Healing Costochondritis and Anxiety

Bones, joints and muscles
1

Hi All,

I have been dealing with Costochondritis for nearly 5 months and like all of you, am at my wits end! It came about after I had experienced a very intense 3 month period of extreme anxiety due to lots of little and big stress factors in my life. I had a lot of physical symptoms accompany my anxiety but after seeing a social worker and psychologist for a few months I am feeling much much better and happy : ) and can see why and how I ended up with anxiety. Basically, I didn't know anxiety could manifest physically and it got worse because I began to become more anxious. Thankfully that is under control and all my blood tests and ultrasounds and bp/ heart rate are all normal and I feel more like a new and improved me. But about the time I got a grip on my anxiety the chest pains kicked in. I understand why and how and have been diagnosed with costo by 2 different doctors. I have tried Meloxicam which seemed to work for a week, but that is about it, apple cider vinegar, drinking ginger and chamomile tea, eating lots of vegetables and vitamins and trying not to life thing (which is very hard to avoid) and still I have costochondritis. I am even lathering myself with arnica gel everyday. I wanted to hear from anyone out there that has had costo arise from anxiety and also any tips for healing? I try to walk as much as I can and do soft exercise but am frightened I am aggravating it all. Thanks for any thoughts or advice smile Kelly

2

Also, I forgot to mention- my pain started out like a stabbing feeling in my chest that was very frightening and then since then it is a dull and annoying ache, sometimes a spasm feel. It is in my sternum area, sometimes up to the shoulders, arm, collar bone and predominantly left side. I also get back upper back pain and some pain in specific spots in the back : (

3

There might be a align problem in your spine...I had that My ribcage was rotating fwd on the left side but the mules beyween my shoulder blades were also very tight,especially on the left side. My whole left side was fighting..and this is causing my ligaments attached to the ribs on the left side to get inflamed.

Check your posture. See Osteopath. If only to rule misalignment out

Mitouback

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Thanks so much Mitouback. I suspect that may be a possible reason and have an appointment with my Dr next week and will get organised to see an Osteopath. Even just to rule out a misalignment or deal with the issue if that is the case. Fingers crossed this can be resolved!

5

Hi Kelly

i think sitting for long hours also agrivates the situation to tell you the truth when i am at home there is no time to sit i keep busy all the time and there will be no pain or anything but when i am at work this is where the pain start if i sit behind my pc i can feel pain all over my body even in my stomach try and keep busy without sitting for long believe me there will be no pain

 

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Thank you Margaret. I feel that sitting for too long is not good at all. I get bad back pain when sitting at the computer for too long and am trying to get up and move around a bit. And it does feel better when I am up and moving but sometimes I get pain when lifting objects like a pot of water etc.

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. Sitting for long stretches of the day or driving for hrs on end can male it flare up... .Cut out sugars .Inflammations feed on sugary goods.

Eat anti flammatory foods..Google and find out which they are..

Keep a perfect posture...

Mitouback

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I'm not sure if anxiety caused my costo/tietzes a few weeks ago, but there was certainly a correlation. I just can't remember which came first!

Iike yourself, I had a few stressful things happening all at once, my cat was poorly, work pressure, more financial drains and strains than normal. All that plus the acute onset of shoulder, back and, more worryingly, chest pains was the perfect melting pot for a bit of a meltdown!

I was suffering from frequent and lengthy panic attacks for a couple of weeks but they calmed. I noticed the pain in my chest worsened as the anxiety attacks did. Never having suffered from such attacks before (but have definitely been through far more stressful times), I was very scared... Which made them worse! And so forth...

It got so bad at one point I almost called paramedics as did not know what was happening to me.

A week or so later, after regaining some control I was feeling better and the attacks were fewer and only took a few deep breaths to overcome. That's when I felt a lump just to right of my sternum around 2nd rib. At this point my body skipped all the usual shaking, shallow breathing etc and jumped straight to blackout. Yup, I passed out! Luckily I was sat on the sofa watching TV so didn't hurt myself!

GP diagnosed costochondritis about 3 weeks ago, ibuprofen hasn't really made a difference. She also have me info on psychotherapy which I will look into as soon as possible.

Having reflected a little, I was suffering severe flashback anxiety of some very stressful stuff that's happened in the past few years, some of which bore resemblence to events around the onset of my physical anxiety manifestations. So that could have caused the more extreme reaction this time, perhaps.

I sit all day and use my right arm a lot at work as an illustrator, a job I've only done since late January, this pain began early march. So this could also be a possible cause.

So I know I havnt really answered your questions as the cause of both costo and anx is a bit 'chicken and egg' in my situation, but I'd definitely say I noticed a very tangible link between the two when each was at it's worst, therefore making each other worse still.

Sorry to waffle on

I just want it to go away!!

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I've been treated now 4 times for my misaligned rib cage. Have had 3 sport massages for my shoulder blade area. I'm 9 days pain free.

I urge people w this condition to see either a great chiropractic e lots of experience or an Osteopath who really knows about ribs pushing into sternum issues and misalignments..

Good luck.

Mitouback

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That does sound worth exploring. I certainly wouldn't rule that out as a possible cause for me due to prolonged poor posture at work. I will also look into ways to improve my workspace. Thanks for the advice!

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Thanks Catherine, Margaret and Mitouback,

I understand just how frightening and uncomfortable costo can be. I just want it to be gone and am trying my hardest to not sit too long, to have a perfect posture and get some gentle exercise not to mention trying to stay away from anything that will inflame the area. 

It is beginning to affect my quality of life really as I want to get into more exercise and I find it really taking over all aspects of my life. I have just relocated to the UK from Australia and am in the midst of job searching and setting up a home with my partner. It is really difficult when I can barely hold a pot of water.

I also want this gone before I start employment. I am a fairly active and independent individual and it is very frustrating. 

I think it is also causing me to feel more tired than usual and sometimes a bit dizzy. I don't know if that was the Meloxicam I was on or if it was a knock on effect from my anxiety. I did fall over back in February and think it did spur on the costo to return and make it worse and now it won't go away.

Thanks for listening everyone. It is hard to describe all these feelings and aches to someone who doesn't have it. When I push on certain areas I feel pain and it goes to my back as well. I have a Dr's appointment tomorrow evening and will ask for advice about an osteopath or chiropractor. I refuse to go on anymore anti inflammatory drugs or just rest (which I am doing anyway). I need this gone!!! 

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Dear Kelly..Are you relocating to London when coming back to UK?

Our condition is caused by something. Each cause has an effect.

My costo started last year...or it could even have been 2 years ago. I went to A & E department as I thoufght it was a heartattack. i then couldnt lie on my side at all. I woke 3-5 times per night as each time I turned it was super painful. It came and went. But 5 mths ago I was doing something in the attic at home; lifted and shifted things. Kept rotating my back all the time. Taking things off shelves and putting things in boxes. The day after I was in such pain I could not walk.I couldn't get out of bed unless I rolled out of bed. Each time I lifted the telephone receiver I was in pain. I spoke to my Yoga teacher as we had been practicing a lot of rotation of the torso, I felt as if this was also causing the pain to get worse. I found a Chiroprcatic and he studied my back and shoulders, rib cage and spine. 

From then on, 3 weeks ago now, he has been treating me. His masseur gives me massage on and around my shoulderblades once a week...As you can see from previous post from me; my ribcage was too rotated and my practice of yoga daily made it worse. I was forcing my trunk to rotate..etc etc...Th inflammatin on the ligamnets attached to the ribs were under constant squeeze and push..Even when I wasnt doing anything; becasue of the rotation of the rib cage..If something is always under squeeze and under irritation it WILL stay inflamed. Think of a sore on your knee, if you constantly scratch at a sore it wont heal...I am glad you are going to seek an Osteopath ot Chiropractic. Make sure they are really good and patient and don't fob you off...

If you havent had a chest infection or a huge trtauma to your sternum--you can bet your bottom dollar its all mechanical....

I hope you get better......I am. Just back from my shoulderblade massage thatI have each Wednesday. I am pain free. I eat well and gently strect my chest ( the Fascia)..Take my homeopathic pills. I can bang on my chest..press on my sternum and feel nothing. That hasn't happend for 2 years.

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Hi Mitouback,

I have already arrived in the UK and am in Guildford, Surrey so not too far from London. To be honest, my pain was only extremely painful 2-3 times since it started in December. The first time I felt the pain was the worst and it felt like someone was stabbing me under my left breast on the rib cage. It went away over night and I noticed when I moved the pain eased. This made me reailse it was not a cardiac issue and could either be anxiety related or muscoluoskeletal etc. 

Since then, it has just been an annoying little friend and occupies a lot of my waking thoughts. I even sleep hugging a pillow so not to crush my sternum area. I have had another episode of an extreme ache on my left collar bone. My costo was predominantly left sided but now I do get aches and pains on the right side at times too. 

And I have had to stop pretty much all exercise except walking and even then I have to be gentle. I guess I am always anticipating an ache or pain or nerve hurting etc. But you are right in what you say- if something is under irritation and inflammed it will stay that way until it has been fixed. 

I have contacted a chiropractor here in Guildford and have asked if they think it is worth me coming in for a visit. He gets wonderful reviews on the internet so fingers crossed and hopefully my GP will be able to assist too tomorrow night. I am not a fan of swallowing tablets just for the sake of it and feel that it could be mechanical that perhaps also started a flare of costo.

Can I ask- what homeopathic pills do you take? I am so happy to hear you have been pain free for sometime and are feeling well : )

14

Hi Kelly..

Super news..I hope your Osteopath is great. Sounds iike you found a good guy.

I went to the homeopathic pharmacy in Duke Street W1 London and told them about my costo. They asked a few questions: Like;-- Is it a stabbing pain? Is it better when you move around? How about when  you sit still? Etc etc. Then they mixed something up and I take it 4 times a day. 2 little pills. First day I took them every 2 hrs. Now 4X day.

I'm not a fan of medications, painkillers or sleeping pills. I try, if I can, to go the Homeopathinc route.

What job do you do, if you dont mind me asking?

Last night I slept on my side for the first time in I think 18 mths..It was so wonderful...

Im pain free today as well ---Day 10.

Im continuing my massage as my shoulderblade was so knotted up and in a weird place. I have a back massage by this wonderful sport masseur, once/wk.

Here are some details for you:

Nelsons Homeoptahic Pharmacy----87 Duke Street, London W1K 5PQ

020 7629 3118

I think maybe you can ring them and explain your symptoms and they can maybe post the pills to you..Try!!!

Mitouback

 

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Hi Mitouback,

Thanks for the advice and details for the Homeopathic Pharmacy in London. I will heading to London a couple times next week so will be sure to visit the pharmacy.

Great news to hear you were able to sleep on your side for the first time in 18 months! And congratulations of 10 days of pain free too!

My job environment in Australia was working in Tourism Operations in an office environment so I did sit at a desk from 9-5 during the week. I had sat on a horrible chair and my posture has not been the best so I know that these would be factors playing into the state I am in now.

However, over the last few months despite how I am feeling and the pain I have really taken extra care and attention to my posture, tried to relax all my muscles and do more gentle exercise. I love swimming and and am so upset I can't do it at the moment. My doctors in Australia said it wouldn't hurt to do some light swimming but I have just been too afraid that it will aggravate the pain and issue.

So hopefully my GP tonight and the Chiropractor tomorrow can help. I refuse to be told it will go away on it's own. I can't work properly and am actively in the process of securing employment. I don't want this condition to affect my career.

Thanks for all your advice!

Kelly

16

Agree with this. I have costocondritis type pains also, and due to prolonged anxiety and PTSD and an occasion when I was hit by a car as a pedestrian, I ended up with extremely tense in my musclature which thus caused pins and needles, spasms and general aches and pains. I also have hyper joint mobility which exacerbates everything. It thus makes sense that my skeleton may be out of alignment. 

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EMDR (Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing) is very good for severe flashback anxiety. It works well in Combat Stress cases too. It helps you process visual memories that have become stuck and have not been tucked away in long term memory stores. 

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Hi Mitouback,

How is your therapy coming along & are you still pain free? Hope you aee feeling better : )

I went to a chiropractor here in Guildford almost 2 weeks ago & he did a full examination. My back & posture need some work & he has dealth with costo before and believes it is all connected and once my back issues are sorted, the costo should resolve. Have had two treatment seasions with him already & having another 2 this week. Have noticed a bit of a difference but today the pain is back but haven't seen the chiropractor since last Friday and was sitting still a lot the last few days. Am just trying to do everytbing he says, gentle exercise and look after myself. Feeling a bit down about it all today & very much fed up. Thanks for your advice and hoping your still pain free!

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I am now totally pain free. I am still going to my Osteopath and my masseur; now down to once / month as maintenance

Good posture is paramount. I have now stopped my Homeopathic pills. 

I cant beleive that after 2 years of pain, I have no issues any longer.

Maybe it will return? I really dont know. I will be vigilant with my exercises and if need be, I restart my homeopathic pills again. All good this end. It might take time....Did you have a rotated spine or?? What did the Osteopath say that he will adjust for you ?

20

Hi mitouback,

Just wondering if i could grab the name of the osteopath and masseur you use in London? I've just been diagnosed with costo but have suffered from neck and back pain since i can remember. Im just a little overwhelmed where to start - Chiro, physio, osteo, acupuncture... its all so confussing but i need to do something!

Thanks!