Costochondritis

[Oxopinkyblue]

Hi everyone hope your all well just wanted to find out a bit more about costochondritis ? I haven’t been diagnosed or anything but I’m sort of self diagnosing myself ! I’ve have upper back pain for years now I’ve had all the treatments going but bacically been told to just put up with the pain and funny enough I’ve just learnt to live with the pain but what I wanted to know was where I stretch my shoulders back because the only bit of relief I get from the back pain is doing that can that cause costochondritis as I sometimes get a sharp pain left side of my sternum

[Oxopinkyblue]

Also forgot to add if I press on my sternum it doesn’t hurt but when I get the pain I have to hold on to it if that makes sense ??🤪

[Gaz227 in reply to Oxopinkyblue]

I’ve had this problem for about 4 years now , I was told at first it was costiochondritus , but if that was the case it should clear up in 12 to 18 months , (yeah really) I initially had PMR or so they think , now they tell me I have SAPHO syndrome it effects all the torso shoulders , clavicles and just about every other joint to be honest , I’ve had injections in my sternum , clavicles and shoulders . Both shoulders have now had surgery waiting to get my left clavicle repaired but the sternum problem niggles on like you said we learn to live with it , I am still pretty active given all the joint problems but nothing like I was 10 years ago . I currently take 4mg of prednisolone, but the Rheumy wants me to start on MTX , that was 12 months ago when the pandemic started I think Rheumatology went into hiding , sorry if a lot of that sounds negative because there is a light at the end of the tunnel and we have to try and lead as much a normal life as possible as they say there are a lot of people worse off then us , good luck in finding your diagnosis . 👍

[Oxopinkyblue in reply to Gaz227]

I’m currently waiting for a call back from the GP was there any medicine the gave you to ease the pain or anti inflammatory medicine ?

[Gaz227 in reply to Oxopinkyblue]

The pred i believe is what controls the inflammation in the body , although it does nothing for the condition just helps with the symptoms that’s why they want me on MTX as it is a disease modifier DMard , when you are on pred I was told you shouldn’t take NSAIDs . They also gave me a drug called, brand name Arcoxia , amazing for pain relief , but wouldn’t want to be on it long term .

[Oxopinkyblue in reply to Gaz227]

Thank for that have a actual face to face appointment at the surgery tomorrow so will find out more 😄

[Gaz227 in reply to Oxopinkyblue]

Good luck 👍