Hi does anyone know if costochronditits is controlled by prednisone. I’m pretty sure it’s that causing rib chest pain. Gp undecided. Iv had ecg X-ray at us etc with no confirmed diagnosis. Thanks
Costochronditits: Hi does anyone know if... - PMRGCAuk
Costochronditits
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Uglow
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I have this quite regularly. Went to docs who didn't prescribe anything. Said to take normal painkillers. It's so painful but it does go away by itself. Shame it doesn't stay away. Now I take painkillers and put hot water bottle on straight away. Seems the earlier you act the less severe it gets.
It seems to be only thing get works. Painkillers are not helping. It’s sooooo painful. Thanks
What pain killers please
Naproxen if I have any leftover or ibuprofen
Have had this on and off for years. There is always a trigger leading to yet another bout, usually heaving summat heavy, or carrying summat heavy. Last time, a very large suitcase that I had difficulty with. My own fault. Lasted a couple of weeks. Painkillers, and cryo therapy to cut the inflammation. Small hot water bottle, half fill with cold water, place in plastic bag, and place in the freezer. Plastic bag will stop the bottle from adhering to the sides of the freezer ! Apply to the inflamed area, 10 -15 mins, refresh as needed.
I know this is caused by poor posture and if you go online there are mild stretching excercises that really help. I am going through a bout of this myself right now and the stretching really does help. I wish you well.
Hi Uglow, I have suffered from costochondritis too. In fact when PMR first struck, my GP diagnosed costochondritis because I'd had it before and gave me lidocaine patches (a local anaesthetic patch) to help but by then I was suffering so badly from the PMR it was worthless. However, the lidocaine patches might well help if your PMR is well controlled as they are apparently used in the hospital to ease broken rib pain? Hope you feel better soon.
Does it make you a bit breathy!
I didn't know I had costochondritis before my PMR diagnosis, and because the doctor I'd asked about the chest pain had retired in the interim no connection was ever made. (He said I had dislocated a rib, which is possible as it started when I was doing a certain yoga pose). Pred helped this like it helped all my other pains, and it did return as my dose lowered, but at a certian point, and it had been literally years, I noticed I no longer had the pain. It returned slightly when I was at the height of my flare earlier this year, which I find a bit of a puzzle, but cleared up again since. I have never done that yoga pose again, btw!
Should I just carry on with dose of pred I’m on it’s really debilitating now. Pain killers are not helping
You really do need to stop changing your dose of pred. Every time you change it it is risking making managing the PMR harder in the long term.
Pred will help costochondritis but is better as a local injections - increasing the oral dose means you are at a much higher dose for a long time with all that entails in terms of adverse effects. Do speak to your doctor.
I'm trying to remember - you haven't been on pred all that long have you? What is your dose now and how long have you been on that dose? When did the costochondritis develop?
In my case it was actually a very long time before the penny dropped and I realized that, however it started, I now had costochondritis, and I have to say, apart from the side benefit of my initial pred dose helping, I never took anything for it. I just became very careful how I moved!
I did look it up on line and one suggestion is to use ice to relieve it. I can't quite imagine that myself, somehow, but I did find ice really helped a painful swollen knee I had for some time, so it might be worth trying. You wouldn't apply ice directly, but perhaps use an inexpensive icepack from the pharmacy, wrapped in a cloth, for a few minutes, maybe ten mminutes, and see if it helps. If it doesn't, warmth might help.
The good old water bottle helps but today has been a hard one. I can’t believe how painful it is takes my breath away and brought me to tears. I’m on 17.5 down from 18.5 two weeks ago. I’m trying to decrease slowly but when the pain is overwhelming it’s a hard decision. I’ll stay at this dose and try to decrease again I two more weeks. I was diagnosed in March and it’s been a really rocky road. I paid to see a rheumatologist once £250’but can’t afford again. NHS gave to an appointment for November but cancelled so I’m still waiting. My Gp does their best but they have said polymyalgia is not an easy one. Thank you for your help. .
It seems so unfair, doesn't it, that we get these lovely add-ons when we are already struggling with chronic pain. Hope you feel better soon.
Even over 10 mg you can try one of the slow taper methods. You'll find them in our FAQ post. I used Dead Slow Nearly Stop, but others have found DorsetLady's Simple Taper works very well, so whichever appeals.
It a big learning curve and I’m still leaning. Your support is so appreciated. Thank you
I've just looked up what causes costochondritis and it does seem like it is triggered by an injury or strain (which explains mine). As pred can make our muscles weaker it can indirectly make us more prone to injury, and also both PMR and pred can make it harder to heal. Unless you develop a fever or real difficulty breathing I think it's just a question of waiting it out. Like any other "sprain" you have to let the injury heal. If you do develop a fever or breathing problems seek medical care.
HeronNS - and Uglow : cryotherapy. That is icing. Costo is an inflammatory condition. The inflammation, between the ribs, connecting tissue, flares. needs to be controlled, a hottie might feel 'good' but, is not helping with the inflammation. Icing is the answer. As said earlier : half fill that hot water bottle with cold water, put in a plastic bag, then put in yr freezer. Place the frozen object in a table napkin, then place against the section that is giving the worst grief. 12 - 15 mins. Do this several times a day - but not continuously. Put in an internet search : cryotherapy for costochondritis. Rafts of info, some links suggest heat, others cryo, others suggest both; one then t'other. For myself, icing is the answer. Like dealing with a badly sprained ankle - you ice it.
Right, I remember now, you posted this advice yesterday! If I ever have another bout of cosochondritis I will remember, Thanks.
It didn’t help in my case. At one point I tried to stop breathing it hurt so much!!
I started having major pain that while on Prednisone. It got a lot better when I finally got off the drug. Now I have pain only once in a while. I don’t know if if prednisone caused the Costochronditis or not.
Oh that’s a scary thought! Never even considered it could be prednisone I thought that was my saviour🙏 How long wax you on it
I was on prednisone for 14 months. I also suffered from a stress fracture and torn tendon in my lower leg. Both my rotator cuffs were torn. I hope I never have to get on that drug long term again. I also had very blurry vision the whole time I was on it.
I have not had the costo but do know it takes a lot less to pull/sprain muscles. Just like the skin bruising from slight touches - we are delicate flowers! I have been pruning lately and now find myself sleeping sitting up as the left shoulder/neck are so painful. A heat bag helps me get off to sleep at first, but if I am woken up, however soon after dropping off, that's it.
I have had Costochondritis a few times, also Bornholms Disease. Usually at the same time. First time around I thought, in 2003 when I had my first episode, that I was having a heart attack. My GP at the time was rather dismissive.
I was told Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Although certain medications, such as ibuprofen (Motrin IB) or naproxen sodium (Aleve) are available over the counter, your doctor might prescribe stronger varieties of these nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications. Side effects might include damage to your stomach lining and kidneys.
However, as I am on Warfarin I cannot take Ibuprofen. So I take Morphine mainly for it.
