HealingWell
Search Close Search
☰

costochondritis HELP!

Support Forums
>
Fibromyalgia
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
12
❬ ❬ Previous Thread |Next Thread ❭ ❭
Posted 1/21/2009 8:23 PM (GMT 0)
I don't even know where to begin. Back in mid December I started
getting chest pains around the area of my heart. I didn't think
anything of it because it was just a sharp pain nothing major. But
then I would wake up with rapid heart beats and pains shooting down my
left arm. I went to the DR that morning who said it was Costo. He
prescribed some prednisone? (Anti inflammatory). Pains didn’t go away
only seemed to get worse and I got more worked up. I went to a
cardiologist. He ran every test on me, EKG, Cardiogram, Sonogram of
the heart and arteries in my neck, stress test. He gave my heart a
clean bill of health. They also took full blood work on me and
everything is in perfect range. BTW I am 23 years old. I am usually
not a nervous person but I do have a stressful job which I do not
think attributes to it because I don't really get stressed at work.
I've been to the ER twice because from what everyone is telling me I
am giving myself anxiety or panic attacks over this. I get shooting
pains down my arms numbness down them. Also sometimes my legs feel the
same. I also get pains in my jaw and cheekbones. I have been calling
out sick from work intermittently. Sometimes I can make it thru the
whole shift and sometimes I cannot. I just cannot get this out of my
head. It takes me hours to fall asleep, and I wake up many times in
the middle of the night with very very rapid heartbeats. I did also
find out thru X-rays that my ribs are curved a little which can be
adding to the Costo. Just yesterday I went back to my dr and he gave
me a cortisone shot and naproxen for the pain and inflammation. I am
now also on .25 of xanax 3x's a day. Which helps but doesn’t get my
mind off of it. The pain isn't even as bad as it was although I do
sometimes do get very sharp pains right in my heart for a quick second
and it goes away. I am just at my wits end, this is all I think about
all day and I cannot get it out of my head. I feel like this has
completely taken over my life and there is nothing I can do. Can
anyone offer any insight?
Posted 1/21/2009 8:41 PM (GMT 0)
Wow - it sounds like you're really really all-consumed with this, eh?
I was wondering what the Costo disease actually is (rib inflammation is all I know) and how it's being treated? Is it harmful other than the pain?

I wonder if you sought out the help of a counsellor to help you through this - from the anxiety point of view. Not saying that you're crazy or anything like that. It just sounds like you might need the support of a real live person to help you calm down about it all.

A big hug from me and the fibro-family here. All the best
Schutzhund
Posted 1/21/2009 8:46 PM (GMT 0)
It definetely has consumed me. Costo is pretty much a rib inflamattion that gives you sharp pains in your chests, maybe armpits and arms. (Which is what I am experiencing.)

I did not seek out counselling because to be perfectly honest I'm not that type of person that can sit there with a stranger and tell them my issues. I know whats wrong with me it's not my heart, i'm not going to die (from what about 8 different doctors have said) I just cant seem to relax and get this out of my head.

It's one of those funny things where I can be hanging out with friends and i'm not really thinking about it much maybe just a little in the back of my head. Then I can get home and start feeling all these different pains and start working myself up.
Posted 1/21/2009 10:17 PM (GMT 0)
Luvscars, I had posted for you when you posted about your chest and jaw problems in Tammy's thread, but in case you don't see it there, this is exactly what I had said:

I don't know too much about the chest issues, BUT the pain in your jaw and cheekbones can certainly maybe be from grinding or clenching down hard on your teeth when you sleep. Do you think you could possibly be doing that? Because I get HORRIBLE pains in my jaw and cheeks/face.. the dentist has told me I am a teeth-grinder, which can also be because of the Fibro, this habit had started around the same time as my Fibromyalgia.

-Jenna :-)

__________________________________________________

21 years old

Fibromyalgia, Bipolar Disorder, OCD, Irrational fears

Posted 1/22/2009 4:30 AM (GMT 0)
Costo is really painful and very scary. I sometimes worry that I'll overlook a heart attack and thinks it's the costo. As you know, stress makes it much worse.

Clenching your teeth doesn't help either. If you clench or grind when you are awake, you are definitely doing it while you are asleep. Your dentist may be able to tell you if you're not sure.

Counseling isn't always just sitting around telling your problems to strangers. A good counselor should be able to help you to get over the stress and fear of costo.
Posted 1/22/2009 7:21 PM (GMT 0)

Hi, I have costochondritis and my doctor prescribed ibuprofen taken with food to help with the pain.  It does help me.  Hope you are getting relief!

Sherrine

Posted 1/22/2009 8:41 PM (GMT 0)
I have costochondritis right now too. In fact, when it first happened last week I went to the ER thinking I was having a problem with my heart (I'm 32).

The others above me have all given you great advice re: the teeth clenching and ibuprofen but I do want to add that it does sound like you're having panic attacks. I was having them too earlier this year, and yes they do happen out of nowhere when you least expect them to happen. I went to 4 sessions with a psychologist and worked everything out and learned how to properly handle stress. I wouldn't say it was 4 hours worth of talking about my problems. My psychologist really gave me a lot of insight into my personality and why I was handling things the way I was...which was leading to the panic attacks. I no longer have panic attacks because of the minor lifestyle changes she suggested for me (deep breathing, more exerise/yoga, journaling, etc).

I just wanted to reassure you that it's not as bad as you might think it is.

I hope you feel better soon!
Posted 1/23/2009 5:05 PM (GMT 0)
It sounds like your still not convinced it's not your heart but about the only other thing they can do is a cath to actually go in and look at your heart but with your age and unless you have a family history of early heart problems I'm not sure a doc would do that. There are some risk involved. You can get a second opinion on your heart that may put your mind at ease.

 

I get the little stabbing pains in my heart area sometimes too along with all the costo pain and even shoulder pain can cause chest pain. GERD can cause chest pain.

 

Anxiety can do strange things to us I have dealt with it most of my life. What happens in a panic attack is your body dumps too much adrenaline in your system and that causes physical feelings which scare you and causes anxiety and the anxiety causes more adrenaline to be dumped which causes more physical feelings etc til your in an all out panic attack. When I would first start feeling the physical feelings I would tell myself, "it is only a physical feeling", over and over and I stopped having them right away after I realized what they were.

 

I really hope your mind is put at ease over this soon.

 

luv and hugs

Marlee

Posted 1/25/2009 5:05 AM (GMT 0)
HI, Im so sorry to hear you are experiencing this. Your story sounds so much like mine. Im only 24 and also went to the er twice. I also tried the prednisone but it only helped a little and only for about a month. What im doing now to treat mine is seeing a physical therapist and chiropractor. The chiropractor adjusts the joints that connect your ribs to your breastbone area. I asked her what makes it go out of place, but she told me shes not sure but she does know the other patients she treats with the same thing also have fibro. I hope you able to treat your pain and find relief. I would also suggest looking into trigger point injections. That might work to relieve your pain. Good luck!

-kim
Posted 5/19/2010 8:17 PM (GMT 0)
Evening, I'm kinda new to this forum.. and I like LuvsCars have a severe problem with costochondritis...not sure if you have managed to ease the condition... but I am struggling just like you.

Back in 2007 I thought I was suffering from a hangover from a works night out.. but during the evening it escalated into such a point where I thought I was having heart attack.. chest pains, and numbness in my arms.. shortness of breath, heart racing.. etc.. Only to be diagnosed at A & E with Chosto!!

Ever since then I have had the same exact pains, panic attacks, heart racing pains in my arms.. etc..it has been nearly 3 years, and I am not a young man 35 this month.. but I am at my Witt's end!! cry

I have tried every drug that the hosp and doc's inc. all the iburofen and I have attacks every other week that last for 3-4 day's.. worse at night just like LuvsCars.. I was told by the specialist that my condition - costochondritis... is not going to go away..

it is affecting my work.. my sleep and to be honest it's kinda depressing me now.. feel useless!!

Really don't know where or what to do next.. has anyone got any ideas on what I could do next?

Thank you for any help that you could give...

Ian
cry
Posted 5/19/2010 8:32 PM (GMT 0)
Hi, Ian, and welcome!  I have costo, also, but ibuprofen does help me.  Some use muscle relaxants that have been prescribed and also heat will help.  You can get a heating pad that gives off moist heat, I believe, but any type of heating pad does make it feel better. 

 

Here is a link all about costochondritis.  It is by the Mayo Clinic.  I hope this helps you.  Let us know, okay?  We really do care.

 

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/costochondritis/DS00626

 

Sherrine

Posted 5/19/2010 8:32 PM (GMT 0)

LuvsCars said...
It definetely has consumed me. Costo is pretty much a rib inflamattion that gives you sharp pains in your chests, maybe armpits and arms. (Which is what I am experiencing.)

I did not seek out counselling because to be perfectly honest I'm not that type of person that can sit there with a stranger and tell them my issues. I know whats wrong with me it's not my heart, i'm not going to die (from what about 8 different doctors have said) I just cant seem to relax and get this out of my head.

It's one of those funny things where I can be hanging out with friends and i'm not really thinking about it much maybe just a little in the back of my head. Then I can get home and start feeling all these different pains and start working myself up.

Oh, I can so relate to this.  I spent most of my twenties and thirties getting costo - I usually took 800 mg Ibuprofin and it helped but I went to the ER SO many times.  I was asmitted several times and had the full workup.  I also have a severe panic disorder and that did't help.  No matter how many times I was reassured that my heart was okay, I still obssessed about it.  It's taken me along time to really believe that.  I hope you're able to get to that point.  I'm thinking of you!

Posted 5/19/2010 8:45 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks guy's... I never thought of going onto the internet to find a forum, I feel much better now knowing someone else has the condition!!

Do you ever get the feeling that no matter how many times you see your doc, they never truly understand your problem.. how did you cope with the heart attack scare? Lack of sleep?

I hope I get to the point where I can control it, but it feels so far away..

Ian
:-)
Posted 5/19/2010 9:13 PM (GMT 0)
I got a bad case of costo about the time I got a dx of AS added to the fibro. I'm still a little confused as to how costo goes with fibro, since costo is infalmmatory and fibro is not. Also, wanted to add that jaw pain could be arthritis also.

 I took prednisone (I think it was 10 mg daily) for a while years ago, but it was a steady dose until I tapered off. I now take a Medrol pack when I am in a bad flare, where the first day is 24 mg and then tapers down over 6 days. It helps tremenously, but the steady dose didn't help when I took it.  The methylprednisolone is stronger I think that reg prednisone, so therefore a lower dose. I was just wondering which one they gave you for the costo?

I just don't get  the connection, the costo with fibro. Can anyone explain it?

Posted 5/19/2010 9:43 PM (GMT 0)
My doctor ran tests.  I had an electrocardiogram, and echocardiogram, and ultrasound of my heart and he made me wear a heart moniter for a day.  Plus he checked the carotid arteries in my neck.  My heart was just fine so now I know what it is.  That gives you peace of mind.

 

Sherrine

Posted 5/20/2010 7:35 PM (GMT 0)
I hate Costo ... most of the time it's a dull ache on the sides of the ribcage, but every so often it will feel like someone is trying to pick me up the the sternum. I found that relaxing at an angle (not quite laying down but not quite sitting) and sipping cold water helps. Getting stressed about it definitely does not help.
Posted 5/21/2010 11:38 AM (GMT 0)
Hey everyone. I am in my second Costo flare in three months. What brought this flare on was one of my grandsons brought me some germs that migrated to my chest and now have bronchitis, sinus and double ear infections along with the costo. I'm almost finished with my Prednisone pack and it's not better, actually it's getting worse. This morning it feels like someone has a knife in between my ribs twisting it. I can't take pain meds due to having a son with disabilities. Plus Extra Strength Tylenol knocks me out...lol I don't think my first flare went away totally and that's why this one is so severe. So, I feel for you and pray you all have better days ahead. I'm going to do some GENTLE stretching to see if I can work the kinks out and treat myself to a warm bubble bath. Oh! I'm not sure of the connection between costo and fibro either. I just know it's there.

Take care,
Cathie
Posted 5/21/2010 5:31 PM (GMT 0)
I have chronic costo. and have some degree of chest/rib pain all the time.  I started with this in my mid twenties and I am now 37.  I have a few times been given Prednisone for this but I just take Advil.  Sorry you are going through this.  Keep us updated.
Posted 5/21/2010 11:17 PM (GMT 0)
I went to the dr. today and he said I had costochodritis too. My pain is in the center of my chest, under the left breast, jaw pain, pain in shoulder blades, pain in lower ribs and heart fluttering. The dr. did an ekg and everything was fine.

Try not to let it consume you. Pain is unreal at times I know. From what I have read 60 to 70 % of people with FM will develop this at some time. It can last 4 - 6 weeks or longer.

Try to relax. Take a hot shower, use a heating pad on your chest. Light some candles and listen to some soothing music.
Posted 6/17/2010 11:06 PM (GMT 0)

NewMember6-17-10:

Hi Ian, "Ruffo" new member 5-19-10.   I am also a new member today 6-17-10.  Don't know if this went thru the first time so will send it here.   I think I sent it under the wrong category.  So here I am .....AND I totally

NewMember6-17-10:

understand your situation with the COSTOCHONDRITIS because my husband has been diagnosed with the same but MORE since Oct. 2007. He gets terrible Pulling, Grabbing, Aching, Throbbing, Stabbing, and Pulsating PAINS Diferrent times of the week or day - doesn't matter what he does or doesn't do  !!!! They began in the left rib and covers the breast bone and into the right rib – also pains wraps around to his back side as well as bruising sensations under his arms.

NewMember6-17-10:

He is 57 – that is not young but I don’t tend to think of it as old either since I’m turning 50. He has tried all sources of treatment  ! He has also

NewMember6-17-10:

 tried Accupuncture, Cold Laser Therapy, Tens Unit with Electrodes, Chiropractics, Prednisone Injections, Cortisone Injections, Ibuprofen, Alieve (same), Prescription Anti Inflammatories (now on Sulfazine), Oxycodone (generic for Percocet) – it seemed to relieve the pain for about 4 or 5 hours but then it would all be back, neither he or I were happy about him taking it.

NewMember6-17-10:

He has tried (no luck). Now is also on a different pain medicine called Endocet and we don’t think that it is doing any good either. He is in pain all day !!  I hate seeing him like this.  It's making us old.

NewMember6-17-10:

The only thing that seems to give relief is to lay down on his back with a microwavable heat pack placed over his ribs and to just relax for about a half hour atleast. Some days at work, he goes in the conference room and lays down on the conference table to get relief. It’s kind of sad. I know how you feel about being depressed because my husband is a very active person and his mind and body never stop – this has put a crimp in his style !! It has also affected our romance (we have been married 20 years) and he hurts every time I go to hug him. It’s so sad ! We are hoping it will not be like this the rest of his life but at this point, we are beginning to think that. If you hear of any treatments to help improve your condition – can you please share it with us as time permits. We wish you luck and hope yours goes away quickly. Take care.

NewMember6-17-10:

p.s. Sorry for all of the seperate postings but it kept telling me it would not post so I did it in incriments. Sorry about that. I'm not used to chatting onlline thru these medical websites. Take care. "Cleo7"

Mary Lee

NewMember6-17-10:

Post Edited By Moderator (Sherrine) : 6/17/2010 7:14:41 PM (GMT-6)

Posted 6/18/2010 1:16 AM (GMT 0)
Hi, Cleo, and welcome!  I'm not sure why your post came out the way it did.  Did you create a user name?  I can only see about half of what you wrote.

 

I'm sorry your husband has had such a bad time with costo.  I have it and it comes and goes for me.  Ibuprofen takes the edge off it until it leaves but I see your hubby tried that already.  I do hope he starts to feel better soon.

 

Sherrine

Posted 6/18/2010 1:52 AM (GMT 0)
Thank you Sherrine !

I also don't know why only half of my note came thru.  I will try again another day.  I hope you get better soon.

Cleo7

Posted 6/18/2010 4:40 AM (GMT 0)
I have been dealing with costo. for over a month now. One thing I have tried to do over the years with my pain is not panic. Pain is scary and can make me very anxious when it is at its worst. I just remind myself I am not dying. I use a heating pad on my chest when it hurts real bad. Nothing medicine wise helps me. I am determined to live my life despite all this mess. Can't let this pain keep me down.
Posted 6/18/2010 4:55 AM (GMT 0)
I hope yours does not last as long as my husband's Sheila, I think his other isses (arthritis) are making it worse. Some days he can't even climb the stairs.
Good luck.
Have a good evening.
Cleo7
Posted 11/11/2010 6:09 PM (GMT 0)
Hey everyone, I am 19 and I do not have fibromyalgia (at least I don't think so or know so) but I do have costo and it is pretty terrible I'm pretty sure I acquired it when i was doing something I should not have and I regret it every day I will not go into that but all I can say is it is the one thing I really truly regret, I am guessing it caused an infection and that caused the costo, I only take ibuprofen for it for i have not been prescribed anything else, it started around may and went away when i quit smoking cigarettes but returned when i was doing bench presses, I dont really have anything to ad in terms of help but sharing my story seems to help calm the nerves a lil bit and it is definately affected how happy and the moods i am in i seem depressed but about nothing its really not cool shakehead
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
12