Is this Tietze's Syndrome"

I empathise with you. Mine has only been a mere 18 months! Like you I have been through all the tests (ultra sounds, tubes up and down, X rays, thoracic MRI etc ) and also like you mine started as a relatively minor niggle under my left rib area. It's not life threatening so once identified, you're left more or less on your own to cope because no one really knows what to do. My GP has been very good, but has exhausted everything he can think of. I've been prescribed many different painkillers but after suffering with the side effects, I'm reluctant to take them until absolutely necessary. All lotions and potions have made little difference. I've tried eveything - deep tissue massage, acupuncture, chiro, physio pod massage machine, all the anti-inflammatory diet advice, and the Backpod (which gives me relief, but hasn't cured me ... yet!). Next week I'm giving Osteopathy a go!

Anyone who has Costochondritis will know that it is a life changing condition and I feel that only those that have it fully understand. Luckily I have a very understanding husband who has been superb during this whole nightmare, but even he is at a loss to understand, though is very supportive. It doesn't help that prior to this I was a fit and active person, always 'on the go' which is why it seems to have hit me so hard. It has completely floored me. I wake up tired and most things are an effort. Pain makes you so tired. Anyway, that's my rant over!

So what can be done? What's helped me lately is for about the last month, everyday I have set myself a routine which I've put together from advice given on various You Tube videos, and for me it seems to be giving me a glimmer of hope that I will get better eventually. I can now moveall my body and breath without whincing, I would say I have fully mobility again now, however, pain eventually comes after movement, either a few hours later or the next day. Here's my routine which I have done daily for at least a month without fail:

(These 4 stretches are for 30 seconds each side, done gently and slowly, first to the R then to L)

- turn head to look along shoulder

- ear to shoulder

- 45 degree down head turn.

- hold clasped arms in front at chest height and rotate torso

- stand in doorway, arms holding the sides at 90 degrees, and lean forward for 30 secs. Repeat again after moving the arms a few inches up, and repeat until you get to the top of the door frame.

Exercise bike - 30 minutes not holding handlebars

Slow and gentle Yoga-like floor exercises for about an hour stretching all my body parts, not just the chest area, and taking small breaks between.

Yoga deep breathing while lying on the floor for 10 breaths followed by tensing and relaxing each part of my body working up from my toes to my head. Then put on soft music and relax for 15-20mins.

Once or twice a week I use my Backpod just to keep things supple.

Afterwards, I feel so good and I'm gaining more and more mobility. I can even sit in a car better now and have much less pain than I used to; I hardly even notice I have the seat belt on nowadays. I feel that this is due to gently working my core. In the early days I was told to rest and do virtually nothing (not carry a bag, peg washing, raise arms etc). Being desparate to get better I carried out the instructions to the letter, but I feel that this did me no good at all, both mentally and physically. I feel that my muscles really need rebuilding, but can only be done very gently or I'll be back to square one.

So that's what seems to be working for me, and it's keeping my weight constant. The fact that I feel I am working at getting better keeps me going. Of course I still have bad days and low moments, but I am noticing some progress. Trying to keep positive is essential, and avoiding stressful situations.

Please share anything that you find works. I hope my input helps you, even if it's just to know that there are others that feel your pain.

Good luck. Chris.

I feel the same way and after taking all over the counter pain meds my doctor prescribed Nortriptyline. It focuses on nerve pain and it made life better for me. It is actually indicated to treat depression if given at a higher dose. For pain management it works well and am able to do more things now. I have good days and bad days depending on my activities, the pain level definitely went down but still persists some days ok, some days I feel pressure on my lower ribs, bad days are when I have pain front, back, shoulder, arm.