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Costochondritis hell, what can i do?

Posted , 8 users are following.

dan52815
dan52815

Hi all,

so about 4 weeks ago i had a nasty chest infection with terrible coughing, since then i have been in what i can only describe as my own personal hell. symptoms were crushing chest pain, feeling like my chest is constantly being electrocuted, sensations of something crawling around in my chest, severe stabbing pain through my sternum, shortness of breath to the point i cannot wall far now, heart palpatations , nausea. i feel like an 80 yr old who is dying, but i am a healthy 35 yr old man. i have been to the walk in centre 5 times and emergency room twice and gp 3 times, ecg, chest x-ray, bloods all fine, i am a healthy fit young man i keep being told.have spend the last month on google, most likely fit appears to be costochondritis, i have suffered anxiety different periods in my life and while this is causing anxiety these symptoms are a whole different level, i have read up on tons of forums etc and this diagnosis really seems to fit. can costochondritis really be this bad? i would not wish this hell on anyone. normally im very active gym,running, long walks, sports, fitness is basically my life. so not exercising for even a month is making me very low, im also in a state of pain and uncomfortable basically 24 hours a day, i cannot sleep as i cant breath properly when i lie down, i am also in a state of perpetual panic as it feels like my heart is coming out of cheat and like an animal is crawling inside my body,it seems from what i have read for the most part this condition is often long term lasting months even years, if that is the case there is no chance i will make it that long i would have to make the decision to opt out of living as every minute is hell currently, i cannot focus on anything else at all, i cant work, i can barely hold down my relationship now with my partner of 6 years who i love very much, im considering leaving her just so im not such a burden. i beleive symptoms of this have been coming on over the past year when i look back i have had episodes of chest pain etc then the cheat infection just really kickstarted it, i understand there is only so much people can say to help but just thought i would see if anyone else had experienced anything similar as im really desperate and its only been few weeks, thanks for reading sorry its such a long depressing post, merry christmas.

0 likes, 27 replies

27 Replies

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  • deborah19985
    deborah19985 dan52815

    Posted

    it's so good to know I'm not alone

    it seems to be a common problem

    it's the worst pain ever

  • deborah19985
    deborah19985 dan52815

    Posted

    I've been looking up fibromyalgia and I think I have that as the symptoms seems to match mine

    have it in arm now too as well as sternum and chest wall

  • deborah19985
    deborah19985 dan52815

    Posted

    hi what other ideas for this sternum pain? I've had enough its every day and its making me anxious and depressed

    does physical therapy help do you know?

    TIA

    • Brenda1961
      Brenda1961 deborah19985

      Posted

      I have had cosco for about 16 teen yrs about now . I pulled muscle. in my chest picking up a picnic table. I should have went to the er .but didn't having my daughters b.d. I ended up going to the e.r. a week later with sharp chest pains . but nothing showed up . Than if I moved a certain way it would knock the wind out of me . til this day if I bend down my chest area to clean or pic something up it will knock. the windt out of me .mine wands I found if I press liighty on my streun areas bone it calms it down . don not lift weightsare bend down and grad something the pull your chest . hot and cold help hot/ cold patch under your top in that area. I have arthritis in both shoulders. and I think that arthritis in my sternum bone area and as so fibrosis is some how related to it in different people. try not to get depressed over it .because it will cause mental depression. I know I make it sound easy. the good thing that goods it. does lighting up .

  • JackStone15
    JackStone15 dan52815

    Posted

    I have a slightly similar story, but my pain goes away after I rest for a moment. When it strikes it hurts like getting a spear rammed into my sternum. I've had a CT scan, xrays and heart monitoring done, but nobody is sure what it is.

    I'm going for a bone scan soon, and getting some genetic blood work done as suggested by a pain specialist. I'll update you with progress.

    My pain has shown up randomly over the last few years, but it's been appearing more frequently since last summer when I too had a nasty virus that caused me to puke violently, after which my sternum hurt like what you're describing. Since then the pain comes and goes when I go up the stairs, or go for a long walk, etc.

    Here is what I'm considering on my own:

    1. Professional massages simultaneously with chiropractic adjustments, as I've been told that my muscles are extremely stiff.
    2. Physical therapy if that doesn't work.
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