Costochondritus

[lpauze]

Hello,
My name is Linda and I am new at this. I have suffered for many years with severe sharp stabbing pains in my chest. I would wake up in the middle of the night and it felt like someone was stabbing me with a knife, I thought it was a heart attack also. I was just diagnosed with "Costochondritus" and am seeing a Rhumetologist and a Physiatrist. One gives me ointment and anti-inflammatory pills (Don't work) and the other gives me injections into my chest. One side is okay the other I am still in severe pain. No one seems to be sympathetic or try to help. I guess if you don't have a gash on your face or a cast on your body then you must'nt be in pain. I am getting very depressed, anxious and hate the fact that my family is suffering also and there is nothing I can do.

Is there anyone out there that has any suggestions for me on what I can take, do or who I can see.

Thanks for your help

[Morning Glory]

Welcome lpauze,

I looked it up and it sounds like you are getting all the standard treatments they give. The only other options listed were tricyclic-antidepressants and surgery.

I can relate to your frustration with the physicians. I have chronic neck pain and the doctor told me the only thing that may help is having my neck fused and he said I don't want to do that. He sent me home and told me to take ibuprofen. I asked him for an x-ray and he said he would give me one, but the results won't matter. The anti-inflammatories don't work for me either.

You could look into alternative medicine. Maybe acupuncture or a chiropractor. I'm sorry I have no experience with Costochondritis. Hopefully someone will see this who does.

Hugs,
MG

[Anna]

Hi and Welcome,

I have had migraines all my life and I am very sympathetic to the fact that, if it doesn't show, people don't acknowledge it. My own family did not even begin to understand, and it caused me so much sadness. I urge you to do whatever you can and to pursue any kind of help available.

[lpauze]

Thanks for responding. I do see a chiropractor for my chest and my back I had back surgery in 1975 (spinal fusion) and have had 12 car accidents I see him about twice a week. I tried accupuncture but it did nothing and neither did the physiotherapy. I feel all alone in this body and I hate the hurting.
Thanks for your response

[TiredandWorn]

Hi lpauze,

I too suffer from this. I used to think it was a heart attack as well. Of course I am a hypochondriac so costochondritis was a welcome diagnosis. I do not take medication for this--it comes and it goes--and for me it is managable. What I do find that helps me is stretching--constantly. Anything that opens up my chest or stretches my ribs like some yoga poses help me a lot. When I sleep, I tense so I usually wake up in pain, especially if I am laying on my side all night. I try to sleep on my back as much as possible because it opens up the chest. I am sorry you are going through this and hope you are able to find some relief.