I have tightness in my sternum without the typical pain so much...am I alone in this?
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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
sue20995 sarah93128
Posted
Hi Sarah so sorry to hear about your pain. I also followed the thread from Laura who said it was the worst pain since child birth. I caused mine in December following a injury while working out compounded by a chest infection. I was very low and in pain for about 3 months and researched on internet. Found details about a backpod and instructions from a New Zealand physio. It was expensive, £70, ordered on line, I live in England. I worked hard with it and have now been more or less pain free. I have been able to resume my activities, gardening, badminton etc. When I get twinges I use it and the pain goes. I do urge you to look it up on line. I also felt happier being able to do something positive towards my recovery. Prior to that all the resting, taking pain killers had made no difference over 2 months. Best of luck.