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Costochondrosis symptoms along the left bottom of rib cage

Posted , 7 users are following.

euniceflowers
euniceflowers

I was diagnosed with costochondrosis about two weeks ago on July 2018, my main complain was feeling a poking sharp sensation along the bottom of my left rib cage near my stomach. I also experience the sensation when I breath, cough or bend down. I don't have any pain, just an uncomfortable feeling. I also have incredible burning sensation on my back, left side as well. My upper, middle and lower left back burns as if I am touching it with a boiling towel. I also get numbness on my left hand, some days I feel cramps on my left chest, breast, and I worry that it is my heart. These feelings are stronger at night when I go to bed. 

My doctor when he assessed me immedately ruled out GI problems or cardiac issues and determined that I have Costo, he assessed my abdominal area and noticed tender spots along the bottom rib cage near my abdomen towards the left.  On my last pregnancy, I vomited daily for about three months, some days I felt as if my ribs would break due to the extreme vomiting. I also had the flu in january. The costo symptoms just started in July, which I call it a delayed response? I am wondering why I am feeling these symptoms now and not before.

I saw a great GI dr. because I wasnt convinced I have Costo and he also ruled out GI problems as my symptoms do not reflect any pancreas, kidney, gallbladder issues. I don't have bowel issues, just extreme tenderness along my rib cage and my left flank.

I want to believe that I have costochondrosis, and I want to trust the doctors, I keep reading that most people feel their symptoms on their chest, my symptoms are below my chest towards my abdomen towards the left side. Anybody else can relate?

Thanks.

1 like, 7 replies

7 Replies

  • francine73922
    francine73922 euniceflowers

    Posted

    Hi

    I have the same symptoms as you - the burning in the back, the pain on the left side -

    its very frusturating because it mimics so many other things that could be wrong.  I have decided that I just have to trust what the drs say.  I've had all the tests and everything came back negative.  Today my left side is very sensitive and I'm not sure what I did to make things worse.  I have been told to ice it not heat and to not do strenuous exercise and definetly don't lift heavy objects and don't pull heavy items.   I have a friend who had it and took 2 years to go away but it did go away and to me that gives me hope.  Good luck.

    • euniceflowers
      euniceflowers francine73922

      Posted

      Thank you so much for your reply Francine, I hope you are feeling better. This is such a strange diagnosis, it does mimic so many other conditions and it makes it so hard not to worry about more serious issues.

      I will try to trust my doctors as well. 

      What type of tests did you have done to rule out other things? I just had a physical done in April 2018 with all kinds of labs and everything came back normal. The labs we got done were more like a Copmlete blood count, (CMP), Complete metabolic panel (CMP). Ah1c,  and some other ones. 

      My GI dr doesn't think we should get other tests because he is certain that I don't have any GI or pancreas issues. He is an incredibly experienced GI doctor, he is the Head doctor of the GI department at the hospital and I waited a loooong time to be able to be seen by him, he did a long physical assessment, touched my entire abdomen and he concluded that my pain, discomfort is physical and that it is  related to the upper left rib cage. 

      I am supposed to return in two weeks if my symptoms don't go away to get an ultrasound of the area.

      I hope you are feeling better, hang int here, lets hope this goes away soon. 

    • francine73922
      francine73922 euniceflowers

      Posted

      I also found just knowing that there were others having the same symptoms as me really helped to alleviate the worry - I read the stress does not help this condition and of course when you have all the similar symptoms of other serious illnesses it's difficult to not stress about it.   I'm glad I chanced upon this website.     I try to stay optimistic that one day I will wake up and realize this is gone.

      Hang in there.

  • dame79890
    dame79890 euniceflowers

    Posted

    I have the same symptoms as you. I was given Nortriptyline medication and it helps a lot. I have been diagnosed since March 2018 after repeated lung surgery to correct malformations in my lungs. Since then I have been receiving acupuncture and chiropractic treatments and it is covered by my insurance. I have good days and bad days. Stretching  your chest helps too. With medications and continuous holistic approach I am better less pain but it still persist. From level 10 I say it is down about level 5-6. I’ve read people have it for years I just hope mine will eventually go away and yours too.
  • matthew19705
    matthew19705 euniceflowers

    Posted

    Yes, my right side just below the abdomen, is where it feels still and painful but only when I walk. No sharp pain, no chest pain, but it's hard to walk. Nothing has helped me..

    • matthew19705
      matthew19705

      Posted

      Sorry meant to say below my right ribcage not abdomen
  • sue93946
    sue93946 euniceflowers

    Posted

    My symptoms are practically identical to yours, including the numbness in my left hand. I’ve had tenderness under my left breast  for years, but it got worse last fall with the discomfort spreading into my left shoulder and back. It is more like burning or sharp pressure.  So I had a CT scan and mammogram.  All normal. No heart or GI issues. My symptoms are much worse at night and cause me to lose sleep. It’s tolerable in the daytime. But laying down makes the pain worse. It is difficult not to worry about it, but three different doctors told me it costochondritis, and advised taking OTC pain meds, topical creams, or pain patches. I will see a new doctor in a few weeks (because we moved), so it will be good to get yet another opinion. 
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