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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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  • susan45680
    susan45680 sinead_34836

    Posted

    Hi Sinead,

    i have had ME and fibro for 16 years,on Sunday I suddenly had a severe pain shoot across my upper back and now I have terrible pressing pain on my sternum and back, I also just feel really unwell.

    i like many on this forum ended up in A&E diagnosis musculoskeletal problem.

    Dr gave me naproxen but still no improvement,

    does anyone else feel "unwell" with this condition?

    Sue

    • teri68755
      teri68755 susan45680

      Posted

      Yes! When I'm going through a flare up.....when it's peeking, I feel like I have a bad case of the flu. It's taking everything in my power just to make it to work. There are days I think about dying because my neck and whole upper right side of my back hurts so bad. I have permanent burn scars on my back from being on heating pads all day long, everyday for the past 6 years. I just turned 49 and I don't know how much longer I can live like this.
  • katishma
    katishma sinead_34836

    Posted

    I feel as though it could have been me typed your post. Is exactly what I've dealt with since March 2015.

    They done so many tests and referred to a multitude of doctors. Was only last month that found a doctor that could give me a diagnoses. Said was costochondritis along with fibromyalgia.

    Had just been my right side but started couple months ago having the chest pains and has now spread around side of my back and arm. My worst pains are side.

    Only thing that was helping was the ibuprofen but cardiologist took me off of and doesn't want taking anything but tylenol. Since then has been much worse. Noticed was when spread to my arm.

    Rheumotoligist said isn't life threatening and didn't act like was concerned. Isn't him dealing with the pain though. Is impossible to get comfortable. As you mentioned standing seems to be about the only way and even then i am leaning to the opposite side to get relief. I sleep with a pillow under my side but even though wake several times.

    Saw a chiropracticor today. He knew exactly what it was before finished the exam. Wished I haven't waited so long to be seen. Started ultrasound and electrodes (tens unit) today.

    • Guest
      Guest katishma

      Posted

      I have the same as you katishma, u actually felt as though I was having a heart attack at one point. Ibuprofen is all I take that and paracetamol. Bits hard because I feel like I'm moaning constantly and look fine from the outside. It's totally draining x
  • katishma
    katishma sinead_34836

    Posted

    Last night was the first night since this started that I was able to sleep comfortably in 11 months.

    Pain has gradually came back today but is just the acheyness so far.

    Am so happy found this forum. Is a relief to know am not alone. After so many doctors and tests all finding nothing I was happy to find a doctor that could name my problem and even more excited when chiropractor said same thing.

    Definitely going to try the fish oil since so many suggest it.

    Not sure what brought mine on. Could have been my job that involved bending, reaching, and twisting. With my asthma. season changes cause it to flare up so had abit of a cough. I've also just recently been diagnosed with fibromyalgia and specialist says is very common have costocondritis with it.

    • Guest
      Guest katishma

      Posted

      I just feel it's pain constant. If not fibro pain it's the chest/back pain I'm so drained n now I have the cold possibly a chest infection or just bad Costo.
  • zahid40245
    zahid40245 sinead_34836

    Posted

    Glad I found this thread, I'm 20 and I have having this pain for few years it just keep getting worse. Started when I was 16 or 17. The pain is in the chest left side and in the back doc keep telling me it cc but pressed them to do some tests as where I live private care is too expensive so had to wait a whole year for the test, I have anxiety aswell which I had a mri but couldn't get into the machine so they did a different test, treadmill and ultrasound they say my heart is fine now I'm worried it might be something else but don't have the finance to do other tests. Any suggestions what I can do . I'm going through he'll everyday just want this pain to stop.

  • lloyd92649
    lloyd92649 sinead_34836

    Posted

    This thread is a life saver, I don't think I have had it as bad as some of you guys on here, but I am a sufferer.

    God sake I am only 29yrs old, from reading some of your posts I feel for you who have had it for years, the worst part is it deosn't seem to be taken seriously or treatable.

    Mine started when I felt something in my chest and so I began to panic, and actually ended up having a panic attack, since then back in November 2015, I have'nt been the same since. Back pains, chest pains, sturnum pains. Some days are worse than others but generally theres rarely a day goes by with out something.

    I like some of you have been going crazy, but this doesnt help, the anxiety kicks in and then you just start to think the worst.

    It helps talking about it, realsing that it isnt a heart attack is the key. I knwo this is hard, but you have to try.

    I have only just started taking Fish oils, so I can't say if they are working or not, but I will continue to do so.

    I find laying flat on the bed with my arms out above my head for a while helps, as does mild stretching, nothing strenous.

    This really is an awful disease and I am with you all.

    Any other tips and help on how it can be treated would be much appreciated.

    Thanks

    • JuanTwoThree
      JuanTwoThree lloyd92649

      Posted

      I know exactly how you feel. panic attacks are the worse. Wondering if the fish oil works. I really cant med due to my civilian job. but I try the best. There has been times that I really dont want to do anything. When the pain goes away all you want to do is rest and not do anything. Been reading all the post and Im glad that people here can relate, it comforting in a way that you can talk to people feeling the way you do.
  • JuanTwoThree
    JuanTwoThree sinead_34836

    Posted

    Hey Sinead, lookslike its been a years since last reply, But I hope this fins you today. I too have costachondritis and I have to say when I first had it, I too thought I was having a heart attack. I really didnt know what wsa going on and I thought it was the end for me. But come to find out I was diagnosed with Costachondritis in 2012. Im still having pain in my chest, back and occasionally in my arm. I have been to emergencies several times and had to call 911. I seriously thought something else was wrong. The pain that you are feeling, im feeling it too and you are not alone. I beleive I had develpoed anxiety because of this as well. Been in the military reserves for 15 years and i just got off of Active duty of 6 years recently. I have EKGs and x-rays the past 4 years or so to find out that there is nothing wrong with me at all. anxiety and stress does not help at all as it cuases more pain. The back pain i feel, like a rubber band snapping in your back. IT HURTS! The chest pain at times is unabareable feels like a really bad cramp that last forever. Also for the mood changes yes I can relate my relationship with my wife has taking a turn. I have mood swings and yell at times. its very frusterating with the other person doesnt know whats going on. I hope this helps you out and that you are not alone. Also Im going to see if a stress test helps to see if there is anything wrong. Iam 39 years old almost 40.
    • katishma
      katishma JuanTwoThree

      Posted

      My family doctor sent me to a cardiologist. They did a chemical stress test because of my asthma couldn't handle the treadmill one. Didn't find anything significant. He did say thought I had fibro. Suggested I get referred to a rhemutologist. 

      The pain at times is unbearable. Even when is just an ache keep waiting for those stabbing pains because they like to hit out of no where. 

      Find myself having mood swings and apologizing to my family for being so hateful and moody. They just can't seem to understand. Since the doctor's don't seem to not sure why expect them too. 

      Is just a day to day thing. 

      Turned 40 just couple months ago and are days is all I can do to get up and move around.

    • JuanTwoThree
      JuanTwoThree katishma

      Posted

      Those stabbing pains are thr worst. Mood swing definitely take a toll of relationships at times and I have to leave to another room so I can relax. My quality of life has diminished thr last 4 years. It comes and go's but when it hits be ready for the pain.
  • debbie.stiless
    debbie.stiless sinead_34836

    Posted

    Hi,

     Few days back when lifting 5 gallon water bottle, I slightly hurt my left rib cage. Now  I am getting slight pain on left side chest, yesterday noticed the pain on left rib cage and I can relate it to lifting water bottle.

      Also I had flu/cold from past 3 weeks, it almost subued now however the pain on my left side of chest not yet going, tomorrow had a doctor appointment. I am very scared if it is some kind of heart problem or it is costochondritis or it is because of hurting from water bottle lift on bottom left rib cage.

     

  • bryant
    bryant sinead_34836

    Posted

    Has this given anyone a strong pulse or bounding pulse all over?
    • tonyusa
      tonyusa bryant

      Posted

      The pain can feel like a pounding pulse all over. I start coughing hard sometimes which cause the pain in my chest, neck, back and arms to flair up more. Then, for a while my heart seems to pound faster and my pulse rises. It is scary. I just try to relax and realize that this coming from the CC.
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