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

Prev Next
  • liz18055
    liz18055 shelle7belle

    Posted

    I suffer from costrochondritis and have done for some time now although it does leave me in peace  now and again there is no pain like it you find it difficult to breathe in or out I fear this illness like no other pain wise I dare not move one inch the only way I have educated my self on the pain scale is to stay in bed and not move unless absolute necessary ice packs  or heat packs on your breast and ribs will help a bit you need complete rest and I mean complete rest for a couple of weeks  but it does return as soon as you lift or carry anything heavy so try to avoid doing this to help your self.     Kind thoughts
    • chris_theo
      chris_theo liz18055

      Posted

      i agree, as soon as you even walk it comes back, well it does for me. hopefully yours aint like mine

       

  • nancy36508
    nancy36508 shelle7belle

    Posted

    I have just had three painful days with costochondritis.  I was able to see my doctor today, and he assures me that my condition will probably clear up eventually.  I was feeling OK while I was at the dr's office, but a couple of hours later . . . Wham!  Pain again!  I took two Advil and called the dr's office.  After checking with him, they told me to take two Alleve (I had already taken Advil) and wait a while to see if the pain stops but to go to the ER if I can't the pain.  Unfortunately, I was supposed to go with my teenage daughter tonight as a chaperone at a sleepover at a friend's parents' lake house.  There was a large group going, including the parents who own the house.  Because of this pain, we ended up not going, and I know my daughter is so disappointed.

    So I have some questions:  Have any of you had a similar experience, where this pain interferes in your life and activities?

    Do any of you who are females find that wearing a bra seems to make this condition worse?  When I get the pain, I find that unhooking my bra seems to help.

    Also, since I am in the U.S. and most of you are in the U.K., please tell me what "A & E" stands for.  I am assuming it is equivalent to our E.R. or emergency room.

    Thanks.

    • stevie14
      stevie14 nancy36508

      Posted

      Nancy, I feel the same as you. there are times when the pain is so bad all I can do is sit down with heat or ice. I have been dealing with this for almot 5 months. some days are tolerable and then like you say, out of no where the pain becomes intense. I also cannot tolerate wearing a bra. It makes the pain worse. I too live in  the US. I have had a couple of days as of late that I was ablw to manage the pain with just an occassional Aleve or Ibuprophen, I understand your frustration with htis condition. I want it to go away! 
    • kleo20997
      kleo20997 nancy36508

      Posted

      Hi there, I've had costochondritis for around a year and a half... It a horrible thing to have. I feel for everyone on here I've had about 6 major attacks of it and a lot of smaller bouts, but I recently started to have continual pain especially at night! I too started off in A & E ( accident and emergency ) thinking I was having a heart attack, brought on due to stress of my life at the time and also the fact I'd been a smoker too? But had and ecg bloods etc and everything came back normal and they thought I had  pleurisy!  It lasted a painful 10 days or so panicking and stress def makes it worse...with 4 children to look after its a struggle. At the moment I'm suffering in pain I think it has been brought on by moving furniture but it had to be done! Lol struggling at night and the pain is all the way in my  chest shoulder and left arm it driving me nuts! Painkillers hardly help any more so I kinda just get on with it. I stopped smoking when diagnosed the first time with pluricy and lost some weight try to stay active but sometimes if I do too much it brings on pain! I sometimes just wished it would go away and never come back!  I've heard some people get better within a year and others still suffering 10 years on! I hope mines goes eventually not sure if I can live with this forever! Good luck all I hope you all luck and to be pain free soon.
    • chris_theo
      chris_theo nancy36508

      Posted

      yes have been rushed to the hospital twice from work because the pain was so bad, i thought i was having a heart attack!  i have been of work now for 3 months due to this dispicable condition, in the last year i have been off for 6 months. finally get a jab on october the first so fingers crossed. wish i could be more upbeat about for you, but it does effect people differently , so hopefully you will get better soon
  • phil95777
    phil95777 shelle7belle

    Posted

    Hi Shelle & co, just picked up on this discussion from a year or so ago. I have recently been diagnosed (loosely) with Costochondritis and although it's nothing compared to some other illnesses & conditions that I've had to fight, the worst thing - as some of you guys have already pointed out - is the fear factor, in the sense that something more serious could be going on. Both of my parents were misdiagnosed before dying of the big C so this fear isn't an irrational one. 

    What I popped on here for was to see how you guys (particularly Shelle) are bearing up now, months after this discussion first took place? I was only diagnosed last week and am in awful pain and I now I realise this could be a long fight. But as long as I know that the diagnosis is correct and that nowt worse is happening, I can deal with it. 

    • nancy36508
      nancy36508 phil95777

      Posted

      That's how I feel, Phil.  If I know for sure it is costochondritis, I can deal with the pain.  But there is that fear that maybe it is something worse.  I have had costo for at least a year and a half.  Before that, I had frequent pain which was always labeled as gurd, acid reflux, IBS, gas . . . So I'm not sure when this present condition actually started.  Last week, I had pain for four straight days.  I went to see my family dr.  Friday, but Sat. I still had pain, so I went to the ER.  They did the usual tests (EKG, chest X-rays, and blood) then sent me home with a prescription for a strong pain medicine.  I checked with my family dr., and he does not recommend that I take that but just stick with Advil or Alleve.  

      What makes my situation really difficult is that I am a single mom.  I have a 14-year-old daughter, and she has to see me in pain and also it limits the activities I can do with her.  This year, I had to postpone a vacation and also had to cancel out on a weekend trip with her.  I also stop going to the gym when this is going on.  

      I wish you luck with your condition.  This blog site at least helps me know I'm not alone.

    • Laxeh
      Laxeh phil95777

      Posted

      I'm 16, I've had a tender spot exactly explained as Costo. Had it for at least a year and today was by far the worst I've been. Now looking back at this last year I have noticed off and on chest pains. Tonight it was just devastating, first started off as my throat instantly swelled up, immediately starting not being able to breath proper, like my adams apple was in the way of my throat, then my chest went off the hook in pain any fast movement, breathe. I still haven't slept since last night I've been constantly searching for pages about it. Can you have it for a whole year minorly then have a pretty bad stage of events in the future? Sitting here "choking" while I'm typing this. Literally any position I sit in its pain.. No movement and tiny breaths are working too. Did feel quite dizzy last night and coming onto my sore throat. This page has helped, a reply about anything would be appreciated. Thank you!
    • chris_theo
      chris_theo phil95777

      Posted

      problem for me is that i cant take antiinflametiers(please excuse my awful spelling) and other medication dont help . im on 30 mg dihydrocodeine and the only relief i get is when i take four or more of them and drink alcohol with them. and of course they give you constipation. i have just about had enough of it all now

       

  • keleee
    keleee shelle7belle

    Posted

    I have had Colosochondritis off and on for 10 years since I was dx'd with fibromyalgia. It is very common for people with fibro to get it. I find that not eating large meals helps as the diaphram is not expanded by a full stomach. It is one of those pains that is not dangerous just hard to live with.
  • michy04733
    michy04733 shelle7belle

    Posted

    Thank you everyone for your posts! ! I literally thought I had something far more sinister but having said that this condition is no joke. This started for no apparent reason and now despite 2 trips to A and E and numerous amounts of doc appts I feel I'm being made to feel invisible or making my symptoms up or exaggerating it. The relief I felt when I stumbled upon this forum....I've had chest xrays, blood tests, urine tests and an ECG. All fine. The pain and spasms are horrible under my left rib. I also get pain but more rarely under my right rib and back. Sleeping is impossible. Its now been about 5 weeks and the symptoms are worse. It now affects my breathing sometimes, light meals are best. I have dizziness too which comes and goes and feeling more tired too. As a mother of 3, house full of animals and my own parent resporesponsibilityies
    • michy04733
      michy04733

      Posted

      Sorry phone went funny....

      my own parent responsibilities blah blah blah can feel overwhelming when I'm having an attack. Just trying to keep positive. Having read the posts will try physio, ice packs.....aanything. Thank you all again. Hope you all feel better sooner rather than later. Take care

  • sara58758
    sara58758 shelle7belle

    Posted

    Hi!! As I'm writing this I'm in agony under my Breast bone on my left side!! Never been diagnosed but I think I have whatnot have for about 8 months I have had daily constant pain in my left side it's terrifying, so bad I have had to go on anti depressants because of the anxiety that in having heart attack. Had all the ecg's and ct scans etc. I really feel for you! Have u considered it could be a stomach problem? I am overweight and am starting to think it may actually be a stomach issue. I burp a lot and embarrassingly enough seem to have a lot of wind!! How about you? I really know how scary chest pain is, and the constant reassurance needed from others that you are not going to die. Really wish u better
  • zumbashan
    zumbashan shelle7belle

    Posted

    Hello!  I'm hoping your condition has improved.  I took notice of your post because I have the same pain in my left outer rib cage area just under and to the outside of my left breast.  I've had two bouts of bronchitis that followed a horrible flu.  Normally, I'm very active as I teach dance fitness.  When I'm inbetween breaths, I can barely feel the pain, but when I breathe, try to sit up from lying down or stretch my arms over my head it's very painful.  I've gone back to teaching dance because I can't afford to stop and don't want to leave my students anyway.  Any update you may wish to share would be most appreciated!
    • jules756
      jules756 zumbashan

      Posted

      Hello. My history is the same as yours. I had a serious head cold then acute bronchitis and pneumonia. How do you treat the pain? Do you take any pain killers or other prescriptions? I cannot work yet as I'm a pilot and all these meds are not acceptable to fly on. 

       

Back to top
Prev 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.