Chest Pain, Breathing Problems, diagnosed with Chostochondritis...Does anyone know anything?

[mominpain]

Hi,

About 8 weeks ago, I started having probs breathing.  I thought it was new med I was taking "Aciphex", so I discontinued.  About 2 weeks later, I began having a really bad constant pain between my breasts, that radiated to under the breasts, sides, and sometimes to the back.  I suffered for 7 days, before I couldnt handle the "breathing through a coffee stir effect"  went to e.r, that was a joke, then to follow-up with a new primary care doc, and was diagnosed with costochondritis.  He gave me Celebrex and said it should get better.  2 weeks later, I have no relief, doc says the breathing is anxiety from the pain...well I would buy that, however the breathing issue came first?  EKG, Chest x-ray, and 0-2 saturation all normal!!!  by the way, I'm 30 yr old female, with reflux and IBS.

[BAM3333]

Amazing how all these posts sound like they could be me.  I've had the same symptoms as listed in older posts above for the last 6 weeks.  They came on without warning.  I thought it was cardiac-related, but all tests are fine.  The newest onset happened over the past couple of days where I feel like the blood is getting cut off to my head-almost like I'm being strangled.  I'm lightheaded from it, but not bad enough to go to the ER.  And all the drs. tell me the same thing-no cause, probably anxiety.  I've been on Effexor for 10 days now, and the chest pressure, shortness of breath are ever-present.  One difference is I'm not freaking out about it-thank you Effexor.  Is there a cure for the costochondritis?  What causes it?

[Sarita55]

I am writing this for everyone who suffers from Chostocondritis. It is real; I had it once for several years ago for about six months. I got it again this year after trauma to my neck and chest. I know the signs well even when docotrs are of no help. There is everything from shortness of breath to feeling like a weight is on my chest. Of course there is fatigue and body aches. I use various things to help me sleep. The best I can offer us all is- to nap regularly, use ice packs and heat on chest and back, take Ibprofin (600 to 800 daily), get massages, chiropracter treatments, and acupuncture. Go slow with the wholistic healing treatment as it might bring on a healing reaction. Just try one treatment a week. This past wk. I had four treatments and ended up in more pain. Inflimation is the challenge. Some days I can work and other days I take to  my bed. If anyone has any suggestions how to rid myself of the related cough I would appreciate it. I will be on vacation the next couple wks. but will check-in. Love and light, Sarah

[bopeeper]

I too was recently diagosed with costo.  I had to go to the ER about 3 or 4 months ago.  It felt like a truck was sitting on my chest, and I was in pain.  My oxygen level and everything turned out fine, and the doctor said I had costo.  The pain comes and goes now, but hasn't ever completely went away.  Tylenol, & Aleve doesn't help.  I don't know.  It's a miserable thing.  I'm 35 years old, and also have arthritis in my hand & my knee as well.  

[Christine64]

I am just reading all the posts about Costo.  My friend just told me about it.  I have had chest pain for three years and no one can figure it out.  I keep telling them it feels like it is skelatal.  It feels the same as you are stating.  I have had all the ER procedures also - they treated me like a cardiac patient just recently and that was horrifying.  I do have acid reflux and take Nexium but I dont think this is related to that.  Stress does make it worse  - but like you say - the pain is so overwhelming that you cant help but get anxiety about it!  What type of specialist?  Rheumatologist and how do they determine that is what you have.  Has anyone heard of Lydicane patches/shots?  I have the patches but they dont seem to work!  I am at a loss

Thanks for listening - Christine

[kim82862]

I have dealt with costo for at least 6 years. The pain in my chest is sometimes unbearable, the heavy weight feeling and the feeling that I'm not getting enough air into my lungs.  Yet, when they test it my oxygen level is at 98%.  I feel like I'm suffocating!  This comes and goes for me and has become extremely frustrating.  I'm not sure where to turn for help.  Like others stated in their comments, you feel like you are losing it and/or making it up.  But, the pain is real!  And, when you feel like you can't breath anxiety takes over and makes it worse.

[joeyjude]

I have costocondritis since I was 33 years old. I am now 55 years old. You need to go see a specialist.  Don't monkey around with a regular MD. (I did and got no where fast with that. Just a bunch of tests that cost lots of money) they honeslty don't know what to do for you. From the first time I saw the specialist he knew exactly what was wrong with me.  Did a few tests to be sure.  I have pain in my knee, ribs and chest at first I saw specialist just about every other week.  Now I see him once a year to make sure I am not getting ulsers from med and to get a check up to see if pain has changed. .  Sometimes I have to take ibroprohen to help in between taking pain medicine.  My doctor gave me pain medicine to help me sleep at night because my body would hurt so much during the night.  I had a hard time finding out what chosto was until the web.  You might want to check into what you are eating. I know when I eat too much junk food, my pain flares up.

[timbo1956]

i have had costo for 10 years. over period of years breathing cold air has gotten almost unbearable. and yes have shortness of breath and pain causes blood pressure to rise.i have tries xanax and antiiinflammorties
but the only thing that helps somewhat is pain reliefers like hydrocodone
if any one out there has found what works best please let me know.
Tim  Thanks
***@****

[Truthfinder]

What Shawn said makes sense.  I think there is a CAUSE for you costo problems that is not just common inflammation of the rib tissues.

Tracy

[ShawnP]

I know this might sound crazy to you, but have you been evaluated by a gastroenterologist? I recently was diagnosed with stomach ulcers.  When the pain was at it's worst, I felt like I couldn't breathe right or something, not anything like I thought ulcer pain would be.  Plus, I had been taking tons of NSAIDs (for another ache) which in turn made the ucler pain worse.  I stopped all NSAIDs and the doc put me on Protonix and voila, that pain is gone.

It might be worth looking into.

[mominpain]

One More thing,  does anyone else have the heavy chest and shallow breating with the costo?  Mine does not seem to be anxiety and in fact started before the pain did.

[mominpain]

Hello again,

Went to Pulmonary Doc today and had that terribel function test. Results were mainly normal, but my airways are a lttie tight and there is air getting stuck behind the lungs????  Costo pain is pretty bad tonight.  I decided to follow Dr. orders and try xanx to see if this eases the breathing.  Wearing a Bra...I never thought that would be sooo unbearable..  HELP, Help...I feel like everyone thinks I am making this stuff up.  

[Truthfinder]

Well, I have chronic costochondritis, and I have never had trouble breathing.  If I do, it is only because of the pain from my ribs.

Mom, your diagnosis doesn't sound quite right to me, and especially if you have had no relief from anti-inflammatories.

Technically speaking you may have costo, but costo can be caused by an infection, which puts it in a different category than what most of us with costo have.

Most costo is a result of sports injuries or a rib getting displaced - some physical event.

I think you are right to question this, but I don't want to speculate on what it could be, other than a possible infection.

(I'm sure my costo is a consequence of having Lyme Disease - many with Lyme have costo problems.  Lyme attacks all kinds of organs and tissues, and loves to destroy collagen.)

You deserve some more answers!

Tracy