Costochronditis and Fibromyalgia

Does anyone suffer from the above? I had a stroke in Nov 2020 and despite some complications from this, recovery has been slow. In 2021 I started experencing severe and sharp chest pain and pain under my breast and radiating through to my shoulder blades. Having attended A&E on advice of the NHS doctor's ruled out a heart attack and suggested it might be costochronditis (also called Devils Grip). I was advised to rest and continue with pain relief. Early 2022 I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia as I was in so much pain all over my body and my mobility started to decline further. I contracted COVID in around March last year which lasted several months with a nasty cough, loss of voice and problems with swallowing. I then had a further bout of costochronditis which eventually cleared up through complete rest. I later had specialised tests and ultrasounds on my heart which ruled out any valve leaks or problems.

I contracted COVID again two months ago and although it was very mild compared to the first episode I had a fibromyalgia flare up and it feels like the costochronditis has returned. It won't go away and is very disabling. Sadly my GP is as helpful as a chocolate fireguard (we have one GP in a rural village) that I try not to see him since he disregards anything you say and I've been avoiding going to A&E because they are maxed out and the hospital is rife with COVID and the likelihood is that they would just offer pain relief as there appears to be no specific treatment for this. Corticosteroids is mentioned but I am limited to what I can take due to the stroke.

Has anyone suffered with this, have you found anything that helps with the pain or flare ups? I can't take anti inflammatory meds due to being on blood thinners so I am prescribed Lidocaine patches and tramadol for pain relief for diabetic neuropathy, post stroke pain and the fibromyalgia. I was given oramorph once which helped slightly but I get very groggy and nauseous from opioids plus I don't like taking them. 50mg of tramadol is generally the maximum I can take without having too many side effects.

I've tried things like tigerbalm, hot water bottles, electric blanket, tens machine and so on but get none or short term relief from them.

I wonder if costochonditis is triggered by fibromyalgia or COVID? There's not much about it online.

Sorry for the long essay but I'm quite frustrated.🙄

[Dizzytwo]

Hi there, have you tried using the search box. A great many people suffer with costochondritis. It is a very painful thing thats for sure.I found this in the search box you may find the replies helpful xx

healthunlocked.com/fibromya...

[Hidden in reply to Dizzytwo]

Hi, thank you will do.x

[Gigiruth]

Hi Croftgirl75I have the same. Have been to A&E for heart check 3 times it is so painful.

I know what it is but darent take a chance as pain awful. GP usually sends me.

I have been using a physio dvd which may have been helping. For me seems to link with shoulder,mid back pain.

Dvd I use is APPI Pilates for Hypermobility. Glenn Withers.

Not a connected condition but I have found it helps to keep moving.

At first thought dvd made little difference as so gentle but it really helps. Used for a month beforexI saw a change.

Maybe you could as for physio advice.

I hope you get some relief.

FM hug

Gigi

[Hidden in reply to Gigiruth]

Hi Gigi thank you will look into that.x

[moo196]

my osteopath was really helpful when I had this. Also remembering yogic style of breathing ie from the belly rather than the ribcage.Good luck 🙏

[Hidden in reply to moo196]

Hi moo196 thank you for this, I had been looking into getting alternative treatments.x

[Rainyru]

yes I have fibro , chronic pain syndrome @: years ago I had the same onset as uou thought it was heart but diagnosed with costo unfortunately I still get flares even now some mild some severe ...I just try my best to relax into it and take parecetomol I cant take ibuprofen..If appears its another fibro symptom thag we can get xtake care wish uou all best x

[Hidden in reply to Rainyru]

Hi Rainyru, sorry to hear you have similar symptoms. I find paracetamol does nothing and like you I cannot take ibuprofen or any anti inflammatory. As you say looks like something else we have to deal with. Take care.x

[Rainyru in reply to Hidden]

🌸🌸🌸hope u okay

[Hidden]

Hi mallen123, sorry you have similar its pretty crappy for anyone who experiences pain like this. I find lying down the worst but I tend to sleep better on my left side, whether that is stroke related I'm not sure since my stroke was right sided. I don't have any family up where I live ( I'm in the Scottish Highlands) but my boyfriend is very supportive and loving plus he's training to be a nurse so I'm in good hands. My medication makes me very groggy so I'm loathed to take more but maybe meditation etc is the way forward.x

[Jacksono]

I had costochondritis around age 19 and it lasted for about 6 years. I wasn't diagnosed with fibromyalgia until I was 37, so they may not be linked even though they happen together for many people. I had to learn to sleep on my back and at 44 I still do as it can sometimes become sore.

[Hidden in reply to Jacksono]

Hi Jacksono, I don't know if mine is stroke related since I suffer from post stroke pain and had various weird sensation problems so it's difficult for me and my consultant to pin point what is causing what. I got diagnosed with fibromyalgia last year age 47 and started having chest pains around that time. I think it's just something I'm going to have to live with sadly. It does sound like they may be linked though from people's responses to my question. Take care.x

[Peaprincess]

Hi, I suffer with fibromyalgia, nerve damage and osteoarthritis all over. Unfortunately there is no real fix. I use mindfulness and distraction or just tell everyone to leave me alone. I take tramadol and antidepressants for pain Unfortunately I too cannot take anti inflammatory meds either. I have been trialling turmeric but it hasn't really worked yet but I will persevere.

[Hidden in reply to Peaprincess]

Hi Peaprincess, sorry to hear that, I've also tried turmeric but found it didn't really do much for me. Before my stroke I used to take devil's claw which gave me some relief for joint pain but found that it interacted with my blood thinners so couldn't continue to take it. I've tried different gels and creams but nothing has made any noticeable difference except the lidocaine patches. You can only wear them for 12 hours and then have to have a break of 12 hours but they do help a little at night. Might be worth asking your GP if you can try them since they are not anti inflammatory. Take care.x

[Acp1]

hi

Can I just advise you not to be afraid of opioids ?

Nothing is worse than chronic pain I know , over the past thirty years I have climbed the painkiller ladder until at 65 I have been on slow release morphine daily capsules , ZOMORPH , which may be the answer to your grogginess , which I know is horrible and I experienced with amytryptaline myself and had to stop them . I can take zomorph with no problems and now if I experience break through pain , which is really bad , I have ORAMORPH , a liquid morphine which is quick acting and a Godsend when pain overwhelms me , which thank god comes and goes , so I only ever take it as a last resort . If you know the danger from opioids and are sure you can do this then you can lead a less painful life and at least be able to move more freely and get out of the house if it’s only into the garden for some sun and fresh air . Talk to your GP about slow release opioids , good luck

[Hidden in reply to Acp1]

Hi Acp1, thank you for the info about pain relief. Sadly my GP won't prescribe anything stronger than tramadol. I used to have it on repeat but now have to request it. Having worked with opioid abusers I am always careful with what medication I do take. I have had Oramorph in the past when admitted to A&E and it did help but my GP wouldn't continue to prescribe. I am with the pain clinic but they have decided that my pain doesn't warrant anything stronger than tramadol. So I am pretty limited as to what I can take. Have tried amitriptyline in the past but no relief so they swapped me over to nortryptaline which doesn't do much. I'm glad you have found something that works for you though. Take care.x

[Kariss]

Hi. I’m sorry to hear you suffer with this. I too have both fibromyalgia, (linked with inflammatory arthritis) and costochrondoitis. I’ve scanned through your replies and don’t think anyone else has mentioned diet. I’ve noticed that my costochrondoitis is sometimes triggered after eating meals or after exercise, or both. It always settles in my left side and under my ribs. As I have IBS too I think that heavy meals or too much liquid plus exercise may cause this to happen. (It isn’t just indigestion - I have had many tests!) So I now try to eat smaller amounts at a time to allow me to digest better and avoid the pain. Lifting anything weighty also brings it on - even something as small as a shopping bag, especially if I have to twist at the same time. I haven’t been offered any medication for my condition, other than the normal otc paracetamol, ibuprofen and codeine. I have been seen at A&E twice and have had many ECG’s and worn a holter monitor twice with no conclusion. I am always told it is part of my inflammatory arthritis but the pain is frightening and very hard to bear. I now try to lift carefully, taking the weight on other parts of my body, like my forearms for instance, or bend with a straight back from a squat like they tell you to. I don’t lift my grandchildren at all if I can help it, which is sad. It’s limiting but it seems to help. It’s usually when I’ve lifted something without care that it catches me out! These ideas may not be relevant or of help to you but I thought it worth mentioning. I always think any ideas are worth a try as it’s a horrible condition to live with, with very little advice! Good luck.

[Hidden in reply to Kariss]

Hi Kariss, sorry to hear you have this too. Thank you for your ideas. Yes I have noticed that the pain comes on suddenly after eating or bending or lifting something. I have often wondered if it was gastro related. As the pain is near my pancreas my stroke consultant has ruled out pancreatitis and any problems with my heart (I too have had to wear a holter monitor and had many ECG's and a specialised heart scan) but nothing was found. When admitted to A&E on the first episode of this I did think I was having a heart attack as it's pretty scary how fast the pain comes on and how disabling it is, I could hardly walk as I was doubled over in pain. I try to eat healthy and lost some weight but sadly put it back on due to my lack of mobility but found that after losing the weight I wasn't having as many flare ups. Maybe it's time to get back into healthy eating again. Take care.x

[Kariss in reply to Hidden]

I do hope it works for you! I am not actually overweight and try to stay as active as possible with all these things going on, but it still catches me out! I don’t know your age but my daughter also had these chest attacks, but hers turned out to be endometriosis which improved radically after an operation to remove most of it. I am too old for that as endometriosis is supposed to stop after menopause, but it’s just another thought! One of my other gripes is that the costochrondoitis plus the fibromyalgia make wearing bras really hard as anything touching the skin there feels too tight and I am always on the lookout for comfortable supportive underwear! (Too old to go without!) Nothing has really hit that mark yet, just in case any other readers are in the same boat! Any advice welcome! 😆 Best wishes x

[Buboo in reply to Kariss]

Hi karissThank you so much for your description of how costocondritis and fibromyalgia make u feel. I have the same issues as you and a few others beside and I thought I was going mad but you literally described how I feel too. Pain is breath taking after eating especially after main meal. I am trying aloe Vera juice in the hope that it will calm any inflammation down, it is helping me with the intensity of pain but I still do have pain. But it's early days. I haven't found my doctors to be very helpful at all. It's very frustrating even if u can get to see a doctor .

Reading the posts of others with same conditions has been so helpful I don't feel so alone anymore. If you find a miracle cure let us know xx

[Kariss in reply to Buboo]

Hi Buboo, I’m glad you found some comfort in my comments. There is so little said about costochrondoitis and it is so frightening when it occurs. I remember that I posted a reply not long ago to another member (Tibby) on this group and it’s shocking that there appears to be so little help for this condition. This is a great place for finding support, it’s just nice to know that others are out there too to share experiences with. I’ve finally got an appointment offered by my rheumatologist next month after over a year of silence, so I will be asking questions! I know there’s no miracle cure but I can live in hope! ☺️x

[Buboo in reply to Kariss]

Hi KatnissGood luck with the rheumatologist. Please give us an update if any useful advice is given.

This is a great site and I'm glad I found it. I don't feel so alone anymore. Xx

[Hidden in reply to Kariss]

Hi Kariss, yes the bra thing is awful. I generally wear pyjamas at home throughout the day braless as I don't generally go out much due to my mobility. If I do venture out I wear an underwired bra but found I would be itching to get it off as soon as I got in. I tried cropped tops but they are not very supportive for a D cup sadly. I do have a non underwired sports bra which is ok but I've seen quite a few bras advertised online that give you support and comfort so thinking of trying those. Am back on a low calorie diet for my diabetes so am hoping this is also going to help. Fingers crossed.x

[daisiemaiskye]

hello my lovely, I’m so sorry your struggling with this….. two things helped me one was diazepam… it relaxed the muscles and lessens the pain so I could take a decent breath and the other was my osteopath literally a miracle worker she can cure it for me….. I hope you get some relief soon xx

[Hidden in reply to daisiemaiskye]

Hi daisiemaiskye, thank you for your reply. I live quite rurally so there aren't many holistic options available. Sadly my GP isn't helpful and unlikely to prescribe diazepam, I have enough problems trying to get tramadol sadly but worth asking the question next time I have a review with the pain clinic. Take care x

[westcountry]

Hi...are you sure/have you had an actual diagnosis of costochondriatis? Since Covid last January 2022 I have had problems with chest pain, breathlessness, acid reflux...so much so that I couldn't do much or even walk up the road/up any inclines. One time in A and E they mentioned costochondriatis but in desperation I paid for a (very expensive) heart MRI. It turned out it was myocarditis caused by Covid...which is quite widely recognised now. After a year and 4 months I feel a lot better in that area thankfully and the acid is a lot more manageable. Covid seems to cause many long term health problems unfortunately.

[Hidden in reply to westcountry]

Hi westcountry. Thanks for your reply, sorry to hear you have been having a tough time. Due to my stroke I was having a few issues (fast heart rate and breathlessness) so I was sent to Inverness to have a very expensive heart ultrasound/scan type thing which checks for leaky valves, air escaping etc. It was found that my heart was healthy. It was in the ED that I was diagnosed with 'devils grip' Costochronditis by a very experienced older English gentleman who seemed to know his stuff when I went in thinking I was having a heart attack. I felt very comfortable being treated by him as he actually listened to me and how much pain I was experiencing and quickly ruled out anything serious. The pain was severe and was under my left breast and through my shoulder blades like a sharp stabbing feeling which would bring tears to my eyes and get worse every time I moved. It comes and goes but I'm having a really bad flare up currently and pain relief isn't doing very much. The pain radiates to both sides so it's hard to sleep comfortably. I've been doing a lot of reading up on it and my boyfriend who is a nursing student is quite curious about it too since he sees how much pain i'm in on a daily basis. It seems it's just something I am going to have to live with along with the problems the stroke has left me with. But I'm trying very hard to remain positive and enjoy life as much as I can since two years ago I almost died. Take care.x