Rib/sternum pain

[Meerschweinchen1990]

Hi everyone

Wondering if anyone has been in the same boat as me and has any wisdom to pass on?

I have been suffering with painful sternum and ribs for nearly three months now. The GP diagnosed me with costochondritis over the phone, so I bought a special back stretching device (backpod) and have been doing exercises but I am still experiencing pain.

Has anyone else successfully cured rib and sternum pain? I also have symptomatic gallstones - has anyone else suffered rib pain with gallstones? Wondering if it could be that? I hate this and the anxiety it causes :(

Yes, I suffer with sternum and rib pain when my gallstones flare up. In fact, my whole right side just feels bruised and battered.

Thank you for replying that’s reassuring :)

I got diagnosed with suspected costo around 5 years ago and whilst it has not completely gone it has definitely eased over time. I tend to get flare ups every now and again but it is manageable and just something I have learned to live with. In terms of treatment there hasn't really been anything that has worked for me - I just try to stay fit and healthy. When I do feel particularly achy I find Epsom salts in the bath can be soothing and sometimes a warm compress. Hope things get better for you soon.

I got bad costo many years ago. Anti-inflammatories are the first line of treatment. I then got prescribed Voltarol which worked.

There's also the option to have injections into the rib joints to get anti-inflammatory and antibiotic right where it's needed. Doesn't hurt as no nerves beyond the skin, but nowadays it's hard to arrange as they insist you be in a hospital in case a lung gets punctured, and obviously lung/chest doctors are a bit busy atm.