Well then I have a new symptom to add to my costoC journal :-) yeah we've all been down the heart attack path that's why it is so important to get a professional diagnosis do all the tests and make sure there is nothing wrong with our heart! :-) good luck with your chiropractor let us know if it helped
Thank you so much, has you pain eased off any? I've actually joined another discussion board were they do speak of the left arm weakness, different strokes for different folks I guess.
Mine comes and goes but it never really leaves 100% ... also I didn't mean to diminish your suffering I simply never came across the "side weakness" before or perhaps I scrolled right past it because it wasn't something I've been experiencing? In any case I wish you all the best in finding your cure
Have you tried an experienced chiropractor? It's pretty helpful with mine, and same wishes to you, I know yours will eventually go away 100% best of luck to you
I´ve been treated about 6 times by a chiro, because of vacation two different people, I´m not sure it helps for me. After treatment it gets worse..and then a little less. I want it to work, but now I will take a break for 4 weaks and get if it gets worse without the chiro. If you dont mind me asking, have you seen your chiro often?
cheers
When I first seen the chiro my costo flared up badly after the second session it was under control, he also deals with anxiety as well so it's kind of like a win win, I currently see him 3 times a week.
Thank you for your fast reply!
Three times a week, wow. I went weekly, first time 2 times a week. Good for you that it helps! I will see and get back to them if the pain gets worse
cheers
Hi..Just found this sight. So glad I did. Costocondritis really stinks sometimes. I was just wondering..have you been referred to a rheumatologist? I recently was in er for severe chest pain, and er dr ruled out anything cardiac. Even said he didn't believe in costro..DUMM DUMM lol. Anyway, I followed up with my PCP on Tuesday..she said a rheumatologist can work with me and may be able to help me. I was diagnosed back in December. Good Luck to YOU
Hi Paul,
I couldn't agree with you more. I had a 3-month run 2 years ago with chest pain, anxiety, stress, 2 trips to the ER, several doctors and specialists before I was diagnosed with costo. When I asked for the treatment options I was told naproxen, avoid straining and lifting, and rest. Just knowing I wasn't having a heart attack did help. I did some research online and tried a lot of different options. I found increasing my water and cutting caffeine to be the most helpful. This month I began to feel the familiar twinges returning. I reflected on my lifestyle and realized I had slipped back into old habits. Recently a new supervisory responsibility was added to my workload and I needed to be at work over an hour earlier so I had started drinking an extra cup of coffee in the am and having an extra dose in the afternoon when I needed a boost. Clearly, that was a mistake and now I'm in the process of detoxing. Love coffee so after I am pain-free will probably go back to one small cup in the am which worked fine the past 2 pain-free years. Unbelievable how easily a few chemical changes can impact our unique body chemistry. Glad to feel that I am not alone in this struggle. I appreciate everyone in this forum sharing their stories and successes. Blue Skies,M
Hi Kelly1981 and All,
I hadn't heard about it until last year. Am 46, and have gone through a horrible divorce. Before the divorce and during all of the drawn out mayhem, I had terrible pains in my chest, my intercostal muscles, the middle/upper part of my back (this came after I sat up wrongly after a sit-up). I was diagnosed with costo. It never really went away but had lessened somewhat until this past month when my father was diagnosed with advanced cancer. I find I get a shortness of breath feeling when speaking about something stressful, a sharp pain in my sternum and am finding it difficult to sleep at the moment, particularly on my side. I think stress and anxiety definitely contribute to it but I wouldn't be surprised if something is out of sync in my back or ribcage. I also sit behind a PC 8 hours a day but try to walk at lunchtime. In any case, the 2 major flare-ups came with the horrible divorce and now my Dad's prognosis/palliative chemo and dire outlook. Add also to the fact, I had to buy my ex husband out of the home and re-mortgage my home until I retire and I've no child support. My ex also didn't apply for custody or access for our one child...so you can imagine...a real beaut of a guy......I think I need a holiday with lots of sun. Living in Ireland so no chance of that! Just read over my reply.....God I sound miserable.....but I'll bounce back! Best of luck to everyone!
So sorry you are having such a rough time right now! I too have Costo..diagnosed in Dec 2015. It comes and goes, but when stressful times are occurring it definitely gets worse. I see a counselor which helps alot. Teaching me ways to deal with anxiety and stress. Also ice packs help alot and I take Neurontin which really helps the pain. And I have a TENS unit which helps as well. This too wil pass. hang in there. I pray alot and I feel it helps me tremendously!!!!!
Thank you very much! I think counselling is a great idea. I've been thinking of getting some actually. There is only so long you can be the "strong" one in the family. Something usually has to give! Life is very stressful these days.
Hey everyone
So glad i found this forum and found other people suffering from this. Just reading through it is putting me at ease. Going through a bad patch of it at the moment, struggling to sleep most nights in such pain. Afraid to fall asleep thinking im about to have a heart attack. It only ever seems to get bad late at night getting pains in left side of my body mainly. From the chest, down my arm, neck, shoulder blade and even into my jaw. Then i start panicking and getting lightheaded an dizzy.
After 2 trips to the ER, both times i got ecg, chest xray and blood tests, all showed up perfect i got diagnosed with costo. And the doctor told me there was nothing they could do with it just take pain killers but they dont really work. Im 23 and dont want to have to put up with this for rest of my life. But find reading this forum a great help to calm me down when i start panicking from a flare up.
Hi...I too had anxiety first then Costro. I started seeing a psychiatrist and a counselor. Meds definitely help. Also Counselor helps alot. I take Neurontin for pain(Not controlled substance) Prescribed by my dr. Soft ice packs help alot. Eating foods high in inflammatory are helpful as well. I take Motrin eventhough I have colitis. Because Dr said I needed to take somthing to decrease inflammation. How does arnica gel work? I was going to buy some tomorrow. Hope some of this helps. We are all in this together and will get well!!!! 
using soft ice packs help. Going to a counselor helps alot too. I was prescribed Neurontin which helps. and soft strteches helps too. I too have anxiety and take meds which are helping as well. A TENS unit may be helpful for you too. Does the Arnica gel help????? I was going to buy somme tomorrow. I pray alot too. Good luck. We are all in this together and wil get well!!!!
Hi Kelly I know u posted this over a yearbook ago but I'm just reading to try & find help 
I was diagnosed with costo 4 weeks ago. Was told to just take paracetamol and ibuprofen for 3 and it's still no better I need fact it's worse! I have been doing yoga just gentle exercises but from what you said can this be one of the reasons why it's not healing 🤔 How are u feeling now? Do U have any advice as it's getting me down. I too suffer with this anxiety so it's all a vicious circle and I. Can't cope anymore thank you
Hi Kelly I know u posted this over a yearbook ago but I'm just reading to try & find help I was diagnosed with costo 4 weeks ago. Was told to just take paracetamol and ibuprofen for 3 and it's still no better I need fact it's worse! I have been doing yoga just gentle exercises but from what you said can this be one of the reasons why it's not healing 🤔 How are u feeling now? Do U have any advice as it's getting me down. I too suffer with this anxiety so it's all a vicious circle and I. Can't cope anymore thank you
Hello friend, iv been suffering from this for about a year now it comes and goes but now it has sadly developed into full on anxiety and depression for me which sucks, just take it easy and try to
Something relaxing because stress makes it worse I know from experience
Thanks ranger. That's what's worrying me I think it is turning into depression I thought I was losing it but good that I know the cause I just want to get rid of it and nothing is helping !
Yeah I don't wanna spook you but that's what mine turned into, just because of the type/location of the pain it made me anxious like hell because when I took a breath it would be a stabbing pain what felt lik in my heart or whatever so that's triggered the anxiety it doesn't even get that sore anymore tbh it's just this anxiety and depression. I need to get rid of but when I get anxious it definitely makes it sore and I get weird feelings in my chest like tightness or pine and needles type of feeling it's not nice but I'm hoping my new medication can help ( sertraline)