Costochondritis pain and discomfort
Posted , 202 users are following.
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
19 likes, 370 replies
savannah88076 shelle7belle
Posted
Yes, I also find myself pushing around the area of pain. I was diagnosed seven years ago, but the pain comes and goes. Recently, have had very bad pain with a heavy feeling in my chest, sometimes pain radiates to upper stomach and right chest. Was so worried I had a chest xray to rule out lung cancer. I have no insuranc, but want a CT chest scan. It's very scary because some of my symptoms could be a more serious, life threatening condition. I need peace of mind as my thoughts of something more serious is overpowering me. My mom had lymphoma. The only way they could diagnose it was with a CT scan. Have left breast pain with soreness especially in upper rib cage area near arm pit. Lymph nodes do not appear to be swollen which could be more serious.
lisa33471 savannah88076
Posted
I know how you feel. I’ve been exactly the same either the rib pain, upper stomach and left breast although I get it in the right too at times. I also think about my lungs as feel my breathing is a bit laboured at times.
Did you manage to have tests and if so what were the results?
It’s horrible having to put up with this on a daily basis. I hope u are ok
debbie_kelley shelle7belle
Posted
Hi. My name,is Debbie. I started having trouble about three years ago. I am a seeing machine operator and I have to raise my right arm up to move a wheel to raise the needle. I began to,hurt in my chest and under my right arm. At first the docs thought I might have thoracic outlet syndrome. I was sent to another doc. And he believes I have costocondtitus. All I know is that air conditioning really make me hurt. I look forward to winter because when fall gets here I stop hurting so much. Which is crazy. Please,don't take this the wrong way. But I'm glad I'm not the only one with,this problem. Because if you don't have someone who knows how you feel, you feel very alone. Thanks
hilda77 debbie_kelley
Posted
My pain goes away in the summer and as soon as it starts to cool down, the pain starts in the middle of my chest to my left breast and around my back. I can't do gardening because it starts up. I use naproxen but it only eases the pain. I've told my primary that I think I have costo but she just ignores it. I've had this pain for 14 urs and every time I can't stand it, I'd go to ER. They always just do every kind of heart exams. And, then i get discharged saying it was stress. I leave and I'm always still in pain.
remir shelle7belle
Posted
travis2827 shelle7belle
Posted
I don't normally post in forums but normally read what other people have experienced in an attempt to discover what ails me. I wanted to share my experience so others might gain insight and hope. I am a 35 year old male that suffered from costocondritis for almost two years. I believe that it started after having chiropractic adjustments for lower back pain. At first I didn't put two and two together and thought I might have something wrong with my right lung as my pain originated there. I got an xray then an MRI and both came back clear My doctor told me it was probably just a strain. Well a few months passed and it seemed like it was spreading accross to my other lung. I started freaking out and living every day like it was my last (expensive trips, bought a motorcycle and sports car etc). I went to a rheametologist and they tried all kinds of meds to releave the inflammation from prednisone to all kinds of other stuff that made me feel worse.
After around 1 year of useless doctors and scouring the internet for answers I decided to change a few things. The first thing that gave me relief was that I became a back sleeper instead of an exclusive side sleeper. This provided results. The inflammation that was spreading from my right lower rib cage to the other side of my rib cage started to recede back to it's originating point.
Secondly, I changed the setup of my office that I spend many hours in the same position hunched over a tiny laptop to a setup that is more conducive to good posture.
Thirdly and most effective was that I started going to the gym religiously. I started very slowly over the course of several months and am a certified gym rat now.
I do occasionally get rib pain if I sleep on my side but it is almost 100 percent gone.
My advise is to remain active, listen to your body and change small things that are in your life one at a time to see if they improve your costo.
lisa33471 travis2827
Posted
Hi Travis
I’ve been going out of my mind with this costo! It’s been just over a year now. I’ve had periods where it’s settled but still more than not periods of real pain & discomfort
I have decided to change my diet around a little, eat a little better and introduce a bit of yoga into my life.
I’m so glad I read your comments on this forum, I thought I was th only one who had this so long! I too have become a regular back sleeper, and have just been using ibuprofen gel as I get a lot of breast pain with this. Sometimes I get a sharp pain which takes my breath away!
I just wondered have you ever experienced itchiness with this or wheezing?
ez1999 shelle7belle
Posted
amber73255 shelle7belle
Posted
I have had mine for a year now as well and seems more often now and more severe a few times I almost went down to the floor and it radiates to my back and neck and shoulder and jaw my doc gave me naproxen which usually helps me when I have pleurisy but this time for this it don't work. N I also don't know why I even have this.
carole75920 shelle7belle
Posted
tamiya52066 shelle7belle
Posted
I have been dealing with this for about 7 months. The pain is so aggravating. It makes me nauseated, weak, and fatigued. I really wish this would stop! The pain is literally everyday. The hospitals also told me that it’s Costochindritis. Once they told me what causes it, I was like ok, I haven’t been doing any heavy lifting. I also haven’t been doing any exercising. Although, I did have the flu and was doing a lot of coughing. I just need help. My relief is ice packs. I try not to take pills unless I really have to in order to get through the day. I also use patches with lidocaine in it. That helps a lot.
What can I do??
allan12528 shelle7belle
Posted
Ive had costochondritis five years in a row for 9 months at a time,with relief for 3 months at a time
I read somewhere online that somewhere in austrailia there was two patients who where found to have little or no vitamin D in their bodies and after so many months of taking vitamin D their costochondritis had started to clear up, so i started taking vitamin D in a multi vitamin tablet and im extremely happy to say that ive been pain free for 2 years now with no recurrence. at the time i was suffering i also took bio freeze which seemed to reduce the inflamation much quicker. I hope this helps others from suffering this terrible pain and burning. Regards.
allan12528 shelle7belle
Posted
Hi there ive already replied to someone on here about the costochondritis i had for 5 full years until i read a story about 2 people who where found to have very low levels of vitamin D in their bodies, this was somewhere in australia i set out to buy vitamin D in multivitin form which ive been taking for 2 years, and im pleased to say in those 2 years ive been pain free, i had all the usual symptoms as yourself and i used bio freeze when the pain was at its worst. i do hope this helps you too, and please spread the word around and lets help each other.. Regards