Costochondritis Advice

[JulesL112]

I have recently been diagnosed with Costochondritis. My question is does anyone find that the pain migrates around the base of their back or down one side of the body. Also can anyone recommend anything other than paracetamol/ibuprofen as these dont seem to be working for me anymore. Thanks in advance 🙏🏻

[ShelleyPa]

Hi, sorry to hear about your discomfort. When I have flare ups of costochondritis, the best advice I can give that works for me is bed rest with heat on the area. My pain doesn’t migrate though. X

[cyberbarn]

Costochondritis is an inflammation in the joints between the ribs and the sternum, but people can also have inflammation in other areas too. Additionally though, there are nerves that run through the space between the ribs, coming round from the spine. Costochondritis is a symptom, it can be caused by different things.

So there could be several reasons why you are feeling different pains. It could be that a nerve between your ribs is being pinched by the muscles it is running through and hurting, or it could be what is called referred pain coming from your spine where the nerve is being irritated but tells your brain that the pain and irritation is at the end of the nerve not the beginning of it, or it could be that the inflammation is moving around to other joints.

My costochondritis was caused by psoriatic arthritis. Basically I have a type of arthritis that causes inflammation in the tendons around the joints, and that moves around the body. Sometimes it is in my hands or elbows, but once I had a flare between the rib, my collar bone and the sternum.

We aren't doctors, we can't diagnose, but if your symptoms have changed, it might be a good idea to see your GP again so that they can make sure that the underlying causes of this can be investigated.

As for pain relief, heat does it for me the best. Also it is worth knowing that paracetamol works better if it is taken regular, not just when the pain gets bad. I take paracetamol every day, and if I miss a couple of days my pain ramps up again, only to calm down after a couple of doses. It used to be that they told people going in for surgery to start taking paracetamol the day before, not after the surgery!

[Bevvy in reply to cyberbarn]

It is great suggesting that poster visits their gp to discuss a change in symptoms. But also I think suggesting that someone takes paracetamol every day without consulting a gp is not a good idea. Usually costochondritis is a short term problem and taking paracetamol when not required isn’t a good idea. Plus taking any painkiller without checking first could be dangerous. Particularly paracetamol is very easy to overdose on it and that could damage liver function. I do take regular pain medication but it is prescribed so in full knowledge of gp.

[cyberbarn in reply to Bevvy]

Paracetamol is not a prescribed painkiller. This is from the NHS website on paracetamol:

"How long to take it for

If you're taking paracetamol for a short-lived pain like a headache, you may only need to take it for a day or two.

You may need to take paracetamol for longer if you have a long-term health problem that causes pain.

It's safe to take paracetamol regularly for many years, as long as you do not take more than the recommended dose."

Note it says "for a day or two" not just once, and that it is safe to take regularly for many years.

[Bevvy in reply to cyberbarn]

That’s fine but I would still discuss this with my gp. Many over the counter medications can affect prescribed medications and I would want to be certain it wasn’t doing any harm. Also I still believe that unless directed no one should take painkillers long term.

[Jannie61 in reply to Bevvy]

Some of us don't have it short term I've tried loads of medication , my doctor has said it is a very safe medication to take as long as you don't take more than 8 a day and cut it down if you take cough medicine with paracetamol in it

[Marylyn]

This condition can be caused by a vitamin B12 & vit D deficiency unbeknown to our Drs .Serum b12 should be over 450 pmol/ l Regular b12 injections along with folate are required to heal nerve damage occurring.

[Imagine1]

Hi, I am sorry for your pain, I was diagnosed with costochondritis a few years ago, my pain is across my collar bone and chest though. At first I thought I was having a heart attack, because of the pain I was in but luckily it wasn't. I don't get pain across my back like you do. I can't help you with pain killers though because I am allergic to most of them, I can only take what you do and I know they are rubbish because they don't work for me either. I hope someone else can help you though, take care xx

[Sunsetzzs]

I’m sorry to learn of your pain. When I’ve gotten a flare up of costochondritis, it’s always been in my chest, and hasn’t been one sided or migrated. I’ve found that not lifting while healing is important. Additionally, I have used OTC pain medicine, heat and ice, and gentle stretches for the chest when able. Nothing helped me much but time for recovery without aggravating it more

I hope you find some relief and recover soon!

[Jannie61]

Hi Jules I've had costochondritus for 16 years as I've got older it's got worse , the last 5 years have been terrible , it goes away for a couple of weeks than comes back again , I have it sometimes around the left rib than the right rib which goes around the back , I've had endless tests ie X Ray's , MRI Scan , CT Scan , Mammogram , bloods taken , Endoscopy they are now testing me for underactive thyroid, I'm in pain most of the time . I've had Naproxen , Co Codamol and Co Drydamol none of which work for long I am now on Paracetamol x 4 a day which the Dr said was fine to take , if you take it all the time it will build up in the system and give you better pain relief I hate taking it but when you are in pain you have no choice , my advice is go for walks every day , do your normal routine , DONT lay in bed all day it will make it worse listen to music do something don't sit about .