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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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  • carolee91695
    carolee91695 sinead_34836

    Posted

    I guess he is sending me there because I am also having a hard time breathing. I hope the rheumatologist can find an answer in your bloodwork.
  • Hali4u
    Hali4u sinead_34836

    Posted

    Flare ups happen when my iron is low. Drink lots of water and keep ur electrolytes up.
    • grace28398
      grace28398 Hali4u

      Posted

      i agree. great advice. and limit your sugar intake as well!!
  • sara50549
    sara50549 sinead_34836

    Posted

    Sinead i truly hope they`ve found something  to help ease this pain for you.I`ve had it now for  several months ,but a couple of weeks ago ,i got so bad i couldn1t breathe in or out without excrutiating pain in my chest/ribs/back/neck areas.The worst is my chest ,and it scared me so i saw my GP.(i should add i have DDD and Fibromyalgia ,and to be honest ,at first i assumed it was a new fibro  pain/symptom.

    ?However ,on seeing my dr and being examined thoroughly ,i was diagnosed with Costochondritis.he prescribed  diazepam ,Naproxen and omoprezole (to ease any stomach discomfort)..I`ve been on the naproxen now for just over 2 wks.It helped SLIGHTLY ,however i soon discovered red spots (like small blisters) on my hands/legs ,various parts of my body.The worst was the mouth ulcers ,which are so painful i can`t wear the denture (I have a lower one).

    did your GP prescribe an alternative?I am allergic to brufen/aspirin which is why he prescribed me the Naproxen.

    ?The omoprezole has protected my stomach ,to some degree ,but i`m sure it`s causing these other  symptoms ,and have left them off the past few days to  see if it makes a difference.Only issue ,the pain has returned twice as bad ,and ,it`ll take weeks to get into see my GP again.

    ?I wondered if you ,or anyone  else here has found a good alternative? I do get bad back pain  also ,it seems to travel from my chest ,over my shoulders/arms  into my upper back and neck.Owwch! I hope everyone  affected by this horrible condition is getting the help ,and some much needed relief  you all need.I carry a hot water bottle  around to "hug" constantly ,but would  desperately  like more respite  from this..Sinead i see you posted a year ago ,i do hope you`ve had more luck  since then..xx

    • grace28398
      grace28398 sara50549

      Posted

      Hi Sara

      So sorry about your experience. I take Neurontin. Only side effect at first is it can make you a bit sleepy. Which is great to help you sleep at night. Soft ice packs help me alot. as well as reducing sugar. Inflammmation feeds off of sugar. Hang in there. It gets better!! smile smile smile

  • candy19983
    candy19983 sinead_34836

    Posted

    Many people who have recurring or long-term costochondritis have also been diagnosed with fibromyalgia. Fibromyalgia can severely affect every aspect of your life including mood swings and not feeling like doing anything anymore. I just thought I would pass that along to you. I wish you blessings and healing.
    • Kamatsu
      Kamatsu candy19983

      Posted

      I have fibromyalgia too.  Are people with this condition more prone to costochrondritis?  I'm recently diagnosed and am trying to get as much information as possible so I can deal with it.  I am currently waiting for more tests and in all probability will be undergoing additional brain surgery this summer.  I have Chiari and  Syringomyelia.  

      What treatment do do you find most helpful?

      Thanks

    • jenn4christ78
      jenn4christ78 Kamatsu

      Posted

      Yes. Most definitely it has been said to be connected to Fibromyalgia. As a matter of fact my specialist said her fear is that my Myofascial Pain syndrome and Costochondritis may develop into a severe fibromyalgia, with the way my conditions were developing.

      I have prayed for your healing and I will pray for your doctors and your surgery.

      For me what works best is rest. Sleeping. Not wearing any bras what so ever. And hot showers. It can be different for different people. Many people say stay AWAY from heat as it will inflame more, and to use ice. Well for me, ice makes it twice as worse. Winter even, for example makes it harder to breathe and I can feel the inflammation hurting like crazy as the cold air goes in and out-its awful!

      I know this is not much help. And they are very temporary sollutions. But sleeping allows the body to heal. And it is painful for me to get to the sleeping part, as my ribs both in front and both in back are all inflammed 24/7. But once asleep the pain is gone(obviously lol, I am sleeping!) I am not saying the pain will be gone apon waking, but lack of sleep or not taking naps when needed definitely adds more pain to these conditions.

      And most IMPORTANTLY I would say try your very best to keep a positive attitude. A heavy, saddened heart can make these conditions(or any painful conditions for that matter) hurt way,way,more. Trying your best to count your blessings and be thankful for not having even worse things that we could have and be happy that we are living and alive still.

      Jenn

    • Kamatsu
      Kamatsu jenn4christ78

      Posted

      Thank you, especially for your prayers.  That is something  we can all do for each other.

      I find heat helpful.  Like you, the ice seems to make things worse.

      Have you tried acupuncture?  I tried it when being treated for CRPS.  I also had 10 ketamine infusions, but would not want to endure that again as it does a number on the brain.  That's the problem with many medications.

      The myfascial pain on my left side is unbearable at times with deep burning sensation going down my leg.  The costochrondritis is on the right side but now my left side is becoming tender. Just hope it isn't spreading.  

      Thanks again for your reply 

    • jenn4christ78
      jenn4christ78 Kamatsu

      Posted

      You are very welcome xoxo

      No I havent tried that smile That is something I will try, thank you for the suggestion! Fingers crossed it does something good!

      My costo spread. Is started out on my front left for the longest time. Then over to the front right. And its just been the last year that it spead really badly to my entire back left&right sides.

      I also think my MPS is either spreading

      or morphing into Fibro. Because lately my hips have both been hurting like I would imagine a 90yr old womans should hurt.

      Just knowing I am not alone in my pain means so much. So thank you so much also for replying!

      Love jenn&6

    • Kamatsu
      Kamatsu jenn4christ78

      Posted

      It is great that although we do not know each other personally, we are sisters in Christ.  I will put you on my prayer list.
    • jenn4christ78
      jenn4christ78 Kamatsu

      Posted

      Wow! How cool is that! It is rare to find believers now a days smile Thank you for doing that. Your prayers will be like pure gold for me and my 6 children, they are needed! Thank you so much!

      Love ur sis Jenn&6

    • Kamatsu
      Kamatsu jenn4christ78

      Posted

      You are welcome.  

      May the Lord bless you with healing and guide and bless your children.

  • kelly84195
    kelly84195 sinead_34836

    Posted

    I have daily pains behind my breast bone it's pain but also pressure like someone sitting on my chest also my shoulder blades hurt a lot this causes me great anxiety like I'm gonna have a heart attack I'm also 39 from Suffolk England mum of 4

    • grace28398
      grace28398 kelly84195

      Posted

      I have had that many times. It is veery scary. Have you been to a cardiologist? Now that a cardiologist ruled out anything cardiac for me, and Im sure will foir you too, Its painful for sure, but not as scary at all. Sometimes, peace of mind is what we really need. Yes, Coistro can be very painful, but Thank God its not life threatening. Are you taking any meds for the pain?
    • kelly84195
      kelly84195 grace28398

      Posted

      I havnt seen a cardiologist I take paracetamol and ibrufen and always have a hot water bottle I've had this off and on for years but just lately I'm some degree everyday ????

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