Costochondritis

Hello @jadillow. The pains you are describing in your sternum area and at times in your jaw and arm, sound like the pains I get too. Like you, I was referred to a cardiologist when I first started to experience these unusual pains and heart problems were ruled out. The cardiologist diagnosed me with Costochondritis. It's difficult, at times, to find a position or medication to combat certain flares that I get. If I lay on my stomach and put gentle pressure on my sternum at the edge of my bed, that seems to help. (It looks like I am laying across my bed versus the normal way we lay down in our beds). Taking an anti-inflammatory at the onset of a flare sometimes really helps. When I feel the jaw pain start to set in, taking my nerve pain medication (Gabapentin) has helped in many instances. I don't know if you drink carbonated beverages, but if you do...I have noticed that those beverages increase the pains during a flare. Not sure why that is, but it's something that induces more pain in those areas for me. I have tried massaging different types of pain balms onto my sternum area, just to see if any of those might help, but I haven't found one yet that helps the sternum pain. I keep trying different positions during the flares, eliminate carbonated beverages and take an anti-inflammatory med. So sorry you suffer with this too. If I discover anything else that helps me, I will be sure to share with you. Take good care and best wishes for some kind of relief during your flares.

Do you have any other pains due to this? It very annoying Sorry you are going through this as well. Feels almost like a straight line across ribs. From one side to the other.

Oh yes, I have quite a few other pains, as well. I broke my back in 7 places ( thoracic vertebrae), in addition to fracturing my sacrum and tailbone segments in 2008. (I fell over 8 feet from a playhouse structure and landed on the hard earth). I had posterior back surgery as a trauma patient which involved repair work, hardware fusion with wire fixation. My T5, T6, T7 and T8 vertebrae all have over 50% loss of height with dehydrated discs. (Surgery is not an option). As a result of the hard impact to my body, I have a lot of nerve damage, muscle pain all over, osteoarthritis, etc. My ribs are always tender and I am pretty sure that is why I have Costochondritis. Do you have any past injuries or upper back problems?

@teetee7 Oh wow what a fall your lucky to be doing as well as you can so you know about pain Just 1fracture for me but causes nerve pain. Stay strong 💪

Thank you so much, @lioness. Absolutely, those fractures sure do cause quite a bit of nerve pain, which you can definitely relate to. I will always stay strong and keep as positive, as possible - stress and negativity don't agree with me, lol. Thanks for the support - you have my support and well wishes, too.

@teetee7 Thank you I also am a positive person as well as I started a chair exercise at my Sr. Building Beast wishes to you

Hi @aurore
Mayo Clinic is who diagnosed my costro chondralchondritis. Mine was in the chondral junction. Here is a link for some information.
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/costochondritis/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20371180

Have you discussed chondrites with your doctor?

Prayers for pain relief!!
Dawn

@teetee7 it took 3 years for mine to heal. Takes a lot of physical therapy, ice & time to heal. Every time you take a breath your sternum joint moves to allow your chest to rise and fall, this constant movement along with the daily activities can prolong the healing time. I highly suggest discussing with your doctor the risk and benefits. Have you tried physical therapy or acupuncture?

Doctors just keep telling me muscular skeletal issue but unfortunately there is never a flare up when I got to doctor. It is fine today but still feels a little heavy on sternum. Was very painful last few days.

I have years of weightlifting and mma under my belt but never took any direct blows to that area that I’m aware of