Costochondritis

[Boomdiay88]

I was diagnosed with costochondritis about a month ago, coincidentally that’s when my health anxiety kicked off. The Dr told me it’s unrelated but I don’t think so. Does anyone else have this? It’s an inflammation of the cartilage that attaches your ribs to the chest wall. It’s so painful, Dr keeps telling me to just rest (easier said than done as I work retail) and take ibuprofen, still I’m in so much pain with it. Right in the middle of my chest and under my right breast. Just wondering if anyone else who may have this may have some words of wisdom or some anecdote that helps you.

[JaneN40]

Hi, it’s the most awful thing. I’ve had this for 6 weeks and it caused so many other symptoms like random arm and leg pains, swollen glands, blurred vision, dizziness, weakness and fatigue. The list goes on. However, it’s only what the doctor thinks and at the back of my mind is a question over whether it’s Costochondritis, cardiac or gastric but I’ve had blood checks, chest X-ray, ecg and all normal. Only other thing I wonder is whether it’s an esophegus ulcer which is causing the chest pain so am booked for an endoscopy. Never had anything like this and am not able to work. 6 weeks ago I was fit and healthy! I also have aching collar bones. As you can see I could run a sweepstake on what it is as my health anxiety is off the Richter scale which is probably making things ten times worse and causing muscle tension. I take ibroprophen and also sleep with my pillows propped up. Hope you get respite from it soon.

[Boomdiay88 in reply to JaneN40]

Those are the exact same worries I have, like I feel I’ve been misdiagnosed just because it’s triggering other symptoms, even waking me at night. Awful!

I hope you get on ok with your endoscopy. I might just have to go back to the Dr and get her to sort me out again.

[JaneN40 in reply to Boomdiay88]

What other symptoms have you experienced? Is the pain central on sternum? Mine all started after a panic attack.

[Boomdiay88 in reply to JaneN40]

I’ve been absolutely fine until beginning of March this year when anxiety attacks started after I injured my hip and now I’m on medication for them. But yes, this started after the panic attacks for me too.

Pain is central and also in and under my right breast, so when I stretch my back or for example, when you have a big stretch in the morning, that strain on my chest sends shooting pain from my chest into my boobs, arms and neck. I get palpitations as well, which I think is due more to the anxiety.

[JaneN40 in reply to Boomdiay88]

Sounds awful. I hope you get better soon x

[Boomdiay88 in reply to JaneN40]

You too! Xx