Anyone else fighting Costochondritis and DISH?

@bswpb Oh I didn't mean it that way towards you. Sorry. I was just putting the info out there for folks that may be new to the disease. It can mimic a heart attack, I was rushed to the ER several times and even admitted to the cardiac unit...UNTIL they finally sent in a rheumatologist to finally diagnose me properly back when it all started in 1994.

@hedgehog77990 I have done everything you have except the rolled up pillow, I can't...due to 4 major spinal fusions, last being a 2 part surgery 4 days apart, with it being a full reconstruction of my spine.

But, all your other methods I've "been there, done that." I didn't have any relief with the tens unit (I tried for years). I was stricken with costochondritis way back in 1994. I don't have DISH thank goodness. But, I do have degenerative disc disease.

It's just something we have to live with. Please feel better. Do you have any remission? I do, and it's been a welcomed relief. I have noticed that as the years went by, it became less intense and longer remission periods. As of right now, I can't remember when I've had a flare up...but it is a chronic condition, so it's only a matter of time for the flare to come back, but it seems (with me), that Tylenol helps it tremendously. Like I said, over the years, it seems to be bad, but not unbearable. But, then again, perhaps I'm not noticing it as much because I'm still in a very long recovery from my reconstruction surgery. Who knows...

God bless...

@applejack112 I don't have DISH. I've had 4 major spinal surgeries due to 2- not at fault car accidents. This last major, major one was this past Jan 26th and 30th. I was in ICU the whole time. They cut me from right under my cervical to my pelvis. Full reconstruction. And, if I had DISH my specialist would have seen. But, my bones have not fused but the disks were in bad shape from the accidents, and degenerative disc disease. I have RA. I also still have Kyphosis. Also, because of my spinal issues, I have been suffering for 9 yrs with peripheral neuropathy and sciatica...oy. That is actually worse than the costochondritis.

But, the costochondritis is bad as well. My rheumatologist told me there is nothing he can do more than giving me anti-inflammatory meds, which I already take for the spine, along with mega doses of Gabapentin.

@vivsterb Please get off of gabepentin as the longer your on it the harder it is to get off.All meds only mask the pain and do not correct the issue.Get a dr that can findout what it causeing the issue.

@vivsterb it was before that when I first had it! It’s insane how easy things cause so much trouble!!!

@applejack112 I've been on it for 9 yrs. It does help with my peripheral nerve damage in my feet. My nerves were badly compressed (every one decompressed now, including sciatic nerve), all those years, even after the 3 spinal fusions. I had (as stated in my comment above yours), a 4th serious full reconstruction of my spine this past Jan. It was a two day procedure, 4 days apart spent in ICU entire time.

I feel the difference in the burning of my feet from the nerve damage, a lot more if I don't take Gabapentin at least two times a day. Until my spine is full recovered, (takes a yr or more with this surgery), I'm ok with taking Gabapentin.

As I've mentioned before in this discussion, after all kinds of tests for heart issues, I was diagnosed with costocondritis. My doctor recommend PT and chiropractic. It was very effective. It didn't eliminate the condition, but the widespread and consistent pain went away. If I press on my ribs, I feel pain, but I have no other problems from it. I just avoid press on my ribs.

What is DISH?

@arflmi33 that is the new name.Its rite name is forestiers disease after the man that dicovered it Robert Forestier.Its a progressive disease that grows beteen your vetebrae and over the years it entombs the spine or fuses it and limits your sideway movement.Although its a very invasive it doesnt cause pain until fusion begins.Ive had it since my 40s and after 20yrs it did start to happer my movement alot.The new name for it is Diffused/ideopathic/skelatol/ hypertosis.It means that other than discovering it they know nothing of it hense the ideopathic addage

@vivsterb I'm a man and i'm suffering with neck/ rib pain from Dish. I've had it for 25 years. How do you control your pain?