Tietze's after pulmonary embolism

Bones, joints and muscles
1

Last summer I went to A&E after experiencing severe chest pain. I was only 25yrs old at the time so was not thinking along the lines of heart attack etc. It felt like my ribs were piercing my lungs but hadn't fallen over or knocked my chest in anyway. I was shocked when the doctors told me I had lots of little clots in my lungs. I still haven't discovered why this happened but was probably caused by bad colitis.

ANYWAY...this chest pain never went away and I am in bed right now suffering. It has been suggested recently that it may be Tietze syndrome. Where I was in pain from the clots, I think my chest area was put under a lot of strain which caused Tietze's.

It has been so FRUSTRATING though, the doctors make me feel like I am a HYPOCHONDRIAC and PARANOID about getting more clots but I am NOT imagining this pain and was so relieved to match my symptoms to other's experiences on here!

As well as the sharp pains, aching etc I feel I have been suffering from anxiety and panic attacks. I hate the tight feeling in my chest and the clostrophobic feeling. Sometimes it really does feel like my time is up.

Does anyone else feel extremly tired all the time and sluggish?

I have been on blood thining drugs for ages which has prevented me from being able to take anything other than parcetemol but now i'm off the warfarin and can start taking NSAIDS...do these actually make a difference and help the inflammation? Its been 8mnths now and was shocked that a lot of you have had this for many yrs. My patience has nearly run out, I JUST WANT TO FEEL GOOD AND NORMAL AGAIN!

I'm also pissed that due to not being able to move much I have gained a stone! (joke).

I have extreme sympathy for all of you and hope it clears up soon.

2

P.S I should probably mention that docs have done more CT Scans to check there is no new clots. I must say having experienced pulmonary embolism pain which i have been told by many docs is one of the worst pains you can experience, Tietze pain (what i am experiencing) is just as painful! Off the scale. But anyone who is experiencing this severe chest pain should definitely have a blood test/scan done to check for clots as i was lucky it was diagnosed quickly.

3

My chest area swells and the tender bits are sometimes raised which I don't think happens in Costochondritis

4

Hi- i have had the same symptoms for more than 5 years and have gone to many doctors and done plenty of research but no answers.

recently i got diagnosed with pe and have had 2 dvts over the last 5 years.

i feel symptoms of stretch in lower right rib cage extending into pressure on chest.

does pe result in tietze?

what medication are you taking?

5

Hey all

I've had tietze for the past 6 months. until recenty it was worsening with each set of extra work/exercise done.

I've got inflamation on both sides of my sternum on multiple ribs, as well as on my lower rear ribs (quite a servere case by all accounts)...

Anyways on to the good stuff

Here are some things that are helping me:

1) *Prescription* Diclofenac sodium 50mg (3 daily) - these seem to help (though I still had an attack/visit to a&e on only these)

In the end I got really pissed off with the pain/snapping so now I take:

2) 500mg l-glutamine (1 daily) *anti-inflamitary*

3) 1000mg glucosamine (2 daily) *help cartilege heal*

4) 1000mg evening prirose oil (3 daily) *anti-inflamitary & helps heal soft tissue*

5) Ginger root tea (when I fancy a cuppa *anti-inflamitary*

6) magnesium (150mg), vitamin d (2.5ug) & calcium (400mg) tablet (2 daily) *helps heal bones*

7) stretches - find a corner and place your hands on each wall at shoulder height, then gently lean forward (to stretch the cartiledge), hold for 15 seconds breathing gently (in through nose, out through mouth).

Then repeat a head height.

*2 sets, one morning, 1 evening*

The difference is enormous!

I still get a tiny bit of popping/snapping, the pain is almost totally gone, and (although I know I'm still not fully healed) I can function again!

I'm still resting, but I feel soooo much better it's not even funny

I hope this helps!

Tom[/b]

6

I also thought I was going mad still I read your story.i have been stuffing  terrible pains in my ribs after having multiple pe's last year in my lungs. My doctor does not under stand about the pain. I am sure she thinks it's all in my mind. It's so bad it wakes you at night and leg pains are also painful do you get leg pains? It's been a frightening experience and unless you have been through it,its difficult to explain to others. Recently my blood pressure gone through the roof go know being treated for that. Did you have any episodes of collapse before they found the blood clots in your lungs?