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Posted 3/16/2009 4:19 AM (GMT 0)

Hello, ive been diagnosed with costo but my symptoms seem to be different.  I have a stabbing pain in my chest and then it becomes dull.  I feel the pain coming on and it puts me into a panic attack.  The actual stabbing pain is immediate and only last for a second, then the area is sore.  My problem is i am a very active person.  I have two boys 7 and 5 and we love sports.  i coach there ball teams and i love to work inmy yard.  I am a traveling sales person so i am in the car  all day.  Dr. told me to put my seat belt below my arm so it doesn't rub my sternum area.  my pain is not when breathing or even coughing.  i feel like if i could stretch it out it would feel better but i don't want to do anything that will irritate it.  Ive had for three years now and have been to er twice thinking it was something to do with my heart but test have proved otherwise.  is there anyone out there who have the same stmptoms or is this something else?  i take ibuprofin 400mg 3 times a day during an episode and it seems to make it feek better, but the first time i lift or do something strenuous with my chest it flares back up.  would love to hear from someone who has had the same symptoms and if it is costo or something else.  thank you

Post Edited (t-man) : 3/15/2009 10:42:34 PM (GMT-6)

Posted 3/16/2009 5:46 AM (GMT 0)
Putting your seat belt below your arm is VERY dangerous. If you get into an accident, you could end up ruining your shoulder. You can get various items online that will make your seat belt more comfortable. They make adapters meant for children and small adults that change the angle of the shoulder belt so it doesn't cut across your neck. You can also buy pads that cushion the shoulder belt.
Posted 3/16/2009 12:40 PM (GMT 0)

Hello and Welcome T-Man!!!

LOL.. my son's name is Travis and we call him T-Man as a nickname!!

As for the costo.  I've been there and I know what you're going through.  Last Oct. I wound up in the ER because I was 100% sure I was having a heart attack.  Turned out that I had no heart problems (THANK GOD), but it was costo.  I have exactly  the same symptoms that you're having.  Very scary and very painful.  I take tramadol & Ibuprofin (sp) for pain, they help but it usually takes a couple of days before they make much of a difference.  And yes, as soon as I do something physical, like lifting, it kicks in. It also rears its ugly head when I've beem stressed-out.

I agree with Dagger on the seatbelt, that's very dangerous.  I can't believe a doctor would recommend it. shakehead

Hope you can find some relief.. and if you do, let us know what works for you.  There's lots of folks with costo here.

Take care,

Posted 3/16/2009 6:08 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you both for the info. I will try to find something for the seatbelt. as far as the costo, i have a dr friend who is going to write me predisone 30 or 40mg high dose for 30 days. He says he had, (and i express had)costo and this is how he got rid of his. been costo free for 5 years. ill let you know
Posted 3/16/2009 6:31 PM (GMT 0)
Hi, t-man, and welcome!  I have costochondritis at times.  Mine will come and go now. I take 600 mg ibuprofen with food to help with that.  (400 mg didn't touch the discomfort fior me.)I will take that amount every 6-8 hours depending on how much I hurt.  (You might ask your doctor about trying this.)  I also stretch.  That does help.  Also, I will take as deep a breath as possible.  It hurts but it helps stretch the chest muscles.  The first deep breath hurts but the second one won't hurt as much. 

 

You do need to pace yourself, too.  If you have these sore muscles to begin with, doing heavy lifting, raking, etc. isn't going to help a lot.  Your body will tell you what you can and cannot do or how much you can do without causing more pain. 

 

Try to realize that this is costochondritis.  I know that, when it is bothering me, if I press on the sternum I will be very tender and sore.  If you are still concerned, talk to  your doctor about having a few heart tests done.  There are several non-invasive tests that can be done and will help rule out any other problems.  I had an electrocardiogram, echocardiogram, and ultrasound of my heart, and I wore a monitor for 24 hours.  All of these tests were done in my doctor's office.  Doing this should help get rid of the anxiety for you.  I think anxiety is worse than the pain.

 

I'm so glad you found us and joined in.  Let us know how you are doing.

 

Sherrine

 

 

Posted 3/16/2009 7:05 PM (GMT 0)
I agree with Sherrine that anxiety does make it much worse.. so (easier said than done), try to do some relaxing things. A warm bath can do wonders!!
Take care,
Posted 3/16/2009 9:27 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you once again, this site is awsome. its great to hear other stories because it makes me feel better knowing others are out there with the same symptoms. Im sorry we have this awful thing!!!! i have been to Dr. and cardiologist and have had the test, ekg, echocardiogram, stress test. they all came out negative for any problems. but it is still hard when your in the middle of a shower or on the ball field and u turn just the right way and BOOM it hits. Ive actually had parents who have made comments after a game or practice to make sure i was ok because i seemed like something was wrong. i have a prescription for xanax but i dont like to take medication, so i only take during a bad episode which does seem to help the anxiety. i was wondering if being in the car all day, getting in and out to call on customers, is making my symptoms keep coming back. Does anyone know? like i said i am going to start high dose prednisone in the am and i will let you guys know if it helps. has anyone else tried the steroid prednisone and if so did it help? Thank you all very much. this is very calming just knowing your out there.
Posted 3/16/2009 9:52 PM (GMT 0)
Maybe you aren't getting in and out of the car properly.  I learned this from a chiropractor.  I started doing this years ago for my back...before I ever had the costochondritis.  Here is what he told me to do.

 

When getting in and out of a car, sit on the seat with your feet on the pavement.  Then, either using the seat or the steering wheel, swivel your feet into the car while keeping your back straight.  I buy cars with leather seats because they are slippery.  But, when I rent a car and get cloth seats I had to come up with another idea...and I did!  I get a garbage bag and a towel.  I lay the garbage bag on the seat and the towel over it.  Then I do the above.  The garbage bag and towel let  your rear end swivel like you were on a lazy susan!  LOL  Just reverse the above to get out of the car.

 

Maybe this will help you some, since you are getting in and out of a car frequently.  I had to remember to do this at first but now it comes naturally for me.  I hope this helps you.

 

Sherrine

Posted 3/18/2009 3:22 AM (GMT 0)
quick question, do ya'lls symptoms include strange sensations in your inner bicept and also under your shoulder blade wrapped around to your side? this is something new this time that hasn't been present before. feels very swollen on my left side under my arm in my rib area. Thank you
Posted 3/18/2009 2:10 PM (GMT 0)

Hey T

If its swollen I suggest you get to the doctor.  I had shoulder surgery about 3 years ago but it had nothing to do with the costo or fibro.  You may have injured your shoulder in some way.

You also asked in a different thread about costo and driving alot and getting in and out of the car.  Yes, that was/is an issue for me.. long drives really are painful but not just in my chest.. but all over my body.

Take care,

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