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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

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  • RNRJ13
    RNRJ13 sinead_34836

    Posted

    Hi all, I'm Hayley smile

    I've had costro for over a year now and have managed to control it (most of the time) to be really mild. I can goes days now without it flaring up. 

    My pain started out in my right side just under why the wire in my bra sits. It can hurt now all over my chest and back but my worst areas are my lowest ribs on right side (pretty much where my waist is) and my sternum. I do also get more pain in my abomen and my neck but I find this is because I tend to guard against the pain which tenses up other muscles which can make my costro worse. I hope this makes sense. It's the hardest pain to describe....

    I was diagnosed after tearing a rib muscle due to coughing. Similar to you by reading your story Sinead. 

    I was advised I had costro by my GP after months of the pain not going away. I also found a lump in my stomach which turned out to be scar tissue following the torn muscle.  Panicked like mad when I found that!! My GP advised to take ibuprofen and I was referred to physiotherapist (PT) and a gym.  As the injury was so new (about 6 months) the PT couldn't do anything and the gym just wanted me to do a full workout which at the time was not going to happen the pain was too much. 

    I agree this condition is not understood at all and I think that some PT's can make things worse. Please be careful. If you try something and it flares up back off and go more slowly and work up to it. Trying to work through the pain does not work. 

    None of the above worked so I looked into alternatives. This works for me and if it helps anybody on this thread then I'm happy smile 

    I take a herbal anti inflamitory called Arnica 4 times per day (most health shops should have this I know Holland and Barrett do). I have a relaxing massage once a month - nothing too deep as it causes flare ups (Indian head is good as you can get them to work your neck and shoulders). My massage therapist is amazing and has tailored my massage to not go anywhere near where  I hurt. 

    I do gentle Pilates twice a month and also hit the gym a couple of times a week. This is to keep my core strong as it really helps me. Please understand though I don't push too hard just enough to feel a little stretch but not enough to cause a flare up. My first workouts were about 5 minutes tops.  I have worked up to about 20 mins each time at the gym over about 6 months. If I have a flare up though I don't go it's not worth aggravating my ribs. Also get one if those gym balls and sit on that for a bit each day as it works your core without working out (if that makes sense). 

    If the pain is mild I use something like tiger balm or devils claw both herbal so no nasty side effects but if it gets too bad I'll take cocodamol to kill the pain. 

    The biggest thing for me was learning what my triggers were. I work in a office so I changed my desk so I didn't stretch for anything. I also had a health and safety person come out and sort out my desk to make sure my posture was good. I slouch and it doesn't help. Ladies I know this might sound crazy but my handbag was another trigger. It was heavy and sat on the same shoulder, the weight strained my ribs. Honestly check your bags and get rid of any excess things it's surprising how heavy they can be. The third trigger I found was opening the doors at work. They are heavy and I didn't realise how much stress this put on my chest. I now use the disabled access buttons and I'm in much better shape. 

    I am not pain free yet but I am so much better than I have been. I used to come in from work in agony take pain killers and sleep. I now only take pain killers ever now and then, and can forget about the pain most days and get on with my life. This is the most frustrating and expensive injury/condition I've ever had and I can't wait for it to finally go away. I am definitely going to try the olbas oil if I have a flare up. A lot of people seem to have success with this. 

    If anybody has any other suggestions please share hopefully we can find out how to get rid of this sooner rather than later!!! If anybody has any questions/queries please let me know and I can give you further info on what I use to help. 

    Thanks Hayley

     

    • lisa215
      lisa215 RNRJ13

      Posted

      I think I may have this condition. I spoke to my GP about the pain in the left part of my chest which spreads across my left breast and I have some tenderness in the area. He's told me that its acid reflux and given me ppi tablets even though I told him that the pain is not in any way radiating from my stomach and does not feel like a burning pain, its more of a tense stretched almost stitch like pain.

      I've seen my GP again recently after taking the ppi tablets for a month with no effect obviously and he's still dismissing my thoughts of it being codlstochodritis. I'm so confused and at a loss as to what to do.

    • mitouback
      mitouback lisa215

      Posted

      Sounds like Costo to me. Unless there is no other issue with heart or lungs or whatever. Stich like , sharp pain around ribs and sternum is an inflammation to tendon or tendons from ribs onto sternum,

      Check out your posture. Look up a Osteopath or Chiropractic. Misaligmnets of rib cage is what I had. Search out a sympathetic Osteo or Chiro that will be familiar and really look at your alignmnets of Scapulae as well..Thoracic spine might be overly rotated to one side( I had that).

      I have posted here a lot.

      Im pain free now. I take antiinflammatorey homeopating pills daily.

      Painfree for a month now. All gone, Im happy to announce.

      Im having adjustments weekly to spine and rib cage, plus massage to upper back and shoulderblades.

      I dont do any heay gym work. I dont over stretch. Pain all gone. Its been 2 years since I first gort Tietzie syndrome. ( Pain and swelling around front of chest)..That went away. Then I got Costo 2 years ago. I've struggled like yo and many people here.

      I found my way. I didnt give up. I knew thast it must be something that caused the inflammation . You dont have pain from nothing.

      Hope this helped a little.  Just giving you MY viewpoint and what helped ME

      Mitouback

    • lisa215
      lisa215 mitouback

      Posted

      Thank you so much for your advice.

      My posture is pretty awful to be honest and just lately I've been having some pain in my shoulder blade too.

      I've had an ecg and chest xray to rule out cardio/lung issues and that was all ok which is how my GP arrived at reflux and he wont budge from that diagnosis.

      I've noticed as well that if I put my head back to drink from a bottle it brings on the pain, is that something that would happen with this condition?

    • mitouback
      mitouback lisa215

      Posted

      Forget what the GP says for a while and go and seek an Osteopath or Chiropractic. If you are based in UK, there are many. Get recommendations..Ask questions. Ring up and speak to an Osteopath and say that you have this pain. Could it be that ribs are rotating too much to one side? Say that you think your posture is bad and you need help.

      Tell him / her to look at your spine, shoulder blades and neck area.

      ( I mean they would anyway, that's their job..LOL)

      If you say you have bad posture; well, then you know that thois can surely be improved upon.

      Correct posture is paramount, when you have some painful  issues with rib cage and spine.

      Take your time and seek out a good Chiropracticer. Or Osteopath.

      Dont do crazy gym exercises...Just maybe seek out a good pilates studio that can give you remedial exercises and postural assessment.

      BUT, it sounds to me as if there can be your posture that is the cuplrit.

      I dont know-Im not a doctor. But I looked in to everything when I was at my worst. Now I feel like a new person. You need someone that can take you in hand and give you a good evaluation and adjust maybe something. It is also very bad if your chest is tight due to rounded shoulders, ..This caves the chest in and it becomes tight and so on.

      Chest should be open and wide, and your back maybe needs strengthning..I dont know. Bad posture usually says to me that you need to look into this and get a GOOD posture.

      I strengthen my back daily with gentle back exercises. Ive learnt to sit and stand straight....

      AND, I went to Nelsons Homeopathing Pharmacy in Duke Street London W1 and told them too. They prescribed anti inflammatory pills....

      I feel like a new per4son now. But I appreciate that its different for every person..

      But this is my advice.

      Best of luck

      Keep in touch

      Mitouback

    • jules756
      jules756 mitouback

      Posted

      Hi there. Third visit today with the Osteo and can't believe I'm saying this but seriously think I'm on the mend! I'm still getting twinges in shoulder blades and neck and occasional stabbing chest pain but it's not constant and severe like it was... Actually I believe I was getting relief after the first visit. Osteo worked a long time on the bad costal joint on my right side. It was all so obvious to him.

      AND I'm popping those fun little sugary pills from the homeopathic chemist.

      I can't thank you enough for the solid advice and support. I hope I'm not speaking too soon and know my body still isn't strong but I can see a much bigger light at the end of the tunnel...

      9-months of this has made my muscles quite weak and joints a little rickety but I'll gradually build them back up with gentle excercise. May be a while before I'm back at the gym.

      I'll say one thing this ordeal makes you think twice about how we treat our bodies!

    • mitouback
      mitouback jules756

      Posted

      I was sceptical at first as well but when I started my GENTLE exercises to strengthen my back and didn't give up the masseur, I began to get relief. My Osteopath has been brilliant.

      It does take time.

      Sitting for long periods ...using the pc for hours on end and driving tighten the chest muscles too much for us Costochondritis patients..

      But now I'm sensible and my postures is REALLY improving. .I dont panic any more..It is a long journey..But I am pain free. I'm super happy. For you too.

      We'll done..

      Mitouback

    • mitouback
      mitouback jules756

      Posted

       My ribs were out of place because there was shoulder instability and a shoulder girdle misalignment. All this made my ribcage rotated too much.  So my Osteopath examined all of the shoulder joints. He explained that  often unstable shoulders pull ribs out.  My Osteopath adjusted this area accordingly. The muscles around one shoulder blade were hypo tense on one side but hyper tense on the other side. That’s where the massage guy came in. To loosen the tight muscle knots on one side, so Osteopath could continue to adjust. I am quite mobile in my joints, so I wasn’t surprised.  

      Im going now to Osteopath for monthly maintenance. This will be by- monthly from July…and then we’ll see.

      Like I sadi, I stopped my pills now........Keep in touch..

    • linda00569
      linda00569 jules756

      Posted

      Hi jules so glad your much better I've finally got back to work this week nearly pain free thanks to my chiropractor and rest also that wonderful ok as oil they say once it's gone completely you never get it back I hope that's true take carenow
    • linda00569
      linda00569 jules756

      Posted

      I noticed it last June for the first time while on holiday I went to cardio hospital 
    • jules756
      jules756 linda00569

      Posted

      Yes I remember your history now... So glad you're back to normal. Mine kicked into gear August so I'm close. Hoping the healing trend continues but now I have more Olbas Oil than I know what to do with!
    • jules756
      jules756 linda00569

      Posted

      What what your chiropractor treating you with to get you on the healing track? I have been resting, using buckets of Olbas Oil but it's still here. I ache all over my torso down yo my knees too. Just weak now. Any ideas? I'm trying gluten-free to help with GI problems but eveyine here is stumped! I'll take all and any ideas... Thanks.
    • linda00569
      linda00569 jules756

      Posted

      Hi jules my chiropractor always did aquapuncture on my front  between my breasts and above I had several sessions used the oil and lots of ice packs no meds and rest no lifting stretching or driving  after I felt really ok I could do some light stretches I'm back at work but not on full duties I hope you try the Aqua but you need a chiropractor that understand about it hope you feel better soon 
    • jules756
      jules756 linda00569

      Posted

      Thank you linda. Do you think my accupuncturist would know about aqua puncture or is it s chiropractor function?

      I'm so glad to hear that you're working again and on my mend.

      I'm off all meds so we'll see what happens... For some reason unknown to me the last two days have been good!

    • mitouback
      mitouback jules756

      Posted

      Glad to hear this.

      I've been pain free for weeks and weeks now. I've bought a special pillow for my neck..so I can have this when sleeping. I'm taking all advice..My chiropractic said that for me it was important to have the correct alignment when sleeping.

      So far so good.

      I'm not in pain. I've stopped the massages as my shoulderblade is now in a good position. I don't want any umessecary pressure now on my ribcage. I have no pain even if I press hard on sternum. But my doctor said thst too much massage would be contraindicative. I hope this extremely good feeling last..

    • jules756
      jules756 mitouback

      Posted

      Good for you! I'm so relieved for you... It really is a nasty condition.

      I go up and down which is very frustrating. The last two days have geen good but I cannot tell you what I did different.

      I did stop Gluten 4-days ago after weeks of stomach problems. Also had a B12 injection Wednesday suggested by Osteo when I told him my Celiac-Ganglion distention and tenderness. That is just as big of a problem as the rib and back pain.

      To be honest I think if you have this condition this badly and it stemmed from infection it's a systemic pain-in-the-ass!! And choosing the meds is even more tricky...

      I'll keep you posted on the shots. Once a week for a month for now. No other meds! Though I do miss sucking on those cute pharmacy marbels!

    • linda00569
      linda00569 jules756

      Posted

      Hi jules I went to a chiropractor that's my advise they know so much and have to be registered use one on recommendation if you can,but continue to use the Olbas Oil it really does help,I take sertraline for the anxiety it causes think that's the worst part of this condition I can put up with pain but this is so different wears you out but I'm happy to be back to work but think I hustle myself yesterday carrying a rather heavy bag from the supermarket to the car but hope this will be better by morning well jukes I hope this helps I know my chiropractor did so much for me I have a follow up on23rd of this month 
    • Cass73
      Cass73 mitouback

      Posted

      my osteopath on first visit last week said alignment is key.  I was sleeping on my right side.  With my left leg over.  My left side neck has a bump that is sore muscles.  My Left ribs are tight and caved in.  also twisted from the leg pressure. so I must learn to sleep on my back.  not easy. Had physical strain initially to start condo, but all this makes sense too.  I have poor muscles in my rib cage. careful strengthening should help.  Osreo seems to make a lot of sense to me.
    • claire34972
      claire34972 RNRJ13

      Posted

      Hi Hayley, was wondering if you've had any chest x rays or scans as my GP diagnosed me just on my symptoms.. and she told me it would go away, which It did for a few weeks but it's back with a vengeance, I've been back again and have asked for a chest x Ray to rule out anything sinister as I'm starting to worry it's something more serous, but as I suffer from anxiety my Gp just looks at me like I'm neurotic. I think knowing it's nothing sinister would make me less anxious then hopefully I'm less pain, it's a vicious circle. Feel so low, and my husbands had enough of me I think, lol. It's nice to know I'm not on my own, glad I found this forum.

    • simone_40974
      simone_40974 claire34972

      Posted

      Hello Claire I am having exact symptoms . I had a chest X-ray and blood test which I will know tomorrow . Have had this for

      Over two years now . Have had chest X-rays and thankfully

      Nothing in the past but I feel horrible . My

      Lower

      Ribs are so sore and my

      Sternum . Chest aches and to me

      My

      Heart appears to be racing from time

      To time. Is it hard to breathe sometimes?

      This is so so scary .

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