Healing Costochondritis and Anxiety
Posted , 69 users are following.
Hi All,
I have been dealing with Costochondritis for nearly 5 months and like all of you, am at my wits end! It came about after I had experienced a very intense 3 month period of extreme anxiety due to lots of little and big stress factors in my life. I had a lot of physical symptoms accompany my anxiety but after seeing a social worker and psychologist for a few months I am feeling much much better and happy : ) and can see why and how I ended up with anxiety. Basically, I didn't know anxiety could manifest physically and it got worse because I began to become more anxious. Thankfully that is under control and all my blood tests and ultrasounds and bp/ heart rate are all normal and I feel more like a new and improved me. But about the time I got a grip on my anxiety the chest pains kicked in. I understand why and how and have been diagnosed with costo by 2 different doctors. I have tried Meloxicam which seemed to work for a week, but that is about it, apple cider vinegar, drinking ginger and chamomile tea, eating lots of vegetables and vitamins and trying not to life thing (which is very hard to avoid) and still I have costochondritis. I am even lathering myself with arnica gel everyday. I wanted to hear from anyone out there that has had costo arise from anxiety and also any tips for healing? I try to walk as much as I can and do soft exercise but am frightened I am aggravating it all. Thanks for any thoughts or advice 
Kelly
6 likes, 206 replies
jamice70950 kelly1981
Posted
Hi this the first time that iv'e experienced this and my sympthoms are agging pain in my rihjt Arm, Back, and Shoulder, I have taken two test already a mamogram and an Ultasound now i have to take a biosphy. I will keep you informed of the results. Thanks for listening.
lisa33471 jamice70950
Posted
When I had my ultrasound it showed inflammation that's how I was diagnosed. Nothing showed in the mammogram. Hope the biopsy goes well. I know it's hard try not to worry, costo can cause so many symptoms. Keep me posted 🍀
kristy60700 lisa33471
Posted
lisa33471 kristy60700
Posted
Hi Kristy, no. I was having still am at times really bad breast pain. They wanted to rule out anything else like cysts etc. And when I saw consultant after the ultrasound she diagnosed costo and said it showed lots of inflammation. I hadn't had an injury or anything that I know of. This thing just appeared out of nowhere 🙀 Still suffer now but cope with it a lot better.
kristy60700 lisa33471
Posted
I went for a Breast scan and ultrasound on my breasts but they never said anything about inflammation and diagnosed Costo few months later due to me getting the pains, I asked for a ultrasound but they said it wouldn't show up on there. I'm still struggling to deal with these pains it's so frustrating x
lisa33471 kristy60700
Posted
Hi Kristy. I would see another doctor. I don't know why they said that because that's how I found out. I could have cried when they were rolling the instrument over me. U know when u have a baby scan how gentle it is, but that's how much pain I was in. I take amitriptalyne when it's bad and have had acupuncture. That helped a bit. I have just used ibuprofen gel and drink lots or camomile tea and ginger. I really hope it settles for u but if ur still not feeling any better I would ask for a second opinion. Deep breathing can help too and gentle exercises
pete25132 kelly1981
Posted
brian60184 kelly1981
Posted
Hi I am a 37yo male and have just been diagnosed with costocondritis 2 months ago . I have seen 3 doctors so far with 1 being in A&E a few weeks ago . my symptoms are chest pain normally but last night I started getting pains in my left arm aswell which I think brought on panic attacks ,rang the out of hours doc who asked all the usual questions and was told not to worry . My problem is I do nothing but worry these days and feel I’m turning into a complete basket case.
lisa33471 brian60184
Posted
I have tried all kind of pain killers but they didn’t really help long term altho the consults asvised me to take ibuprofen/paracetamol for 3 weeks 4 Times a day. I take amitriptylene at the moment as that is a muscle relaxant and then if I get bad pain use ibuprofen gel and rub on my chest or take pain killers. I also drink a lot of ginger/chamomile tea as this helps. Tumeric is meant to be a great inflammatory product to take too.
Exercise, stretching is highly recommended too. Hope u find something to help deal with this. Some people only have it weeks where unfortunately some of us suffer with it longer
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Just take care and Once u receive a diagnosis and u know it’s not anything else read as much a sense u can because at least u know what u are dealing with. It will get better
kristy60700 lisa33471
Posted
ttenrag kelly1981
Edited
Maybe i missed this somewhere, but has anyone mentioned the backpod designed by Steve August in New Zealand? I have had costo for about three years, but once i learned that it is a problem coming from the spine/back and began using the backpod i have regained much of my life back. Steve’s conclusion is that the inflammation in the front ribs is a result of rib hinges that are frozen from the back of the spine. You can treat the pain area all you want, change diet, drink herbal teas, etc....but if you do not attack the frozen hinges in the back area of the spine you are only really treating the symptom and not the root cause. We have to keep moving, stretch, and stay flexible if we want to beat costo. Just my two cents, hoping for everyone here to be pain free someday!
sean25976 ttenrag
Posted
I actually just received my backpod today! I've been suffering with Costo and anxiety for years. After another trip to the. ER, my doctor started me on propanolol and Zoloft. I'm so tired of costo I figured I'd try the backpod. Started all my drugs today now I'm nauseated and sore. Nobody understands except those of us who've had it. I live with an ice pack during flare ups, and I've got to keep the anxiety under control. I'll report back my progress with the backpod
Costo_Chris ttenrag
Posted
"Pain-free some day" .... what a lovely thought!
It's reassuring to hear your comments - thanks. I really don't know what I'd do without the information and support from this forum.
Steve August's Costochondritis explanation is the only one that makes sense to me too. As he says "it is not a mystery inflammation, it's a mechanical problem". I have a Backpod, and like you, I feel that I've regained much of my life back through using it.
Unfortunately, from the start of December to the end of February I was diagnosed with BPPV (a kind of vertigo that made me dizzy if I laid down or moved about too much - nightmare!) which appeared out of nowhere. Consequently I felt I needed to stop using my Backpod. Without using it my Costo steadily got worse again. However, over the last few weeks I've been able to use it again, and my pains have improved a lot. It demonstrates to me that the Backpod must work. My upper body mobility is so much better. I'm able to move about and do gentle stretches without whincing with pain.
Things have improved since my Costo was at it's worst. I remember in the early days, back in January 2017, I couldn't even chop carrots or slice bread without being in pain.
I fully agree with you that moving, stretching and staying flexible seem to be the way forward.
Best regards to all sufferers.
Costo_Chris sean25976
Posted
Regarding using the Backpod: take it very steadily and work through using 3,2,1, then 0 pillows, over the course of several weeks. I know that there will be the temptation to overdo it, but you MUST be patient.
I fully agree with your comment that nobody understands except those of us who've had Costo. To a certain extent I suppose you can't blame them. It must seem odd to non-sufferers to hear about pain that comes and goes, but is always present to a greater or lesser degree; pain that shifts about from centre chest, rib edges, upper abdomen, shoulder, back, arm; pain that can suddenly make you absolutely drained one moment and relatively OK the next.
I hope that the Backpod brings you as much relief as it has for me. Good luck!
sean25976 Costo_Chris
Posted
Well, day 2 with the backpod, and it can really loosen you up! It does make you sore for sure, and I feel a little jittery after using it the second time. Combine that with the side effects of starting Zoloft like nausea, muscle pain, and numbness, it's been a tough few days. I'll continue though until I feel better...I hope
DANI27663 ttenrag
Edited
Hello, I saw this blog and was so thankful for it. I know it's been 19 months since this last post, but was hoping you could help...
I have been suffering from Costo and have been trying everything to get better. I refuse to take the meds, because of the side effects. plus they dont seem to work, meaning it's just temporary. I only take ibuprofen when the pain is really bad. I purchased the backpod and it has taken a while to get use to. I'm wondering if it cured you from the Costo? Did your back pop after using it? I use it, stretch after and my back seems to pop. I've had bad posture until now. I hope you can help. ❤