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I have tightness in my sternum without the typical pain so much...am I alone in this?

Posted , 6 users are following.

sarah93128
sarah93128

Hello,

Back in January I was diagnosed with Costocondritis. I had just gotten over the worst and longest head/chest cold I'd ever had in my life which included a very bad cough. All my cold symptoms had gone away but I had the pain in my rib cage/back and serious pressure. The sensation of pressure and squeezing of my chest was almost worse than the pain. I was definitely worried about my lungs etc but after a chest x-ray and an EKG the Dr said he was pretty confident it was Costocondritis. I immediately looked it up and sure enough it sounded just like what I had. If it got too bad I'd just take an ibuprofen like the dr suggested (only a lesser dose because I reeeeeally don't like taking medicine). It didn't take too long before the symptoms lessened.

Since then I've had stress.... I've had a lingering problem since my bad cold which I've been fearful about and I finally went to the dr. She said it sounds like silent reflux (which is crazy to me since I've never in my life suffered from acid reflux or heartburn and I eat quite well etc). I was told to cut back on all the usual acid reflux causing things for a week and if that didn't work than to take over the counter antacids for two weeks....did I mention I hate taking medicine? Well, I haven't taken the medicine but I've done everything else and I still have the problem. I worry about it. You could say I stress out about it ...and all the what ifs. The reason I mention all this is because of the stress it's caused & because somewhere along the line I seemed to acquire this new symptom which is a strange feeling/tightness in my chest, right around my sternum that I don't believe is related to heartburn or anxiety...it's different...and it makes me worry more. Then I got a few pangs in my side etc. that reminded me of my Costocondritis and I thought...could it be? Could this pressure/tightness/weird feeling in my sternum be Costocondritis again? I hardly have any pain with it though, it's mostly just a weird feeling.

Basically, what I'm trying to figure out is: does anyone else with Costocondritis have the tightness and pressure without the pain so much? Or is it just me?

0 likes, 23 replies

23 Replies

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  • laura18022
    laura18022 sarah93128

    Posted

    Sarah93128,

    I was just diagnosed with Costo last week. Staring in Jan. I had all the symptoms you desribed...had an Endo, chest xray then they decided it was Costco. I can't imagine not having meds with this. Worst pain I've ever felt and I had natural childbirth in 1980. lol The tightness and pains in your sternum and sides are the symptoms of it coming back. From what I read and can tell is stress is also a huge part of this. 

    I am learning more each day as I try and figure out how I am going to live with this and I have a very stressful job. 

    Best wishes and take care!

    • sarah93128
      sarah93128 laura18022

      Posted

      Thank you for your feedback Laura, I appreciate it. I hope you feel better!
  • JuditD
    JuditD sarah93128

    Posted

    For me it started with just pressure and tightness, no pain. After about 2 months it got painful, and about 1 year in I am back to just pressure and occasional pain. I think it's kind of normal for symptoms to come and go etc.

    • laura18022
      laura18022 JuditD

      Posted

      I was wondering if anyone knows of a soft ice pack that you are able to wear around your chest without having to hold on to it. Make sense? smile 
    • sarah93128
      sarah93128 JuditD

      Posted

      Thanks JuditD, this makes me feel a little better 👍

  • grace28398
    grace28398 sarah93128

    Posted

    Hi Sarah I totally understand what youre going through. Ive had Costro for about 17 months. I have bee to several drs and had many ER visits as wel. My cardiologist says pain and discomfort is not my heart Thank God. I do now have high BP. Not too high but I take meds for it. I too have developed anxiety  and reflux. I take Nexium..it def helps. I hate taking meds as well but if I try to wean off of them the pain and or symptoms come back. I take somthing called Neurontin for the pain..this really has helped. Its not a controleed substance or ibuprofin. I use soft ice packs which definitely help and rest alot. I ask tons of questions to drs. I like to know why  and what helps the best. My dr has sent me to several specialists just to rule things out. This has helped me alot with my fears of it being something worse. Luckily, Costro is not life threatening, but it can be scary and painful. Hang in there and always ask lots of questions. Also, reducing your sugar intake helps as wel. As inflammation feeds off of sugar.  Hang in there. We are al in this together to share our stories and help each other!!!!
    • laura18022
      laura18022 grace28398

      Posted

      Ladies, the one thing I have definitely had to do was change from underwire bras to no underwire. Still painful but have to wear them. smile

      As getting massages helped anyone?  

    • sarah93128
      sarah93128 grace28398

      Posted

      Thank you for your input Grace,

      It is definitely good to know there are others out there with the same problems 👍 thanks for the encouragement.

    • grace28398
      grace28398 laura18022

      Posted

      i havent worn  a bra in mamy months since any of them rub against my chest and hurt. o well lol  i do wear dark shirts outside of the house that are a bit baggy as well  smile
    • laura18022
      laura18022 grace28398

      Posted

      Good morning,

      As I said, I've only had this for a little over a week. There is one thing I've noticed.......sitting still or laying around makes it worse. I too am on neurontin and meloxicam and do not like the way either of these make me feel. Going to lower dose and completely get off of them, Started on turmeric and omega 3 and starting a yoga class. Watching posture at work on computer and making sure I do not sit longer than 3 mins. I think that is what has caused my Costo, that and work stress. No more....smile 

      Anyone else find that subliments are helping? 

    • grace28398
      grace28398 laura18022

      Posted

      Different things work for different people. Thats great your trying all different things. Neurontin def helps me. but  cutting sugar intake helped me as well. and you can look up helpful exercises for Costro too. good luck. have a great day
    • laura18022
      laura18022 grace28398

      Posted

      Thank you grace28398 for your reply. Do you feel the strange feelings of the neurontin? Dizziness, blurred vision, very llight headed, and these do go away after a couple hrs but I can stand that. I'm on very lose dose. 

      I am trying the low sugar intake...but it's quite difficult to find things without of with low sugar. The positive is I quit smoking! smile

    • grace28398
      grace28398 laura18022

      Posted

      i had those side effects in the beginning..yes. but as yiur body gets used to it they wear off  atleast for me. my nighttime dose 600 mgs makes me tired but i need it to help me sleep. so it does the job for me. good for you quitting smoking  great job!    keep up the god work!
    • laura18022
      laura18022 grace28398

      Posted

      Me again! Yikes, I am on my 2nd week of missed work. Had the pain under control....not pain free....but bearable....until I went back to work and starting on the computer with arms up typing and on mouse...after 2 hrs in....excruciating pain! Back the Dr I went and now will see a pain management Dr tomorrow. I can't sit long I can't lay long...walking doesn't hurt too bad. This is the craziest thing I've ever experienced. ugh!!! 

    • grace28398
      grace28398 laura18022

      Posted

      so sorry laura. yes it is a very unpredictable condition that can be debilitating. i too went to a pain specialist. im now trying accupuncture done in my home. i have heard lots of people getting some relief with this. I pray it helps. good luck to you. i hope you find relief very soon. hang in there. let me know how it goes.
    • laura18022
      laura18022 grace28398

      Posted

      Thank you Grace! So you are telling me that the pain management didn't work for you?  sad I too thought about acupunture however figured insurance would not pay. However, it's getting close to...I don't care what it cost.  

      I really want to know how it works! Thanks again and I hope you get relief soon as well! 

    • grace28398
      grace28398 laura18022

      Posted

      Its not that it didint work, i just didnt want to take anymore meds. I take enough and would love to get off of some eventually, but Im grateful they are around and helping me right now.  the ones I already take. But one dr said I should try accupuncture. I t worked wonders for my husbands migranes. Ill let you know how it worx. luckily I am covered for accupuncture. But I agree if you are in that much pain who cares if it costs more money? Some drs will work on a sliding scale and give you a reduced rate too. Good luck
    • laura18022
      laura18022 grace28398

      Posted

      Ok I am totally not understanding....I didn't think since I was going to a PM Dr. that I would have to continue on meds. I don't want to take these meds. Anyway we shall see what he says but also I will do acupunture. Hopefully get in tomorrow and will check maybe my insurance covers it. 

      You've been a great help grace, thank you!

    • grace28398
      grace28398 laura18022

      Posted

      Glad to be of support. I know how you feel. Please let me know how you do with accupuncture. Remember soft ice packs, and les sugar in your diet definitely help. But Im still grateful that neurontin is around to help nerve pain. At first it can make you tired a nd dizzy, but wears off I promise. I was now told I cant get homebound acupuncture. O well. When I have my cardiac issues under control I wil just go to China Med in person. Keep the faith. Watch funny movies to boost your spirits. That and Christmas movies work for me!!!! This too will pass.  Good Luck!!!
    • laura18022
      laura18022 grace28398

      Posted

      Thanks Grace for the kind and uplifting words! Did one day of PT and saw pain management Dr yesterday. No acupuncture or PT again until after MRI tomorrow and he gets the results. He said I wasn't taking enough neurontin to help but I am not taking anymore. smile He did give me muscle relaxer and that has helped with back pain. Not too much with chest and ribs. Missed my 2nd wk of work and stressing already to go back on Monday but don't have a choice. So what I am telling myself...I will turn the payroll in when I am done with it on my own time. He tells me my 20yrs of desk work with bad posture is what probably caused this. Also may have something jacked up in my neck!!!  sad I'm falling apart. The main reason I don't want to take those meds is I miss my wine! lol I enjoyed a glass of wine now and then and I tried a glass last week and after a half of glass I felt like I was already drunk and it wasn't a good drunk. lol 

      So life goes on and surely they will find out this mess after the MRI.

      Thanks again for your kind words!

    • grace28398
      grace28398 laura18022

      Posted

      Good luck with MRI. Nothing wrong with that.wine is a good thing....lol.   Youre not falling apart  I promise. I just turned 51 and I told myself this is going to  be a great year...Costro or not!!!!!  We all just have to find what works for us. For me, ruling out things helps me feel better!!!  Also I just Thank God for all the great things in my life. And say to myself things could always be worse..  Let me know how MRI goes and wut drs say. Have a great day.. Be well!!!!  smile smile smile
    • grace28398
      grace28398

      Posted

      That makes sense 20 years of bad posture. My dr said mine still sucks lol!!!!!!!
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