costochondritis questions
Posted , 5 users are following.
Can someone help answer some question on costochondritis. My doctor
thinks I may have this condition. Mine pain started out gradually. Meaning one day I had discomfort in my my chest area when I would bend to do something. After a week of that I went to see the doc. He said I had Broncitis and put me on antibiotics. I went through two different antibiotics over a two wweek period. During that two week period my pain episodes got worse. The
episodes would happen if let's say I picked up two light patio chairs and
moved them on the other side of the patio. The pain in my chest that
radiated up my neck to my jaw then down both arms was so painful. The
only relief I would get is I stand and lean against the wall and not move a
muscle till the pain went away. After that I was fine to walk around and had
no more severe pain. My pain episode only seem to happen if bend forward
for a bit or pick something up. They will alway go away if stand and move
for a while. Has anyone experienced these conditions who has been
diagnosed with costochondritis. Thanks in advance.
0 likes, 9 replies
MrsD15 don101
Posted
I get pain in both of my arms but not up to my jaw, that sounds awful
but yes, lifting things is a trigger for me too and I just have to stop still until the pain subsides. Heat usually helps unless I have a flare up, where nothing helps! Do you take pain killers?
SweetSal don101
Posted
Don that's how mine started and the coughing was bad and I got it twice in one winter. Then the pain and a lump (tendons and ligaments make small tears and then you have scar tissue built up) and my some of my ribs have done the same thing, tearing and building scar tissue. I also started to get "charlie horse" type spasms from my front ribs to the back and shoulder area. Everything is so sore and I also have more spasms when I bend, wipe myself, reach for a glass and spontanous now. I just got a diagnosis from a pain clinic MD after trying to find one for over 2yrs. The spasms are Intercostal Neuralgia, it's an entrapped nerve somewhere in abdomen/chest area. You can search for this and take it to your MD. There are meds for nerve pain, Gabapentin, and others, that help ease the pain but it hasn't stopped them. It is not a naroctic and I'm limited on some meds because of stomach and chronic kidney disease. It's hard to find any relief. You can also ice and moist heat it helps relax and doesn help with the inflammation. Good luck, hope this is a little helpful
Keep us updated
simone_40974 SweetSal
Posted
Been new oddities with
This Costo thing that constantly
Makes you question this condition .
SweetSal simone_40974
Posted
When I have a spasm (charlie horse) or just a painful day I can't tell if it's my heart or not so I take my blood pressure and pulse, if it's your heart those things will usually elevate. Everyone is different. If you need to check with your doctor or ER to see what your normal levels are or at least see what your danger rates are. I do feel my heart beating faster and my blood pressure will rise and I'm not breathing normal but stays out of a danger zone. I think mine is from the pain I'm expiencing. I've done a lot of research and gone to my doctor with the issues and then push to have testing done or see a specialist. You have to be your own advocate. I hope this helps and ask me anything I'm just a message away
don101 SweetSal
Posted
SweetSal don101
Posted
I also had a stress and cath done because the stress test was abnormal. I do have CAD and Ishemic heart disease but those problems weren't connected to the Costo, per the doctor. We can't control how our bodies's response to pain but our bodies do react to the pain. You really have to think if this is muscle, joint or both. Start keeping a pain journal, this is what I did, it doesn't matter if it's a random thought or to explain how you are feeling. Is pain worst when you bend, twist, lifting, is it better not doing anything? Keep track of every detail, even if you don't think it has to do with the condition. How long can you sit or stand, how much can you lift, 5lb bag of flour?? After you've keep one for a few weeks take it to your doctor or specialist. Like I said it doesn't have to be a perfect journal just everything about you and your condition.
simone_40974 SweetSal
Posted
It's so tough . Like
When this thing
Come back it feels
Like heart palpitations and lablired
Breathing. This is such a debilitating feeling and scary . Has anyone found. Relief from this yet ?
AMK1968 don101
Posted
Sorry you're going through this. When I'm in a flare (that's how I refer to mine because my Tietze/Costochondritis comes and goes) it is extremely painful to lean forward! However, that isn't my only symptom and I have never heard of it affecting both arms at the same time. It is typically one sided. Mine is always my left side. I can only speak from my own experience but what you are describing doesn't sound like Costochondritis to me. Maybe others will be able to provide you with more insight. Good luck with it.
don101 AMK1968
Posted