I'm so glad to have found this group, because I thought I was the only one. Most people don't understand the illness. This is killing me. The pain is unbearable. I was diagnosed with costochondritis 7 months ago. They gave me steroids and a few pain killers. 1 week of relief is all I got. It hurts all the time. My symptoms include: pain in the chest, back, neck, shoulders and arms. Sometimes it hurts to breathe, but I believe this is from coughing so much. I'm irritable and have lots of anxiety. I can't sleep, spend time with family or focus like I use to over this. It is terrible. I eat Ibuprophen like it's candy. I'm trying the Omega-3...so far nothing. Anymore suggestions? I have always lived an active life but now it is a good day to take a walk. Help Me...it hurts so bad and is ruining my quality of life.
Feel so sorry for you. I have been diagnosed with this recently but i also have Fibromyalgia too. I'm 43 and been fit and healthy until just after the birth of my second son when I was 37. I had a bulged disc in my lower spine and since then just lots of ongoing pain. I'm fed up going to the doctors because they have no answer other than its all over pain. Sometimes I wonder what if it's not just Fibromyalgia or Costo 😡
My wife has fibromyalaga, and she believes ther is a connection between the Fibro and Costro. I've noticed that there seems to be pressure points, but the pain is all over. I think the pressure points are where the pain stems from. I'l study more up on this and let you know.
Hi Tonyusa,
I was in a car collision and got seatbelt injuries, including costochondritis in January 2015. I have struggled to find a way to lie down comfortably, to bend or twist comfortably, to lift, push, pull anything without pain...to sleep all night, because if I roll over it is excruciating. Riding in the car with a seatbelt on just is so uncomfortable and painful. I see that lots of people here suggest heat. I tried that. KNow what is the ONLY thing that has helped significantly? CRYOTHERAPY. I know. It sounds outlandish, but it works. I manage my pain with cryotherapy. It's very strange at first, but now my body urges me to go. It takes 3 minutes - regularly - and it's not harmful to your body whatsoever, like steriods, eating Advil four at a time, which I was, and resigning to hurt. I am not saying it took EVERYTHING away, because it didn't, but I can manage the pain if I go at least 4 times per week. You won't notice much after the first or second sessions, but after the third session, you will not believe how much better you feel.
Thank you for the suggestion Peggy. I have heard a lot of on here say that cold is better than warm. The problem is that the Costo already makes me feel like I'm chilling to the bone. But, I am willing to try anything.