1. < Chronic Pain

Costochrondritis/ Tietze syndrome

Posted by Fiona @fiona, Jul 12, 2011

Would love to hear from anybody who has any info on this disorder. I get flare ups 5-6 times a year.Costachrondritis has been mentioned but I have yet to get a diagnosis despite MRI and CAT scans and x-rays. Stabbing, sharp pain starts in the left rib cage and within days I have upper stomach and back spasm which is only alleviated by complete bed rest ie. being still. During an attack, just moving my arm in a certain way, or coughing will provoke a spasm. I feel generally unwell , tired and out of sorts. It has been suggested that allergys may set it off.Sometimes when I have an extra strenous exercise session or even cleaning house can start it off. Flare up will last usually 7 -10 days. Cortisone shots into / between ribs on left side have worked pretty well but I dont think that is the answer long term. Anybody know if there is a blood test to look for Tietze? Apparently the difference between that and costachrondritis is actual inflammation in cartiledge...I have also read that the condition is associated with arthritis and auto immune conditions...I am in remission from moderate colitis. Also I noticed during last episode that my hands felt arthritic -sore tender finger joints. I would love to hear from somebody who recognises these symptoms - I am frustrated and bewildered and fed up with this seemingly untreatable and difficult to diagnose condition. Otherwise I am a healthy , engaged and youthful 50 year old! Last question: What kind of doctor does one see to discuss this condition?

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Gaurv Shshank S. | @shshank_gaurv | Nov 6, 2017
In reply to @shshank_gaurv "[Am only sharing my experience here] I have had this for 8 years now. Doctors gave..." + (show)
@shshank_gaurv

[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.

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Iron+Vitamin C

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Lisa Lucier | @lisalucier | Nov 10, 2017
In reply to @ladibabe "Hi, I saw this discussion and had to join in. I recently was diagnosed with Tietze..." + (show)
@ladibabe

Hi, I saw this discussion and had to join in. I recently was diagnosed with Tietze Syndrome and have been completely confused with how I got this. I have swelling in the middle of my chest and spells when my breathing is so restricted and or chest pain that feels like my breast bone is broke in two. My lite symptoms is the feeling of a heavy chest.

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Hi, @ladibabe --you mentioned in your previous post that you had a new Tietze Syndrome diagnosis and that you were feeling confused about how you got it. Wondering if some of that is becoming more clear? Also wondering how your symptoms are now?

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Gaurv Shshank S. | @shshank_gaurv | Mar 9, 2018

Has Anyone Tried Cupping (Physiotherapy) for Costocondritis. Last week I tried it - and it helped a lot.

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Gaurv Shshank S. | @shshank_gaurv | Mar 10, 2018

@lisalucier @virtuous69 @ladibabe @kanaazpereira Has Anyone Tried Cupping (Physiotherapy) for Costocondritis/Tietze Syndrome. My Physio tried it the previous week. I helped me the most out of all the Manual and Myofacial Releases etc I took till date for the past 1 year since Mid March 2017. What would u say about this @lisalucier @kanaazpereira .

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2 replies
Lisa Lucier | @lisalucier | Mar 12, 2018
In reply to @shshank_gaurv "@lisalucier @virtuous69 @ladibabe @kanaazpereira Has Anyone Tried Cupping (Physiotherapy) for Costocondritis/Tietze Syndrome. My Physio tried it..." + (show)
@shshank_gaurv

@lisalucier @virtuous69 @ladibabe @kanaazpereira Has Anyone Tried Cupping (Physiotherapy) for Costocondritis/Tietze Syndrome. My Physio tried it the previous week. I helped me the most out of all the Manual and Myofacial Releases etc I took till date for the past 1 year since Mid March 2017. What would u say about this @lisalucier @kanaazpereira .

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Hi, @shshank_gaurv -- wow -- so glad to hear that the cupping physiotherapy treatment helped so much with your costocondritis/tietze syndrome.

We have some members on Connect who've tried cupping for other types of pain or other medical conditions who might have some thoughts on your experience with this technique for your chest wall pain, like @oh_suzie_q, @grandmar, @windwalker, @gailb and @sauvee. Hoping they may have some insights for you.

What are your thoughts about continuing on with this treatment, @shshank_gaurv?

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grandmaR | @grandmar | Mar 12, 2018
In reply to @shshank_gaurv "@lisalucier @virtuous69 @ladibabe @kanaazpereira Has Anyone Tried Cupping (Physiotherapy) for Costocondritis/Tietze Syndrome. My Physio tried it..." + (show)
@shshank_gaurv

@lisalucier @virtuous69 @ladibabe @kanaazpereira Has Anyone Tried Cupping (Physiotherapy) for Costocondritis/Tietze Syndrome. My Physio tried it the previous week. I helped me the most out of all the Manual and Myofacial Releases etc I took till date for the past 1 year since Mid March 2017. What would u say about this @lisalucier @kanaazpereira .

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HI THERE
FIRST, I JUST WANT TO SAY I AM USING ALL CAPS BECAUSE MY FINGERS HURT AND I FIND THIS EASIER.

YES, I DID TRY CUPPING. THE THERAPIST WHO DID MINE, DID IT ALONG WITH ACCUPUNCTURE. I'D HAVE THE ACCUPUNCTURE FIRST THEN SHE WOULD GO INTO THE CUPPING. FOR ME, NEITHER WORKED. NOT THE TWO OF THEM TOGETHER OR SEPARATE. I DID DO THIS FOR A MONTH OR SO. MAYBE IT WAS NOT LONG ENOUGH????? MAYBE MY NIND WAS NOT OPEN ENOUGH FOR THIS TYPE OF ALTERNATIVE THERAPY??????

HOPE THIS HELPS..
Ronnie (GRANDMAr)

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Lisa Lucier | @lisalucier | Jul 3, 2018

Hi, @shshank_gaurv, @grandmar and @virtuous69 -- how are things going with the costochrondritis? Found anything lately that is helping?

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corinna | @corinna | Feb 4, 2019

I have had Tietze since I was 19. I am 48 now. For years I was always told to take Motrin. About 15 years ago a specialist told me to try Evening Primrose oil. Found in the Pharmacy. Omgosh it worked on the very first day of trying. It flared up today so I lay down and it went away. Evening Primrose oil worked like a miracle. What a relief.

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peggy1944 | @peggy1944 | Feb 17, 2019

@I have just joined Connect and already I am greatly impressed. Hope somewhere out there can help. I was born with Taybi Syndrome, other craniofacial defects and a moderate to severe "funnel chest," or Pectus Excavatum. All my life--I am 69--I had trouble breathing. First it was diagnosed as Chronic Restrictive Pulmonary Disease, then COPD. Early on I developed some sort of inflammation in my chest cartilage causing severe chest pain, soreness all over and muscle pain so bad I was bedridden. At age about 30 a cardiologist said I had "tstse" Fly syndrome (wrong spelling) which has plagued me to this day. The pain is so bad it is like having a heart attack. (Which I already had. Has anyone else out there suffered symptoms of this bad inflammation and have any answers on relieving the pain? How do other people cope with chest pain unrelated to a heart attack? I would so greatly appreciate your help as I feel so alone. Thank you! Regards, Peggy J.

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