Costochrondritis/ Tietze syndrome

I have the same symptoms for the past 2 years. It is very frustrating and it is affecting my everyday life, when I ger a flare up I am completely useless and when it passes, I tend to find myself not doing much hoping I won't aggrevate it and cause another flare up. My doctors don't help, they have never even offered the cortizone shot. I take muscle relaxers and just recently lyrica. I need answers. Hopefully there is someone out there preferably with medical experience that has some advise.

[Am only sharing my experience here]
I have had this for 8 years now.
Doctors gave me Lyrica then Later Gabapentin (those medicines don't seem to help that much).
Physiotherapy Helped a lot. My condition is 70% better than what it was initially. But it's stagnant at that. If I don't go for my Physiotherapy Sessions for a week, the symptoms are back again. I too keep Muscle Relaxant and Zerodol as SOS.
Vitamin D3 + K2 7 + Calium, B12, Iron + Calium combo helps a bit in Pain & Tiredness respectively.
Manual Physiotherapy Sessions + IFT is what they give me every alternate day. (That way my condition is Stable).
Specific Isometric Exercises may help.
Any diet which helps in this is not known. Only adviced to have higher protein diets by my Physio.
Lifestyle - You need to avoid lifting heavy weights from the side which has pain.

I saw a NeuroPhysician.
Left hand fingers do have lots pain.

Hello @shshank_gaurv, and welcome to Connect. Thank you for providing some of your experience with this condition and what has helped and not helped you as you’ve lived with it. I’m glad to hear about your improvement, but it also sounds frustrating that it stagnated at about 70 percent better. I'm tagging other members, @dawn_giacabazi @barbvh @annieecruz and @divavalenta who have talked about costochrondritis and/or Tietze's syndrome in the past so that they join in and share their experiences.

You mentioned your physiotherapist suggested a higher protein diet. Just wondering if you have tried that, and if so, if it helped at all?

Hi @lisalucier
Thank you so so much for replying. I don't expect it, because after posting the comment I realised I had replied to a 6/7 year old post (2011,2012).
Yes the high protein diet helps me keep my condition stable. Am a vegetarian so getting proteins in my diet is not that easy. I rely on Kidney Beans and Chick Peas mostly as my sources of protein.
But if I don't have any protein at all then the symptoms r just too much and am in severe pain all day. The spasm and the radiating pain from spine to abdomen are there almost all the time. The left hand is also numb almost all day. And Shoulder is stiff and sore.

It also does give you some breathing issues. (Don't know if it's only in my case or others experience the same)
My Physio did some Manual Neck Procedure and it helped a bit in breathing.
Can Chiropractor help in this situation..

Hi @shshank_gaurv,
Indeed, this discussion thread was started quite a while ago. However, I'm glad that you have re-ignited the conversation. It is an important one. We've also had the experience where past members will return to help others, even after an absence of several years. New activity also encourages other people to join in who may up until that point only have been reading. For that, I'm thankful.

If the manual neck therapy worked well with the physical therapist, do you need to seek out the services of a chiropractor? Or do you think that a chiropractor may have something additional to offer?

Hi @lisalucier
Thanks a lot for Replying.
I do think the Chiropractor might have something additional too offer, but Am just guessing, am Not really sure about it.

You know lot lot better. You should advice on this.
If you were in my position how would you go about the whole thing (Medicines, Therapy, Diet, Exercise.. )
I mean the Roadmap

Hi @shshank_gaurv,
It appears you may be under the impression I am a medical professional. I am not, and am therefore not in a position to provide medical advice. Mayo Clinic Connect provides a place for community members (patients, family members, caregivers) to share their experiences and connect with those who've faced similar experiences.

You may be interested to read more about Connect here: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/about-this-community/.

As moderators, we help connect people with similar health issues and ensure that the community is safe, welcoming, respectful and inclusive. Here is some information you may be interested in about how and why we moderate:
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/about-our-moderators-and-mentors/. As we continue to keep this discussion going about costochondritis, the likelihood of other members joining in increases.

Researching costochondritis on Mayo Clinic's website, chiropractic adjustment is not one of therapies recommended, per http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/costochondritis/basics/treatment/con-20024454. Additionally, here is information you may wish to read about chiropractic treatment, what you can expect, how to prepare and potential risks: http://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/chiropractic-adjustment/basics/what-you-can-expect/prc-20013239.

Hi @lisalucier.
Good Evening!!
It's 17:37 here. Don't know why I mentioned the time but it might help you figure out why the replies are 20 hours apart mostly due to time difference.

Yup I did think that you were a medical professional. But even if you are a non-medical professional but the experience you get by moderating such Interactions gives you a much better idea how to go about it and that is exactly what happened.

The two links you shared about CostoCondritis was exactly what I was looking for and expecting from You.

It helps me know about my Medications and Therapy and their side effects and also about Lifestyle and Home Remedies. Though the Lifestyle and Home Remedy section should have had more info.

Thanks a lot for all the information. It is really helpful. I feel much more confident now.

Individual Experience : Vitamin D3 somehow is alleviating my pain & helping me keep much more active. Yesterday after years I drove around 150 Kms (approx 100 Miles) without feeling tired in City Traffic. That might be normal for everyone but it's kind of an achievement for me.

I too have costochrondroits which can come on quite suddenly between my ribs usually on the left side. Will happen often when I change sides when In bed and can really travel from side to back etc. Most painful spasm I,ve ever endured since child birth pain. Takes my breath away. Fortunately only lasts s few minutes for me.I try not to move, take in large breaths slowly to get oxygen to my muscles and wait it out. I have Fibromyalgia also. I've done so much information hunting with no definite answers: just inflammation of the connective tissue between my ribs. My primary doc tells me to take Advil and rest, should I have a long episode. What is the other condition you spoke about starts with a T? Had not heard of it before?