Advice on Costrocondritus

[goldfish10]

I had myocarditis 10 months ago. Now the specialists are happy with my heart but it has left me with sharp stabbing chest pains called costrocondritus it's also left me with: left arm pain and weakness, left neck pain, left shoulder and back pain. Also some left leg problems. There are some rights sided chest pains too. I also have problems with fine finger movements, tingely fingers on left hand and maybe consentration.

These are all worse when I am tired, use my left arm, lift things, turn my body or head, seat belt on my chest, drive, reach for things, sit on hard chairs, sit or lay with pressure through left shoulder and sometimes walking. The more I do the worse chest pains are.

The pains got better when I didn't use my left arm but now it's stronger I naturally move it more, resulting in much worse chest pains.

Drs just advice don't do things that cause the pain and ibuprofen tablets or gel.

If this sounds familiar or you have any advice on how to manage Costrocondritus pain I would love to hear from you.

[marypw]

Yes, I have costochondritis - a nice little friend of my lupus, which causes lots of aches and pains. I have a leaky mitral valve also, which is why I'm here.

Costo is horrible and it hurts, especially on my left side and my ribs are often very tender to touch. I take ibuprofen 400 mg twice daily and add in paracetamol if necessary. I find keeping warm helps and gentle stretching (Pilates type exercises). I also do Tai Chi, which helps, by using core muscles rather than shoulders or arms to lift things etc.

A trip to a sympathetic physio might help with your various issues. NHS physios are pretty good and will look at you holistically, but you might need to wait a bit.

Hope that helps.

[Qualipop]

Costochondritis is inflammation of the ligaments/ tendons that fasten your ribs to your breastbone. People with fibromyalgia get it often. I use an anti inflammatory gel like feldene or Movelat. When I first got it, I thought it was a hear attack but a rheumatologist told me to press on it. If it hurts when you press it's muscular not heart. Not sure if that's true but its' what I was told

[Zena166]

Hi. I too have costochondritis. It started last October. My GP touched a spot on my chest and I am ashamed to say I squealed out loud! ( I think the whole waiting room heard me!). I cannot take anti inflammatory drugs so I was prescribed codeine in order to help to breathe deeply to prevent me getting pneumonia. Since then the very acute phase has improved but I have a frozen shoulder. Discomfort in my arms and still get chest and thoracic back pain. Some areas are still tender to touch. If I do too much then the pain gets worse so I use heat compresses as well as always sitting with my upper back supported and that helps. I am doing exercises to improve my shoulder. My GP says it improves over time and it has it’s just not totally better. I suspect some pain or discomfort will always be there but I can manage it now. I hope you find relief and are able to manage it. Maybe ask to see a physiotherapist they may help?

Take care. Zena x

[Zena166]

Yes sometimes the pain is at the front of the chest on the sternum then in between my shoulder blades. Sometimes individual ribs. Of course at times I wasn’t sure if it was heart so there were a couple of trips to A&E. Especially when my left arm was dragging. It’s inhibited me from doing stuff some days but I just keep pushing forward and rest if it’s too much. It is much better than it was so hopefully it will continue to improve.

[Zena166]

Sorry reply to you is below!

[Halfacup]

This all sounds so familiar, I had a heart attack a few years back had two stents fitted so any chest pain always puts me in a panic. All the aches and pains you mention I have too, have been to A and E a couple of times and am currently waiting to see a cardiology specialist to rule out any problem with my stents, but doctors seem to think it’s costrocondritis.

Unfortunately I still work full time so I’m struggling to cope and this is now dragging me down most days I have no appetite, I don’t want to get out of bed (as this is the only place I’m pain free) and I have no motivation to do anything. This has now been going on for a few months spent two weeks more or less in bed and felt so much better then went back to work (tried not to do any thing strenuous no lifting etc but after 4 days back to same feeling aches pains and oh so tired.

So unfortunately I can’t offer you any advice but just wanted you to know your not alone (I found it a comfort reading your message just knowing my aches and pains were not in my head as I was beginning to think).

[Thatwoman]

I have costochondritis too. Mine started after an EP study where the wires accidentally perforated my heart leaving me with pericarditis. When that went the pain remained and I was diagnosed with costo. My consultant referred me to the refractory angina clinic, where they have tried me on various medications. After a lot of trial and error we settled on a synthetic opioid called Tapentadol. It transformed my life! Within a month of starting it Iwas able to walk further and faster without getting breathless. Unfortunately the effects lessen over time, so I feel I will have to come off it. The clinic have suggested a ganglion nerve block may be effective. So there is hope. I would suggest you ask your GP for a referral to a pain clinic.