Hi. I have a question about
costochondritis. Recently (october 12, 2007) I was dinginosed with costochondritis. I am a 19 years old & female, if that matters.
I was in a car crash over a year ago (august of 06') & I got a herniated disc. After the crash I would experience mild chest pains; sharp pains every now & then.
One day I decided to add swimming to my exercise routine. Bad idea I guess. The day I started swimming I swam 15 laps in a normal sized pool, which was at my boyfriends. It wasnt a huge pool like the one in gyms & what have you.
Around this time I was a marijuana smoker. That night I was on my way to a friends & my chest started to hurt. I felt my chest & it was so tight; this freaked me out. I started to have a panic attack. The next day the same thing happened. This went on for about
three days & it would happen after I smoked.
One my birthday (oct 12) of this year I woke up & I couldnt breath well. My heart was beating super fast & I was scared. I ran to the ER with my boyfriend.
I had my blood tested, ECG done, & chest x-rays. The doctor told me not to worry. He said I have costochondritis.
I am not sure if my costochondritis was triggered by A) Swimming like I did or B) My herniated disc
My question is:
My pain feels like it starts in my first few ribs, right under my arm pit. I have no pain in my sternum. When I touch my ribs I dont feel any pain. I have seen most people with costochondritis say that they feel pain when they touch their ribs & take deep breaths. Was I wrongfully diagnosed?? The pain comes & goes. I notice it comes when I am stressed, but other than that I guess you can say it is random. What do you do for the pain?? Other than meds, since they arent helping me that much. I am just so worried. I cant take this pain, along with the pain in my back. It is killing me & my spirit. I use to be happy all the time, but I find myself being rude & mean when I get in pain. I am so upset. I guess that is why I am writing so much?
My orthopedic checked it out & he agreed that I have costochondritis. When he touched my ribs, obviously I am guessing he knows where to touch, it hurt. Ever since I was diagnosed with costochondritis I have stopped smoking marijuana since I am scared of getting another panic attack. I am going to get my herniated disc fixed, but my ortho never said anything about
my costochondritis. He just told me it will go away within 6months - 1yr. I see some of you have had it for years. THAT SCARES ME. =/
God bless you all. Thank you for reading this & I pray someone can tell me something. I think I am being a worry wort, but this is just so upsetting.
