Does anyone suffer from costocondritis?

Yes. I have had chronic costochondritis that started as a teenager almost 50 years ago. Nothing more painful than a bad flare up. I also have trouble chewing and swallowing although I’ve never read that swallowing is connected. Both of those issues are thought to be caused by my rare hereditary neuropathy with pressure palsies. Do you actually have trouble swallowing or is it just too painful to swallow during a flare up? Do you have a specific question about it all? What causes your costochondritis to flare up?

That is very curious to me that you have related this to Neuropathy. I also have idiopathic Periferal Neuropathy. I have had costocondritis from and early age as well. They are very painfull episodes, however this is the first time I have had trouble swallowing and also swallowing makes it worse.

@michael308
Sorry to hear you are suffering. How were you diagnosed for costochondritis and neuropathy? I have small fiber neuropathy and spinal stenosis/degenerative disc disease/cervical myelopathy and this has caused me problems with swallowing. Have you had a swallow test done by a neurologist? Have you had a cervical MRI to see if you have any compression of spinal cord/nerve roots? Have you had an ultrasound to check your thyroid/lymph nodes in your neck?

Sorry to hear about your pain. My episodes were always set off by physical strain like stretching or sports or upper body exercise. My PCP told me in my 20s to never do upper body exercise again and I don’t. The butterfly machine at the gym would be a huge trigger. Also lying down too long causes severe chest and upper back pain. I’m so careful about triggers. When in a hospital bed the pain from being in bed is so intense and I have to get up and sit in the chair to take off pressure. During a bad episode I can only sit up.

Steroids never helped. The only thing that ever helped was osteopathic manipulation. My osteopath said he had costochindritis in medical school set off by stress. I feel for you. Sooo excruciating!

Be sure the swallowing is connected and it’s not some unrelated issue that triggered your costochondritis. Radiation treatment for breast cancer and shingles both set off my costochondritis so I think inflammation in that area is also a trigger.

I remember decades ago when Michael Jackson had costochondritis set off by a dance routine. He thought he was having a heart attack due to severe chest pain and stayed in the hospital for a week making the doctors check everything. He was convinced they were wrong. I understood why he thought that. I only remember because I had a flair up at that time. I felt like calling him to give him the scoop on how painful this disorder is.

Prayers you get some pain relief.

Yes suffer from costochondritis for over 2 years now. I have fibromyalgia which I have learned it is not uncommon to have the costochondritis too. So frustrating and painful. I also had a trapped nerve which was like a shock collar everytime I moved. I went to a chiropractor who specializes in rib disorders. He helped me get rid of the crazy nerve pain. Unfortunately, I still suffer but I do get 2 different massages every month to keep me moving.

First understand that the cause of costo is mechanical. Your ribs are frozen where they insert into the spinal column. Your ribs are like the handle of paint can. Now imagine that one end of the handle is stuck at the can and the other is not. When you try to move the free handle, because there is no movement at the back side, the front side will deform. Remember that were your ribs insert into the sternum of breastbone, that is not bone but cartilage. So it will pop up to compensate for the lack or movement on the backside. Yes there is some inflammation and soreness at the sternum but taking all the anti inflammatory pills in the world will not make that deformed cartilage return to normal. You have to free up the back side first. 90% of doctors and specialists do not know this and will prescribe two months of NSAIDS. See this article. Also watch this video in its entirety. If you don't you won't understand what is happening to you. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yWQ6XCEyoKY&t=2298s

Yes, I have had costochondritis for 50+ years. I used to get terrible shooting pains when I was a teenager, doctors couldn't figure out what was wrong so they told me it was "all in my head." Ugh. Fast forward about 20 years and I finally got a good Dr. that diagnosed me correctly. I also have fibromyalgia and I find that the costo tends to flare at the same time as fibro. I take two naproxen sodium twice a day, and have supplemented with Tylenol when the pain is extra bad. Several doctors have told me that using both is at least as effective as opiates. Since I am a recovering alcoholic, I avoid any opiates like the plague anyway. There are only a few times that it gets really bad, and I've learned that eating food that contains high levels of salt exacerbates the pain, so I try to avoid (as much as I love me some fries once in a while). I hope you can find some peace and relief.

Hi @michael308, I add my welcome along with the helpful responses from members here. You may also be interested in these related discussions:
- Costochondritis: What testing did you have for a diagnosis? https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/costochondritis-2/
- Costochondritis: How do you manage pain? https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/costochondritis-1/