Costochondritis with visible bony chest. Is anyone else seeing their symptoms?
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I’m a 26yo woman with an average build (5’4”, 125 lbs). About 3 months ago, my sternum felt bruised out of nowhere. There was no trauma to it and I never had this before. The day before, I had a CT scan on my stomach and had a bad stomach reaction to the liquids. I think this is what triggered costochondritis. The scan came back normal. I also had an upper endoscopy and colonoscopy to check for stomach pains. Those also came back normal.
The pain is mainly at the xiphoid process and below it. Unlike most costochondritis cases, the chest wall area looks increasingly more bony (it was not visible before) and has a deeper gap at the coastal margin. When I press on it, the area feels hollow. Another strange symptom is the excessive localized sweating. If the room is warm, the rest of my body is fine but I would have sweat all around my sternum, something I’ve never had before either.
I’ve seen a rheumatologist. He did a bunch of blood tests. The only unusual marker was a high ASO titer (~1400 IU/mL). I have not lost or gained weight. I have been more sedentary as to not make the symptoms worse. Not sure where to go from here. Should I see a cardiologist or a pulmonologist? Has anyone had anything similar before?
0 likes, 2 replies
JuanTwoThree aries60954
Posted
When i first experienced costachondritis i was sweating a little and not knowing what it was i thought i having a heart attack. But i wasn't. Its confusing at first trying to figure out what's going in xrays can't see anything. But you can feel it. At least for me i can point to where it hurts. Sorry that you are going through this. I know its tough.
Brenda1961 aries60954
Posted
Everything your saying is Costco. You might have had the pull or strain of you sternum from your testing from the stomach testing .and than you might have had it for awhile and it never came out when you twisted the wrong way and your bones in the sternum rubbed over each other . and you get that pinch painful feeling in between the rib cage . the pain knocks the wind out of you . and you automatically grab for your chest .because it's a horrible shape pain. And it wands also. Sometimes you go without any problem .than out of the blues if you move the wrong way it can happen anywhere and at any time. And I have my right side seems to be more tender and higher on the bone. Does not show on any trays MRI.s and sonogram any form of testing. But others have it and can live to tell about it . try some ice hot gel for relieve.and try not to let you get anxiety or panic attacks from it. Your not crazy .you truly do feel it. Pray for it to go away . and try not to let it ruin your day.