Costochondritis pain and discomfort
Posted , 177 users are following.
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
chris22233 sinead_34836
Posted
Fortunately in the last few days I started a routine of stretching and significantly increased my water intake. The results have been dramatic improved. I believe that hydration has a significantly positive effect on back muscles and rib and spinal cartilage that will help relieve tension and information. Try a combination of stretchers and hyper-hydration to see if it helps.
sharon32910 chris22233
Posted
Hi,
Thank you.💖 for sharing! I need to try some stretching. I wanted to say that I'm taking the baby aspirin to keep my blood thinner too.
It's been 2 months off and on for me. Still dealing with Costochondritis.
sandra138 sinead_34836
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abi69182 sinead_34836
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Hello all new on here... I've been suffering since September, nit had formal diagnosis. pain is in sternum but not where ribs connect ! My back can be agony and have had occasions of agonising spasms ... they have done bloods, ecg and X-ray but said nothing to see ... referred to pain specialist no interest in investigating cause just been injecting knots in back not sure it helps at all ... apart from that given pain killers and anti-inflammatories neither really help ! My physio wants me to have MRI but GP didn't want to refer despite having private health insurance. Am going to try again Monday .. am constantly exhausted used to exercise lots but find most exercise agrivates it ... am a single mum and finding this is really affecting my mental health too .. glad I have found this as friends just don't understand how painful this is !
cherralyn23710 abi69182
Posted
I pity you I realy dont I'm the same docs don't care like you pain in sternum back I'm in agony today I don't know what to do to get rid of pain I'm so sorry for you people don't understand who don't suffer with it
simone_40974 abi69182
Posted
Hello ! Hang in there . 'This is tough and it does impact your mental health . I have a seven year old and like
Today she wanted to run around. And play gymnastics with me and I was in excruciating pain . Had some
Blood test taken and tomorrow
I am getting results . Just tired of feeling this way . Hope you get relief as well. Been two years for me .
sharon32910 cherralyn23710
Posted
I don't think people want pity. It's nice of you to acknowledge. We all are just looking for pain relief and it's great to talk to people who can relate. I hope we all can get better.💖 soon.
simone_40974 cherralyn23710
Posted
As Costo from the rheumatologist? I reached
Out to you before . Hope all is well .
Cindy0309 sinead_34836
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dor11515 sinead_34836
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simone_40974 dor11515
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Have you had any tests done to confirm that it's costs?
simone_40974 sinead_34836
Posted
You ever find relief from this horrible condition ?
karen49042 simone_40974
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grace28398 karen49042
Posted
Hi aren,
I have tightness feeling in the orning, but at night too sometimes. I get the rib burning that goes from left to right at times. Soft ice pad helps, heating pad, also my pain dr suggested salon paus brand lotion with 4% lidocaine cream. I also take a prescription called Neurontin. Definitely helps. Rest when its bad. It gets better! Hang in there...
fiona10957 sinead_34836
Posted
Hey everyone, I saw this was posted over a year ago and I was just wondering if you've had any relief since then? I've had costochondritis since February 2016 (11 months) and I've been prescribed various meds like Naproxen, Lyrica and Amitriptyline which seem to help for a little while before wearing off and having to change the dosage. I'm only 17 with no previous medical conditions, I've been seeing a Rheumatologist who also referred me to a physiotherapist but nothing seems to be working. All my symptoms are pretty much identical to everyone's I've read on here and to be honest I'm just getting sick of having this constant pain in my sternum and ribs, does anyone know how long it actually takes for this condition to clear up?
cherralyn23710 fiona10957
Posted
I've been like this for 2 years and it's only just doc helping like you the pain is never ending and tablets don't work for long even when pain dose subside you know it's there waiting to come you must get realy down I know I do hot baths do give some relief hang in there
simone_40974 cherralyn23710
Posted
Doc has not a clue . I have taken all these tests thankfully
Negative but
This is insane .
simone_40974 fiona10957
Posted
To hear about your pain with Costo . Does it sometimes hurt when you breathe deeply? Seems everyone is having the same symptoms . Sore sternum pain , rib pain . Shortness of breath at times . Did your doctor come
Up with a Costo diagnosis initially or did it take several attempts ?
fiona10957 simone_40974
Posted
Hi Simone, yeah deep breaths cause really sharp pains on the sides of my ribs. At first my GP had no idea what was going on so she sent me to the hospital as she thought it might've been something more serious as the chest pains were quite severe. I had the usual X-rays, ECG and blood tests done which all came back pretty normal, but when a month went by and the pain was only getting worse they referred me to the rheumatologist who confirmed it was Costo. Both him and my physio have said that over the months it's resulted in nerve damage and a rib disfunction as I've been limited with breathing and movement for so long. Some weeks are better than others but nothing seems to permanently help and none of the doctors have any clue to when it will go away. The meds do little to relive the pain and I usually just experience the side effects more (nausea, dizziness, anxiety).
fiona10957 cherralyn23710
Posted
Yeah as well as the pain it affects your whole mood. At the beginning after initially trying all the meds and being in so much pain I ended up missing a total of 2 months off school, which only made me stress more and feel anxious about going back to catch up with everything. I've found that stress and most physical activities can make the pain worse. I've tried hot water bottles and hot baths which do help, but I live in Australia and it's summer right now so I haven't been too keen to hop into warm water!
simone_40974 fiona10957
Posted
Ok so I now know it's Costo for me as well . So what can be done about this , according to doctors ? Nerve damage ? Have never heard about that. In relation to Costo .
fiona10957 simone_40974
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simone_40974 fiona10957
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Is this similar that condition?
simone_40974 fiona10957
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This can go away , seems ppl have had this for years without long standing relief but I will believe that things will get better for all of us.
fiona10957 simone_40974
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No it's not exactly like fibromyalgia, but yes they use this medication for a number of things including epilepsy and nerve repair. I hope it goes away soon! No one should have to be in this pain everyday
simone_40974 fiona10957
Posted
As stress makes this condition worse . Try eating more anti inflammatory foods . I am trying. All of this and hoping for
Some resolve
To this annoying condition .
grace28398 fiona10957
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 I agree that relaxation exercises and resting as mich as possible are the key. I use warm heating pad and soft ice packs. I alsoi take Neurontin. Which definitelty helps. I also am finally going to a pain specialist and immunologist(To rule out things) For peace of mind. I have heard from several of my Costro friends that accupuncture helps this condition. WE will all get better!!!!!! Hang in there...Keep smiling and being positive. I also pray alot..helps me. Try eating walnuts, strawberries and spinach. They all help with immunity and inflammation. Blueberries too
fiona10957 grace28398
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I've tried acupuncture/dry needling and it didn't help me at all, may be usefull for others though! Thanks for your advice, I'll try them out
cherralyn23710 grace28398
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Do you get pain in your back between shoulder blades mine is awafull today I'm sure it's getting worse waiting to see a rheumatologist God knows when anyone out there got any tips it's just endless 😢😢
simone_40974 cherralyn23710
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cherralyn23710 simone_40974
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To be honest I think we will have to do the best we can because when it dose ease off its comes back nothing you take gets rid of it for good don't know about you but if I rest it's not to bad but you can't keep lieing down what do you take for the pain I can't take ibuprofen or anything like it
simone_40974 cherralyn23710
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cherralyn23710 simone_40974
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I saw it as well like u did make me think I'm sure we would know we would be ill I'm going to look into it
simone_40974 cherralyn23710
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simone_40974
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Like I have had chest X-rays and blood pressure taken and ekg's . And I did wonder about that condition at one time . My doctor looks at me like I am a quack now because I have been to his office several times within the past two years but this is scary esp when the attacks happen .
cherralyn23710 simone_40974
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I had a heart dopermine test the other week that was fine but as you say when it flares up you begin to wounder we can't worry over that and I'm sure we would feel ill it's the pain and discomfort we all have to deal with if we had no pain we would be fine but I think I'm going to die sometimes when it's so bad
cherralyn23710 simone_40974
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But there's always someone to talk to which helps put fears aside
simone_40974 cherralyn23710
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One
simone_40974 cherralyn23710
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Of test is a heart dopermine ?
cherralyn23710 simone_40974
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Where a die is injected into the arterie and I had to lie down and peddle a machine your heart rate is pushed up so they can see how the heart works and if it's getting blood and oxygen but I still panic as of the pains in my sternum
simone_40974 cherralyn23710
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To. Be so anxious whenever I go to the doctor now .
cherralyn23710 simone_40974
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I'm the same I worry over the smallest things I get very anxious if I have to go to docs hospital anywhere and with these pains every where in my back chest ribs I get into such a state more so if I'm on my own but that makes it worse but like u I can't help it
simone_40974 cherralyn23710
Posted
My
Discomfort all in same areas . My ribs crack when massaged a bit too . I had a few days of discomfort free and it was great . Now it's back this evening. I need to see a rheumatologist
cherralyn23710 simone_40974
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simone_40974 cherralyn23710
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cherralyn23710 simone_40974
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simone_40974 cherralyn23710
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simone_40974 cherralyn23710
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You ever get a hard to swallow feeling wot this condition? Like that lump I. Your throat. That. You get when you are upset ? Today is not a good day for me and feeling this way
Is making it worse .
simone_40974 cherralyn23710
Posted
I too have a rheumatologist appoinment for Monday . Let's compare with they say . I been suffering with this 2 years two long.
cherralyn23710 simone_40974
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Let me know how you get on I'm still waiting for mine taking ibuprofen but not sure how long I can take it just takes the edge off back and shoulder blades nightmare at moment best of luck it takes a long time to get any kind of help keep in touch
simone_40974 cherralyn23710
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cherralyn23710 simone_40974
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simone_40974 cherralyn23710
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simone_40974 cherralyn23710
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Ok so rheumatologist at first sound of symptoms has no clue . He reviewed my
Blood work and speculated some sort of inflammation . He did not come
Out and say Costo just solely on my symptoms . After I asked him about it he said of course it's inflammation but what's causing it ? Sent me for more tests : including markers for inflammation. And Lyme disease, urea acid , and sjroghens . I tested positive for sjroghens 3 years ago . Never looked into it as it causes dryness like of the eyes and mouth etc and I never experienced those symptoms so I just never gave light to that diagnosis . Fast forward four years later he is retesting me for that . So maybe the drying could be causing the pain ? And stiffness ? Sorry. So long am just trying to be helpful and get help myself . Can you let me
Know what our doctor says ,?
simone_40974 cherralyn23710
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simone_40974 cherralyn23710
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sara50549 simone_40974
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Sinead i was diagnosed with Costochondritis a month ago ,after suffering with such bad neck/back/chest and rib pain ,i couldn`t breathe in and out without excrutiating pain.I put it down to DDD and the Fibromyalgia i`ve had since my late 20s.Eventually i couldn1t stand it anymore ,i can`t sleep/lay down/sit ,even moving slowly hurts like crazy and i feel as if i want to hold myself.I tend to hug a hot water bottle ,which can be slightly comforting ,but won`t ease my pain.After thorough exam ,My GP Dxed Costo and gave me diazepam (Mildly helpful) omoprezole (stomach) and Naproxen.Now i can`t take any anti inflammatories ,but ,he said there`s no aspirin/brufen in naproxen ,and it ought to give me some relief.At first it did ,but then i got red ,blister type spots on my body and really painful mouth ulcers.It`ll take a t least 2 wks to get into my GP again ,so i`ve stopped said naproxen.I found this site (yey
and was hoping someone may have had something different ,which didnt leave such dire side effects.
?Thanks for letting me ramble on.I`m used to chronic pain ,but this is something else..
..I wish you all well ,and much needed relief..xx
kelly84195 simone_40974
Posted
Does anyone suffer really bad pain in there upper back where there lungs are situated and all round the ribs mines usually just my chest but the last few days I've been in a lot of pain