Costochondritis

darla723

darla723

Cathlete
Has anyone ever had costochondritis. It's inflammation at the point where the ribs attach to the sternum. I had severe pain even just to touch, turning in bed, coughing, sneezing and inhaling. My doctor ordered many diagnostic tests including upper GI, gall bladder function, chest x-ray, and sonogram and all were normal. While browsing the web one day, I came across this condition, and all the symptoms jived. My sister-in-law is a PT and thought this could be my problem. I have been treating it with anti-inflammatory meds and I am almost 100 percent! Just being able to take a deep breath is a relief. Especially with the new workouts! Anyway, just wanted to know if anyone else ever had this problem.

Doreen
 
Nope, haven't heard of that one. I did tear all the ligaments that attach my ribs to my spine in my back once. That was agonizing and I imagine close to what you were feeling, as the pain traveled all the way around to the front.

I'm glad you're recovering!
 
Nope, no experience in this...but I am glad you are getting relief. Good luck!


Debra

Bite off more than you can chew. Then chew it---Ella Williams
 
Yep, I have had this on several occasions....especially after having pneumonia and coughing my brains out!! It's actually very common, although not widely diagnosed because it goes away rather quickly, especially with NSAIDs.
 
I think I have had it before this, after coughing, like you said, but this time it wasn't going away very easily! Have you discovered any exercises to avoid? I was told to approach things like pushups and planks with caution, and to be very careful with weight amounts; take it very light, low reps at first, etc. Also stretching the chest is important to keep scar tissue formation to a minimum.
Thanks for the replies, ladies! And also your well wishes!

Doreen
 
Yes, I've had this tons of times before. For years it scared me to death thinking I was having some sort of heart thing going on. Later, after I met my husband (a PT) he diagnosed me with it. I know it can be painful but it helps to know it's not serious.

Carolyn
 
Yes, this sounds like what I had when I was pregnant with my 3rd child (6 months along) and I had been sick with a cough- it was so painful- I could not find a comfortable position to sleep in and the doctor would not prescribe anything for me-just had "to get thru it"--deb
 
Hi Doreen,

Yes I have too had this. It sucked. Even though the doc's told me what it was I was still terrified something more was going on because I had it for 3+ months when I was about 28.

Glad to hear you are feeling better. I will be much less scared if I ever get it again but that first time.............I thought I would die!!

Winter
 
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