Costochondritis. ugh.

[yogabonnie]

Well I crowed too soon about being FINE from the fall during low net volleyball game. Two weeks passed then terrible terrible breastbone pain. Couldn't roll over, sit up or BREATHE deeply without pain and a sneeze well, I nearly passed out. Doc said it is inflammation of the cartilage of the ribs attached to breast bone... and some tylenol and increase from 7 to 8 with pred should help. Nothing serious but ouch! I am wondering if anyone else had it? Any other solutions? AND I have to say doc (who is my PMR doc also) said he would rather see me in there with injury from sports than from getting off the couch and then when I poked around in the chart I saw he had written under PLAN: Keep on living life! LOVE that!

[markbenjamin57]

Hi bonnie. Yep, at one stage I had it too, it was painful and niggled on for several weeks. I put it down to PMR inflammation rampaging around and settling in the rib joint. Don't know about 'solutions', only to take painkillers and possibly increase the Pred dosage - as you say. From what I learned at the time, Costochondritis is usually self-limiting so I guess you'll just have to be patient - and not overdo things..

[yogabonnie in reply to markbenjamin57]

Thanks Mark.... I thought perhaps the PMR had something to do with it..because i didn't really fall on my chest..or back..but rather on the shoulder..although that probably compacted things and it just settled in there!

[CT-5012]

Sounds like you have a good doc so should take his advice but no more volleyball, football or rugby, for a while any way. All good wishes.

[yogabonnie in reply to CT-5012]

I think you are right! football rugby! yikes. that's too scary even for me!

[Grants148]

Sorry you injured your self playing volleyball,but well done for being so active.l wish you well again soon .

[yogabonnie in reply to Grants148]

Thank you!

[Gaijin]

I got that from coughing during bout of bronchitis. It's TERRIBLY painful. Good news is, unlike PMR, though also self limiting, the rib thing doest last very long. I took two weeks to get over it. You, being so fit, will probably be faster.

[yogabonnie in reply to Gaijin]

Sorry you had it but happy to know it isn’t too scary!!!!

[markbenjamin57 in reply to Gaijin]

Gaijin, you've just reminded me: I seem to remember my chosto.. coming on after a bout of the flu and lots of coughing...

[yogabonnie in reply to markbenjamin57]

yikes!!! at least I don't have that. and so lucky..no allergies so I am not SNEEZING all the time!

[markbenjamin57 in reply to yogabonnie]

Chostochondritis isn't something to be 'sneezed' at....

[yogabonnie in reply to markbenjamin57]

or LAUGHED at. thanks a lot!

[markbenjamin57 in reply to yogabonnie]

All part of the service bonnie..

[Gaijin in reply to markbenjamin57]

😂 😂 😂 😂

[piglette]

I had costochondritis a while back, it was agony, lying in bed taking each breath was an effort, thank goodness it went away eventually.

[yogabonnie]

I certainly am not alone! Who knew! I’d never heard of it! Thanks . It is awful!

[piglette in reply to yogabonnie]

I had never heard of it before either.

[Hollyseden]

It is agony, isn't it. I had that before PMR. I often wondered if there was some kind of link. Was back and forwards to doctor for ages with it. Eventually doc sent me to A+E and they diagnosed it there. The pain of breathing and trying to get up out of bed or cough or sneeze 😨 Thought things couldn't get much worse, then PMR and steroids came along 😕 Hope you recover soon and remember to take it easy.

[AndrewT]

Dear yogabonnie,

Yes, it DOES hurt, Yes it would be better, if you hadn't 'done' it....but you are, very much ALIVE- it wouldn't HURT, if you weren't! I just 'Love', your Doctor's humour, is he always this Witty?

A couple to make you smile Bonnie. Imagine the scene- a Chap is running through, the Hospital, at Break Neck speed being pursued by a Nurse, who is carrying a large bowel of water. "Oh NO Nurse, I told you to 'Prick His Boil'!". A lady is in bed, clearly in Considerable pain. She is surrounded by Machines, Stands, Mops, Buckets, Blankets, Pillows, a DVD Recorder, Three Cups Of Tea....."NO Nurse Zagragger, Mrs Jones wants a B-E-D P-A-N!."

Anyway, I hope that made you smile Bonnie- I didn't mention the 'Yoga' bit, maybe NOT a good idea!

Kindest wishes, hope that you feel better soon.

AndrewT

[markbenjamin57 in reply to AndrewT]

:-D..!

[yogabonnie in reply to AndrewT]

Thank you! ha. As for the Doc.. He is the very best. Thinks it is great I listen to you all and inform him so he can research or pass on info to his other patients with PMR! He is also a sports medicine doc.. think that is his first love. along with GP (family practice here.)

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to yogabonnie]

My experience is that doctors with an interest in sports medicine are very good at PMR and its add-ons.

[SheffieldJane]

Poor you! That is a frightening and unpleasant pain that only responds well to being a complete sloth. I know I had to sleep really propped up. I did it carrying heavy shopping on the long walk home. I love your doctor!

[PiersC]

I have a good dose of chostochondritis going right now and it is not fun at all. Turning over in bed is painful - and brings me totally awake, which I am not well pleased about. Glad to hear that it is a couple of week things - I guess I have a few days to go. Timing is everything - I fly to New Caledonia on Sunday for our 30th anniversary - so gone by then would be fine by me!

Always fun seeing a doctors face when you walk in an say I have these really bad pains in my chest!! Hold off on the jumper leads there young 'un.........

[yogabonnie in reply to PiersC]

I am so sorry you have it too! I wonder if it is connected to PMR..I suspect perhaps we are more susceptible..being an inflammation and all. I travel in a week.. from Minnesota to Sweden so I too hope it is gone!! Good luck to us!

[piglette in reply to yogabonnie]

I wonder too. It came just out of the blue, I had not got a clue what it was. It then went away again over time thank goodness.

[Marijo1951]

Firstly you earn my sincere admiration for playing volleyball while suffering from PMR. I couldn't do it.

When my twin grandchildren were toddlers (they're now 18), my daughter was living in a top floor conversion flat in a Victorian house. There was a gate at the top of the stairs for their safety. One day I tripped coming up the stairs and landed hard on the gate right across the rib cage. It didn't hurt immediately but that night I was convinced I was having a heart attack, the pain was so bad. The next morning my breathing was very difficult and I got an emergency GP's appointment. The doctor was very sympathetic and reassured me that it was bruised cartilage and not my heart. She said there was nothing she could prescribe except rest and strong painkillers. I've never forgotten how excruciating that pain was, and would hate to have it again in conjunction with PMR.

[Patience47]

I have it and it's really painful. Seems to come and go.

ATB

[yogabonnie in reply to Patience47]

Sorry you have had it too... coming and going.. I like the going part but don't look forward to it ever again.! still here!