally being diagnosed with EDS after going from dr to dr. Best wishes & gentle hugs.
    • anony94001
      anony94001 tami55

      Posted

      Your daughter and I are the same age actually smile

      No doctor ever really mentioned anything about my blood pressure that I can remember, Recently most of my light headed-ness has been through anxiety I think, but I have had dizzy turns from standing sometimes. A bit of an erratic heart rate too. No diagnosed GI issues but I do have issues there too. My mum also has EDS and suspects POTS.

      But I think it's hard to figure out whats going on with so many symptoms overlapping. And thank you so much! 

  • tami55
    tami55 anony94001

    Posted

    If you would like to learn more about EDS, Google Dr. Francomano. She is an expert her field. Lots of conference videos on you tube. 

     

  • Loo_pulpy
    Loo_pulpy anony94001

    Posted

    Hi yes it does sound like you have it.

    All of the above is what I complain about and some .

    The only thing that has helped me is injections into front of chest along the ribs and then along the back on the spine.

    I've been talking pregabalin , amantadine, methacarbamol, and tramadol, also recently amatryptaline for pain and sleep , this has been 4.5 years of pain for me and the only time I get relief is if I don't overuse my arms , don't squash my ribs or bend, basically do nothing, which is impossible working full time.

    I am due to have my 2nd lot of injections on the 5th June , my last lot May last year, which lasted until Xmas, I had 6 months of being able to be the old me.

    I could move be flexible , not worry about protecting my ribs and upper back and went from being a miserable old lady to a happy 44 year old again.

    Ask your dr to refer you to a specialist , I use the dr who we actually first paid to see and has a nhs session at the QE in Birmingham.

    Hope this helps you?

    • anony94001
      anony94001 Loo_pulpy

      Posted

      Thanks so much for your reply!

      I'm sorry you've had it for such a long time. My doctor said it would take a week but, I'm starting to doubt that,

      I really hope the injections work again for you

      It's nice to hear from people who understand the pain

       

    • Loo_pulpy
      Loo_pulpy anony94001

      Posted

      I've been told it goes by itself, but I find that strange as I've also been told it comes back if you get an infection ie cold/ chest infection or if you injure yourself.

      I think if I didn't have the injections I really would end up losing the plot!!

      As being in pain all the time is so horrid for the person itself but also there partners and work colleagues as well.

      Try asking your Dr for injections if it persists.

      They are not nice to have but 15 mins of pain is worth 6 months or more gain😀

  • mitouback
    mitouback anony94001

    Posted

    Hi..

    If you are swollen round your chest area it  sounds very much like Tietze's syndrome to me.

    I am also very very hyper mobile. I have been posting here for some time. My chest was swollen across sternum a couple of years ago and I was tender and super sore in my ribs and referred pain down my arm.I couldnt sleep on my side at all, especially the left side; but I struggled like crazy.This eventually went away...and the next thing Iknow I was diagnosed with Costo( no swelling this time at all) but pain so severe that I was sipping my breath in and out through pursed lips, because bigger breaths was just too painful.Eventually I went to my Osteopath and he told me that my rib cage was so roted to the righ that ribs were pressing into the sternum and the ligamnets were inflamed. I now go for adjustments to my thoracic spine( Osteopath is rotating it back). I also have sportmassage to my shoulder blade because I have tensed over the past 2 years that on the lkeft Scapula it was soo tight, all over that area. I got anti inflammatory pills from homeopath. I have been ultra diligent with going to the Osteopath and my masseur. I am 4 weeks soon PAINFREE. If my post still is here on this site, take a look at it.  Seek a Chiropractic or Osteopath. It sounds l;iike your spine and rib cage is overly rotated and this is causing all the agony.

    Mitouback

    • anony94001
      anony94001 mitouback

      Posted

      Thank you so much for your help, I feel like I'll have some things to tell my doctor now. A lot of that makes sense, I've always felt kinda twisted in that area. I'll have a look for your other post, too.

      I'm really glad that you've found some things that are working for you, and hopefully more pain free weeks are to come!

    • alex33626
      alex33626 mitouback

      Posted

      glad to hear you are painfree! I have had similar problems for around 18 months now and have seen a variety of specialists in London (chiro, osteo, ortho surgeon etc) but have had no success. could you recomment a good osteo and chiro in london who have experience with this condition? 
Back to top

Report or request deletion

Thanks for your help!

We want the community to be a useful resource for our users but it is important to remember that the community are not moderated or reviewed by doctors and so you should not rely on opinions or advice given by other users in respect of any healthcare matters. Always speak to your doctor before acting and in cases of emergency seek appropriate medical assistance immediately. Use of the community is subject to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and steps will be taken to remove posts identified as being in breach of those terms.