Costochondritis

[Lunamoon23]

Bit of an odd one ... but exactly that, costochondrotis!

For anyone reading who doesn't know, it's inflammation of we're the ribs join the breastbone.

But recently I've been having it a lot - and it's so painful. No obvious reason for getting it - no severe cough, no strenuous lifting or exercise...
to press on my chest is agony, and sometimes I'll get up and can quiet literally feel my heart pounding against my chest wall... and it hurts. It makes me feel almost fluy in the body, but no flu or cold like symptoms.

I'm basically just wondering if anyone else suffers from this? It seems to ease up for a week then it's right back, sometimes on alternative sides, sometimes both.
I haven't been to the dr yet - as it's impossible to try and get an appointment, but am strongly considering it as something doesn't seem right...

If anyone has any insight - I'd love to hear from you.

I've done everything google recommended, painkillers, ibuprofen, hot compress (hot water bottle) nothing really eases it.
I'm in my 30s, relatively healthy, don't do a strenuous job particularly, waitressing, so can be on my feet for long periods and lift a lot of plates but nothing major!

Yes I've had costochondritis for a couple of years now, I actually see an osteopath (not during a flare) to help with it because it's actually all from your upper back, which affects your front, so if you're all tight in your upper back it'll be causing flare ups. Try do regular stretching specifically for costo, you can access these usually on YouTube. when I have a flare I try stretch out my chest this actually eases the pain as the urge to hunch forward through pain and panic causes more tension. Have you heard or a backpod? Some people swear by them but they're bit pricey. I was going through a good spell then got unwell all the coughing caused a flare up again so I understand your frustration!

I get it frequently too. Only thing I found that actually helped was youtube yoga for chostochondritis - magic!!

You need stronger anti-inflammatory painkillers from the GP and lots of rest to reduce the inflammation. I had it for 9 months after breaking a rib, I was on naproxen and tramadol for the pain. The GP might suggest physio as gentle stretching can help. I would guess that waitressing is making it worse, there's lots of bending, twisting and lifting which would increase the inflammation. Please see a GP as soon as possible, he may be able to sign you off work to give it chance to heal.

@Lunamoon23 How do you know it’s that if you’ve not been to the Dr? What is your resting pulse?

My teen Dc has it (diagnosed in A & E). Wasn't caused by any particular thing either but has other health conditions which may or may not be connected. Gets flare ups sometimes often, other times occasionally. It's horrible and besides pain killers or just rest, there's not been anything else.

Have gone to A & E a few times when the pain was too bad to deal with and after check up, we're sent back home to do what we normally do (pain killers and rest). It comes and goes.

it's an awful thing, i came
home
from
work, ( rgn) sat down and within an hour was in an ambulance to A&E thinking i was having a heart attack. i'd never heard of it. two ECG's later was home with painkillers. worst pain ever and so scary.
have had a few
flair ups not as bad as that first time but it's the fact it just comes on is scary.

Is it really? It's funny you say that, because I do carry an awful lot of tension in my upper back, infact I've just started going for hour long back neck and shoulder massages once a month because of it, I have some really solid knots around the shoulder blades. Sometimes when I press down on them myself at home trying to loosen then I actually get this odd nerve pain in my cheek of all places!

I'll have a look online at the stretches, I have been doing some already unknowingly that they could help. But if there are specific ones targeted at it I'll definitely try them xxx

Sadly, even if a GP offered to sign me off, in this current climate I couldn't afford to do so anyway, I only get basic rate SP and it wouldn't suffice when the bills came knocking. But I will get in touch with my GP, as stronger painkillers would be helpful. Can't tramadol though, makes me sick. And is naproxen a steroid? X

Resting Heart rate is around 60bpm xxx

Naproxen is an anti-inflammatory, the GP should also prescribe omeprazole at the same time. Does codeine make you sick too? If not that would be helpful for the pain x

@Octaviathethird sorry, what is omeprazole? And no I am ok with codine I believe, will I still be ok to work whilst taking it though. It's particularly bad today, I feel like it's almost winding me. Tried to contact my drs surgery today and the line was constantly engaged and their econsult had reached max capacity so they'd turned it off - so will have to wait until Monday now frustratingly

After reading something on here I think I might have it. I went to see my GP a year ago. He referred me to a different GP, and he referred me to another one. I was sent for a scan, and had regular blood tests for a few months. Taking ibuprofen helps.

Omeprazole protects your stomach when you are taking Naproxen, they are commonly prescribed together. I think it's important to see the GP to check whether it is actually costochondritis because I didn't ever feel like it was winding me. Perhaps ring 111 and see if you can get an out of hours appointment?

Please see your gp, I have had this before it’s painful however more recently I thought it had come back and so did the GP but turns out it was more gastro related that was affecting the sternum breast bone area and the anti inflammatories were making it worse (even with omeprazole) hope you get better soon 💐

I have Tietze syndrome which is similar but it’s to do with inflammation where the ribs meet the sternum (some sources say they are the same condition but my chiropractor said they are different) - chiro basically tapped my ribs back into place over 3 sessions, it’s the only thing that’s ever ‘cured’ it. If you work at a desk, look at your desk set up and raise your monitor- my posture while working was hugely affecting mine. I’ve had it all my life and have flare ups every now and then but this last one was awful, I genuinely thought I was dying as the pain was so bad in my chest, palpitations, breathlessness and everything. She said my ribs were so inflamed they were like a sponge, she could see the inflammation through my clothes. She tapped my ribs back into place and could then reposition my diaphragm and my breathing has improved so much.
if you can go private to a chiro or physio then I suggest do it- I last saw mine on 7th October and she fixed me there and then, whereas my nhs appointment for the chest pain clinic to discuss it has only come through this week.