Costochondritis

Anyone know what this means? is it caused by chiari? I went into er to evaluate chest pain because I am at a high risk for developing blood clots and wanted to make sure it was not a blood clot in the lung.  everything was fine, they just said I have costochondritis... any experience with this?

[selmaS]

Costochondritis is an inflammation of the junctions where the upper ribs join with the cartilage that holds them to the breastbone or sternum.

Several members here have been dx'd with this......

What did the Dr at the ER tell u??

[castleton]

I have costchondritis too.  It is terribly painful, especially if I push on my sternum or the rib joints near my sternum.  I've had pain since january, following a minor trauma to the chest.  That is also when my syrinx seemed to start growing so the docs wonder if the same minor trauma started that moving.  The NS's did not rule out that my chest pain is coming from my syrinx (C7-T3) but I believe my physiatrist who thinks its costo....I also saw an acupuncturist who thinks it is costochondritis.

Burns or aches all the time especially when i use my chest muscles like in opening a door or lifting something....really really hurts..I thought I had broken my sternum.

The best treatment is supposed to be rest, and anti-ifflamatory meds.  I tried naprosyn and now I'm on mobic.  I'm also taking a good multi-vitamin, ginger root in capsules and B vitamins.  A heating pad is like heaven.  So is a hot bath.

Good luck to you.  

[jenniferk86]

do you have chiari? is it chiari related? I have never had an injury to my chest.... I have had this on and off for the past year... and have been in 2-3 times with ct scans... not good for me.

[jenniferk86]

the er just said you have costochondritis from an unknown cause.  They gave me valium.... then sent me home.

[selmaS]

It seems most times there is no known cause for this-

Costochondritis is an inflammatory process but usually has no definite cause. Repeated minor trauma to the chest wall or viral respiratory infections can cause costochondritis. Occasionally, costochondritis as a result of bacterial infections can occur in people who use recreational IV drugs or who have had surgery to their upper chest.

Different types of infectious diseases can cause costochondritis.

Viral: Costochondritis commonly occurs with viral respiratory infections because of the inflammation of costochondral junctions from the viral infection itself or from straining from coughing.


Bacterial: Costochondritis may occur after surgery and be caused by bacterial infections.


Fungal: Fungal infections are rare causes of costochondritis.
Costochondritis can also occur with certain forms of arthritis, such as ankylosing spondylitis and psoriatic arthritis. Costochondritis can occur in people with fibromyalgia.

[jenniferk86]

thanks selma... good info.. still wondering if it is common in people with chiari.

[castleton]

I was told my costochondritis resulted from the minor blow to the chest that I "suffered" in December.  (It was a body surfing collision).  I've had no infections or surgeries of any kind.  My pain began a few days after my collision, so I am fairly certain that my rib cartilage got irritated and became inflamed.

I do NOT have Chairi, but I have a very large syrinx which has no known cause.  I'm also told by NS that because of the location of my syrinx, it is possible it is causing chest pain that might resemble costo.

I agree with my physiatrist who says the costo is unrelated to my back pain and syrinx.  I think that, too, because I have all the symptoms of costo----pain on the site, tenderness and pain between my ribs and no pain or numbness between my back and sternum  i.e. in the area under my arms.

I've scoured the internet looking for information.  All my doctor told me was to rest, take anti-inflammatory meds (mobic) and try not to use my chest muscles much.  That's pretty much all i found on the internet, besides surgery or cortisone shots, that's about it. I found one person on the web who recommended vitamins-ginger and bromelain (pineapple-based) for inflammation and B vitamins for keeping down stress which some say makes it worse.  Yesterday I tried acupuncture but I can't say it helped.  Rest does seem to help some when I can manage it.

I've been waiting 4 months.  It is no better.  I hope yours is a quick recovery.  That can happen, too.

Try a heating pad pressed on your chest but watch out for burns.  And i get instant relief in a hot tub.

All the best wishes for getting through this fast.

[selmaS]

  I would think those with Ehlers -Danlos would be more prone to it than others as it is a joint issue.....have u been tested?

   "selma"

[jenniferk86]

no i havent been tested for ehlers danlos, I thought dr. oro would have done that, but he didnt.... unless he did without me knowing... oh well... Its definitely not my biggest complaint, just good to know its not dangerous...

[selmaS]

It is the collagen that is affected in Costochondritis, and this is y I feel EDS could play a role.

  Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS) is the name given to a group of more than 10 different inherited disorders; all involve a genetic defect in collagen and connective-tissue synthesis and structure.

Ehlers-Danlos syndrome can affect the skin, joints, and blood vessels. This syndrome is clinically heterogeneous; the underlying collagen abnormality is different for each type.

[KellyDPriest]

I've had Costochondritis since September following a DVT & PE after knee surgery. I started on Mobic, it worked for a while. What seems to be helping the most, is Cymbalta.

[selmaS]

  Hi and welcome to the Chiari forum.
In reading ur profile I see u do have EDS hypermobility type and  have this issue with Costochondritis as well. Thanks for sharing with us, do u also have Chiari?

I also wanted u to know we do have a group for EDS here on MedHelp I included the link-

http://www.medhelp.org/forums/Ehlers-Danlos-Syndrome/show/417?controller=forums&action=show&id=417&camp=msc

  Again thanks for the tip on Cynbalta : )

[DechenDolkar]

I have it too. I also have chiari but I have not heard of the two being related. It would be interesting to see how many people have both. Mine seems to flare up for no reason at all. The first time I thought I was having a heart attach and then noticed that it hurt really bad to touch my chest so I knew it wasn't coming from deep inside. Feel better!

[Jennanurse]

I was diagnosed with it several months ago..it kind of has flare ups a couple weeks on a couple weeks off for me..heat helps some but I agree it is scary..mine is only on left side so I thought it was chest pain but it feels better with pressure..so I guess that was that lol I hope you feel better soon!!

[jiggle93]

my son was treated for this in Nov. 2010. He was in a lot of pain and was having difficulty with his asthma. I thought it was pneumonia, but was told he had costochronditis. He recovered and I never gave it much thought. But with the talk of EDS, I am now curious as he also can do freaky flexible things with his hands. Actually most of my kids can. They entertain themselves and their friends with these "weird  tricks". HMMMMMM........
Jiggle

[actressmouse]

I've been dx'd with costochondritis...it's very painful and felt to me like stereo typical chest pain that everyone warns about with heart issues.  Mine flared last summer after a day of yard work...I guess I overdid it.  Since then, I've been dx'd with a connective tissue disorder, so the costochondritis fits within that dx.  Bottom line...don't overdo it...it's hard to do, but don't...as it can bring on a "flare up".  I have Chiari 1 as well...but the costochondritis has more to do with the connective tissue issues.