Costochondritis symptoms...

[Helliwell]

I've just been diagnosed with costochondritis. My chest is painful and sore after a 3 month (on and off) exacerbation. I find that movement triggers it and I sometimes I get a little breathless. I've been walking around today and felt like I had been winded in my chest. Does anyone else experience these symptoms? Do you know how long it takes until the inflammation settles? I am on 200mg of Fostair now, Ventolin, anti-acid tablets and painkillers.

[Saassii]

There's sometimes a viral cause. What is your environment like? Is the air you're breathing clean? Do you have any signs of mold or water damage in the home? Do you use chemicals like air fresheners, perfume, fragranced cleaning products etc? The etiology is often not known, sometimes a trauma, but viral is a heavy suspicion. If you don't have a traumatic event it's got to be from something you've inhaled or are still inhaling. Chemical sensitivity can be severe. Beware of mold, peeling paint, water mark or staining, carpets that are old, have been wet, even to "wash" it. Mold, bacteria, virus are all the same type of microbe size and they all cohabitate together. You can't see virus and bacteria, so if you can see mold imagine how much virus and bacteria are already present considering they're the first responders. If it's not the direct source of your problem, it would most definitely exacerbate it, so really get serious with cleaning up your environment.

[Helliwell in reply to Saassii]

Thanks for your reply. My last chest cold was at the end of Jan, so not too far off. There is some mould in the bathroom that could be aggravating it. My husband is cleaning that up today. The only other thing I can think of is the cat. She has been with us for over 10 years. Is it possible to develop an allergy sensitivity after this long? I did think about requesting an allergy test but I'm not sure whether you can get this through your GP?

[Hidden in reply to Helliwell]

You can get an allergy test through your gp's. They will send you to a hospital to have it done I think

[Helliwell in reply to Hidden]

Thank you! ☺

[Hidden in reply to Helliwell]

Fostair has 6mg's of the blue inhaler in it. I only know this because I was informed by a nurse at my surgery as I am struggling to breath. I would also recommend a spacer for the fostair if you are on a pump one. I wish you all the best of luck with you getting answers you need and stabilising your breathing problems

[Saassii in reply to Helliwell]

Typically allergies to long term pets won't happen, those tend to lessen rather than increase. But mold is a major factor! Definitely have it cleaned up, ensure your husband wears protective clothing, gloves, covers eyes and respiratory protection via a respirator. You shouldn't be home when he does it. Is there any way that there's a leak anywhere or is it surface mold? I'm asking because of the level of cross contamination and how long it's been going on for. While mold spores are in the biofilm they breed and give off mVOCs (microbial volatile organic compounds), those are deadly to human tissue, but once the water leaves and it dries up the spores become aerosolized and that's when the biggest trouble happens as those tiny particles make their way deep into the host. Those types of microbes simulate immediate inflammation and activate mast cells. Mast cells release a cascade of inflammatory mediators including tryptase which acts like a meat tenderizer causing tissue damage. One expects to see "irrational allergies".

You can have RAST testing done to show you about aero-allergens but if you're responding to microbes which it sounds you me that you positively are, those won't show up on RAST. RAST tests are only somewhat helpful, an allergy and immunologist will perform comprehensive testing, my understanding is that GPs can only access a small number of those tests. Even once you obtain results the instruction is literally AVOIDANCE. That's all a Dr, specialist, anyone can tell you that helps. So don't worry to run to too many Drs, look more for the root cause. You're describing a typical pattern in what scientists are calling CIRS (Chronic Inflammatory response syndrome) or the other outcome which is similar but affects the immune system slightly differently and is largely genetically related in the target organs and systems, which is called MCAS or mast cell activation syndrome.

Your breathing is what's the primary target and lung tissue. I think the problem is environmental. Avoidance is the answer.

If you have carpets they'd need to come out. If wall paper, take it down and repaint but don't be there for the chemical exposure. If the microbes have affected you they also cause cynical sensitivities and they just make inflammation worse and worsen your overall condition.

God's speed coping xxx

[Helliwell in reply to Saassii]

Thank you for your reply. You have provided some really interesting and practical insight. I never thought things like this could have such an impact on asthma! The mould has been removed and a clean out has started. Hopefully this will make a difference 🙏 x

[Spikedog66]

Can I ask how long you have been on fostair? I had awful side effects on this. one being chostocondritis. back to seretide, no pain now.😊

[Helliwell in reply to Spikedog66]

That is interesting. I used to take

Fostair 100/6 twice a day but over the winter that has been increasing and I'm now on 200/6 4 times a day plus the Ventolin. It's still not under control so I'm heading back to the GP tomorrow to see if there is an alternative plus looking at montelukast I've never tried Seretide before...

[Spikedog66 in reply to Helliwell]

Nice recommendations!!!!!!! want everyone on fostair ( cheaper more effective they say), for me it was a no go but was on it nearly a year so did give it a good try. Thought I was going to die felt so unwell. Had lots of side effects but chostocondritis was just one of them, did think I was having a heart attack at one point. Was given reflux meds plus codeine but didn't help either only stopping fostair did the trick. Have a chat with your gp and see what they say, fostair does work for some. It's trial and error for us unfortunately but plod on and persist is the only advice I can give, you know your body and how you feel no one else does. Seretide may be for you too.😊

[Helliwell in reply to Spikedog66]

I have had exactly the same journey. I've been rushed into A&E with suspected heart attacks numerous times and had a gastroscopy plus reflux meds. I'm on antihistamines now. The only consistent thing throughout this is fostair. It did work for me in the beginning though. I'm booked in for another emergency appointment today and I'll ask for an alternative - it's the only thing I haven't tried! I know it might not work for me but how long did it take to calm down after taking the Seretide?

[Spikedog66 in reply to Helliwell]

A few days two puffs twice a day used this and was stable for years along with salbutamol. Worked a busy job and had no issues, was breathless for a few weeks and they decided to change to fostair. Ok at first but after several weeks side effects started, persevered until I couldn't any longer. Some of the breathlessness was due to vit b12 deficiency which I have injections 3 monthly. I do hope they have checked all your bloods too. Sometimes everything boils down to our chests and other parts of us are forgotten. Write a list of how you feel don't be afraid to ask. I changed consultant to eventually get sorted. Good luck tomorrow 😊

[Helliwell in reply to Spikedog66]

Thanks. I went to see a different GP today and he's given me Aloflute (same as Seretide) and can already feel the difference (much gentler). I just hope it holds 🤞 He also booked a spirometry test tomorrow at the surgery. I've been on the waiting list for this at the hospital since last year! Amazing what a change of GP does.

[Spikedog66 in reply to Helliwell]

Sorry thought your appointment was tomorrow my mistake. Yes that seems a more positive step forward, see what your spirometry reads and what they decide from that but mine can go up and down like a peak flow depending on weather if I have cold etc. Fingers crossed only better from now, keep seeing this gp he seems helpful lots of smileys😊😊😊😊😊let me know how you do.

[Helliwell in reply to Spikedog66]

It was tomorrow, I got worse this afternoon and decided to call for an emergency. Better that than A&E I thought. Definitely cold weather etc can mess it up! Thanks for your help, I'll let you know

[Spikedog66 in reply to Helliwell]

😊