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Could this be Costochondritis?

Posted , 3 users are following.

Jan999
Jan999

I have been suffering recently with pain on both my left and right side in the region of the lowest rib. I've also felt the pain in the region of my sternum. I have an appointment to see a Rheumatologist in February as I am having a lot of pain in some joints and I had a raised Rheumatoid factor and serum protein. I wondered if it could be related to rheumatoid arthritis and is it Costochondritis. Can anyone help please?

0 likes, 16 replies

16 Replies

  • hal95526
    hal95526 Jan999

    Posted

    Hi there everyone. I haven't yet been diagnosed with costochondritis, but my syptoms are similar. The aching pain came on when cycling one day after Christmas, never had it before. I've had an ECG. chest x-ray and lansoprazole, but all clear. I'm 52, I row regularly and do circuits twice weelky and the pain comes on behind my sternum after commencing exercising and gets progressively worse until I get to 75% of max HR, when the pain gets too much and I have to ease off. As soon as I wind down the pain goes off. However, there is no tenderness whatsoever which is unlike others here. What does anyone think? Is this something different? The pain level is exactly the same 10 weeks on. 2 Codiene and 2 paracetamol before exercising doesn't touch it? Sorry if I am replying / posting incorrectly.
  • elaine1721
    elaine1721 Jan999

    Posted

    Hi Matron. Been experiencing something similar. Started 5 days ago with sharp pain bottom of my ribs on right side. Sleeping in left side made pain worse as did laughing!

    Today lungs feel like they were burning inside while I was walking dogs. Also felt a little breathless. I put it down to the windy weather but the feeling has remained all day and reminds me of a bad chest infection I had last year. I have no cough and no flu like symptoms. I've googled and costochonditis symptoms fit, apart from the breathlessness. But I do have rheumatoid arthritis which, due to reaction to meds, is not well controlled at present. I phoned my GP who have made me an appointment for early evening. But I'm afraid once you are diagnosed with RA it becomes the day fault diagnosis for everything.

    I will let you know what the doc says. It may help.

  • elaine1721
    elaine1721 Jan999

    Posted

    Default!!!!
    • Jan999
      Jan999 elaine1721

      Posted

      That happens to me all the time. Mine is because of the predictive text. Sent a message to my sister in law. Was supposed to be park and ride but came out as park and rude! 
  • elaine1721
    elaine1721 Jan999

    Posted

    Hi.lol about predictive text. Happens to me all the time. I just need to remember to read what I've written before I press send rather than after!!

    So I spoke to my GP. She said my pain is muscular and take painkillers. I pointed out I already take a myriad of pain relief because of arthritis. She said ....and I quote... "Take more. Come back in a week if its no better"

    Added I may think about indigestion remedies.

    I've been munching Rennie's but only time will tell.

    Did the RA clinic give you any advice? (You said you had appointment for Feb.) ?

    I'm still waiting on my nesxt appointment, but RA appears to be the reason for most things. That and old age haha!

    Let me know he you get on.

    hal95526. My pain is worse when I'm out walking the dogs. I'm not able to do your level if exercise but I do walk a brisk 3 miles with dogs each morning and again in the evening with enough incline to get my heart pumping. Today I couldn't. Burning in lungs was too bad.I take 30mg lansoprazole each day to protect my stomach. My tenderness varies but is mainly confined to my right side lower ribs.

    • Jan999
      Jan999 elaine1721

      Posted

      Hello elaine. Thank you for asking. I saw the rheumatology consultant in February. Got asked lots of questions and I told her where I got the pain. She examined me and when she pressed on my sternum it hurt but so did other joints. I couldn't move my right arm because my shoulder was so painful so I had a cortisone injection which helped. I had Xrays and numerous blood tests. I've been back to the clinic and have seen the registrar. The Xrays show I have osteoarthritis and the blood tests show I have a positive antibody called antiphospholipid but the blood test for Lupus couldn't be reported on as there wasn't sufficient blood in the vial! I am now sure I have Lupus. I have most of the symptoms and I told the registrar that. So the blood tests have been repeated so it's a case of wait and see. Since I had the cortisone injection I've not had any pain in my sterum.
  • elaine1721
    elaine1721 Jan999

    Posted

    I suffer with calcific tendinitis in my right shoulder and bursitis in my hips (caused by long term RA) but I've only been brave enough to have cortisone injection in my hip. Admittedly it didn't hurt at all and it definitely took the edge off the pain. Glad yours is working in your shoulder.

    I wonder if your pain in sternum is related to your shoulder. You often hear of refered pain. Just not sure shoulder and sternum are connected pain wise.

    You have been told a lot more than I have when I was diagnosed. My GP took some bloods said come back in a week at which point he said I had RA. Here are some diclofenec.

    It took a further 2 yrs before I saw rheumatologist where again more diclofenec were prescribed.

    Apart from that visit I didn't see anyone except my GP for nearly 5 yrs. I still only see the rheumatologist approx. Once a yr but I see rheum. Nurse often and she is lovely.

    Am not completely clear on the differences with RA and lupus but I know it all comes under the umbrella of rheumatology. From what I remember I'm not sure which is the best outcome. Bit of a double edged sword!

    But I do know getting a definitive diagnoses can definitely help with your personal management of it. Its the not knowing which is the killer!

    I was diagnosed approx 12 yes ago and although its not well managed at the moment, I've had periods where I've been able to climb mountains again! Two yrs ago I managed 11 mountains in 6 wks. Then I had a big relapse lol but I least I did them.

    So don't give up hope. I haven't. There are a few Wainwright's with my name on and I know I will conquerer them one day, albeit slowly lol

    Keep me updated and look after yourself. I find rest and red wine help me through lol

    • Jan999
      Jan999 elaine1721

      Posted

      Hello again elaine. You were asking about the difference between Lupus and RA. The joint pain with Lupus doesn't damage the joints in the way RA does and the joint pain is one of many symptoms. The symptoms I have that relate to Lupus are skin rash (it's on my hands and is very painful), losing my hair (but with Lupus it grows back), dry mouth, erratic blood pressure, early fast developing cataracts (I had them 3 years ago), confusion and forgetting things, aching muscles and joint pain that seems to flit from one joint to another. I'm convinced I have Lupus. I just have to wait for the antibody test to come back! Will keep in touch.
  • elaine1721
    elaine1721 Jan999

    Posted

    Hi matron. Your symptoms fit with many of mine. I've never been convinced its RA. Not much joint damage in my hands but pain, stiffness and swellings can be dreadful. I've had RA for 12yrs so deformity of hands is number 1thing they assess.

    I know what you mean by pain flitting from joint to joint. I sometimes think my body wakes up and picks the joint to hurt from a had its so random lol. Again different from typical RA as the book says joints hurt in pairs.

    Let me know how the lupus theory goes. From what you write it may be something I should consider.

    As for the ribs. Is yours any better? I've had dreadful indigestion for nearly a WK so much so its disturbed my sleep. Been popping the Rennie's like smarties and that's on top of 30mg lanzoprosole. But rib pain eased a little. Pain is back today though. Ironically indigestion not too bad today. I wonder if its linked?

    • Jan999
      Jan999 elaine1721

      Posted

      Hello elaine. My ribs are not painful at the moment, but I've had episodes of being pain free before. I'm waiting for more blood test results. I was positive for one antibody anti phospholipid. If the antibody that is common in patients comes back positive as well then the rheumatologist said it will definitely be lupus. 
  • elaine1721
    elaine1721 Jan999

    Posted

    Well just been to see the doc again (pain in ribs became so bad this morning) a different doc this time. He read last docs notes and said he agrees with her, its muscular. Take stronger painkillers!

    And the best bit was he said its caused by uncontrolled RA!!! Surprise surprise!

    He has sent me for a chest xray just to rule out infection. Get results in about a week.

    • Jan999
      Jan999 elaine1721

      Posted

      Never heard of uncontrolled RA before elaine! If it's RA is he treating you for it. I sometimes wonder if these doctors know what they are talking about.
  • elaine1721
    elaine1721 Jan999

    Posted

    I phone rheumatology and chased up my appointment. As long as I don't mind seeing a locum doc they have squeezed me in for next week. I told them what the GP has said. So let's hope I get put on some meds that don't affect my heart like the last ones did. Maybe then this pain in my ribs will ease. I've also to up my dose of lansoprozole.

    On a slightly different note. My friend came to visit today and when I described my symptoms she said it sounds like pleaursy. She had it yrs ago and her daughter has it. I googled it of course lol apart from dry cough it sounds similar.

    So far though no one has mentioned possible costochondritis.

    • Jan999
      Jan999 elaine1721

      Posted

      It's good that you've been given an appointment for next week. You may get some answers. I suppose pleurisy is a possibility but you would have a temperature and feeling very unwell. 
    • elaine1721
      elaine1721 Jan999

      Posted

      Im with you. I don't think it is either. But I would like a diagnosis. It may seem strange but once I know what it is I find I can deal with it better. Especially if diagnosis is it will improve in x number of days/wks lol
    • Jan999
      Jan999 elaine1721

      Posted

      That's exact how I feel elaine. Lupus is not pleasant but if that's what they diagnose I'll be relieved. I'm sick of all these tests and appointments. I just want the right treatment.
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