Hello ladies,

Well here goes with my symptom of the week!!! Does this sound like costochondritis-- if not, does anyone have any ideas? I figure you ladies out there know as much as my idiot doctor (my GP, that is-- I have a great ob/gyn lady doc, who I visit on March 21) About me: I am 51, had hysterectomy, kept ovaries, am menopausal, taking Premarin which has helped my palps, have internal vibrating stuff, anxiety,etc.

For several weeks, I have had a pain in my breast/chest area- on the left side right where my breast tissue begins at my chest-- I almost think there is a tiny little lump there, but it is definitely sore to the touch. The pain is not severe, but a stabbing, sharp, pinchy sensation and now I am having some minor breathing problems-- or more of a "smothery" feeling, if that makes sense. The pain I have is brief, lasting only a few seconds, and some days I have it more often and some days none at all. A lot of times, especially when I am sitting, I find myself all tensed up in my shoulder and back areas and wonder if it could be caused from anxiety, because it does come and go at random. Other things I have wondered about is a pinched nerve in my neck, herniated disk, etc.

BTW, I also have bursitis in my left shoulder with pain and numbness (had that over a year), pain (like soreness) in my left underarm and neck and shoulder pain from computer work, as well as some other very brief, weird and vague chest pains that I think are muscular or GERD related. Plus, I had my heart checked out in October and it's fine so I am not really concerned about that part , because this has gone one for a number of weeks and I feel fine otherwise except for lots of anxiety about my crazy symptoms.

Thanks, everyone and hugs to all!!!

Mary Jo

Mary Jo,
Sure sounds like it to me. I have had it for years and it can be the pits and very scary but not serious once you know what you have and how to help your body heal.
I have had all the symptoms you described to a T and I have Costrochonitis (spelling)
Do you want a few tips that really really help?
Ok here they are.
1. HEAT, HEAT , HEAT AND MORE HEAT.
2. I use the heating pad when at home and even bought the patches they sell the hot patches.
Thermal - care has some very nice light ones you can wear under your clothes, and Capzasium has one to.
3. I use hot creams there are different heats look at the drug store and on the back it will show the amount of Capsium that it has. I belive the strongest one , the one I use, Has .75% you can start with as little as .25% on the Capzasium with out the HP high potency. This is very important I believe this did clear it up for me I havent had a bout with it in probably over a year.
3. Your purse lighten it up, thats what a doc recommended years ago, it makes sense mine use to wieght at lease 5lbs with all the junk like checkbook, credit cards, lipsticks, perfumes , pens , and the kitchen sink.
I just carry an extra purse in my car and a very light one on my shoulder.
4. When you go groc shopping put it in the cart, of course keep an eye on it but get it off your shoulder.
5. Dont I repeat Dont carry a whole bunch of bags in at once when bringing in groc
I will bring in one on each arm to balance off.
If you have someone at home to help, please have them help all this adds up.
5. Stretch it in the morn especially in the shower with the hot water. Get your right arm and grab your left and slowy pull the opposite way do this on both sides.
5. When you clean the bathroom try and have someone else do the shower the repetitive cleaning of the tiles etc is a killer.
If you must do it I will follow up after with my hot cream to relax my muscles.
Sorry to make it so long but after over 10 or so years with it I have learned how to cope with it.
6.Stress really brings it on so have your me time, have a lovely relaxing tea. Try not to drink coffee switch to chamomile, lemon balm so many lovely teas out there, add a slice of lemon and a shot of honey.
Hope this helps you PM me if you need any more info on the hot creams.
7. Oh yeah hubby will massage my back and shoulder and its great.
8. Also massage gently that area that is tender to the touch ,
dont massage the hot cream on
you can massage that area with a lovely cream then put the heat pad on.
VERY IMPORTANT
When using the hot creams dont shower right after, wash your hands with dish soap and dont touch your eyes etc.
if at first you dont feel anything give it time, dont reapply.
if you decide to buy it and I highly recommend it pm me i will talk you thru it, i feel it did get rid of my pain,
Tinks

Mary Jo,
I have had the same symptoms for about 2 years - very chostochondritis like, although no doctor has ever diagnosed it as such. But after a lot of testing by a rhuematologist, ruling out everything else, he told me straight out that this is caused by hormones, and that doctors are starting to see more and more of this as women decide not to take HRT. This guy specializes in muscular skeletal issues, so he tends to see people with these types of problems.

Like Tinkybug said, I only carry a light purse and take it off my shoulder whenever possible. Also, be careful with the upper body activity - cleaning the house can be the worst as that wiping/scrubbing motion seems to be bad for this. Heat and massage are soothing and can make things better, although I have not found that they have made this go away.....Tinky, what's your secret?

Plan for this to be around for a while - it doesn't appear to just heal and go on it's merry way. It's definitely my worst meno symptom right now.

Take care.

Mary Jo, I could had written your post! In fact just got home from my pain management doctor, second cortisone shot in my shoulder. I also have those spots on my chest area, right at the breast, usually the left side is sorer but today even the right one is hurting. I'm thinking some kind of trigger points. The doctor today said that is a common area to hurt with any shoulder pain. Been hurting off and now for 3 years ( since my peri hit hard). The chest spots has been so sore I made a appt with my obgyn for next week so he could check the breast. Just had a mamagram two months ago with extra films, so going to cancel now after what the doctor told me today!
Please keep me posted!

I was diagnosed with chostochondritis in 2000, and what I was experiencing was chest pain ~ more like muscle soreness, when I took in a deep breath or moved just right. I don't remember feeling a 'smother' like sensation. The worst of it for me was the pain when I tried to take in a deep breath. Lifting anything also caused pain. AND it was pretty much constant, not off and on. I used heat (heating pad) on the chest area and took prescription strength ibuprofen, and it eventually went away. Initially the pain did cause me to take a trip to the ER, and they did all of the necessary tests to rule out heart issues. I can't remember if they told me what causes chostochondritis, but I do remember it really was painful AND scarey until I found out what it was.
HUGS!

I also saw a cardiologist!
I also have arm pain and weakness in my arms, Plus shortness of breath (anxiety maybe)?
Spine and neck x rays show nothing to cause this pain!

Hiya Pixiegirl,
Long time no see
I will say that you are right it can come back and I have had my share of bouts with it seems like forever.
I would say my secret, now this is my humble opinion is the Hot creams.
There is an ingredient in it that somehow after months of using it and when I had bouts I would return to the cream made it go away.
Now honestly the only time I feel it is if I trigger it, like carry a million bags in from the store.
I sometimes have felt a very small twinge but right away I use the Capzasium HP cream and its gone in a day or so.
I was so bad I would go to my sons ftbl games in the summer and the pain was unbearable.
I would put the hot cream on and the sun would activiate and I would be a bit on fire but this was better than that awful pain.
My hubby had also hurt his ankles his achilles tendon and I told him give me a few weeks of putting this stuff on daily and it took a good month and its gone.
You have to be consitant with the heat. If you prefer the patches and the heating pad then keep it up until the pain is gone.
I do believe this started for me in the beg. of peri when I was about my mid 40's.
I think the worse was about 2yrs ago when the bout lasted a whole year day after day.
The doc diagnosed it by pressing on that area and asking questions on the pain.
This was after ruling out heart and vascular problems.
So not really a secret just found something that worked for one desperate lady, me.
See ya around cuz,
Tinkybug

Oh one last thing another thing that has really helped is bra extensions.
Now I know some ladys are small so maybe that wont help them but even though if your bra is a bit snug around the chest area wal mart sells them and they give you more room.
Lately I have been out and about and when I go out I wear the better bra so I need the extra room.
when I am home I try and wear sports bras but even then I put the extensions at least one.
Tinks

Tinkybug,
Good to see you around too. Me too with the bras...I started wearing only bras with no underwire which helps a lot. I'm going to try the Cap HP cream and see if that helps. My rhuemie has given me prescription ibruprofen, which is a godsend and will get me through as long as this lasts.

Bluewillow,
I also have the breast pain....it radiates into the breast from the inflamed breastbone, but it feels like the breast! You should be able to feel some tenderness when you palpate the area around your breast with your fingers.

Kleeo,
Glad to hear yours finally went away. Gives me hope!

Snowmoon,
I went through the same thing. Went to a cardiologist when it started....better safe than sorry I thought. Have had xrays and such too, but this does not show up on any of that. It is a diagnosis made by eliminating everything else. I'm glad to finally know what is going on.

Wow! once again, you have done it! I too have costochondritis. Mine was caused by a trauma followed by the flu over 3 years ago. now it comes and goes and each time it does I swear I am dying of breast cancer..... First time had an emergency mammo and the tech told me what she thought it was when I described my symtpoms including "my boobs feel like they are falling off" and she said "that's because they are.".... for those who asked what the cause is - I was told that it can occur either through trauma or following a bout with flu, sever bronchitis or pneumonia... I was also advised not to wear underwires as this just hurts like all get out. Not to lift anything heavier than a 2 litre soda bottle for 6 weeks and wear snug cotton bras for support.

Chronic costo is a nightmare.


It comes and goes and the pain is significant when I hit a spot in the breast - mostly right, but this bout is both - I can jump through the roof if I touch it the wrong way!! Sometimes the pain shoots up under my arm, again triggering the cancer panic....

Listening to the recommendations about carrying groceries makes a lot of sense. I have a tendancy to carry everything at once. also have a house full of animals and carry 50lb sacks of grain and feed often... this weeked it was vacuuming that drove me over the edge...

Am calling a new doctor tomorrow and making an appt for a mammo, but BOY once again, you have made me feel sooooooooooooo much better!!


Thanks!!

Hello,

It is possible to have costochondritis well into post-menopause?

Thanks,
Susan

Susan, you can have it anytime! It's literally a pain!

i too have had bouts of costcohondritis. First episode a couple of years ago was very frightening, i was in the middle of my ironing and it hit me - i thought i was having a heart attack as it was non-relenting pain in my chest and hurt so much to breathe... it just come from no where. A trip to the ER confirmed costo. Although the pain can greatly mimic a heart-attack, the test to prove otherwise is to run fingers along the rib cage...if you hit one tender spot (and you will know it as you will go through the roof with the sensation) then it is just costchondritis. It was explained to me as being an 'inflamation of the cartlidges around the rib'.

As per above - heat, rest and pain meds ease it somewhat. And the advice about not overdoing it when carrying heavy things or doing overly strenuous activities with the upper body is also valuable in dealing with this condition.

Best Wishes to you

cin

Thanks so much for the replies. I have had the pain on the right side of my mid-chest, if that makes sense, but what's been bothering me lately is on the rib below the right breast. I think what precipitated it was a series of sorting books, pushing furniture for the carpet guy, etc. Of course, I start imagining every horrible thing there is.

Susan

Hmm i always presumed costochondritis mainly affected the upper part of the chest wall, usually between 2nd and 3rd ribs, suppose there is nothing to say it can't affect the lower ribs as well - not sure to be honest. I get it on the left and it shoots into my left arm too - hence why i thought cardiac probs at first.

Hey Susan, when you were moving books and furniture etc - you didn't happen to fracture a rib or something did you?? - just being the rib below the breast made me think that, doesn't mean that it is - but just a thought. I helped my son prepare for his uni exams recently, and the part on anatomy and bones said that a woman's lower rib is very susceptable to fracture as we get older.

My thought on that piece of info was that... 'that's why god made man with one less rib - so he can do all the strenuous activities for us'


Anyway wish you well

Cin

I had seen in some other sites that costo can be located in the ribs below the breast, too; does anyone know if that is true? I am just a mess. :-) Well, I am going to my doctor next week. I hope it's gone by then.

Susan

Yes that is true, it can affect any or all of the ribs. There can be tenderness down the breast bone, under the breasts, even farther down along the rib cage. There may also be soreness under the arms and in the area of the shoulder blades. You can get soreness any where there are ribs!

Can costo also be felt in the underarm/shoulder area? Can't tell if it's that or maybe carpal tunnel?

My mom feels it in the underarm shoulder area as well. I don't know if carpal tunnel travels that high up. When my mom's acts up, it's chest, ribs, shoulder, side and back. Very uncomfortable. She takes ibuprofen, even a xanax believe it or not relaxes her and it feels better. Using heat helps too. I hope you feel better.

When Costo is very. very bad, hot compresses can be tremendously soothing. That, along with either ibuprofen, acetaminophen, or whatever NSAID works best for you - yes, Xanax can be helpful as well. Then there are times when nothing seems to help. Just try to sleep until it passes.

I've suffered mercilessly with this many times for many years.

When I used to get this more frequently years ago, my internist would give me cortisone shots right into the chest area.

Dearest

Hello Dearest,

Thankyou for bringing this post up,and lovely to see you on the boards.

Just wanted to know if Cost can present as pain in the breast area also?
Have sore/tender spots along ribs under left breast and on the outer side of the left breast,but sometimes the pain feels like it comes from the breast.

Have been to numerous Dr,s and referrerd to a specialist who all said "chest wall pain" but keep getting huge anxiety attacks over it.

Any comments appreciated.

Thanks so much for this site,has helped me so much Dearest
Take care

KathS

Yes I to agree with lovely Dearest its a very difficult thing to have.

What I do now is watch my RED ZONES, What DD taught me about this is what can be a trigger?

I know now if I scrub the shower wall I will feel it the next day so I have now delagated this job to hubby, LOL, hey it works.

If I am feeling very good and start to carry in lots of bags of groc. without being careful that is another trigger.

Moving furniture, carrying a heavy purse with the kitchen sink in it all those things.

When I do get an attack I go for the soothing heat, I use heating pads, hot creams like capzacium but ya know I found something that really works but takes a lil while to kick in. Its called TRAUMEEL CREAM.

I take lil pellets you put under your tongue called RANNUCLOUS I believe it is derived after the flower.

There are Costro. chat areas and I had read this and Hylands carries it.

So very important is to stretch slowly but every day , I grab my left arm with my right hand and then slowly stretch my body to the right then do the same for the other side.

In the shower I let the HOT WATER RUN on my hurting side , even chest area.

My costro. has even progressed to my left side. Last time I went to the doc he did a check and the pain was in my lower back at the tips of the rib cage and he said to apply heat to all that area so I do.

Sure hope this helps.

Take care,

God bless you all

Tinks

anyone had the pain go the back and side of the rib cage?
pretty much every ribs hurt
was told I have costochondritis after a trip to the ER

Hi,

Yes have had ribs hurt at back and sides,sometimes just tender spots,sometimes all over general achiness.

Normally just affects my left side??

Hope that helps

KathS

Hmmm.....I wonder if I have this. I've noticed for several months now that all along my bottom ribs on each side are tender spots. They don't hurt and ache on a regular basis, but if I touch either rib it can put me in orbit. It's a really sudden kind of pain rather than an achy feeling, as if I slammed my hand in the door or something. Touching the spots just right will almost double me over. But as soon as I let up on the pressure, the pain goes away. I also have it along the sides of my breastbone, right below my collarbone. Definitely something that I need to look more into.

Oh -- meant to post this on my other message....

Could the smothery feeling be from anxiety over concern for the pains? I know anytime something oddball pops up I'm not sure about, my anxiety kicks in, with the palps and breathing problems and trembling.