1. Community
  2. Bones, joints and muscles
  3. Costochondritis and Tietze's Syndrome

Costochondritis pain and discomfort

Posted , 202 users are following.

shelle7belle
shelle7belle

Im 31 and was diagnosed with costochondritis about a year ago. Its kinda lasted the whole year, but recently, over the past few months its been really bad....went back to my gp twice in the last 2 weeks because was convinced it was something more serious.

The main tenderness has been on my left lower rib cage, just under my breast, but now I have pains on my upper right breast plate. My gp has requested ecg/chest xray and blood test to reassure me that there is nothing seriously wrong (still awaiting to have these tests done, but should be anytime soon) hence the reason im on this forum as even tho my gp actually said to me 'I will fall off the back of my chair ifit is anything more serious...I still can't stop worrying as the pain is so bad.

Im getting so anxious about it too, especially at night just before bed, then find it so difficult to sleep, the more anxious I get the worse the pains seems.

Does anyone else find themselves pushing onto the pain when it hurts? This is probably making it worse I know, but can't help wanting to hold the pain!

Im really glad to have read all the discussions on this forum, it really is giving me some reassurance that it isn't just me and that something that isnt life threatening can be so uncomfortable and painful sad

19 likes, 370 replies

370 Replies

Next
  • Guest
    Guest

    Posted

    This urge to hold the pain is called Guarding, it means you are feeling quite severe pain neutral
    • leanne22988
      leanne22988 Guest

      Posted

      I also tend to hold and push the pain. Is this making it worse? I just sent help but do it
  • shelle7belle
    shelle7belle

    Posted

    Thnx for replying,that does make sense...but also feel like im just checking that the pain is actually on my rib bones and knowhere else as so worried I've been misdiagnosed and that its probably getting worse. But suppose I'll just have to wait for my tests to be done for complete reassurance.
    • jenn3030
      jenn3030 shelle7belle

      Posted

      I know this is an old post but I do the same thing for reassurance.. I press on it to make sure I can feel the pain, I think I am preventing it from healing quicker but in my head that means it's still costochronditis and not something more serious.. I have had a full cardiac work up several times bevause of the pain...
    • yvonne99380
      yvonne99380 jenn3030

      Posted

      I've only just started to experience these symptoms and haven't been diagnosed yet. I'm waiting for an X-ray result as I Was afraid I might have cancer as my ymptoms  we so much like my,late husband's. Now I think it must be costochondritis as the pains and discomfort keep moving and co I g and going. I keep,pressing where it last hurt to see if it still does, like you. I guess that's natural . At the moment the front of my breasts are tingling and pricking. Maybe because I've been pressing on my breastbone which is tender. I don't have the extreme pains that others have, although I did experience a short period of very bad pain about three months after I'd had a bad fall onto my chest, at the time I was told it was inflammation  of the cartilage between the ribs - which I guess is what costochondritis is. This is more constant but lower grade pain and discomfort. 
    • Guest
      Guest jenn3030

      Posted

      Hello, my mother has severe costochronditis and is getting a steroid injection, have you been recommended that or know if it is safe?
  • Guest
    Guest

    Posted

    Have you been taking Aspirin, Ibuprofen or Diclofenac for a long while ??? You might have a Stomach Ulcer from it, it hurts like having a stitch from running smile
  • p123cb
    p123cb

    Posted

    I am meant to of had this but when i went on the symptom checker all the symptoms i put down it toldf me to call an ambulance as it though i was having a heart attack my doctor is adamant that it was neither this or angina.

    so.......................................................what is it?

    • karen08917
      karen08917 p123cb

      Posted

      I did exactly the same a few weeks ago it's scares the hell out of you. I won't be going on symptom checker again lol. I have been to see a heart specialist who asured me it wasn't heart problems and I feel like the doctor thinks I'm putting it on.
    • katishma
      katishma karen08917

      Posted

      That is what has made me the most frustrated. You go in with a legit problem and they act like you are just faking, after pain meds, or hypocondriac.

      Took me a year and 6 doctors before got a diagnoses of costocondritis, then he went back on it a month later because, "should be cleared up by now." Doc he referred me to however said is Tietz.

      Been going back through my medical records and found first time I complained with upper rib pains was in 09.

      I've been 9 years with this coming and going (primarily stayed with me since 03/15) and couldn't get any answers.

      Combo of muscle relaxer, pain med, anti-flamatory, ultra-sound and tinz therapy twice a week. Best have felt in almost a year.

    • karen08917
      karen08917 katishma

      Posted

      Very true katishma my doctor is the same I think he just thinks I'm putting it on. To be honest I get more help off here than I do with my doctors I have had this for almost a year now some days it's worse than others and Im getting a bit fed up now. Hope you feel better soon xx
    • Beezer
      Beezer karen08917

      Posted

      Hey! I'm been checking these posts out for awhile. I haven't been diagnosed yet but I've had a ton of cardiac work up done and they are telling me my heart is fine...

      I have...

      -almost constant dull discomfort mid chest (area between my breasts) this gets worse lying on my right side.

      -I have sharper transient pain that's felt in my Rob's (just below my left breast)

      -sometimes pain is felt in right side of chest.

      -I've experienced left arm pain...mainly after a big meal.

      -chest pain also worsens after a larger meal-sometimes.

      -pain seems to go along with movement (flinging heavy duvet blanket, anything against my sternum (my children's heads, purse strap, etc) pushing or pulling things causes pain immediately or later that day.

      -it's not painful to touch anywhere but it is tender.

      -mid sternum chest pain seems worse when I yell.

      Is any of this relatable?

    • caitlin39841
      caitlin39841 karen08917

      Posted

      indeed, CorticoC pain is awful.  for me it was like being on the verge of   having a heart attack all the time as it was left sided and radiating to my left shoulder, down my arm and up the side of my face - a classic heart attack picture.  It took my GP practice (4 Docs, many visits, collapses etc) four years to diagnose it coz they implied it was psychomatic pain. it was only when I moved house that my new Doc diagnosed me. she  immediately  started me on Nortriptyline with excellent effect............. sadly, the problem of being taken seriously by the Medical profession  is a major problem with ME. 
    • fran66044
      fran66044 caitlin39841

      Posted

      Hi, you said CorticoC pain is awful - is that another name for chostocondritis? I'm just wondering because that's what my dr thinks I have and am wondering if the Nortriptyline might help me. Thx

    • caitlin39841
      caitlin39841 fran66044

      Posted

      Hi Fran

      apologies for my poor effort at  abbrevation. yes it's chostocondritis and the Nortriptline (30 mgs) starting on 10 mgs and building weekly to 30 mgs did the job.....................it was such a relief as I had it for 4 years. I couldn't believe that so many Docs in 2 pracices didn't get it.  hope you get a trial of Nortriptline.  if it works you know it's chostocondritis & if not then further investigations are required.

      best wishes

      C

    • lorna30193
      lorna30193 Beezer

      Posted

      Reading your post all seems relatable.I have severe pain across collarbone and front and back ribs. Agony to move arms sometimes and painful to breath. When I went back to doctors after 2 weeks cos painkillers not working, she examined me and packed me off to a+e for the day After x-ray and ECG ruled out stuff, consultant diagnosed costochondritis.Not got pain under control yet and feeling rubbish but lots of info on this forum.
    • dwilliams92
      dwilliams92 Beezer

      Posted

      I've been feeling a lot of those symptoms, too.

      When I raise my voice, when I carry my purse or when I'm strapped under my seat belt in the car, when my kids lay their head on my chest, when my husband gives me a bear hug, even when I talk too long or too much. I was feeling better and I went on the scooters with my 7 year old, because normally that would NEVER give me a problem, but afterwards I felt the inflammation coming, the pain, and the breathlessness. The rest of the night I was exhausted.

Back to top
Next

Report or request deletion

Thanks for your help!

We want the community to be a useful resource for our users but it is important to remember that the community are not moderated or reviewed by doctors and so you should not rely on opinions or advice given by other users in respect of any healthcare matters. Always speak to your doctor before acting and in cases of emergency seek appropriate medical assistance immediately. Use of the community is subject to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and steps will be taken to remove posts identified as being in breach of those terms.