I've been having a lot of back pain for the past few weeks, and where my ribs come together belong the breast bone is very tender, as are my lower ribs. My doctor says that I have costochondritis. He says that the pain can wrap around to the back. Does anyone else have this problem?

It is the most horrible pain. Makes you feel like you're having a heart attack. Ibruprophen and hot bathes help it. Hang in there, it goes in about a month most of the time.

Chris

I get this pain as well but I have had it for 10 years, it just varys in degrees. I also find that if I glug a drink it tends to get stuck. I was told it is like two sides of a coin, when the back is inflamed it wraps around to the front.

Hello Diane

I am new here today, so just feeling my way a little

I had Costochondritis off and on for a number of years (more on than off). The best relief I got was when I had steroid injections into my ribs. Yukky I know, but it worked for me.

Hope you get some relief real soon.

goldenwings. :angel:

Hi, I was diagnosed with costro about two years ago, but am sure I had it longer. Some people have it for a short while and it goes away, others have it and it becomes chronic.I get severe rib pain that seems to start at the base of the sterum along my lower ribs on the left side. The pain radiates though my breast right up to the shoulder and into my back. Sometimes it is in the bra strap area goes into my breast or into the under arm and down my side. My ribs below the breasts and above are always sore as well as my collar bone.

From my understanding a lot of Fmers have both conditions as well as myofascal pain sydrome, I sure meet the criteria I have all three.

Hugs to you and everyone, Linda

I've been having a lot of back pain for the past few weeks, and where my ribs come together belong the breast bone is very tender, as are my lower ribs. My doctor says that I have costochondritis. He says that the pain can wrap around to the back. Does anyone else have this problem?

I also have it. Right where the ribs cover the heart.. I even went to the emergancy room with chest pains because I wasn't sure what it was. One time I took 2 Vicadin and 2 Tylanol and it barely touched the pain. Prednisone or Relafin( not sure that is the correct name) because both are strong anti inflammatories. Yes it is terrible. Doctor said xrays won't show problem because cartilage will not show up.

I've had this for 9 months now. I just don't understand it. My back hurts left side mid way down & down my flank everyday. It's a very sore area in my back that just kills. Also my ribs are all tender entire left side & it hurts left side up to under my left breast. I've tried steroid injections & trigger point. None have worked for me. I can't believe they don't have a way to make this go away. Does anyone know what causes it anyway?

I was told it is simular to arthritis, except instead of effecting the joints, it hits the cartilage.

I think arthritis of the cartilage is a perfect description. I am continuing with magnesium, calcium, zinc, massage and moist heat and seem to be getting big relief finally.

I have had FM for over 25 years but have only recently (say past 4 months) had the costochondritis pain. I also had heart tests performed to be safe, but in the end it was related to the FM. It is a tossup between the costo or my hip pain as to which is most disabiling. At times each has its moments when moving at all seems like a bad idea. The stress test and blood tests with a cardiologist settled the heart issue which is comforting.

Hi Diane,
I had a bad bout of chostochondritis a few years ago after having the flu. It sort of crept up slowly over a few days, and I kept checking in the mirror thinking my ribs had big bruises on them (that's how it initially felt). It became intolerable for about a week (I actually passed out from the pain :eek: ). The doc prescribed motrin, and told me to apply heat. I also wrapped a giant ace bandage around my chest (a little difficult with boobs, lol! ;) ) which helped, especially while sleeping. I was sore for a a couple of months after, and still get the occaisional flare up, but not so bad as the first time. I hope you feel better soon!
Lynne

Hiya All,

I posted a while ago re: costochondritis. Since then I have been diagnosed with fibromyalgia. I am really annoyed about this as I suffered (and I do mean) suffered with costo, and the only relief was steroid injections. I can't have them now as I have had open heart surgery so it's a bit tricky.

Maybe I had the fibromyalgia all along, I don't know. It all comes back to only seeing what they want to see I'm sorry to say. Perhaps if they had looked into my symptoms a bit more it would have enabled me to get treatment for the fibromyalgia and therefore the costochondritis would not have been so bad.

Just my little vent.

goldenwings :angel:

A tip for those of you who also suffer from bouts of costochondritis....medical supply stores (or the internet) should carry what is called a 'rib belt' which is much more effective than trying to bind the rib cage with an ace bandage. A wide stretchy band that connects with a velcro closure. It helps me tremendously when ribs are aching.

You can buy a mans or a womans belt, (to compensate for breasts of course) and they're sold in S M L or XL sizes. I bought the first one without first trying it on in the store; bought a small which was too small; and they happily allowed me to exchange it for a medium. I also have fibromyalgia so the 2 sometimes go hand in hand and is hard for me to tell which came first.

Hi, I have costochondritis. I have been to an oncologist, rheumatologist, pain specialist, heart surgeon, and 4 MD's. I found out I do not have cancer and narcotics are not the answer. I have been in severe pain for 5 months and still not getting better. I have found that I will just have to live with this. I am only 25 years old and this has effected my whole life. The pain is not only in my chest, but radiates down my arm and back. I now live with my heating pad. I would love to have more suggustions on how to live with this.

Oh wow, do i know what that feels like. I just went to the doctor on Monday, cause it started around THanksgiving for me. Not sure if it was all the work, lifting the turkey, flipping it over to spice, then picking it up to put in bag, plus cooking everything else, then cleaning. Actually i started feeling bad friday morning when i got up and just got worse. By Monday I couldnt take it and they worked me in. She said it was the fibro, since i cant take aspirin (im allergic to it), she instead started me on a low dose of cymbalta for the pain. She said it would take a while to kick in, but i also take 4 lortabs plus 4 muscle relaxers per day for the pain. Hope it goes away soon, sure makes it hard to breathe and wears you out physically more so than usual.
Jen

Well I live with my heating pad constantly too. I do take Lortab 10 - 3 times a day & it helps to take the edge off, buts thats all I know to do. Mine hurts in my back real bad too and around my armpit my entire left ribcage to under my left breast.

Mine lasted about two weeks, but ive had it before and im sure i'll have it again. I cant say that all the pain is gone, so maybe its still there, just that the intensity level has gone down alot than those few days i couldnt even GET out of bed and i was so out of breath from shallow breathing. I am also on lortab 4 times a day plus soma 4 times a day so im sure that has helped me alot. I cant take anything for inflammation since im allergic to aspirin and such, so couldnt take anything just had to make it thru the rough part.
Jen hoping you feel better soon!

I've been reading this board about Costo for awhile, and wondered about it, cuz it sounded like what I had been feeling off and on. I was already told by my GP that rib pain is a symptom of FM, but yesterday I got the in depth report and diagnosis from my rhuemy (is rhuemy spelled ue or eu? LOL) Anyhoo, I explained my symptons, and she said it was definately costrochondritis, and that treatment was anitinflammatory meds, i.e. Celebrex, Mobic, Relafan, Aleve, as well as the world famous injections. But we all seem to know that it comes and goes without warning. My rhuemy said that people who have FM most likely get Costro, and that it is, like you all have said here, an inflammation of the cartalidge (sp?). There is no cure, of course, just treatment.

I also found out yesterday (just thought I'd update you all since I haven't been posting for awhile) that I indeed have bursitis in my right hip which was treated with an injection, but I refused the Celebrex, Aleve works just as good for me, my rhuemy also said that surgery on my back is more of "there is basically no other option". I have a couple of herniated discs and one with a annular tear that were dx in Oct. of 2002. She told me that I have waited so long now, that most likely surgery won't fix all the damage, that I probably have permanent damage. I told her I just couldn't afford the surgery, especially now that my husband has recently been unemployed, and his work right now may only be temporary. I was lucky enough to afford to keep my health ins. thru COBRA. My newest symptoms are not being able to raise my legs or my foot, she said that is because of the damage done to my lower back. I also experience pain in the front of my shin, again from my lower back, and I have pain that runs from my right hip and wraps around my right knee, that is caused from the bursitis in my right hip. So, I've got a bunch of stuff going on, ontop of the FM, that has to do with my lower back injury and the bursitis in my right hip. Whew! So that's the update on my physical condtion. My rhuemy said that when I was ready for surgery they would order another MRI just to see what additional damage has been done to my lower back.

But, on a lighter side, I have decided to go to Texas to see my grandson for the first time. My husband is going to drive, and I'm going to lie in the back seat ontop of my feather bed! LOL My grandson, who I lovingly call Poopie Face just turned a year, and I haven't met him yet. So, I'm excited. We'll be there from the 23 through the 26th. Short time, but my husband has to get back to work. Also, one of the women who I used to chat with when I first came online (shes from Canada) is coming to Florida for the holidays, and I will get to meet her this coming weekend. It'll just be for a short visit, as they want to head on to Ft. Meyers, but I'm right on the way, and I live just across the stateline of Florida, so they will pass right by me on their way! I'm so excited, I've been "chatting" with her since 2001, and as many of you probably know, online friends can become very close and special people, so I'm so glad to finally meet one of the very special people that I have meet via the Internet over the years.

Well, that's a pagefull. I wish for all of you from the bottom of my heart, a very happy Holiday Season. I hope that your special holdiay can be experienced with as little pain as possible. This is for the ladies, don't over do, if possible, get someone else to make the dinner, and for the gents, don't over do it getting those lights up on the house! LOL Basically, all of you, have a wonderful holiday.

Love to all,
tk

I suffer from Fibromyalgia and lupus. Sometimes when I am heading into a flare-up it presents as costochondritis. I guess it is chronic in my case as this has been going on for years and I always have some degree of discomfort and other weird sensations on my ribcage. It always hurts in the morning when I first get up and take a deep breath.

But, it can get to the point of excruciating with a flare-up and make breathing extremely difficult. There are loads of nerves in that area of the body. Always, there is extreme pain on touching or laying on the affected area. I think that is hallmark of costochondritis.

Best to get an x-ray to be certain - costochondritis can mimic more serious problems such as heart problems, pleurisyor pneumonia. The best way to treat it is with warm compresses, antiinflammatories and sometimes a narcotic is warranted. In my case, my prednisone or metheltrexate is increased for awhile.

It's just another lousy thing to add to the list.

Mere --

Yea i think mine is definetaly coming back. COld weather got here again late last night and this morning i woke up to the same familiar pain. I put a warm pack on this morning, but i cant take anything like aleve or motrin, i tend to swell up. Just have to wait it thru i guess unless i try to get one of those injections, but my internist didnt mention any injections few weeks ago when i went in with a flareup. She just said it was due to the fibro and that it was costo. This type of pain tho wears me out more than the other fibro everyday pain. Cause this one inteferes with my breathing and moving more so than the regular pain.
Oh and i KNOW about online friendships. Ive got friends i met online back in 95 and still talk to some of them on a daily basis. Have had vacations and spent holidays with some of them. Have celebrated births and comforted each other during sad times. I chat back and forth with my good friend who was 25 or 26 at the time we met. Hes now 34 and im 50 and we're the best of buds. Hes planning on taking my hubby and i hunting as soon as we can make a winter trip up there to maryland. Hubby and i took him to visit san antonio when he came down to visit us and spent a week with us. Then we took him to austin to spend some time with my son and his girlfriend who took all of us all over austin and showed us a good time. So yes, you can meet very good friends on here. Hoping everyone is having a pain free day.
Jen

costo SUCKS god it drives me nuts

ohh and the only thing that helps my costo is a heating pad

I don't know if I have fibromyalgia (I believe I do and my Mom thinks so too but haven't been officially diagnosed) but I have had the left rib area under my left arm hurting horribly off and on for about 4 1/2 years. Is that typical? It's been x-rayed and nothing odd ever shows up. It makes you so frustrated to not be taken seriously.

AHHH Jeremy,

Thats my sons name, he's close to your age, hes 28 yrs old. Ultram made you hallucinate? that is so weird. Did you ask about any other pain med to try? Heck motrin can eat your stomach away and you'll end up with two problems instead of one.
When my doc checked my chest she said point to where it hurts the most, uhm OK the whole chest??? then i noticed that yea the whole chest did hurt, but there were certain tender/trigger (cant tell the difference) points that tended to hurt a lot more when pressed than other areas in the chest even tho the whole chest and around to the back hurt. SHe then said it was due to the fibro. The chest has stopped hurting, but ive noticed that if i press on those areas where the tender/trigger points were at, it still hurts. Theyre just not as inflammed as they were back when the whole chest was hurting.
I take my meds daily for the fibro and yes even tho like you said, it just masks, but doesnt solve the problem, i feel tho that they do allow one to at least have some relief even if it is temporary. Please go and try to see if they give you something else. YOu might just be allergic to the ultram. I cant take anything with codiene like tylenol 3 or 4 cause i'll hallucinate. But i can take other pain meds without the side affects. I can take hydrocodone, which im not sure if it contains codiene or not, but that wont make me hallucinate like T-3 or T4.
Jen

I have it right where my heart is. It is terrible. Doctor gave me a strong anti inflammitory drug and i also took Prednisone. Both worked well. I was told there is nothing they can do for the problem.

my costo feels like sunburn under my skin somtimes

hello all :)
for the last 3 months ive had chest/rib pain and its driving me crazy doctors can't find out the cause ive have 2 chest x-rays 6 ecgs blood tests and stomach test still no answers my doctors have now gave me anti-depressents tho im only depressed because of all this,im now seeing a chiropractor who says it because of ligament damage in my pelvis and now my ribcage has locked up i also get sharp pains at times under and around my left breast which he says is a trapped nerve dont kno if i believe this but i'll try anything at this point.

i have chest discomfort(not really pain)24/7 and a tightness which feels like im wearing a corset, its better first thing on a morning and gets worse as the day goes on and sharp pains mostly under and around my left breast at times(not all the time)ive been so worried over all this because nobody could give me answers ive thought it maybe could be Costochondritis but pain killers do little to help im at my wits end and dreading xmas because of this

best
lisa

thanks in advance

I have had costo for about 2 weeks - I got it from being sick. No pain medications were working to help relieve it. I tried extrea strength, tylenol, aspirin, ibruprofen, and a perscription pain reliever left over from a surgery 3 months ago. I finally went to the Dr and she gave me a perscription anti-inflammatory and that has really helped.

Good luck!

I'm sorry everyone hurts, but I am glad to know it isn't just all in my head :eek: All the cooking and holding of the new grandbaby this past week end has really made my pain go into overdrive. Nothing is helping at this point. Heating pad usually helps somewhat--at least I can get to sleep at night (can't really STAY asleep very long, but...) I just have done too much over the weekend. About the wrap and "corset" type thing--I can't even wear my bra when this is going on!! It feels like I can't breathe.

Question... does anyone have costo but it does not hurt when taking a breath? I have tremendous pain right in the center of my chest, hurts to press on it, and my ribs and shoulder also hurt, however taking a deep breathe does not agrivate the problem. I've tried asprin, tylenol and naprosin, yet nothing seems to help.

Mine never hurst when I take a deep breathe. But it does hurt worse when I lay down. The only thing taht helps me when it gets bad is Relefan or Prednesone.

The first time I had costalchondritis I was terrified- it hurt so much! Now it comes and goes and isn't just limited to where my ribs meet my sternum. My ribs get very tender everywhere...to touch them sometimes makes me want to scream! It comes and goes but it is horribly uncomfortable. It doesn't hurt when I take a deep breath, primarily when I touch it... Otherwise it will "trigger" and "strike me" with a couple of pains and then I just feel yucky. It hurts a lot under my armpits! :( Aren't we a lucky bunch! :rolleyes:

That is exactly how I feel to terrified!! Of course the first thing you think is "Heart"... if it wasn't for the fact that it hurts to touch, I think I'd be more of a basket case than I am!! Also I was wondering, do others feel this pain in their back along the spine area?
Thank you all so much for the replies, it is greatly appreciated...right now that is what is keeping me level headed about the pain!

OK here we go with my story--new to this board:
The pain is in my back ribs under my shoulderblades, and also under my left armpit to the point that my left outside two fingers go numb. It wakes me up in the nite, and I never change positions (lie on side) until my body starts trembling and I wake up to turn over. I'd like to know of glucosamine and/or chondritin or anything else--yoga?--works! Thanks, T

I've had Costo aswell. I actually had it quite awhile before I was diagnosed with fibro. I comes back every now and then and I too use alot of heat and antifammitories.

I get the really sharp pain under my left breast, hurts bad when I breathe in. Anyway,this one time I had a regular chiropractor appt. booked and when I told her the left side of my chest has these sharp pains. She said "oh I'll bet you have a rib out of place" she cracked that area. Which hurt like stink but the sharp pain went away. So now everytime I get that particular pain I go to the chiropractor and 9 out of 10 times it helps.

I'm not sure if this is in fact costo when the sharp pains come but I thought I'd post this and see if helps anyone.

Thanks,
Tonie

Tonie,
I wonder if because the Chosto has the cartildge so inflamed between the ribs that indeed your rib has "moved" ever so slightly.

But hey, if it helps you with your pain, especially chosto, you GO for it!


Here's wishing you a good spirit,
tk

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Hi,
This is my first post. I am 29 and was diagnosed with Fobro about two years ago. I think I had it for a lot longer, I self diagnosed, dr's didn't know what to make of me. I have been in three car accidents.

I got costro. about 6 or so months ago. the first attack was nothing compared to the last one. It has been four months now and I am thinking of doing the steroid trigger shots.

I read that not wearing underwire can significantly if not completely get rid of the symptoms. So I bought the new IPEX bra.

My dr. prescroibed Lidoderm patches, 3 at a time, this was four months ago, I am still trying to get my insurance to cover it.
It is a nasty thing, totally ruining my life. It is hard to play happy all the time, esp. when people expect you to be the same as you were before all this. But that is all that I can do, just try not to think about it too much and breathe very shallow.
Reiki has helped and not much else.

Best wishes

:eek: My Dr. told me i had costo about a year ago. I'm miserable most times. I have no insurance so sometimes I think in order to not cost me any more money he just diagnosed me with what he thought I had. It feels more like I have a tumor or something growing inside of me and pushing itself out of my back. My back just kills me, and if i have to take a deep breath it is terrible, not to mention if i have to sneeze I just about pass out it hurts so bad. I really dont know what to do. The reason I wonder if it is really costo is because my chest and ribs don't really hurt that much. It's mostly my back. I did go to a chiropractor about 6 times and he told me my ribs were twisted and he did some adjustments and told me that I would feel much better. Well all I felt after leaving his office was that someone had just broke my neck, lol. So anyway, what would any of you suggest I do next? Should I go to another Dr. .....are there any test that they can do? At this point I dont care how much I have to pay to find out what is wrong with me. Also about 3 mths ago my knee started swelling for some unknown reason and I went to the Dr. and she said it was arthritis, just by lookin at it. and so after taking seems like 100's of anti inflamitories i'm still sitting back on the heating pad for my back and got my leg propped up with a polar pack, darn y'all I need help!!

Hello all,
I am new today to the board and have been reading like crazy. I have found a lot of helpful tips but when I hit this subject I was floored! I thought that I was the only one with this particular problem. I didn't even know there was a name for the terrible pain at the bottom of the ribs or that it was FM related. Mine seems to come in waves. It will come and stay off and on for about a month and then will not come back for a couple of months. I have been to the Doctor about this several times but he has never been able to give me an answer or put a name to it. I too thought I was having a heart attack because it spreads up into the chest.

I am so glad I found this Board!

Hiya darberg,

Welcome to our family. :wave: This is the best place to come for answers.

One thing I would like to say though, is that costochondritis is not caused by fibro. I have been having a full discussion on costo just in the last few days. If you scroll down the board and look for the topic "goldenwings, I need to talk to you", you will see that the whole costo subject is covered. Maybe this will help you. I do hope so.

Please come back soon and ask whatever questions you may have, or look into our wonderful on line discussions about how we all manage to fight this horrid thing.

Hi goldenwings,

Thanks for the information. I will look for the posts you mentioned. I have had the dreaded FM for about 15 years now along with my sister and Mom. Any new information we can get is greatly appreciated. You will see me here often and, thanks for making me feel welcomed.

I recently had to have my teeth pulled (2 weeks today) and had dentures put in immediately. The day after having teeth pulled I passed out and fell. Several hours later my left rib became extremely sore. I went to Dr. and he ordered xrays but nothing showed up. The pain is horrible expecially during the night when trying to sleep. It's on the left side and now seems to go up to the top of the breast and to the middle of chest. Does anyone think this could be costochondritis or just any injury from falling? I don't know if I should call the Dr back???

Hiya Debby,

Pleased to meet you, but not under these circumstances of course. I have done a lot of posting on costochondritis as it is something that I have had problems with for years.

"I am not medically qualified but give this information just from research I have done on my own condition". You should always go to see your doctor when having medical problems of any kind.

The last lot of information I posted I will give below. There is another conditions which often mimics costo and this is named Tietze. Costo doesn't present with redness or swelling of the area of the ribs, where as Tietze does.

""Costochondritis is an inflammation of the cartilage that connects the inner end of each rib with the breastbone (sternum). It can occur in any age group and is most common in young adults. The risk of developing costo increases with any physical activity that causes trauma or strain to the ribcage. It is a benign condition usually of short duration that resolves completely. Sometimes though it can recur or become persistent.

The predominant symptom is a sharp pain in the affected area, most commonly involving the second or third ribs, which are often very tender to touch. (Ribs are counted down from the top and the first rib lies under the collar bone). The pain is usually related to movement, coughing and sneezing and can occur in more than one place simultaneously. Pain can also radiate into the arm and can be associated with a feeling of tightness in the chest"".

""Tietze syndrome has a sudden onset without any preceding respiratory illness or any history of minor trauma. In Tietze syndrome there is frequently radiation of pain to arms and shoulders as well as pain and tenderness associated with swelling at the spot that hurts"".

I do hope this helps you to make decision on what is the best course of action for you to take.

goldenwings :angel:

Gee Goldenwings,
You gave me more info than all the searching I have done on costro. I have been dxed it with it over and over, but not sure if it is costro.

I get some pain and soreness from center sterumn but most of my pain is in the upper chest, left side, I call it my bra strap pain, seems to be in that area. I get so sore I cannot touch myself. I do get shooting pains in the chest area, in fact about 2 months ago started with the zaps in the upper chest,right below the collar bone from one shoulder to another. I would get 6 in a row it would stop for a few minuets and start again, this continued for 18 hours and I finally went to ER, they dxed costro. The Dr. did the usual heart tests and blood work but did not palpitate the area.I am sore and tender in the bra strap area almost 24/7, a lot of times both sides. From what I have read this does not sound like like costro to me, everything I read says the pain stems from the sterumn.I also have MPS, FM and severe arthritis in the cervical area and the mid thorastic spine. What is your unprofessional opinion? I have yet to find a good site about costro, the only info I really have is from posts.

Thanks and hugs, Linda

Hiya Linda,

I honestly do feel from what you are describing that it is costo. The main area for the inflammation is in the actual rib cage, that is to say this is where the pain radiates from. The cartilage in the ribs is actually what gets inflamed, so then this pain will actually spread out to other parts in the upper chest and even neck bones. When you say your bra strap area, do you mean around you front and back? This is a most obvious place to be so very uncomfortable. I personally do not wear a bra at home, and when I go out, I am normally in agony because of the constriction in that area.

At the present time, I am having the costo problem in the full rib cage. This doesn't normally happen. I can usually pinpoint where it is hurting, but it has been decided that my latest bad bout was brought on by my last tummy surgery. I have lupus too, and other medical conditions so my body is open to all sorts of weird and wonderful things happening to it he he !!

Just a little more information here for you:-

What is costochondritis?

Costochondritis is an inflammation of the cartilage that connects the inner end of each rib with the breastbone (sternum). It can occur in any age group and is most common in young adults. Exactly how common it is in the UK is not known but in the US costochondritis has been shown to account for 10 per cent of chest pain episodes in the community and 30 per cent of people with chest pain presenting as an emergency to hospital.

Why or how does a person get costochondritis?

The risk of developing costochondritis increases with any physical activity that causes trauma or strain to the ribcage. It is a benign condition usually of short duration that resolves completely. Sometimes though it can recur or become persistent.

What are the symptoms?

The predominant symptom is a sharp pain in the affected area, most commonly involving the second or third ribs, which are often very tender to touch. (Ribs are counted down from the top and the first rib lies under the collar bone). The pain is usually related to movement, coughing and sneezing and can occur in more than one place simultaneously. Pain can also radiate into the arm and can be associated with a feeling of tightness in the chest. These are also the symptoms of a heart attack, so it is always necessary to take them seriously and make the diagnosis of costochondritis with care.

How is costochondritis diagnosed?

The person's medical history and results of examination are usually sufficient, but if the pattern of pain suggests that it could be heart pain it needs to be thoroughly investigated.

What can you do yourself?

First, ensure that you consult your doctor and have the diagnosis properly confirmed. If possible, avoid any movements that aggravate the symptoms. Self-treatment with simple painkillers, including non-steroidal inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen is quite acceptable (provided you can tolerate such medicines - your pharmacist will be able to advise you on this).

What can your doctor do?

The doctor's role is to give reassurance regarding the nature of the condition and provide treatment advice. The patient has often already tried mild painkillers but stronger painkillers do not necessarily help the symptoms. Any doubt over the diagnosis will require further investigation

I know it is so very frightening to get this type of pain, sometimes you might think it is a heart attack. I have had two of them so now I know the difference he he !! Once your docgtors have discounted anything more serious going on like this, it is time to concentrrate on the costo and ways of easing the horrid discomfort. I only know how I treat myself with this condition, by that I mean I do not over exert the chest area at all. Gentle, slight chest stretches will loosen my painful area, but anything more than that, and I am in agony. The one thing I did find that really did me good was to have steroid injections into the area. I have had this done when I have had smaller patches of inflammation. I have not even broached the subject of this to my doctor this time. They are worth thinking about though I feel.

Hope all of this helps. Take care.

goldenwings :angel:

Thanks Goldenwings,
You are better than a Dr. I really think you have to have these dd to be able to dx anyone, I am serious. My bra strap area is in the front, the sorest spot is right below the colar bone, if I press on the area the pain will shoot down into the breast, the underarm and the shoulder blade.I get back rib pain and blade pain often also. Can you be that sore almost constantly from costro?

I really am not concerned that it is heart because any pressure intensifies the pain and also makes it spread.
I have got spots all along my collar bone that hurt if I apply pressure.At time clothing seems to aggreviate the pain.

Are we having fun?

Love, Linda

Hiya Linda,

Ah ha. Maybe the collarbone tenderness is part of the fibro. Also the underarm pain. I really do doubt that this is connected to costo. This is why I feel that you really need to get a firm diagnosis from your doctor, so that you can tell the costo pain from your fibro pain. Just my feeling though.

One thing I will say though regarding your bra strap area. Does your bra fit properly? Have you got the right size on? The reason I ask this is because if your bosoms are large - ahem - :o sorry for any embarrassment here everyone - then they will pull your upper half downwards, hence the pressure then of your bra straps. Even if you havent got large bosoms, then an ill fitting bra can cause so many problems. It is a known fact the most of us ladies who wear bras are wearing the wrong size. Just another thought Linda.

My worse symptom of it at the moment is in the "floating rib" area. This is sort of above the navel, above the midriff area where the ribs actually curve round at the bottom. This is why I am having problems when I sneeze and cough and so on. Having said that, it is improving so I mustn't complain too much. I can't take NSAID's so I am in a bit of a pickle as far as pain relief goes. I get tremendous pain in my right shoulder blade. I feel as though someone has put their hand underneath it and is trying to rip it off. This though is something I get even when I don't have any costo symptoms.

I do so agree with you. I have always said that you can only talk about a thing if you have gone through it.

Take care

goldenwings :angel:

I could wear a growing bra, everything gets larger on me but the old bussoms, and at almost 64 really do not think they will grow. When I first started with this dang thing my pain was lower ribs, did not know how to sit, I can flare that area up bending. One Dr. told me that the collar bone pain was fm another costro. Have been told the same thing about the bra strap area plus the added the arthritis in my mid thorax and my neck, they play guessing games with us.

Thanks, the bossom wonder, Linda

Hiya Linda,

Thanks that gave me a giggle he he !! With you personally, anthing that hurts in the rib area front or back is definitely costo. Above the ribs I would honestly say fibro, and the spinal + shoulder blades definitely the arthritis, rheumatism pains.

Not much help with the horrid agony you have, but if you try to separate out each of the groups, then you are more able to treat each one accordingly.

Hope you are feeling better soon.

goldenwings :angel: