Costochondritis

[twinklebutt]

Just wondering if there's anyone in this group had or have Costochondritis?

(Costochondritis is inflammation where your ribs join your breastbone. It causes sharp pain in the middle of your chest) for anyone not heard of it.

It started in pregnancy and Is much worse now😕

If there's anyone else.....how have you/did you manage symptoms?xx

I had one very bad episode years ago and was diagnosed with it. I did physio and started wearing the non-wired bras, I also avoid sports that involve repetitive twisting of your chest kind of thing. Haven't had an episode since. Hope it gets better for you x

Had it during pregnancy too and again once I had my baby. It was so painful I went to A&E. I've had it on and off since and it's horrible 😞

I was going through a lot of stress and one night had this pain in my shoulder that made me think I was having a heart attack. DH dragged me into A & E at 2am and I was admitted for tests but nothing showed. I kept getting this awful awful pain and it wasn't until I saw a locum GP that I got a diagnosis. Naproxen didn't nothing - I got the most relief from Lidocaine patches and seeing an osteopath. It took around 8 - 10 months to settle, and I still get random flare ups, especially if I'm stressed/run down.

It's a horrible condition to have.

I had a few episodes of this in my teens, years ago. It never came back luckily. Each time they insisted on full cardiac testing (even though I knew what it was). It was horrifically painful I remember, every breath like being stabbed. Heat packs and antiflammatories did help though.

Thank you all for your replies. It all started a good 5 months ago in pregnancy with a pain in my xiphoid process, which got worse after I had my baby, along with a pressure feeling right across my whole chest. I was actually unsure of the doctors diagnosis of Costochondritis initially until I found a forum where people were discussing symptoms.....mine aren't typically what Google says (I do take Google with a pinch if salt!!) The chest pain really does make you a tad nervous though!! I don't want to constantly be taking anti inflammatory meds. Heat seems to work wonders. From reading the forums it seems this is something that could stick around a while, flare up, I just hope it doesn't get worse than how it is now!!

Had it after a chest infection, it radiated under my arm and across my chest. I had to stop wearing a bra for weeks and wore vest tops instead. It come back if I get a cold or run down. I just took ibruprofen for mine

Paracetamol 4 times a day for a week, and voltarol gel twice a day (I used the strong one which is meant to be once a day) for a week. And a hot water bottle.