Costochronditis

[minxthemanx]

GP says that I've got this; bad pain in chest and upper back for a few days. Sharp when I sneeze, laugh or blow nose, and really hurts like mad when I bend down. She ruled out anything nasty eg lungs & heart. Have never heard of costocondritis, new one on me! Anyone else had it?

Yes, I've heard of it, it's faily common for people who suffer from ME or Fibromyalgia. I am surprised she went as far as saying costo, tho - I'd have expected an initial diagnosis of a muscle spasm. can you afford a visit to a qualified chiropractor - I find them far superior to GPs for that sort of thing

Yes, I've had this in the past and it flares up every now and then.

Ruled out all the serious stuff including getting checked for lumpy boobs too and consultant came to this diagnosis, which he said was common. He described it as inflammation of the rib cage cartilage area I think, it was a few years back

I treat with ibuprofen gel on my rib cage and boob area and painkillers if it flares up but I really sympathise with the pain side. It used to feel like I was either having an elephant stamp on my chest or that my lungs were drowning.

I'm hoping it was this 'itis I was diagnosed with now and not a different name

I have been suffering with costochondritis for the last 7 months - it's really horrible! I was eventually diagnosed after chest xray, ecg, blood tests etc ruled out everything else. I think the key symptom is that the rib cage feels tender when you press on it. Not a lot has helped me yet - I have days when it isn't so bad but I am pretty much dealing with it every day. I am at the point of going to see an acupuncturist or chiropractor as nothing else is working. Have you tried a cold compress on the area as apparently this can help to ease inflammation? From what I know it does tend to clear up within a few weeks so fingers crossed you get better soon x

I had it really badly about 14 years ago. It's pretty easy to diagnose - put a couple fingers together, run down the side of your sternum, poke when you get to each joint with a rib, and if you scream, that's costo.

Treatment is either wait, use anti-inflammatories like diclofenac, or if that fails, get someone to inject anti-inflammatory directly into the affected joints (only the skin has nerves so it doesn't really hurt, but hard to find a GP willing to do it - usually need to be in a hospital in case your lung gets punctured).
I eventually had the last after nasty drug reactions - it was the closest to a miracle I could imagine! Took over 30 min to get to GP, stopping to rest every 100 yards. An hour later I strolled home. Needed a few goes on some joints, and it flares up a bit when I get a bad cold, but essentially a miracle cure.

Thanks ladies, golly it hurts doesn't it! Blowing my nose, laughing or sneezing is excruciating. Hopefully the strong ibuprofen will help.