1. Community
  2. Bones, joints and muscles
  3. Costochondritis and Tietze's Syndrome

Diagnosed with tietze a few months ago, now having huge flare up! And don't know what to do! 😩

Posted , 9 users are following.

Guest
Guest

I was diagnosed with tietze two months ago after several trips to the doctors and a&e, and being diagnosed with all sorts! At one point I was told I needed to get my whole rib cage realigned!! So glad I didn't!! to begin with it was the odd sharp chest pain, some tightness in the chest and occasional palpatations ( I put the palpatations down to my high anxiety) but a week before Christmas I had just finished a long shift at work was waiting for my taxi and boom an intense pain in my chest, it became hrs to breath I was sweating and went weak at the knees! I honestly though I might collapse! Or worse die! Extreme I know but that's how bad the pain was, well needless to say I see my doctor and I was signed off work with a flare up, nearly a month later and I'm still not able to work! The pain is so bad in my chest it terrifies me! I honestly feel like I'm going to have heart attack and die alone at home!! Add to that anxiety and depression and you have one big mess of a once happy girl!! I just wish the pain would ease up!! I know I have written a lot but I don't really have anyone to talk to about this no one seems to understand, I feel like everyone thinks I'm lying when I'm really suffering bad, sometimes I don't leave the house for days! In only 25 this shouldn't be my life! can anyone offer any advice for the pain?? I sleep with a hot water bottle on my chest which helps a bit and I take amytriptyline at night, as well as propanalol for the palpatations, but I have heard yoga may be good for stretching out the ribs? Please any advice would help! 😖

1 like, 27 replies

27 Replies

Next
  • linda00569
    linda00569 Guest

    Posted

    Hi Kayleigh I've suffered with this to rub Olbas Oil into the painful areas don't you heat as imflammation is the problem so heat won't help I use a chiropractor who's fully trained she does aqua puncture on my chest area where the pain is this did so good and cleared it but in Nov I fell down the stairs and then had a chest infection so started another flare up but back to chiro you also need to rest no heavy lifting or stretching your ribs out rest is a must it will be alright if you do as I've done hope this helps you
    • Guest
      Guest linda00569

      Posted

      Hey linda00596

      Thank you for your reply I wasn't expecting any 😩 Do you think perhaps the heat is making it worse? It's way too cold at the moment especially at home to be applying Ice, olbas oil is a new one? Does it relieve the pain? And I'm scared to see a chiropractor/oestepath I'm worried that it will do more damage than good? Plus it's very expensive! I'm going to see my doctor again tomorrow I will mention what you have said, I'm sorry to hear of your accident!! And hope that you are ok and recover quickly.

    • linda00569
      linda00569 Guest

      Posted

      Ok chiropractor about £35-40 per visit I'm a widow on pension and work part time doing community health care hard work but paying for chiro is the best money spent all doctors will give is painkillers and they don't work chiro won't do harm if you use one that is fully qualified I use one from a firm called The Medical I don't know if there in your area but I'm in Bristol I always see the same one as she knows my body now remember rest ice no lifting or stretching
  • HavenStreet
    HavenStreet Guest

    Posted

    This is my exact story. I've had mine for two years tomorrow. I used to be so happy and active and fun. I haven't worked in two years. Can't get out of bed from the pain a lot. And the anxiety... I'm convinced something is terribly wrong and I'm dying-even tho I've had every medical test known and all confirmed in perfectly healthy. I'm so young, too. I can't believe this is my burden.

    I take dilaudid every four hours, ibuprofen every six, and cannabis oil morning and night, and still the pain gets so bad sometimes that im in bed all day.

    A doctor recently suggested I try Scalene therapy from a certified physical therapist or massage technician, so I have an appointment next Tuesday. I really hope it works. Accupuncture helped a lot, but I had to stop after a few months cuz with not being able to work I ran out of money.

    Cold packs help a bit, the heat makes it a hundred times worse for me.

    Pm me. Perhaps we can at least support each other, or find out what helps.

    I'm at my wits end. The frustration of this for two years is maddening

    • Guest
      Guest HavenStreet

      Posted

      Hey havenstreet

      Sorry to hear that's it is as bad for you, you say about the heat making it worse and I think you may be right I have been applying heat thinking it would help! How wrong was I!

      I hear that seeing a chiropractor can really help!

      I'm in the same situation when it comes to funds, I have been off work for a month and I know it's about to become a long term problem! I'm off back to the doctors today And I'm hoping I can get referred to a physiotherapist because I'm told that will help!

      I dont kow how much research you have done but I'm sure it's a lot, as most of us are just diagnosed and left wondering!!

      I typed in tietze syndrome treatment in to YouTube and the first video that came up was from A physiotherapist who seems to think it's to do with the 'hinges' of our ribs that causes the problem! I would highly recommend watching this as it left me feeling hopeful that I will be able to find some relief!!

      I'm also at my wits end and it's only been a few month for me! So I really do sympathise with you!

      I have even referred myself for therapy/councilling hoping that if I can cure the mental side of it aka the anxiety and depression around it then it will help me deal with the physical side easier!

      I'm new to this site so I don't know how to pm people, I only signed up yesterday as I was tired of feeling so alone! And the lack of understanding from others!

      I hope you find some relief soon

      Take care

    • HavenStreet
      HavenStreet Guest

      Posted

      I sent you a pm smile

      My boys were playing basketball in the garage yesterday and I came in and got it in the chest. Hard. The pain has been excruciating all night. Fair warning- protect your chest from flying objects!

    • Guest
      Guest HavenStreet

      Posted

      Got your message!

      Oh blimey that does not sound good!

      I have been back to see my doctor today and although very sympathetic he can't really offer any advice as the doctors don't know what to about this condition! I can s e he wants to help but can't, he said that its very unlikely I could physio on the nhs!! And as for seeing a chiropractor he said that is my decision to make he can't give an opinion on it as he had no training in that area! I asked about yoga as I have been told it helps and he said try it and if it helps continue if it does not then stop!! Also in regards to applying hot or cold to the area he advised me to do what suits me! Not the most helpful appointment but o guess it's just trial and error, and finding what works best for us individually! 😏

    • steve52252
      steve52252 Guest

      Posted

      I see that you mention the physio who has done the 2 you tube videos, Kayleigh; he has me convinced and im awaiting delivery of the "device". I'm also booked to see an osteopath tomorrow who have experience in dealing with costochondritis and presumably Tieze. My gp hasnt been much use either-just use gel and painkillers which isnt a long term solution. When I spoke to the osteopath on the phone last week she also mentioned that they use ultrasound and the new zealand chap confirmed this in a reply to me in the comments of the first shorter video. There is another thread on here where a lady got (cant remember her name) rid of her costo by seeing an osteopath so that does sort of bear it out with regard to the locked costo vertebral joints.

      Just as something else to check out; I have seen reports that vitamin d3 deficiency is implicated in this awful problem. I havent had my levels checked but am taking a daily high dose of 10,000iu to see if that helps (been taking for a week now).

      I wish you well and am sure there is a real solution to all this. I'll report back after ive seen the osteopath tomorrow smile

    • HavenStreet
      HavenStreet steve52252

      Posted

      When I first was diagnosed with this, I was also secretly VD deficient. I took 50,009 units over the course of six weeks. Brought my D levels up but did nothing for the costo
    • Guest
      Guest steve52252

      Posted

      Good morning steve52252

      I have just woke from an awful sleep and it's out a smile on my face to know someone else has seen that video! It left me with so much hope!

      How much was the device?

      And please if you could let me know how it goes with the oestepath, as I really don't want to go and waste my limited funds if it's of no help!

      Best of luck to you ☺️

    • steve52252
      steve52252 Guest

      Posted

      I ordered the device from New Zealand as that is cheaper than if ordered from Germany. NZ$81 inc shipping (about £39). I am just back from the osteopath and she was really helpful and understanding. She said I shouldnt need more than 3-5 visits. She has dealt with Costochondritis and disgnosed me with severe stiffness (!!) which has resulted in a protruding rib. She said that I must NOT touch the area under any circumstances (no gel to be used, just ice packs). Also given light exercises to do but said that she will be more boisterous next week to get things moving.

      She was also very keen to see the NZ videos so have sent them to her.

      I have very limited funds also as am on jsa so it was a relief to know that they didnt want to sign me up for many sessions.

      Good luck to you and if you can, I think at least one visit to an Osteopath (one that HAS knowledge of the condition) is worthwhile smile

  • pheath85
    pheath85 Guest

    Posted

    Have you tried 2 alleve, once every 12 hours.
    • Guest
      Guest pheath85

      Posted

      Hey there,

      I'm not sure what that is?

    • Guest
      Guest pheath85

      Posted

      Just looked it up, it's otherwise known as naproxen! Which unfortunately is the one medication I am allergic to 😩
Back to top
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.