So many of you wrote to me on my 'chest pain' thread and suggested that perhaps I have costochondritis, that I thought I should really devote a separate thread to it; I hope no one minds.

To recap; for 2 weeks now I've had moderate to severe pain in my upper chest and back. It kind of waxes and wanes...goes from barely noticeable to barely tolerable. I have had this pain before, and even ended up in a cardiac intensive care unit a couple of years ago. The pain was that bad and geez, it really looked like I was having some sort of cardiac issue. But everything tested fine.

So tonight I got a call back from my doctor, and I described my symptoms. Here is what he told me (you won't like some this, ladies):

Definitely it's costochondritis. I can still pump hard on my elliptical trainer for 30-60 minutes and my recovery rate is under 2 minutes, so he said it would be impossible for this to be a heart attack. So...what is the cause, and what is the treatment??? And more specifically, are there any doctors who specialize in this?

He said no. He didn't know of ANY doctors who really 'addressed' costochondritis. I asked why. He then said (this shouldn't shock me, but it did) that this condition tends to affect women over 40, or women in menopause, and most doctors don't want to 'deal with those patients.' Let me take a moment for the outrage and indignation to sink in. I pressed my doctor further...why should someone's gender, age, or phase of life (meno) make a difference? And the answer: (drum roll please) Because women in menopause have so many problems and aches and pains, that it's hard to know what is REAL and what ISN'T.

More shock, rage, anger. From me.

I told him, with a shaking voice, that this was absolutely REAL and that I deserved to be diagnosed and treated. I'm so mad about his response I can't even believe it. This is a good doctor, too. At least he was honest with me.

He asked how bad the pain was tonight. I told him that I had been slicing apples for a pie (for tomorrow) and afterwards, the pain skyrocketed to a 9. So he told me to take 2 vicodin, plus 2 muscle relaxants, and to ice the areas that hurt. He also speculated that the reason I have this is from overuse of the muscles (too much computer...too much typing...and I should proably stop playing the piano after work.) He said that in severe cases, where the pain goes into or seems to be coming from a joint, he will inject it with cortisone. But that's not the case with me; it's my upper back and chest.

It can also be a feature of fibromyalgia. I'm not going to even go there...for now, just the cost dx is enough.

Sigh. So again, ladies, we get dismissed by the medical profession. In fact, those are the exact words he used: "Doctors tend to dismiss costochondritis because it seems to affect women in menopause, who have a lot of medical complaints."

Argh! I'm going to go off the computer and let the meds go to work. Thanks for everyone's support and recommendations...and please, any fellow sufferers, please post here and tell me your entire story.

Thanks!

-RR

Hi Roundrobin,

So sorry to hear you're suffering with costochondritis, although I have to say that the only thing which surprises me about your doctor's response is his level of honesty! I think most of us who've suffered the huge range of peri/meno symptoms for any length of time know that this is what a lot of them are really thinking. Here comes another neurotic, self-obsessed menopausal woman to waste my time..........it still amazes (and depresses) me that we're in the 21st century and menopause isn't better understood and treated. I know it's been said before, but I suspect that if this was a male affliction a lot more research and effort would be put into understanding it!

Anyway, I could rant on this theme indefinitely but what I really wanted to tell you is that when this peri thing began for me, it manifested itself with costochondritis-type symptoms. I never got an official dignosis but I'm sure that's what it was. Tightness and pain in my chest and upper back on the right side, which radiated up into my neck. It was so uncomfortable that I couldn't even wear a bra for a significant length of time. I had lots of acupuncture, took up yoga and applied heat, and evntually it went away, although I still have stiff, tight muscles on that side.

I remember at the time finding a website - it was about three years ago so I don't know if it still exists - which dealt exclusively with costochondritis and giving advice to sufferers. The site was run by a doctor who specialises in this condition, and he used to reply personally to enquiries from sufferers. Only thing is, I can't remember his name! But I'm sure a google search of costochondritis would get you onto it, if you haven't found it already. Hope you find some relief from this debilitating condition soon, Jess x

Hi Robin


My god you poor thing. I can't imagine the pain you are in. Surely there has to be a specialist somewhere. Have you tried all the avenues? Searched online?
There has to be some answer. I am seeing my doctor again soon because I want off my klonoplin. Mind you I'm in Toronto and it is a big city albeit farther away from you but perhaps he has some connections. I will keep you posted. Take it easy and don't overdo it.

enjoy your morning
Tara

Robin, I have had this since my late 30's I am 54. I remember going to the doctor a few times. It effected my left side and breast area. He finally sent me for a mammogram. It was okay. He said it was probably inflammation of the cartilage between the ribs. I lived with it on and off for years. It wasn't until a few years ago where I found the correct name for it on the internet. I have not been officially diagnosed with it. I finally went to a chiropractor who does active release therapy last summer. It did help. Then the pain always comes back. I have used heat, cold, epsom salts soaks, aspirin, vick's, icy hot, etc. Most of the time I can't wear a bra. There are some exercises you can do. There are shots you can get that help-I think cortisone-not sure on that. Here is a website that tells of bracing and skilled relaxation technique. http://askwaltstollmd.com/ You have to do a search on the site and check the archives. Yahoo has a group, too, that I go to now and then. A lot of members there.
http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/costo...group&slk=1

I am now using a magnesium oil spray. Sometimes I feel it is helping. You have to keep using it. There is a thread on it here somewhere on that. Pam

I have had this for many years but only diagnosed with it by my acupuncturist last year. I think it is a vague term for aches and pains caused by years of wear and tear and it always seems to get worse at menopause. After I had my ovaries removed and was going "cold turkey" as I was not allowed HRT, the aches and pains became really bad. My acupuncturist told me that this is a consequence of the menopause but that once my body settled down things would improve. She was absolutely right and now although I do have lots of aches and pains I keep on top of them with swimming, massage and a Chinese therapy that can be done at home called gua sha-or skin scraping .It is a very simple therapy that can be done by your partner whereby the skin is scraped with a Chinese soup spoon until it brings up a rash which is a sign of toxins being released. I know it sounds weird but it really works! I have terrible centre back pain which sometimes goes right up into my jaw and front of chest and it fixes it straight away.I recommend googling Gua Sha. There is lots of info about it on the net and it is safe to do at home!
janet c

Need some reassurance here guys. The pain in my upper back, between my shoulder blades, is so bad I can barely function. I spent the weekend with heat patches on my chest and back...and taking lots of anti-inflammatory meds...which didn't do anything at all.

I need to be reasonable about this, but when I'm in severe pain, I become irrational. What if this is cancer of some internal organ...liver, pancreas, etc. I know that is a far-fetched conclusion, but like I said, I'm not in my right mind.

Just called my primary care doc and got an appointment for tomorrow morning. I'm so afraid he'll just say "strained muscles...take ibuprofen, ice it, rest, etc, etc, etc." I've been doing that for a month now, and it's not getting better. Not one little bit!

The problem is that IF this indeed caused by overuse of the muscles, what can I do about it? My job is the only thing bringing in any money to this house. Sigh. Sorry for sounding like a whiny brat.

Please someone tell me this isn't something awful and serious. My rational mind knows that, but I need to hear (read) it. Thanks...

Robin, It is good you are going to the doctor. It will probably be nothing. If it's costco, some people go to a physiologist and do physical therapy. There is some type of massage, too, but I can't even think of the name it. There is trigger point therapy, too. I know how it is too worry that is something worse. I do that, too. I have had this for so long. Sometimes I worry if I ignore it, what if it is something serious this time. So it is good to go to dr to get checked out. I'd send you a hug but I know a physical hug would hurt so here's a cyber hug. Take care! Pam

Also a rhuematologist might help with costco. I found this on a search. So there are ladies here who have costco pain.
http://www.power-surge.com/php/forums/lofi...php/t11922.html
I think there are things one can do to help if you work at a desk and computer all day long. I tried to do a search but can't find anything. Maybe it could be following good posture at desk, chair, etc. and taking frequent breaks. I did find a few sites. Hope it helps. http://www.unboundedmedicine.com/2006/02/2...etzes-syndrome/
http://www.cfids-cab.org/cfs-inform/Ic/costomm.htm

((((Robin)))) - Don't worry...it's costco. I was feeling all the same feelings as you. It's a terrible pain. Honey - did you try the aspirin? Just simple aspirin?

God bless you Robin.

Suzanne

Dear Robin,

I am so sorry this has beseiged you, to be in pain so much is so depressing and devestating. I have been dealing with this issue now too, for a while. It is on and off, but when it hits, all you want to do is lay down with the heating pad, and fade away. I don't really have any "advice", because I barely know what I'M doing myself, but you are in my thoughts and prayers, because you've been through so much lately, and you need a break! Robin, my dear friend, know that I will keep you in my prayers, and I really hope you are able to get some relief soon!

Sincerely, MyDarling

When I was in the hospital for chest pain being worked up, I saw a gastroenterologist who asked if I had upper back pain also that radiates between shoulder blades. He said it could possibly be gallbladder and checked me up for that. It turned out to be okay, however. Just thought I would throw that out there for you to think about gallbladder. It probably is costochondritis though. The doctors would usually press the bone between my breasts to see if I would scream in pain, is that a symptom of costochondritis? Do you normally have pain upon pressure in the chest bone area if it is costochondritis? Is it possible to have costochondritis and not feel the pressure on that area? Just wondering. Hope you feel better.

I can't believe what your doctor said. I am glad he let you in on the little secret of how they really feel about menopausal women! Wow, I am a little shocked to say the least. Amazing, isn't it.

Girls: First of all, thank you for responding. I am so scared about going to the doctor's tomorrow. Here I am, ME, the one who always has an answer to everything (hope that isn't annoying) and I'm freaked out. I'm just afraid he will pat me on the head and send me away with NO answers.

I want to try something here...a little experiment. I'm going to tell you all what I REALLY want to say to my doctor. And I'd like it if you would tell me how I can get the point across. Because when I'm in his office, I go through this metamorphosis...I change from a confident, well dressed business woman in a smart suit, to a blathering idiot who is afraid her doctor won't like her. Sigh. I am so pathetic.


Okay, here goes.

What I Really Want to Say to My Doctor:

(I'm going to use his initials and call him 'Dr. S')

Hi Dr. S: I know we talked last week about this upper back and chest pain I have been having. And I know you said it was costochondritis. You also told me that no one really knows what it is, and that you didn't know any doctors at all, anywhere, who specialize in it, because it affects mostly women in menopause and we're already high maintenance patients. I laughed and said "oh I know" to you, but I lied. I don't know. You pissed me off and upset me...have you ANY IDEA how bad the past 2 years have been for me? Just when I get rid of one symptom--usually by taking a poisonous drug that increases my risk of cancer---I get another!

Doctor S, I tried everything you said and it was useless. The aspirin, the ibuoprofen, the gentle heat, the ice packs. Did Not Work. I am the primary supporter of a disabled husband and a daughter in college. If I can't work, we go hungry, bills don't get paid, and my life goes to hell. This back and chest pain is BAD, Dr. S. So bad I spent the weekend crying in bed. So bad I didn't get out of my pajama's todqay. So bad I had to go to bed halfway through Thanksgiving dinner.

So, Dr. S: Do you want to be my doctor or not? Really, I want to know. DO YOU WANT TO BE MY DOCTOR OR NOT? If the answer is yes, then you need to listen to me. Don't look at your clipboard or your computer screen while I'm talking. Look at me, like I'm a real person and we are really talking. You make me feel stupid, Dr S, and embarassed that I have medical problems.

Please stop dismissing me as ditzy, and high maintenance and 'full of complaints' because of my age and gender. It's not easy getting older, Doctor (note to PS sisters: he is young), or being a woman, or going through menopause. Add on top of that the BS I have been through in the past two years and it's a wonder I can function at all.

I want you to CARE about the fact that I am in constant, fairly severe, pain. And I want you to be 100% certain that it's not something else. I'm not asking you to run a bunch of expensive tests...but could you at least do some basic blood work? My sed rate? Could you take an extra 10 minutes from the usual 60 second appointment I normally experience and think about how I can get some relief from this pain? Think outside the box...maybe ask another doctor if you don't honestly know what to do?

My life is not good, Dr. S. I know you deal with people who have brain tumors and systemic disease and I know that I am not as badly off as they are. But I am part of the fabric of society...one of those hard working people who creates an income and pays my taxes, and right now, I'm having trouble doing my job. Making love to my husband. Being civil to my husband. Or anyone, for that matter. Does that count, in your eyes?

If you think I'm silly, or I'm making any of this up, then just tell me, and I will find another doctor. Tell me honestly and right now. No more laughing under your breath or winking, or making off-handed comments about how 'we're all dying'...STOP THAT BECAUSE I HATE IT. I was your first patient when you opened your practice, Dr. S. YOUR FIRST PATIENT. Doesn't that mean anything? Please help me. PLEASE."

So there you have it, girls. That is what I want to say, and can't to my doctor. He wouldn't let me get past the first sentence. And he is actually a good doctor.

Comments...suggestion...advice, greatly needed!!!

Robin- I can hear your frustration. I'm sorry....

But if I had to tell my doctor to quit laughing under his breath, I wouldn't even waste my time seeing him again. I'd find another doctor.

Good Luck!!

XOXOXOXOXOXOX

good! long BUT good. are you going to memorize it? feel empowered that he is such a pipsqueak! why not ask for an ex-ray of said area? or something along those lines.

(((ROBIN)))

Robin

I think those are all very good questions to ask your doctor. If he still does not take it seriously I would condider getting another docrtor. Good luck today!

Take care
Tara

Robin,

I'm so sorry you're in so much pain all the time. I'm wondering if they can do an MRI or something on your upper back and chest, along with some blood work, just to make sure nothing else is going on. I have costochondritis and this is painful...I get a burning sensation in my back and down my arm too..and with the heart palps on top of it...well, it's not a pleasant time. It definitely hurts when I press on areas of my bones in my breast area. I've had a recent flare up from lifting weights...I was doing pretty well for a few weeks then boom....flare up again. Anyway, I did go for physical therapy several times and I was told that costo...is usually chronic and I'd have to exercise properly to help it. Perhaps you can go and get some physical therapy for this - it gave me relief in a matter of a month...the bad pain stopped at least.

You say what you need to feel to the dr. You will not be his only patient who will experience such things and he should take this as a learning opportunity...I'd probably tell him that too.
If you don't get the results you seek than go to another dr.]

Hugs,
Karen

Thanks...my appt is actually tomorrow. I have a client meeting about an hour away at 8:30 and then have to somehow make it to his office by 10:45. I asked the receptionist if she thought he would be running late (I usually wait at least an hour) and she said no. So watch how I'll rush to make it there and then sit around fuming. I don't understand how he is always so late...he never spends more than a few minutes with me. I think he books 3 or 4 patients at the same time every hour. His waiting room is always crammed with elderly people (I guess he likes Medicare...which might be a bad sign...I'm rambling.)


I was really just free associating in my last post. I dont know how I would ever get all of that out...I don't think he would listen.

Sigh. Maybe I should indeed get a new doctor. But this guy has known me for so long. And truth be told, I don't think there are many good doctors out there...I think they are rare.

Robin,

At the very least, try physical therapy.

Hugs,
Karen

I think he should do an EKG first, and then do a chest x-ray, blood work, MRI or CAT scan of chest area. Don't let him just tell you it's nothing. Insist on testing for your own good. It just sounds so painful and uncomfortable. That alone is enough to make you depressed. It makes you think you are dying and they are missing what is "killing" you. I know the feeling. Who wants to be living in pain and of course when it involves the chest, we just automatically think "heart" even when they say it is not.

robin,
So sorry I haven't been around to talk to you, but my daughter had an emergency surgery this weekend and needless to say, I've been preoccupied. I wish you well tomorrow and let us know how it goes. Be strong and tough. it's your body and you have every right to ask as many questions as you want and get the real answers. That is what you are paying him for. YOu deserve to be heard, and taken care of once and for all. I know my mom has coscto and it is quite painful for her. the nighttime heating beans on her chest and ibuprofen helps a little. I think when she has had a xanax or two it seems to relax the chest muscles too, not that she is nervous, but it calms down her system.

good luck and feel better.

I feel so sorry for you. I wish doctors could hear themselves talk sometimes...


Have you consulted a good chiropractor? You'd be surprised at how much pain can come from our spines. It's called sublexation (probably spelled it wrong. LOL) and an out of whack spine can radiate pain all over our bodies.

Robin,

Costochondritis should be a diagnosis only after everything else is eliminated. That means that you should see a cardiologist and a rhuematologist for a full workup (and your Dr. S should tell you that, refer you, whatever your insurance requires, etc). Additionally, he should be doing bloodwork and an xray or CT scan of the area to make sure there is nothing else going on that he can see. I'm not kidding - if he is not doing his due diligence, he is not the good doctor that you seem to think he is. It took me two years to get this diagnosis, and I was seeing both a cardiologist and rhuematologist. Actually had two workups from a rhuematologist as there are some things that can take some time to show up on their tests and they made sure to cover everything. Obviously you have some fears about what this could be - your doctor should hear those and should do whatever it takes to alleviate those fears. My family doc actually asked me what I was most afraid of and I told him - he promptly made sure that we could get those out of the way and out of my mind. I was so appreciative of that!

Please make sure that you get the care that you deserve and don't just stay with a doctor because you have been going there for a long time. Sometimes a change can be so refreshing!

Thanks girls. What a life I seem to be having lately. Last night, right after dinner and out of the blue, I started having spasm in my stomach and lower intestines that made me double over. It was scary. It was like my body hurt right from the tip of my head to the bottom of well...you know.

I'm going to be assertive today...or I'm going to try be. You girls have been great....I'm asking for blood work, and EKG, an MRI, and if he won't comply, then I am going to tell him I will be seeing another doctor. You know, I feel like everyone should have a 'medical advocate' with them when they go to the doctor. Just someone who can speak up for the patient....make sure they don't get short shrift.

hmmm..maybe I've got an idea for a new business here...

Robin,

Good luck today. If he doesn't do what you ask him you can go to the ER and tell them about your chest and back pain and everything else you're experiencing and they should check you out thoroughly.

Hugs,
Karen

Hi Karen...you up already? Me too. What a horrible night. I was violently ill...not sure from what. Husband and I ate the same thing for dinner. This has got to let up; I can't keep being sick like this.

I'm supposed to see a client at 8:30 but I'm passing if off to my DH (one of the advantages to being in biz together)...my upper back is already killing me and I"m going to be as prepared as I can for my doctor's appointment.

hugs & best wishes, robin. i hope that this appt goes well & that you will be finding some answers & relief soon.

xo,ellen

Thinking of you Robin. Please let us know how it turns out at your doctor's appointment.

Blessings,
Suzanne

I'm BACK!  It went well.First of all, it didn't hurt that he made me wait an hour and my chest and back were hurting so badly I was in tears.  He did a thorough exam and pronounced 'costsochondritis, absolutely.'  In fact, my uppper rib cage is so swollen you can see it in a mirror (he showed me.)I have been prescribed a topical anti-infllammatory, pain meds, and strict rest.  No driving, no piano, and...here it comes...no typing. So...thank you all for your support and I love each and every one of you. I will see you in a week...Love,R

Robin I am so glad you finally have a diagnosis. Take it easy for the next couple of days. Take a nice relaxing bubble bath and a glass of wine (if you drink) Take care I will be thinking of you!

Take it easy
Tara

So glad you got a diagnosis. I know sitting at computer for long periods of time and typing are not good even for me. You take care and will be happy to hear from you in a week! Pam

(((((((Robin))))))))) I'm so glad you got a diagnosis too. I hope you get better soon.

Hugs,
Karen

Good to hear that you got the diagnosis. Please take care of yourself...REST. Tara I don't think it is a good idea for her to be mixing anti-inflammatories with wine. You can pickle your liver that way. Best to just put your feet up - drinking tea and watching TCM!!!!! ?Lotsa good movies on now Robin!

Bless you,
Suzanne

Robin,
I am happy you finally know for sure what's going on and although it is painful, it is not something horrible. I hope you start feeling better soon. pamper yourself, it's been a rough few weeks, (months, years) and you need time to heal.

enough: thanks...i thought I would offer some more tidbits of my conversation with my doctor:

I actually have something called Tietze's Syndrome. It's basically the same as costonchondritis, but a bit more advanced...with costo, there usually isn't any swelling, whereas it turns out I have significant swelling of my upper rib cage--both in the front and the back. My rib cage cannot fully expand, which is why I am having shortness of breath. My body cannot expand enough to take a deep breath, so I constantly have this feeling of not getting enough air. The pain, combined with the shortness of breath, is the reason this looks almost exactly like a heart attack.

I had no idea my problem was this advanced. Neither did my doctor. He had me press on some ribs that weren't swollen, then he had me *gently* press on the ones up near my chest. I was really shocked; the skin is all swelled up and feels soft and spongy. Ditto for my back...between my shoulder blades, the cartilage is twice the size it should be.

The cause: Overuse..too much computer work and too much driving (that's basically my job in a nutshell.) He said that ideally, the treatment is a course of prednisone, complete bed rest, and painkillers. But he is reluctant to go the prednisone route, since it has such nasty side effects. We're holding that out as a last resort.

Instead, I'm on a topical gel called Voltaren. It's an NSAID that used to be available in pill form, but it caused massive stomach problesm in people, so now it's only prescribed as a gel or cream. I have to put it on the affected areas FIVE times a day (easy to do for my chest, but my upper back is quite the dilemma).

Plus pain killers, muscle relaxers, and bed rest.

Okay, I've used up my allotment of typing for today...see ya tomorrow!\

Thanks for everyone who responded here--love you guys!\

-Robin

What nasty side effects does prednisone have? I took prednisone after a run-in with an antibiotic that didn't agree with me (massive outbreak of hives and concern that it might turn into anaphylactic shock). The prednisone dampens your immune system, so you can't take vaccines or have surgery for a period of time after taking it. I didn't experience any unpleasantness taking the prednisone though; in fact, I didn't feel any different than I normally do. I was not on it for very long -- 10 days maybe, and had to taper down the amount I was taking toward the end. I did not get sick or anything, even though it is supposed to make you more susceptible to colds, etc. People with transplants take prednisone or something similar their whole lives in order to prevent rejection.

If you are worried about the lowered immunity as a side effect, that is a definite concern. But if you are worried about feeling crappy as a result of taking it, that didn't happen to me, although everyone reacts differently. I'm assuming you would not have to take the prednisone for a very long period of time, so I was just wondering what would be so "nasty" about taking it, in your doctor's opinion, especially if it would give you faster relief from the back pain. In the e.r. they didn't have any compunction about giving it to me, and didn't even mention to me any of the hazards, but that was probably because they were really worried about how far the reaction to the antibiotic would go, and one of the only ways of stopping it is with the prednisone.

Witsend: Nothing escapes your eagel eye! What a good question. Let me talk about prednisone. It's a very strong drug and I would have needed to be on it for several weeks. Besides trashing your immune response, it has some other notable side effects:

1. It can cause rages. It's literally 'roid rage...becasue pred is a steroid.
2. It can cause very bad stomach problems for people who are sensitive to it, and I'm one of them.
3. Here is the biggie: It can make your blood sugar go sky high. I'm pre-diabetic...had gestational diabetes for a short time when I was pregnat, plus I have a strong family history (both parents, all four grandparents, all my aunts and uncles, and 1/2 of my cousins...my youngest cousin is 33 and was just dx'ed with type 2 diabetes.)

Years ago doctors thought that a fasting blood sugar that was under 100 was okey-dokey. Medical science has changed it's mind on that. After at least 12 hours of absolutely no food or drink, doctors like to see your blood sugar UNDER 90. My fasting sugar was always 99. Also, (I learned this from Karen ), 2 hours after you eat dinner, or any meal, your sugar should be under 160. Mine was typically 169 two hours after a meal. So. The handwriting was on the wall. I was heading for type 2 diabetes...my doc estimates I have seven times the risk of contrating it. I've been on a low carb diet for over a month now. My DH has lost 14 pounds. I've lost zero...BUT, my fasting blood sugar is down to 81 and 2 hours after eating, it is 85. So I have proven I can control it with a low carb diet (no more than 30-40 carbs a day...but I'll go down to 20 if I have to.)

My doctor was really happy that my blood sugar was stable, and told me that a course of prednisone could throw me into type 2 diabetes. I had never heard of that before, but I mentioned it to my FIL, who is a pretty severe diabetic and he told me that his doctor won't prescribe prednisone for him either. Live and learn, I guess.

'Course if the current course of meds doesn't work, I may have to go on the prednisone after all. This morning, after sitting upright (and trying very hard to have excellent posture...no hunching of my shoulders...standing tall and erect, chest jutting out--what a sight, I'm likely to put someone's eye out I still developed what I consider to be moderately severe chest and upper back pain. I laid down for 2 hours and just go up. Feel better; took my meds...now I'm trying to decide if I should work out.

Here's the dilemma. I do my workouts on an elliptical machine. Asked the ole' doc if it was bad for me. Turn out, yes, the swinging back and forth motion with my arms is very bad and will strain my muscles even more. Okay, so what's my option? He said I could 'hold on' to the bar in the front, as long as I don't 'grip' it. I can't see NOT gripping it. I mean, I pump hard for at least 30 minutes on this machine and usually get my heart rate well over 160. Don't anybody freak out over that number; I checked with the doctor and he said that was fine for me...I am a long time exerciser and used to gertting my heart rate into that range. My resting pulse is always in the low 60's...I pretty sure my heart is in good shape.

I love the work out because it leaves me deliciously exhausted, sweating, and feeling soooo good. Anyone out there who has never experienced the 'high' of endorphins that flood your brain during or right after an aerobic workout is missing out on one of life's most basic (and free!) pleasures. I found out all this in my late twenties when I took up running. I ran faithfully well into my late thirties and miss it so much. There's just nothing like a good long jog on a crisp sunny morning. But alas, my poor breasts and knees just can't take the pounding anymore. I am not trying to come off like an exercise snob...trust me, I've been through phases where I'm too depressed to go work out, but if I just force myself to, I'm never sorry.

So I dont' know what to do. Today was the last day I could possibly take out of work until Christmas. I'm booked up solid right up until the holiday, so maybe I'll just rest as much as possible.

You know what, gals? I wish there was a 'splint' for my upper back. We were them on our arms for carpal tunnel...why not one for our backs? Some device that would force me to sit up straight and not crunch the muscles in my torso. Would a corset do the trick?

My husband's physical therapist told him to literally strap me to my computer chair, so that I am forced to sit as upright as possible....

robin,
what a drag to not be able to exercise like you are used to. I ran during the summer, but my osteoarthritis got the best of me and I had to stop. Now I nordictrack five days a week and use the arm things different than you are supposed to to get an extra arm workout, but, it hurts the muscles in my neck and upper back, but feels good when I am doing it. There is nothing like how you feel when you are are using the machine you like. I would be lost without it, so I understand about the elliptical.

Try to rest at night when you are home as much as possible and hang in there. Good luck, my friend, I wish you well.

Robin,
If you have obvious swelling, it's almost certainly Tietze's syndrome, not costochondritis (costochondritis does not cause swelling). I had 16 years of Tietze's. The pain does get better, and there are about a dozen treatment options for Tietze's syndrome.
Good luck

Just would like to add myttwo cents.

I got this over 15 years ago and was upset that docs couldnt or wouldnt give me relief, now that was the blessing in diguise.

Thru the years I have tried many things but the main thing is to watch your RED ZONES, see what triggers it. Daughter taught me that word from her job.

When I start cleaning the house I just have to watch it and when I do to much pulling or when I clean the shower walls I can begin to feel the pain I have to stop and reevaluate the situation.

Stop carrying heavy things in your purse and switch sides, when shopping in the market put your purse in the basket but of course keep your hand intwined in the handle as to not get ripped off
Carrying the groc bags can trigger it, so ask for help or take in less bags at a time.
Being a pioneer women myself I wouldnt ask for help bad idea.

STRETCH VERY IMPORTANT FROM SIDE TO SIDE, HEAT APPLY HEAT, HOT CREAMS ARE THE BEST , ALSO TRAUMEEL CREAM GOOGLE IT.

Excecise and keep the weight down I know right now I have extra pounds on and it adds to the pressure.
I use a chair pad that has a massage thing in it and I do it once a day, oh it feels like heaven .

I also take a supplement called RHUS TOX by hylands you can google it , it comes from the flower Rannublous.

There is so much out there to curve the pain. My pain has also always been on the left side, then left breast and the Sterum OUCH.

My pain has been almost gone lately and for that I am very grateful and blessed.

On my bras I always have an extension to give the rib cage more room.

I alway buy the sports bras with the added inches around that area.

If you are small breasted and the extensions to give you more room are a problem then buy the next size up to give you room around the ribcage.

Hope this helped someone.

Now some people say ice helps but heat is what has helped me.

Oh yeah I almost forgot I take a supplement with Cal/Magn. (it helps with muscle aches) and Zinc
Fish oil (non fishy)
Primerose oil omega 3's
Traumeel supplements to. its great
Capzacium hot cream PM me if you want to try this there are alot of dos and donts trust me I learned the hard way but it will kill the pain and heals.

Blessings to you all
We will make it thru this
Tinks
F

Over the past year I have suffered greatly with a very similar pain. I thought it was my heart or my gallbladder.....gave up on doctors years ago and basically decided that if the pain was still there after two hours and I was still breathing then it wasn't my heart. How sad...when I don't want to go to the doc or emerg cause I know they are gonna look at me with this "Oh no another middle age hypochondriac. I never even knew there was a name for this condition. Bless you for repulling this thread....this answers so many questions for me.