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

Healing Costochondritis and Anxiety

Posted , 69 users are following.

kelly1981
kelly1981

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 smile Kelly

6 likes, 206 replies

206 Replies

Prev
  • leia09629
    leia09629 kelly1981

    Posted

    I had costo for five months and found something that worked for me. My story is similar to many others. However, mine came about from poor posture, stress, and alignment issues because of unresolved pelvic floor/tailbone pain (which had come on suddenly a year prior). While the pain felt most intense in my lowest ribs and sternum joint, I also was having tingly arms, paint in my jaw, ears, back of my head, sometimes having pain on sides of neck and collarbone, and various points of pain in my upper back. I, too, went to the ER because I thought it was heart related.

    So what did I do? I began exercising again with an emphasis in strength training the upper body. (I had avoided it because an exercise injury caused the original lower body pain.) I did the Jillian Michaels 30 Day Shred. I didn't feel great during the workout (especially push-ups and planks), but it didn't seem to hurt any worse. The typical muscle pain from a new exercise routine appeared for 1-2 days after I began. About a week after I'd started the program I had more intense pain in my chest and was weirdly aware of every rib inside of me. I thought maybe I'd done something terrible and that exercise was making me worse. Two days later? The intense pain subsided and one evening I realized suddenly that I didn't experience any pain the whole day. Now, two months after beginning the program, I feel fine almost every day. If I sit too long, demonstrate poor posture (like being on my phone too much), or don't exercise for a few days, it comes back. Now, it DOES feel worse when I push myself harder (like a typical hard, new workout does) but I just take a day or two to recover. I believed exercise would work because it just felt like my ribs were yanking on my intercostal muscles. I thought that if I strengthened my muscles, maybe they'd sort of snap back to where they belong and bring all of the bones and ligaments with it! :D

    • Guest
      Guest leia09629

      Posted

      Check for food sensitivities. I found out I was allergic to gluten and the pin went away within a week. It could be inflammation.
  • drew18532
    drew18532 kelly1981

    Posted

    When I quit caffeine, my costo went away almost instantly.

    I suffered costo for at least 3 years along with other health anxieties which I learned ended up being extensions of my OCD (door checking, health obsessions, etc). I Recently was treated for OCD and am now at baseline levels for health anxiety meaning my thoughts dont trigger anxiety anymore. However, I was still experiencing chest pain even after 12 weeks of OCD CBT treatment.

    I've been an avid coffee drinker since a teenager (i'm 29 Male btw), athletic and healthy and I have not increased my consumption over the years. I didn't think caffeine would be the trigger and I certainly wasn't willing to give it up since i'm in love with coffee!!

    I decided to quit cold turkey after reading someone did the same thing and it went away the very next day. I've been 4 weeks off caffeine and 0 costochondritis. I've noticed even the SMALLEST amount of caffeine will trigger my costo (even dark chocolate) so I avoid all caffeine. 

    Perhaps this isn't everyones cure but I can't believe quitting caffeine did it for me. 

    Give it a try if you are a caffeine drinker. Remember, even a little caffeine can trigger your symptoms. 

    -Andy

  • aoife45195
    aoife45195 kelly1981

    Posted

    Hi there,

    I've been recently diagnosed with costo, I'm doing physio, seeing an osteopath, using hot and cold compress, stretching, resting etc. I have been doing this for a month and it has not helped. Any advice please? 😊

  • evan05433
    evan05433 kelly1981

    Posted

    Hello, I am also suffering from Costocondritis. I have had multiple EKGs and blood tests. Nothing was shown in any of those so this is what it is believed to be. I get a tightness feeling above my left breast. This pain that I have been feeling has started bringing on panic attacks. Does anybody know how to get rid of costocondritis? Anybody help would be amazing.
    • kikirimbas
      kikirimbas evan05433

      Posted

      Hello, I've been struggling with costocondritis for two years I don't think it can be cured just controlled, or at least that's what my dr said, but I could give you some tips:

      -First of all, it is SUPER important to rest, sometimes it's difficult to sleep well with the pain, but the less you sleep the worse the pain is gonna be, at first I my dr gave some strong sleeping pills, wich helped me a lot, as I got better, I found natural alternatives that helped me have better sleep. This id the most important thing you gotta do, rest during your sleep, relax, otherwise it's never getting better.

      -Quit caffeinated beberages, caffeine is a big trigger

      -keep on with the osteopath, it does help, but have to go at least once every 2 weeks

      -I wasn't into alternative medicine, but there's a time you're willing to try anything if it helps with the pains, do I tried several things and I can recomend you can use aromatherapy for the anxiety (you gotta do it twice or trice a day for it to work) and I discovered an organic and PETA friendly st. John's Wort Oil from an Aromatherapy company called -Primavera Life- that helped me leave the antiflamatories (those wrecked my stomach for months), at first I used it trice a day, I rub it all over my chest and ribs, it helps inmensly .

      -Do not carry heavy stuff, it worsens everything

      -Using epsim salts in your bath, can also help

      I hope that this info helps you, I wish I had it two years ago, it would have saved me a lot of pain . greetings

  • fiona30349
    fiona30349 kelly1981

    Edited

    hi, this is such a helpful thread as I believe my chest discomfort started with an attack of intense stress. Its been 3 weeks so far and while the doctor thinks its costochronditus she isnt 100% sure despite all my tests coming back clear. (ecgs, bloods, blood pressure, chest xray). The more I rest the better it is. Wondering if its heartburn or muscular. Seems so similar. Is this post still open?

    • eneida86008
      eneida86008 fiona30349

      Posted

      Hi Fiona,

      This forum helped me too. im hoping it is still open and others can offer help. I've been suffering with Costo too. Been to the ER two times within 2-3 months. I've had multiple anxiety attacks over it and feel like my health is always on the line. My GP diagnosed me with panic attacks and suggested Valarian Root for the anxiety. Have you heard of it? I also started both group therapy and regular therapy.

      it's been a whirlwind and just want it to end. Hope you're doing better Fiona.

Back to top
Prev

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.