Healing Costochondritis and Anxiety

Is that just a teaspoon? Sounds great. I already drink chamomile. Thanks for the tip. Will try it

Yes, I started using a spoon but now I just tip some in through the open corner of the packet but it's roughly a teaspoon size. It doesn't dissolve too well so you wouldn't want to add more than that.

Also try some stretches. That has helped so much. I honestly can't remember when I last had a painkiller for my costochondritis.

Muscles and joints definitely need stretching and flexing to get better as well as painkillers etc.

But definitely stick to the meds until the pain eases up.

Thanks I'll give it a go. Haven't done exercise for few days but have been doing yoga previously. I'm currently on amitriptylene and gradually cutting down on ibuprofen.

I'll try some gentle exercise today as well

But I found that some stretches helped. I just googled them and the ones on the healdove site were really simple but effective.

Yes so did mine. I was there doing yoga to try and help and looking back think it made it worse! I just did the warrior pose as I think that's ok and just the gentle ones trying not to twist the torso too much. They say to lie on pillows as well with arms stretched out as this helps to stretch. Its definitely settled a bit since only taking amitriptylene since Friday and not doing the yoga. Fingers crossed. I'm in my 5th week now and gradually getting better

Hi shekme

I ied some gentle yoga exercise yesterday or so I thought and I think it still aggravated the pain suffered last night! Can you tell me what exercises you did or where I can find them on YouTube maybe?. I'm scared to do any at the moment but I know I need to keep active 🙀

Oh no! Google "costochondritis exercises" and a website called healdove has some exercises. I can't post the link on here as I tried last time but my post got deleted!

They're really simple stretches using a door frame or a wall but they're so effective. I think the muscles need to be loosened before we can move on to yoga, even though yoga seems slow and easy it takes some strength especially when you have to hold a pose.

Summary, Google search "costochondritis exercises" and look for the healdove website.

Good luck

Ah thanks a lot I'll do that later. I've also seen that if u lie on 2 pillows with arms stretched out that's meant to help too like u say u think yoga is gentle but admittingly sometimes with even a simple move I struggle so just goes to show 😳 Thanks again 👍🏻

My female doctor tested me in this way. I had to raise my top to show my stomach as I told her my rib was swollen so she prodded a bit.

She didn't put her hands under my clothes however. Sounds a bit strange but he'd be unable to determine swelling without touching your skin.

But unless he advised you to remove your clothes for a check I can understand how you'd feel weird about it.

Hi there, I am in my 3rd month of costo. Looking back now I did have it this time last year but I don't remember it lasting so long.

I have had so much good advice from this forum so hopefully u will find some relief

I am currently taking omega 3 as this is meant to be really good for inflammation as is cod liver oil combined or magnesium. I have also read that cherry tart juice is meant to help immensely but it's quite expensive. Haven't tried that yet as I have an appointment Friday for acupuncture and praying that this will help. I have been told that the cortisone injection literally takes it away completely but I'm too scared to have that at the moment but will try it as a last resort. Currently on amitriptyline. I don't know whether it's helped much with the pain at the moment but does help u to relax. Tried ibuprofen/paracetamol but no good 🙀 I've used the ibuprofen gel which helps me for instant quicker relief. Also exercises for the chest, pectoral muscles is meant to help too. Lots of advice on this forum. Good luck and let me know how u get on

Hi Grace here. I have had Costo since Dec 2015. It started as pressure in my chest. I too ended up in er several times. Cardiologist ruled out anything with my heart, Thank God. I ahve three kids as well, but are older than  yours. I use soft ice packs, heating pad, ice gel(From CVS) or any store sells muscle rub. Also have you tyried a TENS unit? I am not cured but have good days and bad days. I pray alot and also see a counselor. Theres a medicine(You would have to take at nite because of your children) called Neurontin...research it. It helps. My dr prescribed it. I too am doing PT..helps a tiny bit. I saw a rheumatologist to rule out anything auto immune. Next I have an appt with pain management dept in January. Advil in larger doses helps alot(You would have to check with your dr). I have colitis so I had to stop after a while. There are also special exercises just for this condition. The streches help. Hang in there. We are all in this together!!!  

Hi grace I don't know whether I mentioned this before but on occasion and more recent of late I've been getting wheezing?! It bothers me cos it's when I inhale not exhale. I had the lung respiratory tests which were perfect. Chest X-rays came back normal. Just wondered as can't find answer on google, can the costo cause this?? If not was wondering whether stress can cause it but seeing as still getting costo pain thought more likely related to that. Will there ever b a day when we both feel normal 🙀

Hi grace hope u had a good Xmas.

Have you heard about your acupuncture yet?

I finished mine, had 5 sessions. Must admit I think it helped, although for first 24/47 hours I sometimes felt really tired and just generally not great but after a day or so I picked up it's meant to b a good sign as it shows that it's working. Even tho u may not think it at the time.

I still feel rubbish tho. I don't know whether I've been bit stressed over Xmas, but come out in a cold. Feel tired, no energy and I'm still not happy about the wheezing docs don't seem to b concerned about. I've also had the closing feeling in throat, altho I know that could be the anxiety. Waiting to see pain consult now.

Hope u are coping ok and hopefully will have your acupuncture soon

Hi Grace, hope you had a good Xmas

Have you heard about your acupuncture yet?

I finished mine, had 5 sessions. Must admit I think it helped, although for first 24/47 hours I sometimes felt really tired and just generally not great but after a day or so I picked up smile it's meant to b a good sign as it shows that it's working. Even tho u may not think it at the time.

I still feel rubbish tho. I don't know whether I've been bit stressed over Xmas, but come out in a cold. Feel tired, no energy and I'm still not happy about the wheezing docs don't seem to b concerned about. I've also had the closing feeling in throat, altho I know that could be the anxiety. Waiting to see pain consult now.

Hope u are coping ok and hopefully will have your acupuncture soon

Hi Lisa,

I'm so glad you think accupuncyure helped a bit. I go next week. My results from stress test came out normal..Thank God!!! I understand the tired feeling with this. I also get dizzy spells at times. Are you on any meds for anxiety? I am. The too kind of go hand in hand. Are you seeing a therapist for anxiety? I am. It really helps. Hope you are feeling better today.

I'l let you know how my pain specialist appt goes. I also have a follow up appt. with immunologist next week too. Hang in there!!!!! Keep a chin up

Yes grace I thought it did but just feel I've had a set back? Don't know whether come out with a cold or what only on amitriptyline which is more to relax muscles than anxiety med. I've always tried to do without. Had 6 sessions with therapy which helped my outlook on certain situations and I think anxiety has lessened, I just think I have these episodes out the blue! Yes I have felt dizzy occasionally. Do u find when seeing the doctor that they can't exactly fully describe what the symptoms are 🤔 I wished u could see someone who specialises in it. What are u seeing the immunologist for? Really hope u have relief with acupuncture. I had the needles at top of back. Just ensure that u have half an hour or so to relax after. I went straight back to work which didn't help 🙄 Just wanted to sleep lol

Hi Lisa,

Your right..the cold definitely affects this unfortunately. Thanks for advice with accupuncture. Im going to see specialist because some of the symptoms from the Costro might be immunology related. Dr will do bloodwork to rule out things. Which will ease my mind. I also cant wait for pain specialist next week. Im seeing a cardiologist who has started me on meds for racing heart and bp issues. Meds are definitely helping me so far..Thank God!!!!!  Hope you are well today. Using a heating pad  this time of year helps alot. I get the chills alot from this condition. Try that!  We are in this together. Heres to good health and pain free lives soon!!!!!  

I've just come out in this cough but think it's more cold related than costo as it's a tickly dry cough, worse at night and first thing. But definitely had chest pain with it. I rubbed some Vicks on chest last night and my ribs felt so sore 😔 Sorry to sound ignorant but how would the costo b linked to immunology? I sometimes worry that some doctors just take it it's costo and don't investigate further so it's good they are rly looking into it for u. I know the meds help but I wished we didn't have to live in them. I don't think I've been pill free for the last 5 months! Keep me posted with the acupuncture. I rly think that will help. I think it has me. It's just that this cold has set me back a bit 🙄

Hi grace

I just wondered if any news on acupuncture 🤔 I saw pain consult this week and he's put me on co-codamol now but not sure about taking these. Nothing else has worked. I'm still going to take the amitriptylene as help me to relax. I had a bad night last night. Pain really sharp in left breast. He's also referred me to further acupuncture but it's a different sort. Will let u know.

I wanted to ask.. u mentioned u had chills? I seem to get them quite a lot. Why do u get them with costo 🤔

Just went to immunologist. They did bloodwork and thanbk God they ruled out some really serious diseases. I went to pain specialist yesterrday. He put he on muscle relaxers, but they made me dizzy and way too tired. But they did help costro pain. Im on meds for blood pressure that already make me tired. They postponed my accu til march. Dr. overscheduled. I agree with you on the pills. We take too many. But we wont be on them forever. We are all in this together, and will be well!!!!!

Amitryptiline is good for pain and anxiety, so smart move for you. I dont get accupuncture til March. I had to go to a pain specialist first. I dont know why I get chills, but I do now with the Costro. Ill ask my dr next week if thats normal for us and let you know. Sorry you are having sharp pain. When I went to dr yesterday, he told me if you have pain in center of chest it can spread to left and right sise, because inflammation can spread. Hope this helps you. Have you tried Neurontin yet for pain?

Ah I'm glad that all was clear. Why did they feel u had to c immunologist tho 🤔 Did they think something connected with costo? What muscle relaxant r u taking and what dose? I find amitriptyline very good, non drowsy. Just relax me. I'll keep u posted about accu next week 😊

U forgot to say about the chills? 😊 Do u have them a lot and why r they connected?

I'm rly glad ur ok. Get lots of rest x

 I responded to chills. Yes I still get them at times. But I also take a med called Neurontin and you can have chills somtimes from it.I saw immunologist because Ive had Costro for 13 months and they wanted to rule out any diseases, and thank God they did. The muscle relaxer is called Baclofen. It makes me a bit dizzy,  ut thats because Im on Neurontin too.

Sorry grace for some reason I didn't see that message. I'm so puzzled as to why we get chills 🤔 Thanku for that info. It does help cos I can't help still thinking is it my heart I'm so glad serious illness has been ruled out for u. I rly hope they can help ease it for u. I haven't tried the neurotin yet but it had eased a bit (few days) now back with usual horrible symptoms!

So Sorry Lisa!! Dont stop bugging your doctor. Fight for answers. We will all get well. But Thank God for this sight..so we can all share and help eavh other. Have you tried a sugar free diet. It helped me alot. Easier than I thought too. I'll keep inn touch. Hang in there!!!!  

Yes I know this site has been so helpful. I really don't think doctors know enough about this condition. Funny u should say that I am trying to cut sugar out, not completely but reduce it I did Google that sometimes chills can be brought on by inflammation in the body which would connect them with the costo I guess, but see if the doctor can throw more light on it. hope all goes well next week. Like u say we'll get there some day. Let's hope we can get rid of this nuscience!!