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
Hali4u sinead_34836
Posted
I really think diet has everything to do with this condition. How's everybody's diet regarding meat/chicken?
grace28398 Hali4u
Posted
I agree. It doesnt take al the pain away, but anti inflammatory foods definitely help a bit. Over the holidays I overindulged on sugar, And My pain from Costro ended me up in the er. Back to healthy foods again,I still have pain but not ER worthy...
carolee91695 grace28398
Posted
Do what does the er do for you? When I went to the er they said I pulled a muscle. I was so mad because I felt like she was saying that I am over exaggerating the pain. I haven't found anything that will take the pain away but if the er has something they can give that would be amazing.
grace28398 carolee91695
Posted
they just rule out that its anything cardiac. EKG, bloodwork etc. Also Im usually a bit dehydrated, so they run a bag of iv fluids through me. Sometimes they offer controlled pain meds, but I dont like to take them. My neurontin from my dr helps a bit.
simone_40974 sinead_34836
Posted
Does it
Feel like it's hard to swallow at times? Am having an. Episode it's awful .
simone_40974 sinead_34836
Posted
Does it
Feel like it's hard to swallow at times? Am having an. Episode it's awful .
sharon_29490 sinead_34836
Posted
I have a question. I ended up in the emergency room today. Again. They did 2 ekg and 2 rounds of blood work. All clean. Tell me my chest is inflamed and it's costochondritis..which I have had before. Issues here is the pain is mainly between my shoulders on my back but there is some chest pain. Before when the costochondritis flared up it hurt to touch my chest at all. But this time it doesn't. I don't know about my back. It does hurt when I touch my ribs or the bottom of my ribs under the breast. I also feel like my heart is doing a slow palpitation at times. But that could be the beta blocker I'm on, we'll was on. I had to stop it because it was making my heart rate too low. But it was the only thing that helped with my palps. So question is this. Is it possible to have costochondritis without your front chest being sensitive? I'm also having pain in my neck front and back and what feels like muscle pain in my throat. All was blamed on the chest inflammation. Please help. I don't want to make another trip to the er but the steroid shot isn't helping me. It goes away when I lay down usually. And gets worse as the say goes. I've had countless tests and always come back fine. I don't have my gallbladder anymore either. HELP.
simone_40974 sharon_29490
Posted
You are feeling better . I pressed on the middle of chest
Last night and it felt so funny . It hurt it felt like it quivered all of that . My ribs are sore and they crack , my breathing. Is short at times and sometimes it hurts to take deep breaths . Then like magic some days it disappears like s mystery . Tom I have a scheduled appoinment for the rheumatologist . I need some answers . How are you feeling today ? Is there anyone on this forum who has had relief from this , ? Thank one person went to an osteropath and has good results . Best wishes !
cherralyn23710 simone_40974
Posted
Yep I get that as well you name it i get it after a while you wounder if it's in your head but we know it's not I get sharp pain in my arm pit it's my shoulder blades which are painfull I can press on each of the bones in my sternum and they feel bruised then it's gone but we worry about lot when pain rises in a different place this thing is not normal or docs don't know how to treat it
maureen90295 cherralyn23710
Posted
I think it can be referred pain since it radiates out. I don't have a proper diagnosis (see other post replying to Sinead) but think I may well have this (and possibly a few other things besides). I had a rheumy appt in December 16 and mentioned the 'nippy' back pain I have had for over a year and the chest pain. He said it was osteo arthritis!!!
maureen90295 sinead_34836
Posted
HI Sinead
Are you still having problems. Suggested that this may be the cause of my chest and breathing problems (although am to be tested for COPD which GP thinks it is). Also suggestd that I may have hiatus hernia and acid reflux but COPD thing to be looked at first. I also have severe back pain (have had for over a year). Chest pain developed within last 3 months - went to A&E who said early stage COPD but saw differnt A&E on holiday who went down the chosto/reflux road. Interested to know how you and others are getting on.
Cass73 maureen90295
Posted
I got costo 2 years ago. Virus plus moving furniture plus stress, all came together. All reasons for getting Costo. Was also tested for COPD, looked at for blood clot in lungs, acid reflux and hiatus hernia. Asthma too. Breathing tests negative. Reflux perhaps. HH said large, but finally got to specialist who said it was fine. Think coughing makes all these things worse. Finally told by X-ray tech to refuse more X-rays. Obviously docs are still not up to speed on this condition. Only thing helping is a very good Osteopath. Had cough for ages from dust allergies and moving heavy items. Went last week first time in months and feeling better. Unlike a Chiropractor where you keep going, Osteopaths get you healed quicker. You really have to think if what you are doing with this disease. Too much of anything and you're down and out!
simone_40974 Cass73
Posted
maureen90295 sinead_34836
Posted
fiona10957 maureen90295
Posted
Yeah I've had a cough for so long and it never seems to go away, the coughing definitely increased the pain in my chest and ribs