Have you had experience w/ costochondritis?

Years ago I had it so bad that you couldn’t touch my left breast. The pain was unbelievable. I never felt that kind of pain in my breast before. It was actually debilitating. I went to the ER and I explained. She checked my right breast and I was fine. She went to my left and I grabbed her arm and screamed out in pain. She apologized profusely. I said no one can touch it. I can’t touch it and it hurts so bad. It was my left side. She asked a lot of questions and then we got to my bra’s. I told her what I wear. I couldn’t wear one at the moment. She told me to get myself some sports bras. Wear them all the time, even in bed. Remove to clean oneself and to clean them but never wear a standard bra again. She then explained I have costocondritis. It is not my breast, it is the bone and muscle right where my breast is. It happens to people with Fibromyalgia and if you don’t wear the standard bra and wear only sports bras, it will never return. I do get muscle spazzums but it doesn’t hurt anymore. I apply pressure to the spazzing muscles and it knocks it down and it never hurts because I wear sport bras.
-E

Bra Bother sometimes don't use it all. When get pain is rare. Try to breath slow and massage softly my sternum.....and most of all Relax, Relax, Relax

Pretty much seems that the proper sequence. I do the same. Take care
mercedes

Lets get together and design a Costochondritis BRA. But what would it look like? It would be invisible?
I was told my ribs were rubbing against my sternum.

@lizzietish56 I am so happy for you that you found an answer. I too have a very painful right breast. Around 10 years ago I had a mammogram and explained my breast tenderness to the technician and explained it was my FM. When I told her to stop already on the right one she gave it an extra squeeze. I had severe again in my left for 2 months and my right for a whole year. I will not ever have another mammogram. I wish they would tell these technicians to respect the patient. I tried the sports bra but can't use them because I also have a torn rotator so can't get it off.

@1kay2 So sorry to hear of this. The Mammograms are painful enough without the FM. Don't skip them, maybe consider talking to the doctor about options. Maybe some kind of ultrasound???? Don't skip the mammograms though, breast cancer is not something to ignore. I've lost too many friends and family. Good luck to you.

Michelle2075 I have had almost exactly this for over 12 months! It’s all in my thoracic spine area, ribs and shoulder blade but not in the front, it only radiates a little into the lower ribs, towards the front. In my back it’s sometimes worse in some spots than others. It has gotten so bad it’s difficult to breathe. My sleep is terrible! Once it starts the only thing that relives it is being upright where it subsides after a couple of hours. It’s agony! So far the Dr is perplexed I have had X-rays CT and MRI and nothing is showing up. I have found sleeping half upright sometimes helps. I would be interested to know if you find out more or work out how to resolve it.

I have costochondritis regularly. It is inflammation of the rib cartilage. My pain is front and back center left where cartilage connects to spine and breatsbone. Besides being painful, it is pretty scary. Even though I have had it many times, I still wonder if it is a heart attack every time. My cardiologist started me on flexeril 2x daily if needed to relax it and it does seem to help. She also said she has treated it off label with Colchicine. I have not tried that.

I agree it is terribly scary; heaven knows how many times in the past I got those pains and wondered if I was having a heart attack. My experience with costochondritis began in high school (1970's), when I would get stabbing pains in my chest. Went to doctor and was told it was all in my head. No, actually, it was in the cartilage surrounding my ribs, as I was told 20+ years later. The inflammation of costochondritis is similar and related to all the "itis" problems - bursitis, arthritis, etc. - and can be helped by attention to inflammation-related triggers. Any time I eat too much salt, cured meats, etc., I am more likely to experience "itis" flares, and that includes the rib cage. I have also found that "itis" flares, like FM (which I also have) are exacerbated by stress. So - no cure, but self care and attention to diet can help. Use of NSAIDS in coordination with your doctor and your other medical conditions also can be a benefit. My thoughts and prayers are with you and I hope your pain is reduced.

Yes, I’ve had it in the past and just recently. At age 70, I made a major move and was constantly bending over to box household items. Had to stop and take one day at a time…went on for several months during the move. Recently, I had a lot of inflammation due to overdoing exercise…I have bone on bone OA in one knee that isn’t really painful. Too much walking (I did 9000 steps, including 3400 of them on the scifit recumbent stepper) the other day caused a lot of inflammation by the next morning. Started in knee, now it’s costochodritis in ribs. Need to rest and take it easy. Bummer. Will turn 77 in June.