Costochondritis suffers step this way

[dizzymare]

I was diagnosed with this yesterday after days of pain and discomfort, so if there'a anyone on here who's also a suffering I'd love to pick your brains a bit. I'm currently 11 weeks pregnant, which I'm told may make my symptoms increase as I get bigger.

Thanks

[dizzymare]

bump

[arionater]

Yes, I've had this as part of more general joint problems (arthritis). Where the ribs join the sternum do count as joints even though they don't have much movement in them, so it's possible to have arthritis pain in them. My arthritis in general is in remission at the moment (hurrah) but I remember this causing horrible pain sometimes - especially with a bad cough. A few times also when I had a lot of chest pain with this it was annoying as they kept looking for a chest infection and then implying I was making a fuss about nothing when they couldn't find anything - it was actually really useful when they worked out after a few years what it was.

Do you have other joint problems dizzy? If not, maybe it's related to the general tendon loosening thing in early pregnancy?

[dizzymare]

No I haven't got any other problems, although we have arthritis in our family. But this started roughly 3 days ago, and I thought I'd pulled a muscle, then I convinced myself I was having a heart attack
Anyway, lastnight I ended up in A&E, and after alot of prodding/pocking/questions and a few tests, this is what they've put my pain down to. The losening is certainly a factor and in truth I'm bloody fed up with it already, especially when it will probably get worse as I get bigger
I think I'd rather have piles!!

[GentlyDoesIt]

Just another sore spare-ribber here, bumping this for Monday for dizzymare.

[dizzymare]

Thanks Gently, bumping for tuesday.

[arionater]

I'm not surprised you were frightened dizzy, chest pain is really frightening especially when you don't know why it's happening and it hurts to breathe. At least you know what it is now. I sometimes found that it helped to lie on my side rather than my back or front (somehow took the weight off it a bit, though it depended where the pain was worst). When you're sitting up, leaning forward also helps a bit and makes it a little less painful to breathe. Otherwise, try alternating heat and cold (e.g. hot water bottle or heated cloth - not too hot obviously - and a cold pack). I've found that useful sometimes.

The other thing is that as soon as you're in pain in that area, and especially when it hurts to breathe, you almost automatically start tensing and hunching your shoulders. Making a conscious effort to relax your shoulders and upper back is very useful - it's very easy to get so used to being very tense that you stop noticing it and tight muscles in adjacent areas will make it worse. Worth having a regular gentle massage perhaps, if someone will help out, or else basic Pilates warming up exercises have some good techniques for learning to notice and relax your shoulders/neck/upper back. Try to breathe deeply and fully too - it's very easy to start breathing very shallowly to avoid pain, but it's hard to relax and avoid feeling anxious if you're not breathing fully.

Hope you feel better soon!

[dizzymare]

Arionater, thanks for the tips, that's really helpful. I'm suffering right now, not really sure what to do with myself and can't get a bath because the pissing boiler wakes ds up

[dizzymare]

Bump for sunday

[dizzymare]

Monday bump

[dizzymare]

bumping again

[pellmell]

I suffer with this too!
It began during my last pregnancy and gave me the most unbearable pain from the middle of my breast bone right up to my shoulder tip.Breathing in was agony.
I had so many tests for heart problems, blood clots etc!
After the birth I had a terrifying episode that required calling 999 and an ambulance trip with me on morphine for the pain.

I was never diagnosed and just lived with it until my g.p examined me one day after taking baby for an appointment and as she snuggled into me her elbow pressed on my breast-bone and I nearly shot trough the roof with the pain
All the g.p did was place two fingers on my breast bone and pressed hard and explained that this agonising pain was all related to inflamation on the chest wall. (shame that during my pregnancy I hadn't seen my g.p as was undrer a consultant instead)
Poor dd is four now and still gets yelled at if she presses hard whilst getting comfy on my lap.
I just take nurafen now and the pain goes.

You have my sympathy-it can be scarey and bloody painful.
Sorry for the essay

[rubytwokids]

I have this too. I also have arthritic pain from lupus. I had no idea that might be connected with the chest pain. I did ask a GP if there was a link, but he said no and then rambled on about syphyllis (which I don't have).

Sorry you are in pain. I'm afraid I've no tips, as mine just comes and goes.