Costochondeitis pain and aches

Bones, joints and muscles
1

Hello 

A little history I have been diagnosed with Costco and fybro but seem to have had the Costi first then funding just recently told there is a link ... I get pain and aches all over upper back shoulders chest stir in ribs I have had several ecg and blood work and echo to rule out heart condition. Ans thankfully my heart is good but I am at my wits end on how to deal with this I have had it on and off for years and yes I have noticed a pattern between oct - may I seem to have more flare ups the cold does it to me may-sept less frequent but still have them I cannot take anti- inflammatory so I take Tylenol and use a hot water bottle message at times but I am tired as this has taken my quality of life from me anyone have this treated and gone away 

2

I get how you are feeling! I seem to be having more frequent attacks of costo that last longer! I do have fibro also. I'm 66 and I wonder if my doctor just calls this costo because he doesn't

 know what else to say!The symptoms ARE weird, for sure. When the pain stops, I feel fine and forget i was ever in pain, then kabam, here I go again! My attacks have all begun when I am in a sitting position, today I was actually relaxing in a recliner with a heating pad on my shoulder blade when i felt it begin! I do stay pretty sore with fibro and my shoulder blade muscle was sore. It started moving into my breasts and armpits, and top of rib cage then back to shoulder blades, and round the mulberry bush we go!! It does not stay in one place, but won't leave until it is ready. I had gone for almost three weeks with no trouble, then I took a pill that didn't feel like it dissolved and set off an attack. A week later another one for no reason, lasted four days. Now it's been a week and here we are again. I am always able (so far) to keep moving, and at night, once I get to sleep it does not bother me!! But will return after I am up awhile. Does anyone else have costo that moves all around?? Never goes below my bra line. it's driving me nuts!! EKG, chest exrays bloodwork all came back fine. I haven't seen anyone else post about the pain stopping when they sleep, or having it move around. Am I the only one? My travelling pain.lol while I am writing this it left my shoulder blades and has moved into my breasts again. Someone tell me I am not totally bonkers!!

3

Hi.  sorry i can't say anything that would be of any help, just want to express sympathy and to express frustration that i recently came down with something my doctor says is costo chondritis, but i'm not sure it is, and i was hoping to find online discussions where other more experienced people could help me to find out, but i can't. All i've found so far have been forums or discussions were nobody has posted in years, and those 3ith more recent posts like this one, people will introduce themselves and ask questions, and nobody replies.  So, i'm replying but i don't know much.  i will write a separate post to introduce myself an my pain situation, but i do want to say to Pamie, my pain has not awakened me during sleep. i do wake up in the middle of the night, go pee, and then go back to sleep, but since i've had this, for the past 4 weeks or so, sometimes when i get up to pee, the moving is excruciating. My doctor prescribed hydrocodone, he knows i won't take it very much, and i have taken it on average about once every 3 days since i got the prescription a couple of weeks ago, but do need it sometimes.  So much pain.  i am disabled. i was not disabled and suddenly i am. Anyway, but i did want to say that i don't feel it while i'm sleeping and it doesn't wake me up.   unlike you Pamie, mine does not move around, it's very localized. It's not typical of costo, i don't think, but i don't really know and wish i could find a group of people who are actively discussing it. i tried about a week ago and not being able to just worsened my depressed feelings.  

4

Hi Teri,

Had it for years? You poor thing. I'm approaching the one year mark and have to say that it's probably been the worst year of my life (I'm 58). The pain is so unpredictable, and at times excruciating, isn't it? Like you say, it shifts about; when you try to explain to those who don't know you it appears that you're making things up. My pains are in exactly the same places as yours plus the top of my abdomen.

In the beginning not knowing what it was was so nerve wracking and I think that my anxiety added to the pain. Once I had a diagnosis (4 months in) I felt a tiny bit better because it enabled me to research into what could be done in order to recover.

You mentioned that the symptoms are worse for you between Oct - May. Just a thought, but maybe you get out and about less during this time. I do know that some sufferers say cold affects them, but so far, luckily that isn't the case for me. It was 0 degrees here yesterday and my pains were no worse or better.

Over the last few weeks, as well as daily walks x 2 for at least 30 mins and using my Backpod I have been doing doorway stretches, see YouTube. I stand with my arms holding either side of the doorway and GENTLY and SLOWLY lean forward - not very far. I reposition my arms up the doorway and repeat. Slackening off the chest area in this way seems to be helping.

I do feel that I am getting better when I think of how I was a year ago because the intensity of the pain has lessened, but unfortunately it still dictates my life at the moment. Outings are virtually impossible to arrange as I never know if I'm going to be well enough from one minute to the next. Sitting and driving are particularly uncomfortable, but getting a little more tolerable as the months pass by. I have also started to feel uncomfortable in crowded situations for fear that I could get knocked. Any of this ring a bell?

I've recently started painting purely for my own pleasure. I'm no artist - abstracts are easy! However, surprisingly when I'm absorbed in what I'm doing the pain diminishes. It's ideal, no lifting or big stretches involved. No great expense ... just a few tubes of cheap acrylics and pre-stretched canvases. I think the processes involved trick my brain away from sending pain signals. Sounds bonkers? Well it works for me. I just have to remember not to remain in the same position for more than 30mins and to get up and move about frequently. I'm taking far fewer painkillers, just occasional paracetamol, ibroprofen and when really bad prescription co-codamol. Do you do anything as a distraction?

Like you, I'd like to hear from people who have fully recovered, or at least nearly there and how long it took. I'd also like to know whether it gradually disappeared or whether they just woke one morning and .... hey presto, it had disappeared. Wouldn't that be great!

Take care, CC.

5

Hi there sorry for your pain costi can be localized or in different places at least that is what I have found I am no Dr but speak from experience really it is suppose to go away I am still waiting hope you feel better 

6

hi i have had costo for 5 long years, pains in my rib cage under my bust then in my back and shoulders after so many tests all clear they just dish out pain killers that upset my stomach so i had a chat with chiropractor and he assured me he could help, after 3 visits the pain is just a little discomfort, i am able to wear a bra again and feel so much better, it cost me £120 but worth every penny

7

Hi, thanks for this information. What did the chiropractor do? Was the problem in your spine? I feel that there could be something not OK with my spine on the left hand side, as I have intermittent pain there and I feel it could be the cause of pain on my front left rib cage.

I'm very pleased for you - 5 years is such a long time to have had to deal with Costo.

8

Hi mine has a lot to do with the cold as I also suffer from fybro yes long time I have been battling it again winter months are worse I do distract myself by reading or going out cleaning organizing but have yet to find a Dr or person who has completely healed .. something daily not a great feeling and it has affected my quality of life but like I said I use hot water bottle mesage pillow in back light stretches deep breathing but I am not as active hope you find some relief soon 

9

I'm new on this forum as well.  I've had many tests, including blood work, chest X-rays, ekg and a few more. I have pain in my lower left rib cage in the front and back. At times a tightness in my sternum area.  I'm a hairdresser and all I can assume is this is occupational hazard. Needless to say my anxiety is non stop now. It helps to read these posts and know that I'm. It alone

10

I am considering a chiropractor as well. Main issue is finances as it is for so many retired people! Medicare will not pay for the initial visit to any specialist, or for any exrays the specialist might order!! My monthly pension is laughable! I do, however have a credit card. so glad to hear it helped you!

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Thank you! Well, it does go away, it just doesn't go far! lol I will go as long as a couple weeks sometimes, and feel a sneaky little knife in my shoulder blade or under breast, even armpit and it's not long before I'm having an attack!Thanks for commenting!

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Thanks for posting! Yes, some posts are from quite some time ago. I am unlucky enough to be living where the opiates are being stopped for chronic pain patients. I had hydrocodone, also, the lowest dose made. I had taken it for five or six years, twice a day. Last January the doctor increased my dose to three a day. When I went for six month check up, he informed me that he was taking all his opiate patients off the medicine. I was pretty stunned, to say the least. He had me take two a day for July which wasn't too bad, then one a day for August, and I started feeling pretty rough. Took the last one on Aug. 25th. All my fibro pain came zooming back and brought more with it. I had forgotten the wretched half awake half asleep nights that fibro causes. I was, however already having these weird attacks before stopping the meds. I appreciate reading the posts of others. Thanks again!

13

hi yes he massaged my back and had me cross my arms across my chest then roll on my side and he sort of fell on me haha it didnt hurt but felt a crack, he did this both sides, he manipulated my shoulders and neck and didnt touch my front at all but the pain has nearly dissapeared from my back and under my bust is so much easier, im having my last go in 2 weeks and hope its all gone for good as for 5 years ive struggled on many pain killers etc etc, am unable to drive any distance as sitting in my car triggers it, feel so much better and is worth the cost, my family will get cheaper pressys this year!!

14

Thanks for this information. The thought of having Chiro is quite scary in case the pain worsens. However, I can understand that after you'd had pain for 5 years I suppose you felt that you had nothing to lose.

I'm sure your family would consider having you back to normal the best Xmas present ever!

I hope your last session goes well. Please let me know how you get on.

Best regards,

CC.

15

Wonderful to hear you are feeling so much better! I am definitely considering it. My son has a DO who does manipulations and really helps him! He has owned and operated a tattoo shop for 20 years. Remaining at the same angle for lengthy pieces nearly kills his back and ribs. He will always be my baby, of course, but he is 40 now with a mortgage, wife and three kids! As well as listening to me whine!He has been to the point where he has had to leave his car parked and be brought home. This doctor maneuvers the ribs back in place. I am encouraged that you have been helped!

16

Here I am again, people!   I had six wonderful weeks relatively pain free during the holidays! I did baking and felt 20 years younger! I was so happy! Then a few days ago my son took me to Walmart as my car has died. When I got home I was tired and felt a sneaky little backache between my shoulder blades. In no time it was in my breasts, ribs, upper stomach, like a revolving door! Hasn't been this bad for ages, if ever. I notice that it's worse when I sit, but one can't stand all the time!! When I go to bed it usually eases enough that I can sleep. Does anyone else notice that the attacks start fairly abruptly and when they stop it's also abruptly?? Makes me wonder if a nerve is being pressed? Anyway, hope you are doing well and many thanks for listening to this whiny old lady!