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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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  • mitouback
    mitouback sinead_34836

    Posted

    I have this too. Its now a sharp pain between shoulderblades and down into arms, especially left side..Its a total nightmare...I get down and ddepressed..Im trying everything under the sun...How I got this , I dont know....Its a mystery.....Its now so bad that I cant sit dowen for any length of time..It staerts as soon as I relax in an armchair. Slightly better if Im moving about....I have not had any infection, or been coughing or anythignlike that. Can yoga set it off???? Or pilates??? Goodness knows. Im fit otherwise. healthy and well  aprat from this Costchondritis, which makes me feel HELPLESS and sad and I cry a lot....
    • lori99596
      lori99596 mitouback

      Posted

      Have you been to a doctor?  It sounds like symptoms of a possible heart problem and needs checking out.
    • mitouback
      mitouback lori99596

      Posted

      Yes I went to A and E as I thought it was the heart. They investigated and it's costochondritis. .

      I had x rays..blood test..blood pressure and the rest..Its NOT the heart..

  • ryan23680
    ryan23680 sinead_34836

    Posted

    Hey everyone!  

    My name is Ryan.  

    Over the last year or so I have gone to the emergency room at least a dozen times for what was chest, shoulder and arm pain.  The doctors almost always do a full work up, with EKG, x-ray, blood work, et cetera.  I'm always told that my heart looks okay.  

    I've seen my doctor, cardiologist, endocrinologist, and orthopedic specialist to try to get to the bottom of this.  None of them have any real answers.  I'm not really sure what to do, but the arm pain has been happening more and more, and it's really disrupting my life.  

    If you have any leads, suggestions, or advice please let me know.

    • mitouback
      mitouback ryan23680

      Posted

      Go and see a GOOD osteopath. I did. My rib cage had rotated too much and my left shoulder blade was too close to the spine. The muscles around and under that shoulder blade was hyper tense. He is now working on realigning everything and a sport masseur is massgaing the tight muscles. I went to a homeopathic pharmacy and was prescribed pills for inflammation of tendons in the chest...Epsom salt baths also help before I go to bed.

      Keep your posture really good. Dont slouch..Dont over stretch your front of chest. Find a GOOD pilates instructor or physio who can show you how to gently stretch. Moderation is the key. I'm 5 days pain free. Lots of water.Lots of anti inflammatory foods. DONT eat nightshade vegetables. ...

      Mitouback

    • mitouback
      mitouback ryan23680

      Posted

      .......and I do believe that when there's still pain and the pain is reoccurring. ..time after time that there is something a tightness an imbalance that is constantly tugging at the rib tendons and they stay inflamed. ..A good osteopath who is aware of ths condition is a good start. ..investigate investigate.investigate..I did...
    • jules756
      jules756 mitouback

      Posted

      Good advice thank you! I've tried everything but Osteopath is my next step. I definately feel like my rib-cage is off... I can see it when I look in the mirror which, like you said, is causing the ongoing inflammation.

       

    • mitouback
      mitouback jules756

      Posted

      Gteat Jules. Make sure you research and find a Chiropractic or Osteopath who is sympathetic and knows about Costochondritis. I asked so many about this before one guy said " I know what it might be we need to work on"..Im also taking homeopathic pills 4 times a day for the inflammation of the rib ligament...Im today 6 days pain free. Back for readjustment on Sat on more massage next wed. I keep you posted.

      Think about your posture as well. .walk tall. And don't over stretch chest. Gently does it..

      Mitouback

    • jules756
      jules756 mitouback

      Posted

      What are the active ingredients in your homeopathic anti-inflammatory pills? I bought a couple of brands a couple of months ago but didn't continue taking them after doc prescribed Diclofenac.

      And what are nightshade vegetables??

      I see an osteo next week. Unfortunately they are not as plentuful here.... I'm in the US, Boston.

      Does your rib-cartilage feel like it's stretched? My shoulder blades are really bad at present.

      How long have you had this now?

    • mitouback
      mitouback jules756

      Posted

      Hi Jules.

      I do not know what the ingridients are of my homeopathing pills. I went, on recommendation of my Ostopath, to a Homeopathic Pharmacy and told them I suffered from Costchondritis. They mixed up the stuff for me. Small white pills that you have to take with great care. Not touch with your fingers. Put straight in mouth..

      Its a great pharmacy here in Duke Street, London UK.

      If your shoulderblades are bad as you say, you def have a muscle imblalance and you need to get it seen to. There are several muscles that can pull here, be too tight and as you know, Shoulderblades should lie close to the ribcage and be gliding easlily when you move your arms. My shouilderblades, as I've mentioned here before, were so imbalanced. My Left blade was so tight and pulled close into the spine, instead of being the SAME distance away from the spine like the right blad was. This is now what my massage guy is working on. My Osteo is realigning my spine, becasue of the pull of tight side is rotating the rib cage and causing the ligamnets of the ribs to get inflamed. I can recall about 2 years ago my shoulderblades was causing me such grief. I couldn't sleep on the side, it was super painful. Tha'ts most probably when it all started, my Costochondritis. I now have to look at some bad habits I have when sitting and driving and so on. My posture has to improve.I am seeing a Pilates teacher who is teaching me good posture and I am strengthening my core.

      I am willing to go through anything to regain my health and stamina.so on the recommendations of a nutritionist I am cutting out the Nightshade family of vegetables...(Night shades include bell peppers, hot peppers, tomatoes, eggplants and potatoes)...becasue there is connection between painful joints and what you've been eating for breakfast, lunch and dinner. People with arthritis f.ex often get advice to give up the Nighshade family of vegetables..I am not saying that I have arthritis but I am going the homepotahic way here, and not just accepting that my pain iS THERE and just taking strong medications..I am digging deep to look at all possible causes. My Osteopath has been AMAZING. Very understanding. He took his time and it was on his recommendations that I found the sport masseur and the nutritionist. Your diet ius very important, Every time we have some sort of desease; I believe we should look at what we stuff outr bodies with. I have also CUT OUT wheat from my diet, totally.  I hope you find a sympathetic Osteopath who really looks at your spine and shoulderblades and ribcage.... Then have massage...and look at your diet...

      Best of luck. Hope it works out for you. I am a week pain free....and feeling better by the day. I drink warm water with lemon before breakfdast as well.=. ( Day 8 today.)Warm lemon water in the morning helps kickstart the digestion process for the day.

      Mitouback.

    • jules756
      jules756 mitouback

      Posted

      Thank you!! I will try all of this... So happy you are pain-free. Update when you can.
    • mitouback
      mitouback jules756

      Posted

      Thank you. yes, Im totally painfree..My Osteopath said today that Im using my body one-sided at the office. I rotate constantly to the right..this drwas the ribcage too much fwd on left side, hence the ribs pushing into the sternum on the left side. Its totally mechanical. I havent had any trauma, no infection , not caughing or sneezing that could have caused the inflammation ---so its mechanical. My treatment today was great. I feel so incredbly good. You must not give up. Investigate all directions. Don't accept that this pain you experience has to be there..Somethingis causing it. Best of luck.

      All this started about 19 mths ago and its not until I saw the Osteopath that I am getting better..It makes total total sense....NOT eatijmg sugar either as this feeds the inflammation...( I think I've said that before)...LOL...Tomorrow Im seeing my Pilates teacher and she will give me strengthening exercises for my upper-back and we're working on my core. All good.

    • jules756
      jules756 mitouback

      Posted

      Hi there.

      I found a good Osteopath nearby and just got back from the first visit...

      He could see the right side of my rib-cage is bent out. And of course he could see the inflammed cartilage at the front right so he went to work to get that and it's relative connection to my spine moving the right way. The T6-T7 area when it joins my back is just as painful right now...

      Oh I hope he can fix me!

    • mitouback
      mitouback jules756

      Posted

      Same spot as my issue T6-T7

      Just let him do the job..It might feel very sore at first as things begin to move to the right place..but be PATIENT. Also ask if he can recommend a good sport masseur...

      Well done you....!!!

      """Its never any smoke without fire...""""

      Your issue is the ribs and the rotation of the spine..

      Im at ease in front of the telly with a G n T.

      feelin good!!!

    • jules756
      jules756 mitouback

      Posted

      Hey I know all about liquid therapy...!!

      It is very sore right now and cannot find a comfortable position but I am hoping my experience goes as well as yours. I am nervous after previous treatments on my back that caused constant agony.

      How many visits did it take to feel improvement?

    • mitouback
      mitouback jules756

      Posted

      I think about 3...and also after the first massage I was very sore. Nelsons pharmacy also told me that it migth feel worse after my first initial dosage but then ease asfter a few days--which proved to be right

      Hope all goes well

      mitouback

    • jules756
      jules756 mitouback

      Posted

      Thank you for the info... And if you get access to the ingredients in those Magic pills, pass it along. I'm very curious! Did your Osteo prescribe that?

    • mitouback
      mitouback jules756

      Posted

      Hi..keep us posted on your progress. I have no idea whats in the homeopathic pills as it doesnt say on the bottle. It was so inexpensive..Didnt cost much at all. Pharmacy sttendants/chemist seem to really understand the condition..Well worth contacting them if you want to try it, I think.

      Mitouback

    • jules756
      jules756 mitouback

      Posted

      Thank you I definately will. What is the name of your Homeopathic pharmacy? I'll call them and look for one here. There is a homeopathic store nearby where I've bought many items recently so they may steer me in the right direction...

      Feeling better than expected this morning but I'll still take it easy and try not to lift things. I always "overdo" it when I feel a little better!

    • mitouback
      mitouback jules756

      Posted

      I thought I wrote it down in my last email.

      Anyway---- its Nelson's Homeopathic Pharmacy, Duke Street.London W1

    • jules756
      jules756 mitouback

      Posted

      One more Q... Do you know who you spoke to at the pharmacy? I called them and they asked...
    • mitouback
      mitouback jules756

      Posted

      No..I walked in and one of the ladies, who seem to know exactly waht to mix up for me.. She in turn  told some other lady what to do..

      I dont lnow who ity was.....

    • jules756
      jules756 mitouback

      Posted

      Ok thanks. She didn't know the term costochondritis but I'm sure if I say rib-inflammation with back/ shoulder pain it'll be close enough... Do you think?
    • mitouback
      mitouback jules756

      Posted

      Yoy would have thought they could look it up..hmmm? Say you have I flammatory I'm the rib attachment to sternum. Stabbing pain

      Also between shoulderblade. . The lady who was there at the time I got my pills knew immidiatly what I needed..good luck. Say they mixed it for me last week..

    • jules756
      jules756 mitouback

      Posted

      I called the pharmacy today and they're sending me a concoction of 4-ingredients. Did they kick-in quickly for you do you remember...?

      Today the pain between my shoulder blades is terrible. And it's worse on the side which isn't usually so bad. Stabbing pains this time. Just confusing. It's never consistent...

      So back to the osteo Tuesday praying he can fix this.

      Do you do stretches? He gave me a list to do but wondering if that triggered today's pain...

      Thanks again for the info.

    • mitouback
      mitouback jules756

      Posted

      My pain got worse before it got better. I dont do much stretches. I think you have to go gently w stretches, or so at least this is what my Oste said..I just ver vey very gently stretch the fascia across the chest..Dont over do it. I still take my pills. My pain is totally gone, but I have had numerous of treatments and massages..and still do.....If your body alignment has been out for some time and it is now being put back to where it should be, you might feel pain in places you didnt feel it before.

      I dont do any rotation at all now of my torso,,,I am incredibly conscious of my posture s well... I'm completely painfree as well.....I am sure it varies from person to person.....Just trust and dont panic..continue with your Osteopathic visits. Didn't he say something about your ribs? I cant recall how long it took for the pills to kick in. I recall I had one bad day after initially taking them and after my first Ostopthic visit After that, it all started to heal..Im going again to my Osteo this morning and my massage guy on Wed..I will continue until end of May, then just go once a month after that. Good luck. 

    • jules756
      jules756 mitouback

      Posted

      Hi there. I just received my pills from the pharmacy in London... But there are no dosage instructions and they're closed for the day so was wondering how many you take daily...??

      Thank you.

    • mitouback
      mitouback jules756

      Posted

      Hi again

       Start tomorrow and take 2 pills every 2 hrs. Do not touch the pills with your fingers. Shake them in to lid and then into mouth. Chew them and then swallow ..Dont eat them un-chewed...

      The following day you take 2 pills 3 X day until you finish the bottle.

      I am still really well. Im now 3 weeks plus  totally pain free.

      Like I said before, I still have my Osteo treatments/adjustmnets and my massage( 30 minutes on my shoulder blade area)

      Hope you are feeling ok.

      Keep in touch

      Mitouback

    • jules756
      jules756 mitouback

      Posted

      Excellent! And thank you for your guidance. I had second Osteo visit yesterday and feel strangely good! Just don't want to jinx anything as in the past when I have a decent day I over-do it and cancel out all the good...

      Back Monday for third visit.

      Why do we avoid touching the pills??

    • mitouback
      mitouback jules756

      Posted

      It's just the way it is....flower remedies ..very sensitive..

      Just go with it..

      Super happy you feel good.

      I cant believe HOW amazing I feel.

      Mitouback

    • simone_40974
      simone_40974 mitouback

      Posted

      Hello I read your response

      And it's so encouraging . Are you still pain free and symptom free from this

      Cosot

      Condition ? am desperately

      Looking

      For relief.

    • senaih
      senaih mitouback

      Posted

      Hey mitouback i know this was a long time ago but would it be possible to give me contact info / the name of your osteopath. Judging from the homeopathic pharmacy you went to it seems you go to one in london?

      Many thanks.

       

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