I was diagosed as having costochondritis by my GP when I...

Bones, joints and muscles
1

I was diagosed as having costochondritis by my GP when I first had the symptoms approx 10 years ago. These mainly consisted of tightness in the chest, pain on breathing and a feeling that my chest & lungs were being crushed. It was very painful and lasted 6-8weeks. Since then I had had several "attacks". I have found that I am very prone to drafts (I live in an old drafty house which dosn't help) and also damp weather - which both tend to aggrivate the condition. If I sleep near a window (closed or open) or am out at night and the cold gets to my chest - then that seems to be what bring it on. It can last from 3-5 days to several weeks.

I have found the following things very helpful:- a infra-red massager, wintergreen or deep-heat cream and also painkillers such as diclofenac or codeine when necessary. I try to work on prevention such as having thermal lining on curtains & wrapping up warm, which have been a great help to me. I would maybe suggest that fellow sufferers try to look for any patterns & try to identify any triggers which may offer some clues.

I try to stay active - doing yoga & pilates when I can - although I know how difficult this can be.

As to the stress angle - I think it may be a case of chicken & egg syndrome!! Unfortunately as there are no obvious physical signs, it does makes the condition more difficult for sufferers, partners etc.

More research/info would clearly benefit us all. Stay well & take care. Lyn.

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Hi Lin

I think I have found a fellow sufferer who has the same symptoms as me!

I was diagonsed 8 years ago and I had the initial stabbing pains in my ribs and thought I was going to die!

Since then I get the onset of pains flu like symtoms and extreme tiredness just like you when I am exposed to cold winds, draughts or just breathe in cold air at night! So in that respect we are very similar.

Once I have an episode I tend to have hot and cold sweats too, which are

really embarassing as well as debilatating. What annoys me is that there is no real support groups or information out there to support us! Sometimes I feel I am going mad and is this all in my head but I feel reassured that there are people out there just like me!

Hope you are coping ok and keep your chin up! One day someone will help us!!

H

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hi there you not a lone

about 4 years ago i had a relly bad pain in my chest and was told to go to the hospital. it tuned out to be a chest infection.

but then 2 years ago i had the pain back and they said it was a chest infection back but it didnt go. iv had xrays ecg and blood test but all came back fine. they then said it was costalcondritas also know as tietze syndrome. it inflamation between the rid cage . iv tryed so many pain killers but they didnt help i also was getting panic attacks.i felt like i was being a hindress to the doctors and in the end they sent me to the pain clinic up the hospital and there i had been giving injections to ese the pain.

i have had 4 lots and it helped but the pain was still there.

they have now put me on gabapentin but one at night then increase then over 10 days now im on 300mg x2 3 times a day and they have really helped me a lot . im going out more places now in the car and havent had a panic attack for a while . but the only thing i would say is dont drink with them as they gave a a really bad headach and had it for 4 hours

i have been on amitriplin 100mg at night and now only take 2 when i need them. and it not very often. so i know in my self im getting better

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I was diagnosed with costochondritis back in January and I am still suffering now. I was off work for 6 months, it started as a chest infection, then pleurisy and now costochondritis. I am 37 years old and when I went to the thoracic specialist at the hospital he said it was very uncommon in women my age. I made it back to work in August although the pain has been constant there are some days where it is more bearable, but this last 2 weeks it has been really bad again and I have been off sick.

My work were supportive at first but because there are no physical signs of the illness and they haven't heard of it they are being really difficult now and I find the stress and anxiety makes the pain worse.

I am on trazadone which helps me go off to sleep, but the pain is with me constantly. I know I am better than I was 6 months ago but I get so down and wonder will I ever be well again?? I contacted the British lung foundation and they said this could last for a year and even then some people continue to suffer pain and tenderness.

I have now been referred to the pain clinic and am waiting for an appointment, I just hope they can help as this is really getting me down.

We had to cancel our holiday as the heat makes it worse for me, my partner has been really supportive but it is hard being debilitated and feeling a burden - thank god I found this website.

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Hi there , i've just read all of your posts and am relieved to hear some of your experiences.

I have just returned from the doctors where i have been given the diagnosis of having Tietze's .

I have had pain in my left upper chest for well over a year but ismoked up until 10 weeks ago so stupidly i thought the two were linked.I must admit that this thought made me scared to go to the doctors because of what he might have said.

I'm 37 male and a builder so i consider myself to be fairly fit, but one of the worst symptoms i've had is the feeling of my chest being crushed and my lung capacity being reduced.does anyone else feel like they only have half of their previous lung capacity?

Anyway i'm glad to not be alone in this.

Take care all.

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I have identical symptoms. Left side of chest, left shoulder blade. Here is the best way I can describe the pain: if anyone has ever suffered from pain in your teeth when a bad cold/sinus infection comes along. It's a sort of inflamed feeling but it isn't like muscle pain. It's deeper than that. Anyways, I'm replying here because the most concerning part is the way that it impacts my breathing. I'm particularly concerned about the pressure put on my chest which results in a sort of shortness of breath of sorts. Pain is constant although of varying intensities. Been about 2 years and I've tried everything from anti-inflammatory meds to PT to injections to chiro. I'd love to hear if anyone has had success in managing the pain. Thanks.

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I have suffered from this for about a year. It's manageable. I have found that acupuncture is very helpful in keeping it at bay. I go days without noticing it.

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Greetings,

My costo started in earnest about 6 months ago after having a terrible, lingering cough and then taking a fall while jogging.  It was not intense right away, but became worse and worse over the course of a few weeks.  It got to the point where I could not take a deep breath or stand up completely straight.  The pain was unbearable.   Thankfully, mine is on my right side, so I was not as worried that is was my heart.  It starts in the front right rib cage, radiates to the side and around the back.  All in the rib cage, up my neck and shoulder. 

I found a two-part youtube video posted by a physio from New Zealand, and I have found it extremely helpful and logical.  He suggests starting with a GOOD massage therapist....not a fru-fru touchy feely "massage therapist" and not a torture therapist...more like a muscle doctor; and that is exactly what I did.  I have an excellent muscle doctor/massage therapist schooled in Germany; she is extremely knowledgable and thorough.  After an hour of her loosening up the muscles along my right spine where the ribs attach, then up along the deltoids and trapezious (sp?) muscles and then my neck, I could actually stand up straight for the first time in months.  

It, of course, does not last because you have to STRETCH the muscles so the carliledge and junk stays loose.  The New Zealand dude suggests some stretches, and a gizmo to help with those stretches, but I think the take-away is to do specific stretches after the muscles and junk are loosened up enough...and do it every day. 

I also started very gentle yoga, specifically for the neck, shoulders and chest.  I think the whole practice of GENTLE yoga is extremely helpful, especially if you give yourself permission to be very easy and gentle with yourself.  Start out slowly and in time, the stretches become easier.  However, the act of gently stretching is where the benefits begin.  

In my opinion, an antinflamatory diet is very important as well.  Medication can be a temporary help, but they are really not good for your body.  I believe that stress absolutely contributes to this condition.  Yoga is good for the body and the mind.  

All of these things, with the exception of a GOOD muscle/massage therapist, are free or very inexpensive.  It is worth a try.  Good Luck and I hope you feel better soon.