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
Kamatsu sinead_34836
Posted
Sorry that you are suffering for so long. I thought that I had broken a rib again but did not remember hitting or doing anything that would cause it to break. Long and short of it is costochrondritis. I see my GP on Thursday for a follow up but there seems there is little that can be done.
i have Chiari and syringomyelia and am waiting for surgery again. I wondered if the syringomyelia was causing the pain but now know it wasn't that at all.
Has anyone on your medical team any suggestions on how to overcome this condition. Throwing drugs at the problem doesn't seem to work. I worry about the long term affect of taking prescriptions.
i certainly hope that you find something that will help you and you will be healed.
jenn4christ78 Kamatsu
Posted
Thank you soo much for your kind words towards me, it means a lot!
I can do all I know how to do and I have prayed to Jesus for your healing which is my faith and my heart for you.
Practically the only two other things I have been told that I can share with you, that can temporarily help... is cortisone injections and physiotherapy specifically for this condition.
I personally have not tried the injections as I have heard it can take the edge off the pains for a few days up to a week then it comes back full fledge, and then others have expressed how terribly painful the shots are and they dont hardly work, or other horrible side effects.
Physio does help some people a bit. For me mine is way to sensitive to even contemplate doing movements like that. If you touch me I will yell out in pain or have the delayed touch pain a few seconds after wards, which feels like a horrendous bruise as if the Hulk punched me. A broken rib is an excellent discription!
But you could inquire and research about both as one or both may work for you
I pray also for your complete and total healing and restoration.
{{{{{{gentle gentle hugs}}}}}}}
Jenn&6 kids
keith50048 sinead_34836
Posted
Hello Sinead
First I note your post is over a year old and I do pray that you have recovered. I'm responding to your message because of the described nature of your condition being so similar to my own symtoms.
I'm 75 year old male and prior to September 2013 played a full round of golf twice a week (badly). In Sep 2013 Isuffered a back injury that left me with painwhich radiated around and over the hips. I was told I would recover within a relatiively shortperiod of time but afte numerous tests, physio, chiro, acupunture and deep massage it became slowly apparent I was stuck with it. With the help of codiene I was able to cope and got on with my new life. No more golf but I was ablr to sleep and could manage a short walk (200 meters).
22nd january 2017 I was stopped dead in my tracks by pain the like of which I had never experienced before. It took my breath away and i thought so this is what a heart attack feels like. I slowly recovered but was immedately aware of soreness and pain in my upper chest onboth sides. Unfortunately it didn't ease off over night and i now awake several times a night in pain and all early morning I have pain full stiffness across a band of my back beginning at my shulder blades and dropping about 10 inches down wards
grace28398 keith50048
Posted
Hi Keith,
So sorry for your issues with costro! I have made only God knows how many visits to the ER. The pain in your chest can become unbearable with this condition. Soft ice packs help me. Also somtrimes a heating pad. Ibuprofin or a short course of steroids if your Dr prescribes it..helps the swelling. Have you been to an accupuncturist? hang in there! Will say a prayer for you. Its good to know its not life threatening, and so many others have it and can share their expetriences here so we may help each other! Better days ahead
keith50048 grace28398
Posted
Hi Grace
Thanks for your support and best wishes. I'm hoping to gain a better understanding of what's going on with my back and rib cage tomorrow monday 13th March 17. Had X-rays taken 4th Feb. the results of which were lost but had a back up MRI scan - very noisy couldn't get up from the prone position etc.7th March. Wont bother you with that, anyway GP's admin called Friday to arrange a telephone consultation to discuss the results on Monday morning. Meanwhile I'm just about coping with oromorph, although I feel sick, have little appetite and drop off without much notice, The thought that it might be Costra is probably helping with my stress levels because before I could only assosiate the pain levels with something terminal!! Interestingly my blood sample was OK, blood pressure fine, urine resuls OK, I don't have a temperature
I can remember the onset quite clearly I was walking slowly carrying two bags of light rubbish to the recycling tip. I can only tell you what went through my mind but I thought my god this is what a heart attack feels like!! The shocking seensation in my chest susided and I found i could move and carried on. But that was the onset of seven weeks of misery which has got progressively worse. It'sprobably worth mentioning that I had been suffering with lower back pain for three years prior to this episode caused in part by old fractures to three vertebrea in my back. I can also remember having a bad coughing fit a week or two prior to onset of my problem.
Anyway thanks and good luck it does seem we are not alone!!
Keith
Cass73 keith50048
Posted
Yes, you like me had a variety of things happening at the same time. I had a virus, likely which gave me a bad long lasting cough. I moved box after box in storage unit, I had stress with an ill spouse. Bang! Game on! COPD! Asthma, clot in lung, heart condition! Stress? Finally told what it was by physiotherapist, treating me for a knee...told her I couldn't wear a bra. That's a big sign..for women anyway! Then the cardiologist ran his finger down my sternum and after I put my eyes back in my head said it was costo. All those extras .CAT scans etc. Nothing. Why is not more known about this? Keep active but be careful. And if you gave a flare, rest.
grace28398 keith50048
Posted
please let me knowhow your consult goes with your doctor. Hang in there. I too am having other health issues, but I pray alot and have a wonderful supportive family!!!! I'm here...... hope you're having a good day today Keith!!!!
Kamatsu keith50048
Posted
Hi Keith and All
You are going through so much. I hope you will get some answers and help when you see your doctor tomorrow.
My problem started with pain like a cracked rib and it seems as though now things are progressing. (I'm the same age as you). Thursday I had pain like I was having a major heart attack. Last night I had severe pain in my chest and my throat seemed to close so I couldn't swallow. Today my shoulder and side is very sore. Is this sort of thing normal for someone with costochondritis?
keith50048 Kamatsu
Posted
Hi Kamatsu sama?
My symptoms have not yet been diagnosed one way or another, but the similarities to other sufferers symptoms with costchondritis are significant.
I've been prescribed oramorph and zamorph and a gut settling drug. They do help but render me incapable of rational thought so I'm now back on codiene with paracetamol which is less effective but I feel almost human again.
Something else that i have found helpful is a tens machine stimulator that i bought for my lower back problems a couple of years ago.
Sorry to hear you had such a difficult day yesterday. My wife is very sympathetic and understanding but I sometime wonder just what she is thinking. Nobody but the sufferer can feel the pain and with this condition there are know obvious outward signs. I look a bit pasty, but everything else aprt from the awaited MRI scan results and lost X-Rays come back within acceptable parameters. My feet are a funny colour after 3years of numbness but i get no pain or tingling in the arms and legs - all very confusing!
Keith
Kamatsu keith50048
Posted
I have not been "officially" diagnosed, but all things indicate that it is costochondritis. To be the diagnosed is by eliminating other things. Wish there was a more definitive way. It seems that many people with fibromyalgia also develope costochondritis. It makes me wonder what the connection might be.
I have other health issues including Chiari and syringomyelia. It appears that I will be having more brain surgery this summer. I wonder if the Syringomyelia is contributing to my problem.
Hopefully, by the support and wisdom of people on this site, we will all be able to help each other.
Cass73 keith50048
Posted
keith50048 Cass73
Posted
I am no expert on the use and application of tens machine. My tens has a four pad skin connection capability and I position the pads where I believe the best relief might be achieved. If you have an existing condition that might cause problems talk to your GP Â first as a priority. Best be on the safe side. Best wishes Keith
Best wishes Keith
keith50048 grace28398
Posted
This mornings consultation with my GP went well. The MRI scan showed conclusively that further deteriorationof of my spine had occurred since the last scan 3 years ago. A collapse inward of a further three vertebrae above the original site and roughly between my shoulder blades was likely the cause of the shocking sensation that stopped me in my tracks 5 - 6 weeks ago. As a consequence my GP is referring me to an orthopedic surgeon suggesting some form of fusion procedure might be a possibility.
For information only, Â the original collapse of vertebrae further down my spine passed by without any particular discomfort that I recall and have long since healed leaving me with a curvature which is quite pronounced.
I was involved in serious car crash 45 years ago which I walked away from and a far less seroius shunt from behind about ten years ago. All a bit of a mystery. Anyway having worried myself sick all week end i actually quite relieved!
Hope you are having a better day Keith
sharon32910 Cass73
Posted
Sharon
jenn4christ78 sharon32910
Posted
Jenn
grace28398 keith50048
Posted
Good luck to you Keith!!!! Glad you are relieved about news. I'm sure the surgery will make you feel much better!!! Hang in there. Saying a prayer for you as well.
simone_40974 Kamatsu
Posted
Do you have Costo ? My symptoms are similar
To yours.