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 | Sep 29, 2017
In reply to @virtuous69 "@lisalucier and all:. P.S. I've noticed that it I've eaten any kind of a meal that..." + (show)
@virtuous69

@lisalucier and all:. P.S. I've noticed that it I've eaten any kind of a meal that causes me to bloat ,I feel like my bra begins to tighten like a vice, and when that happens that could cause me a doozy of a costochondritis flare.

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@virtuous69 Eating more or eating wrong - which causes Bloating - does cause the Flare. For that I try to have a Rabiprazole 20 mg and a Digestive Enzyme SOS. Its does help apart from the Muscle Relaxant (that too SOS)

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Gaurv Shshank S. | @shshank_gaurv | Sep 29, 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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T4,T5,T6 maybe the pain area - Advil May Help(SOS). Gabapentin (Prescription Drug)

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Gaurv Shshank S. | @shshank_gaurv | Sep 29, 2017
In reply to @lisalucier "Hi, @shshank_gaurv, @virtuous69, @ladibabe, @xelanoel, @dawn_giacabazi , @behind, @vickiekay , @rubickscube and @annieecruz. All of you..." + (show)
@lisalucier

Hi, @shshank_gaurv, @virtuous69, @ladibabe, @xelanoel, @dawn_giacabazi , @behind, @vickiekay , @rubickscube and @annieecruz. All of you have mentioned costochondritis at various times on Mayo Clinic Connect. Just wanted to check in with you and see how things are going with this condition and your pain?

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@lisalucier A few things I think I should mention. Lately I Have started getting Brain Fog. I forget things a lot (as in not able to recall when needed). Have become boring - as in - the things I used to enjoy doing earlier - now I find them really boring. Earlier I used to react to things fast - now I don’t (which is good). I don’t get angry that easily (which is good as well)

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Lisa Lucier | @lisalucier | Sep 29, 2017
In reply to @lisalucier "Hi, @shshank_gaurv, @virtuous69, @ladibabe, @xelanoel, @dawn_giacabazi , @behind, @vickiekay , @rubickscube and @annieecruz. All of you..." + (show)
@lisalucier

Hi, @shshank_gaurv, @virtuous69, @ladibabe, @xelanoel, @dawn_giacabazi , @behind, @vickiekay , @rubickscube and @annieecruz. All of you have mentioned costochondritis at various times on Mayo Clinic Connect. Just wanted to check in with you and see how things are going with this condition and your pain?

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Hi, @shshank_gaurv. Thanks for sharing some of the things that bring you relief with your costochondritis. Are you thinking that the brain fog, not enjoying things you used to enjoy and being slower to get angry are related to the costochondritis or the medications for it?

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Gaurv Shshank S. | @shshank_gaurv | Sep 29, 2017
In reply to @lisalucier "Hi, @shshank_gaurv, @virtuous69, @ladibabe, @xelanoel, @dawn_giacabazi , @behind, @vickiekay , @rubickscube and @annieecruz. All of you..." + (show)
@lisalucier

Hi, @shshank_gaurv, @virtuous69, @ladibabe, @xelanoel, @dawn_giacabazi , @behind, @vickiekay , @rubickscube and @annieecruz. All of you have mentioned costochondritis at various times on Mayo Clinic Connect. Just wanted to check in with you and see how things are going with this condition and your pain?

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@lisalucier Those r side effects of the Medication I Guess.

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Lisa Lucier | @lisalucier | Sep 29, 2017
In reply to @virtuous69 "@lisalucier and all: yes I do.suffer from costochondritis. My pain comes on suddenly usually between the..." + (show)
@virtuous69

@lisalucier and all: yes I do.suffer from costochondritis. My pain comes on suddenly usually between the fourth rib. can be very very painful and last a number of minutes but usually I don't have it as all day long.The interesting thing is I can get it anywhere within any rib in front or in back or in the ribs attached to my sternum. When I first heard about it I had an on-site nurse at work call my doctor because I thought I was having a heart attack and she asked me to press the muscles to either side of my sternum And if they were sore which they were ,she said it was costochondritis ,to go home and take some Advil and rest. The problem I have is when I turn over in bed the pain can be excruciating between any one of my ribs, back or side usually. I just have to bite my tongue and try to breathe in as deeply as possible to get oxygen to the muscle and wait it out and usually it goes away within a few minutes so I do not suffer any long-term pain like some of you. And that's really all the info that I could offer. So blessings to you who suffer this rib cage pain, that's what it's called on internet.especilly if you suffer this pain on a prolonged basis. Virtuous 69

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Hi, @virtuous69--thanks for the update on your costochondritis and sharing the technique you use when you turn over in bed. Imagine that would have been frightening to feel like you were having a heart attack at work. How was your relief with the over-the-counter pain reliever and rest the on-site nurse suggested when you first heard about this condition?

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virtuous69 | @virtuous69 | Sep 29, 2017

@shshank_gaurv OMG you have meds for that too? Are they RX or OTC? I can barely afford my standard BP meds and other few. Thx for the referral, I hope I can find your post when I see my PC this afternoon.

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1 reply
Gaurv Shshank S. | @shshank_gaurv | Sep 29, 2017
In reply to @virtuous69 "@shshank_gaurv OMG you have meds for that too? Are they RX or OTC? I can barely..." + (show)
@virtuous69

@shshank_gaurv OMG you have meds for that too? Are they RX or OTC? I can barely afford my standard BP meds and other few. Thx for the referral, I hope I can find your post when I see my PC this afternoon.

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@virtuous69 Rabeprazole, Digestive Ezymes, Muscle Relaxants are all OTCs but should be only taken SOS. Gabapentin is RX. Plz check with you Doctor for Drug Interactions.

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virtuous69 | @virtuous69 | Sep 29, 2017

@lisalucier was happy that my primary thought to ask our workers comp nurse those questions before anyone rushed to call an ambulance. Went home, took advil, had a little nap....felt fine later. I wish I knew what to do with those
breath -stopping rib pains when I move in bed except to just wait it out.
P.s. learning to navigate your website with help from Colleen Young. @ symbal specializes one previous poster. If I include the words "and all" will that allow other posters of same thread to read my comments also?

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Lisa Lucier | @lisalucier | Sep 29, 2017

Hi Virtuous69
Yes, so nice your primary was thinking of all the possibilities to avoid unnecessarily calling an ambulance. So sorry about those very painful rib pains you experience in bed.

About your question on what happens when you post your comments in a thread: It is helpful to @mention the person you are speaking to by typing their @username in your message. All the members participating in the discussion will see your post and get an email notification that your message was posted. This way the person you are talking to knows you're responding to them but everyone can take part. Just like a group of friends around the coffee table.

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