Costochondritis. Please help!!: I've had chest... - Pain Concern

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Costochondritis. Please help!!

Elizabeth04 profile image
18 Replies

I've had chest pain for months off and my on. I've been convinced something was wrong with me so I've been to the cardiologist to have my heart checked..ekg...chest X-ray and a ct scan. They all say my heart is fine. My gp thinks I have costochondritis? What do I do about this? It's causing me a lot of anxiety.

It even goes into my back and down my arm, that's when I get scared.

Just hoping maybe someone can help me out. I'm seeing my chiropractor again today. I really hope he can help me

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Elizabeth04 profile image
Elizabeth04
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18 Replies
margieboo22 profile image
margieboo22

Please try and relax,i know easier said than done!!! I have had this nasty thing since December ,i use hot and cold packs,hot baths ,tramadol ,i know its horrible and hurts bad! I'm sorry i don't know that much more on it,just swollen muscles and nerves,and lots of pain i have a bad cough with mine but my Astma is fine!!! Good luck xx

Elizabeth04 profile image
Elizabeth04 in reply to margieboo22

Thanks so much. I've also had a dry cough with mine.. I wonder if that's a common thing? 🤔

My chiropractor says he can help me so we will see.... lol

Philip profile image
Philip

Yeah that sounds about right, but you did the right thing and Dont always just think that it is the Cos to, it might be your heart, I've had this cos to thing for many years, so i know what your going through, there's a lot of us on here that also have it, so your not alone.

Philip

Philip profile image
Philip in reply to Philip

Its the rib cage and were they join and the joints in your body become inflamed bit it can be debilitating.

Elizabeth04 profile image
Elizabeth04 in reply to Philip

Thank you! It is rough. I'm only 25 and don't have any risk factors for heart disease, and I've had a couple test so I'm praying it has nothing to do with my heart

It's nice to know I'm not alone with this! It's very debilitating

Philip profile image
Philip

You'll be ok, I've had this for Bout30 years or so, they say it is inflammation on the joints of the rib cage. I've been to and fro from hospital lol.

in reply to Philip

Hi Philip, I know this is an older post and I am suffering from Costocondritis on& of for last 2 1/2 years and wondering if this ever goes away?

DISC profile image
DISC

It is horrible and it does feel like you are having some kind of heart attack or your ribs have broken, but all you can do is manage the pain and wait until the inflammation has calmed and the pain will ease. it may take a few weeks though, or evn a month. And it may happen again. Try not to worry.

Elizabeth04 profile image
Elizabeth04 in reply to DISC

Thanks so much for your response. Im hoping it will clear up soon 🙂

Amkoffee profile image
Amkoffee

I'm surprised your cardiologist didn't do a stress test. I realize you're not in any condition to actually do the stress test, but it can be chemically done. I have a lower back issue and I had mine done so they did it chemically. That simply means they give you a chemical that makes your heart beat faster and then they watch it and do its thing.

Elizabeth04 profile image
Elizabeth04 in reply to Amkoffee

Yeah I haven't had one done. Idk why though. I did have a 48 hour heart monitor... the cardiologist said my heart gets fast but not enough to put me on medication bc she said those type of medications have some bad side effects.

She said it probably goes faster at times due to anxiety?

Amkoffee profile image
Amkoffee in reply to Elizabeth04

Mine used to just race when I was on higher doses of prednisone. And the doctors did not seem too concerned about that either.

Philip profile image
Philip

If you can stop stressing it probably hurt less, Costochondritis is inflammation of your ribcage and yes it hurts bad and can make you feel as if your having a heart attack, there are lots of people have this, so your not dying lol, you can look through the internet.

I hope this might make you a bit better knowing your not alone.

KymLadybear profile image
KymLadybear

This year I have pain in my upper right side feels like voodoo doll stabbing😉. Have been in hospital for a week but all scans etc clear and everything working as should. Doctors had no clue but referred to chronic pain clinic.

My question is does this sound like Costo? Tramadol and ibuprofen haven't touched the pain but one doc did say the pain seems to be on the rib. I can't stand even touch on the beast bone (so no bra)😕 and a shower hitting the pain spot at my side is excruciating.

Would welcome any suggestions.

Thank you

Hillwoody profile image
Hillwoody in reply to KymLadybear

I realise that this post is 3 months old, so maybe you are a way down the road - I would be interested to hear -

My 11 year old daughter has this - started with costochondritis, but is now allodynia - that is the excessive burning pain related to light touch - and stabbing pain with spasms that go through her body - I am sorry - it is crap! 3 months in, 2 MRI scans, a bunch of tests, 3 consultants later and we have been told that there is probably no firm diagnosis - something like Complex Regional Pain Syndrome, but not quite - and they don't like that label because it is in her back and not in a limb. It has taken quite a bit of determination just to get them to acknowledge that it is a real thing. She is now under the Great Ormond Street Pain Clinic, who are great - it is all about pain management now - no cure. There is stuff on desensitisation for allodynia which works in some cases - there are some leaflets on line - and worth seeing an osteopath I think - also look up Central Sensitisation, which helps explain it - - but other than that, dig in for the long haul - do your own research, and get to a good Pain Clinic - good luck!

Elizabeth04 profile image
Elizabeth04 in reply to Hillwoody

Hey. Yes I still have this pain like 24/7. It's rough.

I have had a rough day of it today. When I was a baby I was born at 25 weeks. I had to have heart surgery and they went through my 4th and 5th ribs and also under my left shoulder blade to do the surgery. Due to this my 4 & 5th ribs are "fused" together with new bone growth and along my left shoulder blade has alot of scar tissue and arthritis.

I've have so many scans of my heart etc which are fine except they show the fused ribs.

Anyways! This is the only thing I can think of that would cause this pain, because your ribs wrap around and connect to the front. In my case everything doesn't move freely.

Really wish I knew where to go with this. I'm 27 and it wouldn't be fun to live with this forever.

I sure hope your daughter gets relief soon 💜

Hillwoody profile image
Hillwoody

Might be worth seeing a good osteopath - They might help get the movement going - They certainly helped my daughter with her costochondritis - Theres also some good stuff on costo coming out of New Zealand - The video is helpful as it explains more about how the ribs work with the spine - Good luck! bodystance.co.nz/en/costoch...

Hi, Has anyone in this group managed to get rid of Costocondritis? I have been suffering for last 2-3 years and have tried, physio, pain clinic, tai-chi, tens machine....but nothing seems to help :(

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