Costochondritis?

Ok so i was wondering if people on here who has had this can tell me if maybe this is what i have. I have had a chronic cough that comes and goes for months at a time for years. about 2-3 months ago the top/center of my chest (sternum) felt bruised..not to the touch but just felt like if somebody punched me in the chest or something. about a month later i noticed a bony lump where the pain was coming from (in the manubrium area at the top of the sternum). So i went to the doctors who put me on prednisone which didn't work. The pain did go away though...went back and he put me on more prednisone but again didn't help..went back and put me on an antibiotic to see if it's an infection but that hasn't taken the lump away either. about 3 days ago i woke up in the morning with a stabbing pain in my heart area (not like the intial bruised feeling)...hurt when i took deep breaths,moved certain ways or used muscles in that area...seemed like it was in my left shoulder blade also. This lasted for 3 days getting worse each day and finally went away today. Obviously i'm worried about cancer so was wondering if anybody could give me some kind of positive info....also i took an xray he said looked fine (don't know if costochondritis shows up on xray or not?)

the lump is at the top of the sternum (maybe slightly to the right) its about the circumference of a golf bal and sticks out about a 1-2 centimeters...but the bony swelling extends on the rib connected on each side to about where each collarbone is...the swelling on the rib is not that big..just feels like the bone is swollen slightly

My daughter got a lump when her broken rib was healing, could you have broken a rib while you were coughing? I've had costochondritis and it doesn't come and go, its incredibly painful. I had to sit up all the time, I couldn't lie down. I needed cortosone shots into the "hot spots" to settle it down. Had about 5 injections in total.
There used to be a really good description of the symptoms of costochondritis on the fibro site so you could search there and read it.
But I'd be going to my rheumy and asking them. They seem to know whether its RA related or not instantly.
Goodluck, golitho

I had costochondritis a few years back in between the breast area. It was swollen and painful. My doc had me get a chest x-ray and mammogram just to be sure. I haven't had problems with it in a while not. Other things have been hurting more like my hands feet, shoulders and hips! Good luck. I hope you feel better soon.

i also have this around my 2nd rib cartaliage and have a hard lump as well. Ive had a chest xray but wondering about a MRI or mamogram. It scares me because i read Tietze was rare.. Have you made any progress on diagnosis or recovery?

Mine sounds exact to you. my doc diagnosed me with costo in my lower ribs but i believe i also have Tiezte in my upper rib. Im so scared!