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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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  • chris_21208
    chris_21208 sinead_34836

    Posted

    This is a great forum ... I have supposedly had this for about 4 years .. I always thought it was my heart had 2 x Rays done blood work and c t scan w dye all normal as can be .. I do have anxiety which is fueled by this .. It's been a long rd the last 4 years anxiety pain and panic attacks ....I have found that I can get temporary relief from massages hot baths and a friend constantly cracking my back . I get pain in my chest shoulder back and down my arm .. My question is does anyone get a squeeze sensation in the left side of chest or ribs from this ? I would assume if not from this its anxiety induced seeing as that my heart tests where all fine . I am a 30 yr old male work out 4-5 times a week and play sports this has been draining my quality of life ... It sucks and no one that hasn't felt with it will not understand ! Gotta try and stay postive and take one day at a time !!!!
    • linda00569
      linda00569 chris_21208

      Posted

      Chris try the OLBAS Oil it really do work don't use heat that's not good for I inflammation cold packs help I have aquapuncture at my chiropractors to plus she works on my upper back I feel for you it does cause anxiety but rest is also important don't over strain or stretch your rib cage  by lifting heavy things done twist your body either or stretch your arms to high all of this agrivates it hope this helps 
    • jules756
      jules756 chris_21208

      Posted

      Hi Chris.

      Sorry you've been so uncomfortable for 4-yrs but it certainly sounds like CC.

      The pain with this thing comes in all forms and in all areas. Anxiety leading to panic attacks is probably the most common and the worst aspect of the condition... I've been to the emergency room 3-times!

      All I know is what Linda suggests, anti-inflammatories, Olbas oil and rest. I'm still trying to figure out what helps too. Do you know what caused your condition?

    • chris_21208
      chris_21208 jules756

      Posted

      I have no idea what could have caused it . I played years of football maybe that could be it . But it defiently adds so much to anxiety constant chest pain arm pain back pain . Its nice to know . Chronic Pain really sucks! But this site is awesome 
    • linda00569
      linda00569 chris_21208

      Posted

      Hi Chris just come back from my chiropractor 3rd session I'm so pleased  with the results 60percent better still use OLBAS oil and ice packs  she tells me that she don't want me to go back to work until 100 percent better  and I agree anything to get rid of this I will do hope you all try this !!!!!  Those poor people out there suffering this awful complaint  it's not good !!
    • chris_21208
      chris_21208 linda00569

      Posted

      i would love not to do anything till im 100% but nothing really helps . My massags therapist is the best around hands down and he works the most for a week or two with no pain. I have not even lifted upper body in weeks hoping it would help Nothing! i am going to try these oils i have never tried those. I also do bio feed back with helps control the anxiety and some muscle tension . I am going to a new chiro next week as well
    • chris_21208
      chris_21208 linda00569

      Posted

      Also I just went to Walgreens g n c and walmart where do you buy this oil ?? I bought tiger balm for the time being ??? Heard of any luck with that ? Thanks
    • linda00569
      linda00569 chris_21208

      Posted

      Chris you can buy it at asda Walmart  don't know where you are  us or uk  if not try a pharmacy it really is good  it's usually with painkillers ect
    • chris_21208
      chris_21208 linda00569

      Posted

      iam located in NY USA.. ok i will check that out thanks linda and stevie
    • jules756
      jules756 chris_21208

      Posted

      Hi Chris. I live in MA and bought the oil at a good all-natural store called A. New Leaf but I also ordered it online. Probably the easiest way... And it does help 
    • jenn4christ78
      jenn4christ78 linda00569

      Posted

      I can relate Linda sad I cannot even work at all! I am now on Ontario Disability for my conditions. My costochondritis plus my Myofacial Pain Syndrome both confirmed diagnosis....together they are evil.

    • sharon32910
      sharon32910 jules756

      Posted

      Hi Jules,

      You are doing the correct thing. If the pain is bad, go to the ER. It's best to be safe than sorry!! Anti-Inflammatories are good, I take one aspirin to keep my blood thin-ish especially resting, clots can form.

      Lastly, it sounds like a pinched nerve.

      I hope this may have helped.

      Also!! I need to absolutely to rule out the gallbladder!! They commonly go bad!!!

  • bernard95718
    bernard95718 sinead_34836

    Posted

    Sinead  i am aged 68 and was very worried about this shocking pain i was suffering with..As someone on here has said it was like my heart being squeezed onto a rib.I also thought the worse that something serious was wrong with a lung. My GP assured me it was muscular and explianed about the ligament and the breast bone etc. Thank god for that but the pain is excruciating especially when standing or carrying even a carrier bag.Hopefully theanti-nflammatories help as i have nough pain to deal with ,having a disc in my lower back pressing on a nerve. Good luck everyone.
    • jules756
      jules756 bernard95718

      Posted

      Hi there.

      Yes it seems carrying heavy stuff, twisting the torsoand lifting your arms up high is the worst to aggrevate the pain. I have been on a new anti-inflammatory, my fourth, now for just over a week and it's amazing. I've had two pretty much pain-free days, the first in 8-months! It's called Diclofenac (Voltaren)

      Don't know how to post this as a general message to everyone but so far so good!! Naturally I'm waiting for something to go wrong but this is working for me... If course feeling good I've moved the wrong way a few days and pain the price with shooting stabbing pain but it goes away... Not the constant pain I had before. Also 3rd week on Amytriptaline.

    • Cass73
      Cass73 jules756

      Posted

      What form is your Voldaren in.  Cream, liquid rubbed in or pill?
    • sharon32910
      sharon32910 bernard95718

      Posted

      Hi Bemard,

      The pain for me is sometimes very very painful and sometimes seems better. I'm always surprised when it comes in extremely painful. I think, what did I do to deserve this!?

      Also, it is interesting when Costo pain takes away my back pain! So when my chest is better, my back pain is there and kicks in.

      I don't know if you saw my previous post- that the gallbladder needs to be ruled out!!

      Good Luck

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