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Costochondritis pain and discomfort

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sinead_34836
sinead_34836

I am a 39 yr old mother of a 5yr old daughter. I live in Newry, northern Ireland.

I was diagnosed with costochondritis 2 years ago this month. Like everyone elses case I have read on here I was totally convinced there was something more serious wrong with me and argued with my Doctor for a long time about it.

It started when I got a flu while on holidays and the only thing that I can think may

have brought it on was the coughing. It comes and goes every couple of months but there isn't a day that I don't get some kind of pain in my back or chest area. Just

before Christmas last year while driving to work I took really sharp chest pain and

felt like my heart was jumping around in my chest. This panicked me as I thought I

was having a heart attack. I pulled into the hard shoulder as I had my little girl in the car with me and I was finding it difficult to breath. The panic stopped after a while and I went straight to A&E. They did numerous tests, ECG, chest Xrays, blood tests, you name it and in the end they said they agreed with my GP that it was

costochondritis. They put me in Diclofenic tabs, which are anti inflammatory. They did help and the condition eased up after a few days but it wasn't long til it reared its ugly head again. so for me its 2 weeks of severe pain and maybe 4-5 weeks of bearable pain then back to severe pain again.

I am down at minute but this time its really bad, it seems each time I get it It is more severe. I am now on naproxin which to be honest I find useless. Pain killers are not working and even the hot water bottle which I found great is no use this time.

The majority of my pain in in my back between my shoulder blades and travels up into my neck and shoulders, sometimes down my arms. Although I have chest pain the worst is in my back, though if I were to press on my ribs at the front I could scream with pain.

I find this time with it being worse it is affecting my moods. I am snapping at my little girl all the time which I feel terrible about, and I just dont want to do anything. Work is just a nightmare recently. I am normally an upbeat person and very little gets me down, but it is really taking its toll. I have had this condition now for 2 years and it really in not understood. Most people I talk to have never heard of it, so when I found this forum and so many people suffering like myself it was a God send. So hopefully I can gain some knowledge from other people and anyone panicking about the pain they are feeling and thinking its something bad, can take some reassurance from my story.

Does anyone feel the pain is in their back more then their chest area. And if anyone has any advice or anything, please do share with me.

Sinead

11 likes, 604 replies

604 Replies

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  • abbey92042
    abbey92042 sinead_34836

    Posted

    Hey Sinead,

    I'm a 53 year old female and have been suffering with costo for about 10 years and was just diagnosed officially with costo for about 8 years now. In the 2 years before I was officially diagnosed, I went to the hospital several times thinking I was having a heart attack. Pain in chest, jaw, neck, left arm, etc. It was awful

    I have my pain mostly in my right front rib area and in my shoulder blades. It's horrible. At times it feels like my shoulder blades are being shoved through my body and comming out the front. My doctor has prescribed 600 mg of Motrin. I take 2 at a time when it's at it's worst and REST. That seems to be the only thing that helps. Along with de-stressing. Stress will cause me to flare up. I've been trying to learn to live a stress free life. Doesn't work all the time, but I try.  I have a flare up about once every other month, and am gratefull that's all I have.Just wanted to let you know YOU ARE NOT ALONE. 

    • Hali4u
      Hali4u abbey92042

      Posted

      Abbey,

      I have felt so bad reading the comments on here.  I think the way that you have expressed the severity of the disease is how I experience it.  Maybe once a month and I'm usually good with a couple of Motrin.  I sleep after taking them so I only take them before bed. Usually a couple of nights doing that I wake up and the pain left as  quickly as it came.

      My doctor said it was a virus that attacks the chest wall.  I think it has something to do with misplaced gas and possibly

      an allergy to something we eat....

      Anywho, it's painful and irritating...

       

    • abbey92042
      abbey92042 Hali4u

      Posted

      I don't think it's a virus or allergy. I heard that alot in the beginning, but have learned it's the swelling of your cartilage in the ribs when it's irritated. I've noticed I get it when I do too much--which makes sense considering the above statement. Holding my Grandsons for to long will start it up. Anything that stresses your rib cage, including stress. I have been fortunate to find a doctor that understandes and helps me treat it. I do feel lucky than some, I've heard horror stories of people who have to go out on disability because they can't function. Every other month is enough for me!
    • katishma
      katishma abbey92042

      Posted

      Abbey,

      My pain primarly is my right front rib area but has spread around to my back on that side. Chests pains are typically on the right side but do occasionally have some on the left. Been having some pain with my right arm too.

      I'm  willing to try about anything to get it to just go away. I manage with the aching but the sharp stabbing pains are the worst.

      My life is constant stress. neutral

  • tonyusa
    tonyusa sinead_34836

    Posted

    This is killing me. The pain is unbearable. I was diagnosed with costochondritis 7 months ago. They gave me steroids and a few pain killers. 1 week of relief is all I got. It hurts all the time. I can't sleep, spend time with family or focus like I use to over this. It is terrible. I eat Ibuprophen like it's candy. I'm trying the Omega-3...so far nothing. Anymore suggestions? Help Me...it hurts so bad.
    • katishma
      katishma tonyusa

      Posted

      I'm right there with you. I've suffered for 11 months with it but only officially diagnosed a little over a month ago. For almost a month they kept saying was pleurisy. I had been living on Ibuprofen till saw the cardiologist and he insists I stop and only take Tylenol. Is a joke. Doesn't even faze it at least the Ibuprofen would dull it down.

      Am going to give the fish oil a try. Figure it can't hurt.

  • Guest
    Guest sinead_34836

    Posted

    I've recently been diagnosed with this. I went to doctors last year and was told I had pulled a muscle then a lung infection then inflammation of the lining of the lung. It's only now I have the same pain and ribs very sore to touch that they have mentioned this. I just feel that aged 43 I'm like an old age pensioner....my body pretty much hurts all over from Fibromyalgia and now this 😞
    • Cass73
      Cass73 Guest

      Posted

      Got Costo in the spring.  It can be caused by virus, stress or pulling a muscle, and I had all three things going on. Yes, told I had lung infection (COPD or asthma) told I could have a cardiac problem so sent to a cardiologist, told by a tech at the hospital to quit having docs send me for another Xray - I'd had too many.  Why don't more GP's know about Costo?? Never heard of it myself.  Only thing that helped - and it costs but worth it.  Rest. Ice.  OSTEOPATH.  They will work on your ribs, etc.  Get better a lot quicker than a chiropractor, so figure out if you'd rather pay the money and get faster results, or save a bit and pay out over 10 weeks or so.  Never gone to Osteopath before, and make sure it's a good one, with personal recommendations.  Not just out of the phone book.......best of luck
  • deniseW
    deniseW sinead_34836

    Posted

    Hi all, I was diagnosed with CC under a year ago and the pain has been so severe, I have cried with the pain.  I feel like there is an elephant sitting on my chest.  The pain is all across my chest, down the left side of my breast, under my left breast and now i have started to get pain in shoulder blades and back.  I have had 3 ecg done and they are all clear apart from a fast heart rate which is just worry.  I think that there is something more.  My doc is worried too, I hope to have a chest xray, but im not hopeful that will help.  Still awaiting on a mommogram to see if anything there.  I dont tend to get shortness of breath.  I am so worried that it is more as I have small kids.    Its good that I found this forum.

     

    • Guest
      Guest deniseW

      Posted

      It is very worrying, I have similar pain and I've just got to the stage where I feel a menace when going to the doctors. They just say it's Fibromyalgia or Costochondritis for the pains I have. Makes me feel old before my time. Recently I've had not just achy pains in my ribs n chest but also shooting g pains to the left side. All I've to take is ibuprofen and pain relief. Hope you get a scan soon
    • deniseW
      deniseW Guest

      Posted

      Hi Jacqueline, It is very worrying.  I am at my wits end.  Im only 41 and most of the time i feel like im going to keel over.  Yes one feels old before their time.  It is also affecting my ability to work which is an issue for me.  They say not to lift, but when you have work, running around at home on your own, and 2 kids who need your undivided attention, it is difficult.  I hope I get sorted once and for all.  I will try physio also, but it is all money which I dont have.   
    • Guest
      Guest deniseW

      Posted

      Shame I definetly feel your pain. I'm only 43 and I feel drained and down at times and wonder where all this came from. I was fine until after the birth of my son in 2009. Then backache to which I though was from the epidural and was advised that it wasn't. Wish it would go away as quick as it came. Feel also no one understands because it's not visible
    • abbey92042
      abbey92042 deniseW

      Posted

      Hey Denise, You sound just like I was years ago. Pain in my chest, left arm, neck, jaw, you know classic heart attack signs, even fainting.  Went to the hospital several times for several years and told everything from anxiety to infection(s).  It wasn't until my doctor sent me for an ultrasound (had pain in my right lower rib region, she thought I was having a gallbladder attack), that the test was extremely painful. I was grabbing onto the walls till she was finished. I thought for sure I had gall stones. When I saw my doc she said everything looked fine. You could have knocked me over with a feather. There was NO way there was nothing wrong with the amount of pain I was in. I told her what happened and I could see the wheels turning in her head. That was when she starting poking and proding on my rib cage. VERY PAINFUL. That was when I was diagnosed with CC. Until you fully understand it, it will worry you death thinking your on your way out. I think it's a disease we'll have to live with, at least until someone can come up with a miracle cure. But don't hold your breath, your stress yourself out and cause and attack. 
    • katishma
      katishma Guest

      Posted

      Is odd you mentioned the back ache thinking was from epidural.

      My daughter was born in 1996. She was barely 3 months old when my back went out. Had bent over picking up toys and couldn't straighten back up. I thought had to be from the epidural but the ER claimed it wasn't. Was a pulled muscle instead. Now I will get these random sharp pains across my back.

      I've just turned 40 and don't see any relief in sight.

      Lost my job because was out so much do to illness. Doctor would release me to work and then when did it was light duty only. When had budget cuts I was the only full time employee let go. Am not able to set long, stand long, twisting and turning are out and my memory just keeps getting worse. Most days I can't stand to be around anyone. Do good to tolerate my family. Have zero energy and am in constant pain.

      People that do not have this do not understand. All they are seeing is the outside.

    • katishma
      katishma abbey92042

      Posted

      3 visits to the emergency room. The second one, that Dr. insisted it was my gallbladder. Entire time me telling her my gallbladder was taken out nearly 8 years ago.

      One doctor I saw (Gastroenterologist) ordered an ultra sound. Like you, I was in tears before the tech finished it. Naturally everthing came back good. Dr. let on like I was making it up. His exact words, "we can't find anything medically wrong with you. All tests are good." Made me furious. After telling him that I knew something was wrong for me to be in so much pain, told him we was done. I walked out.

       

    • abbey92042
      abbey92042 katishma

      Posted

      I'm so sorry you had to go through that. This is just terrible. Doctors, smh! That's why they call it practicing medician, on us!

      If you press on your rib cage with 2 fingers, does it hurt? feel like you're being stabbed? If so I'm pretty sure you have Costo. That's why the untra sound hurt so bad. Any kind of mashing is very painful. 

    • katishma
      katishma abbey92042

      Posted

      Is unimaginable to describe the pain. It always aches and throbs but the stabbing pains are the worst..

      The rheumatologist diagnosed it as being CC but went back today for follow-up and he says isn't. That costocondritis wouldn't have lasted so long. (11 months and counting) He didn't have any answers. Said can give me something for the pain but only 50/50 chance will help and then won't take care of the problem.

      My chiropractor said CC also though so am at a total loss now.Just know am tired of hurting and not getting any relief.

    • Guest
      Guest katishma

      Posted

      I think that's it's shocking that they cannot give you an answer for your pain. I was in also seeing about my pain over a year ago maybe two now regarding my pelvis lower back pain and was also told sometimes you can have pain and we don't know where it's from. I was not pleased I suggested I was not leaving until I had an answer. That to me was like him saying it was all in my head!! I was then referred to the Rheumatoid Specialist who said I have Hypermobility Syndrome displaying also Fibromyalgia Symptoms. It's ridiculous. Hope you get answers and some relief soon X
    • JuanTwoThree
      JuanTwoThree abbey92042

      Posted

      Abbey, Pain that you felt, thats exaclty what I felt when I was first feeling it. I thought it was the end of me. CC is no joke. Been reading post and gonna try fish oil and see what happens. I have had CC since 2012, but wasnt diagnosed till April 2013.
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