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Costochondritis pain and discomfort

Posted , 177 users are following.

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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  • Guest
    Guest sinead_34836

    Posted

    Omg I feel just like you. I also have Costochondritis most of my pain is in the upper back area. I have Fibromyalgia too. I find that I go with the flow n take the pain plodding along until it drags me down both physically and mentally then it's just awful. Every single day I have pain wether it be from neck/upper back/lower back/hips or legs it's torture. I have a bulged disc in my lower spine and degenerative discs in my cervical spine. Dr assured me my upper spine if fine but I'm beginning to doubt this. And I can agree with the mood swings too and finding that each day I'm in pain although not excruciating it's still draining...

    • maureen_65564
      maureen_65564 Guest

      Posted

      Same here, right down to the spine issues!

      This is awful to have to live like this!

    • wendy35090
      wendy35090 maureen_65564

      Posted

      Hi Maureen  

      I have lived the past 35 years with pain from my sternum across my bust around to my spine   I havehad  tests xrays, scans and  blood tests and nothing showed up.  I have been diagnosied with fibromyalgia and costo.

      When I press on the sternum it is very sore  I am unable to sit with my back on any kind of chair as this starts my spine hurting and then it comes to the front  This weekend I have had a particularly bad attack and have noticed that my voice goes a little hoarse and it sounds as if I am getting a cold, I also develop a stupid small cough which only happens whilst the chest hurts so much.t  This pain has stopped me over the past from doing anything, and I have to wait until it is bearable before  I can continue.  Nothing seems to take the pain away, very often I end up in tears as it hurts so much.  I am now looking into trying to obtain cbd hemp oil, has anyone tried this and does it work.

      Thanks   Wendy

       

  • jessica87017
    jessica87017 sinead_34836

    Posted

    Hi I feel your pain.

    I up until this month was a single mom of 3 boys. I developed costocondritis from a work fall 2 years ago. Since November of this past year it has now become chronic. I had to move out of my home because I was no longer able to be the mother I once was. I have been a hard working independent woman for 2 years. Now no more. I now live at my boyfriends whom is amazing support. Since Jan 2017 I have had 10 cortisone shots in my chest did nothing but bruise me and debilitated me for days. I have had 2 rounds out steroid injections. And 6 shots of mancaine done by ultra sound. I go back in on the 16th for 6 more injections than bed rest for up to 3 months. I can count the amount of times I can recall crying from pain in last 20 years. Childbirth with my last son. This makes me cry often. It's a constant imense pressure in my chest and ribs. And neck and back. I'm praying this works. I've gained weight. My hair is falling out and haven't been able to wear a bra in almost 2 years. But I refuse to loose faith. I have 3 boys who count on me. I'm so worried how this is going to affect my boys. Growing up seeing there mom in pain.

    • grace28398
      grace28398 jessica87017

      Posted

      im so sorry youre going through all of this. Costro really sucks. I have had it 17 months. And in the last couple of months I have been in the ER more times than i can recall. I have developed reflux and Im on meds for that nexium. I also take Neurontin. I originally was prescribed that for hot flashes, but it also helps alleviate nerve pain as well. i too feel like a different person but i pray alot and will not give up hope. i m so grateful for this site. as we all share our stories and tricks with what helps and what doesnt. you are very lucky to have such a suppoiortive boyfriend. i too have a supportive husband and three kids. luckily kids are resilient and remember the love. they let go of the bad memories. i have heard mixed reviews about the steroid injections. i will pray for relief for you and no pain. hang in there. we are all in this together!!!
    • jessica87017
      jessica87017 grace28398

      Posted

      You've made me cry. Not hard to do these days. I'm scared more for my children. My oldest son is 15 he understands. My youngest is 6 always showing me love, empathy. Ow r u ok mommy. It's my 11 ya old he's afraid I'm going to die. Breaks my heart. I put him in counselling. Hoping this will help. I also pray. Cause I've worked my ass off my whole life. Not to end up like this. The not wearing a bra kills me. It's taken away my independence and my ability to feel like a woman. Thank you for taking the time to read this. And your caring words. I don't want anyone else to hurt but it's nice to know someone else understands how I feel.

    • grace28398
      grace28398 jessica87017

      Posted

      We are all here to help each other. BTW i too havent worn a bra since i was diagnosed. Hurts too much. I wear dark larger tops now lol . With supportive amazing families like we have and our prayers we are going to be just fine eventually! Very smaart you put your son in therapy. I have offered my youngest the same option. I think he puts alot into his sports to take his mind off f me. I stay in our small tv rom on the couch out of the way. But I talk to him alot and try to reassure him Im going to be ok eventually.
    • grace28398
      grace28398 jessica87017

      Posted

      How r u feeling today? I forgot to mention watch funny movies to boost your spirit. Christmas movies and I like old love stories too..they all make me feel better!!!!!!  Hope your having a good day! Hang in there  smile smile smile
    • jessica87017
      jessica87017 grace28398

      Posted

      Thank you. I had a couple rough days. But I'm having a few drinks my best friend before my solitary confinement. Funny movies for sure. Give me some suggestions cause I'm going to be bing watching. Hope your feeling ok.. it's hard but with faith we will be ok

    • grace28398
      grace28398 jessica87017

      Posted

      So sorry you had a couple of rough days!!!! Drinks with your best friend sound amazing!!!!  You certainly  deserve that. I love all the Santa Claus movies with Tim Allen, Elf, Moonstruck, White chicks, Hes just not that into you, Bride Wars. And because of my Mom and dad I live classics with Cary Grant,Frank Sinatra,.. Movies like An Affair To Remember, The Quiet Man, The Sound Of music etc.  Good luck. and Enjoy your movies. They really help. Also sitting outside on a sunny day and enjoying nature help lift my spirits as well. Have a great day!  Praying always helps me to give me strregnth!!!!

       

    • linda00569
      linda00569 jessica87017

      Posted

      Hi Jessica  a sufferer also now for 3years I use Olbas oil to ease to inflammation it does work I also go to a registered chiropractor and have acupuncture it is so worth the expense also ice packs not heat and rest I'm at the moment in a bad flare up but I try not to become anxious as stress heightens it my chiropractor told me stress is a big factor in bringing a flare up on I can well believe her as I've been under a lot of stress since April but try what I've suggested it works for me first flare up I was on holiday in a foreign land couldn't wait to get home although I had been to the cardio hospital had lots of test and a heart scan took me a long time before I was assured it's not heart it is a nerve being under pressure because of the swelling from the inflammation l had a large lump on my ribs lower part and my chiropractor said she had never seen such a swelling as large as this but it's gone down after several treatments and thankfully I'm mostly comfortable nowadays except for now worst I had in a long time so there is light at the end of the tunnel just so long as your prepared to stay on the road 

    • ray63269
      ray63269 linda00569

      Posted

      Hi libra sorry to hear what happened when you were on holiday and feel for you that you have a bad flare up now, I'm on holiday too and experiencing certain symptoms, not full blown flare up but very agitating and sore, my sternum is stinging at the tip which I think is setting the ribs off, they are very tender, my shoulder is aching too now and my back and neck too, really doing my head in as not too much I can do as only have certain painkillers that don't help that much, must admit though I'm a bit surprised it's affecting my neck this time

    • linda00569
      linda00569 ray63269

      Posted

      Yes it does it can move to any place on upper body that's the problem you just have to go with the flow few drinks no pain killers they don't really work and can cause side effects so rather enjoy a few drinks to take the edge off 

  • jessica87017
    jessica87017 sinead_34836

    Posted

    To read your pain. Is like it's coming right from me. I got up at 3 am and was in the tub until my boys got up for school. I spend so much time in the bath. It does play with your emotions. I to have found myself snapping when I shouldn't. Cronic pain effects everything. Your not alone. 💜

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