I have done a PS search on costocondritis and found a few posts but would SO appreciate information from anyone who has/had this and what has helped. I'm self diagnosing here, but feel pretty sure it's costocondritis (and of course, hormones doing their thing in there in some way). Here's what I've been and am experiencing:

Pain in my chest - not sharp or jabbing, but pretty constant for almost 6 weeks now. I've had some days where it's been very mild and other times quite severe in discomfort. It started across the top of both breasts and when I'd push on this area, it heightened it - if that makes sense. I also had pain in my arm pits but that has abated a bit.

I did have and KG - it was fine. I had a chest x-ray- it was fine. My bloodwork was fine.

My doctor said we can do an MRI on my neck in case there's compression or something like that that is impacting the muscles- as it feels muscular in some ways. I have not done that yet.

The "breast pain" is not pain like I've had with PMS -it doesn't feel "fluid-y" or lumpy.

I have 2 specific spots that right now are causing the most discomfort - above and to the side of each nipple - in the direction of middle of my chest.

I have also had nausea - which I've had in the past due to hormones - so I don't know if that's related to this breast/chest discomfort or not. Could be anxiety as well - because this discomfort is almost always there - esp the last week again and it just wears me out emotionally and physically.

I don't notice any change in my breathing or with exertion -other than I don't feel like I have energy or desire to do "much" beyond work.

I've used ibuprophen and don't see/feel much difference if any.

I've used hot water bottle and tiger balm and they "help" but only while I'm using them while resting. When I'm done with them and up and about, it's right back.

Sorry for the LONG post - an anyone reassure and/or give me any suggestions? MANY thanks, Kathleent

Hi Kathleent,

I'm a hairstylist, and just today one of my favorite clients told me she is dealing with "costocondritis". She said that last week she could barely walk accross the room, she can barely breathe??? Does that sound like what you are experiencing?? Lots of pain and short of breath. She wound up at the ER on Monday. They told her to take 3 warm showers per day, the steam from the hot water is good, and very important to breath deeply several times a day.

That is all I remember, hope that is some help, if I find out more info I will let you know. Perhaps it will have to run it's course, I'm so sorry you are suffering with this. You are going through so much, keep strong and I will keep you in my prayers.

Take care, Juliann

Hi Kathleen....

I have had costcochondritis....the ONLY thing that helped me was icing the area AND aspirin. The pharmacist told me it was the only thing that worked. It is very common in peri too - In my case it was towards the end of my periods.

Mine was underneath my left breast bone and very intense aching pains. It radiated to the back and down my arm too...I occasionally had some pain in the right area but mostly left.

Also, when mine was really annoying, I slept at a 45 degree angle.

Do not lift anything, push anything or pull anything - I did and it only exacerbates the condition. In fact it may contribute to it initally as well.

All the best is wished for you today!

Sincerely,
Suzanne

Thanks for the icing idea. Will try that.
Mine does not effect my breathing nor is it made worse/changed at all by taking deep breaths or exerting myself, etc.

I just keep hoping that what I'm experiencing is "costo" - because my mind goes to other places of what else it could be - especially since this is so constant and is lasting for weeks!

I look forward to hearing from others. Thanks much!

I hope you are feeling better. My mom has this and it is very painful.. Ibuprofen is what she is told to take to help with the inflammation, but it does increase blood presure, so now she takes tylenol. Also warm compresses help it feel better when she is laying around. I think Roundrobin also has it and has a post about it. Check around, lots of people wrote back to her about it.

kath: I have costochondritis. Very bad...it's from overuse of my muscles (too much typing...I literally type for 10 hours straight some days.) My chest and back were actually swollen...and it's hard to take a deep breath because your rib cage cannot expand fully (that's what my doctor told me.)

Try to rest your arms as much as possible...no typing, writing, sewing, piano playing, etc. Heat makes it worse...ice is the best. This is going to sound ridiculous, but I go to sleep every night with a giant bag of frozen peas on my chest (by the morning they are warm and mushy...ugh...) Try to imagine there is a string going thru you body and right up thru the top of your head. Imagine someone is pulling it and making you stand as upright as you can. That's the posture you should try and assume.

Costo can also be caused by stress...we unconsciously hunch our shoulders together without realizing it whenever we feel scared, anxious, angry, or stressed.

I have pain in both my chest and upper back, and sometimes it is so severe I actually cry. My doctor has given me painkillers for it...after my 3rd trip to the ER thinking I was having a heart attack. If the area that hurts is tender to the touch, that's a classic sign of costochondritis. If you look carefully at yourself in a mirror you can sometimes see the swelling near your collarbone.

I've had this condition on/off for years and years...it seems to wax and wane. My job requires I use a computer so it's really hard to deal with this sometimes, but try and get as much rest as you can. Ibuprofen does absolutely nothing for me, unfortunately.

You've been through a lot of stress lately..I'm so sorry you have to deal with this. The good news is that it can't kill you, but it sure is painful!

Hope you feel better soon...

Lots of hugs,
Robin

On top of DVT i have Firbromyalgia and I am in what I think is peri. I have had costocondritis. It is not fun when the pain is coming on. What I have done is to lie down (if you are near somewhere that you can do this). Or is sit down. I try to take a vitamin E and a Fish oli to loosen up the muscles.

I was told i had costo too,,,but my symptoms are different ....

I get this lousy, DEEP ache in my left rib area, NOT under my breast, but more on my side, and left waist. ... it then, goes around to the left side of my back, (always on the left side of the spine), I'd say, around the kidney area, and below, down to the curve of your back, and maybe down a little farther. .... i've had urine tests and it's not anything kidney related, NOR DO I HAVE A UTI....so, it's not my kidney .... my dr. said it's costo .... so, does any of that sound familiar to anyone here?

I have to keep putting BEN GAY on my left side, waist, and left back area .... AND ESP. down by the lower back, next to the spine ... Ugh! i take some tylenol or advil, which USUALLY helps somewhat, but the ache and lousy feeling in there makes me feel queasy (which usually happens with muscle problems) .... I have to lay down, and either use the heating pad on that area, or perhaps, my hair dryer to heat the area up .... that helps more than anything.