3 months of mild/moderate chest pain when palpated

[kristin14]

I'm posting this here because it all stemmed from an upper resporatory infection.

About three months ago, I was experiencing chest cold symptoms- severe coughing, fever, nasal symptoms, etc. Went to the doc, took a z-pack and felt better- except for recurring pain in my chest- it hurt when i pressed on it, took a deep breath, or sat up very straight. I thought I had just pulled a mucle when coughing, so i gave it a week or two and it didn't get any better. I made a doc appt- she told me that she thought it was pleurisy- she prescribed 600MG ibuprofen and set a follow-up in a week. A week later, i still wasn't feeling any better (and was getting a bit anxious at this point) and she scheduled a chest and sternum x-ray- both which came out normal. She then told me that I probably had Costo Condritis, and to rest and take ibuprofen when it flares up. Since then (late april/early may) the pain has minimized, but is still there when i press down on my chest. This pain does not bother me when I am sleeping, and does not occur until i have been awake for a few hours. I still exercise/jog, and the exercise does not affect the pain (maybe a bit tender occasionally after a strenuous workout.)

My question is- should I be worried about this? I'm a healthy 26/f- quit smoking about a year ago, smoked 6 years previous at about 1/2 pack a day or less. I'm on no current meds, doc said that a blood test was not necessary. Could this be anxiety related? I just graduated from graduate school, I'm starting a new job in the summer and I'm also moving out.

Thanks in advance for any help!

-Kristin

[National Jewish]

As your doctor suggests, your pain is almost certainly costochondritis.  This is inflammation of the cartilage that connects the ribs to the front of the chest.  This causes a dull aching pain along the front of the chest that is felt more when touched.  It’s common to have tenderness along the sternum and/or where the ribs attach to the sternum.  The pain can radiate beyond the sternum.  The pain can worsen with strenuous exercise.  A non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug, such as ibuprofen, is often helpful.  In addition, you should avoid pressure and all lifting for at least a month.  This will allow time for the inflammation to subside.

This is a real nuisance, but it is nothing to worry about.  You may have to reduce your physical activity involving pressure or stretching of the chest, for a while.  Eventually, and especially with sustained rest, this pain should spontaneously subside.  The injury that would be of concern is an unstable fracture of the clavicle.  Your normal chest x-ray means that this is not a problem for you.

[sara006]

I've been experiencing similiar symptoms as you. I've had a very bad cough that lasted for about 3 weeks, still have some nasal congestion, but other than that the cough has fully subsided. Now, I've been having chest pain on my left side usually when i touch it or take a deep breath. I don't have any difficulty breathing when i sleep or exercise whatsoever. I went to my doctors a few days ago and he told me  that i have pulled my muscle pretty badly (also been doing weight lifting) and probably torn my muscle slightly. He did a basic physical, lungs and heart sounded fine. He told me that i should rest and stretch a bit, also take ibuprofen to help with the inflamation (inflammation). If it didn't get any better within a few weeks, i should see him again for a chest x-ray.  I'm just worried if this is a serious problem? It sounds a lot like costochontritis (sp?) or something else..advice would be much appreciated. Thanks!