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New to costochrondritis help!

Posted , 7 users are following.

lisa33471
lisa33471

Hi there. I have been diagnosed with costochrondritis. It became apparent over the last week or two with severe breast pain (or so I thought) had ultrasound as thought was something to do with breast when in fact it was ribs! Since then I've had aching pain around ribs and back but chest pain worse. I'm really scared as been coughing a little and wheezing. Are these typical symptoms of the condition. I'm scared it could lead to pneumonia sad I'm on paracetamol x4 day and ibuprofen x3

0 likes, 12 replies

12 Replies

  • mawmawof3
    mawmawof3 lisa33471

    Posted

    I don't think it can lead to pneumonia but I know it hurts to cough at times and breath. If you have a cold and it gets in your chest I would go to Dr again. My daughter was 15 diagnosed with Costco and pluresy. Then also had histoplasmosis which was a long process of antibiotics for months. Hopefully it's not anything like that. Go to your Dr again if you get new symptoms.Good luck and hope you feel better soon

    • lisa33471
      lisa33471 mawmawof3

      Posted

      Ah thanks for that. It's only occasionally cough and wheezing on and off but I worry as thinking back with symptoms (although mild at the time) i think I've had this for some time 🙀 It's only now that it's affected my chest with the pain that I found out. It's kind of a relief in a way but it still sucks sad I hope ur daughter is well and hasn't had any further episodes smile

  • Ranger507
    Ranger507 lisa33471

    Posted

    Had this for almost a year it is an absolute pain! No physical activity definitely, my doctor prescribed me stronger anti inflammatorys to help

    It go away faster but it still taking its time lol I think because it's cartilage that's damaged it takes longer to go away or something, use ice packs they help a lot I found but most important is rest and no stress because believe it or not stress makes costochondritis worse somehow lol hope you are doing better

    • lisa33471
      lisa33471 Ranger507

      Posted

      Oh no how come u have had it for so long, haven't the doctors been able to treat it properly 🤔 One of the consultants st work told me if no better in 6 weeks that he could give me an injection although I don't want it. I have a prescription for amitriptylene to try first to help relax the muscles. Can't believe I've had this for so long but the wheezing does bother me and don't want it to turn into anything else sad

    • grace28398
      grace28398 lisa33471

      Posted

      Hi Lisa,

      I too have costro since Dec 2015. The good news is its not anything serious! smile   Its just painful, and can come and go. I have a TENS Unit which definitely helps. I also use soft ice packs alot. I take Neurontin which helps tremendously! I didnt want to take motrin for months and months(Not good for your liver). I'm finally going to a rheumatologist in 2 weeks. Supposedly, they are the one specialist that can really help this condition. You are not alone. We will all beat this!!!  Good Luck!!!!  Hope this helps you.

    • lisa33471
      lisa33471 grace28398

      Posted

      Hi grace I hope u don't mind me messaging u but I've been taking ibuprofen and paracetamol for 2 weeks now and I'm still getting pain sad am I just being too impatient? I'm looking into having acupuncture but not sure what to take for the pain. I just wondered whether it's ever caused u problems with breathing? I don't know whether it's that or I suffer with anxiety sad my chest and ribs really sore atm

  • Soozii
    Soozii lisa33471

    Posted

    Hi, I know your post was a very long time ago but did you manage to find out about the wheezing? I was diagnosed a couple weeks ago and I too am wondering if the occasional wheezy chest is to do with the condition??? Hope you're healed and better now?

    • lisa33471
      lisa33471 Soozii

      Posted

      Hi Sooz

      no to be honest i am still none the wiser 😦 I have been suffering on/off for 3 years with this condition, but feel its been with me pretty much every other day now

      Although nothing has been confirmed I feel that wheezing could be part and parcel of costo as I have read it hurts some ppl to breathe in with it hence affecting the respiratory system, altho i dont have that pain, so it could be possible

      i suffer with reflux too so wondering whether it could be a combination?

      I hope you feel better soon, but in the meantime I can share what I have tried to ease the symptoms;

      turmeric capsules (good for inflammation)

      Advised by consultant to take paracetamol with ibuprofen for 3 weeks

      Herbal tea ~ ginger, chamomile

      Ibuprofen gel to apply to painful area

      Chest exercises

      Hope this helps 😃

    • Soozii
      Soozii lisa33471

      Posted

      Hi, thankyou so much for your reply, oh wow poor you, 3 years!!! yes I read that some people take turmeric in hot water or turmeric capsules. I ordered a big pack of it to have in hot water then read that it's not wise to take it if you take medication for reflux (which I do) so that's that out the window. I think I just need to keep reading up on it and learning from others who suffer with it. Its driving me mad bcos the area of chest & rib pain changes from day to day although the sternum pain is the worst. I'm hoping it doesn't keep me off work for too long. Has it affected your job?

    • lisa33471
      lisa33471 Soozii

      Posted

      yes other than that I did take amitryptilene for a while but had other side effects altho i am contemplating i taking them again

      its funny how u too suffer with reflux which is why im confused about the wheezing. IS it costo related or reflux? Have you ever spoke to your doctor about the wheezing?

      It is horrible pain especially in the night when u wake, felt like a heart problem at times 😦

      yes I have had 2 episodes over the years where i have taken 3 weeks off work stress doesnt help either if u suffer with that..

    • Soozii
      Soozii lisa33471

      Posted

      Hi again, yes did tell the doc about the wheezing but he didnt seem interested n was more focused on the rib pain. I have never suffered with stress or anxiety before but all of this pain came on around the time that the Coronavirus started and like thousands of other people it terrifies me so I'm wondering if I do have anxiety and its connected in some way??

    • lisa33471
      lisa33471 Soozii

      Posted

      It sounds to me as tho this may have come on through anxiety as there was no other explanation for mine either. I hadnt pulled anything or had any other injury

      I used to work at the hospital and the pain consultant told me that theres not always a cause of any kind for getting costo, so I dont think it necessarily has to be something u have done to trigger it.

      I think if u can try and find ways of relaxing as i think this is the key, Yoga is a very good form of exercise. Also, drink the herbal teas before bedtime with honey, and always take paracetamol and ibuprofen or use the ibuprofen gel

      There are also door way stretches that u can do to stretch the chestwall. You can find lots of these on youtube 😃

      let me know how it goes

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