Terrible Costochondritis flare up, not sure what comes next

Posted by LPRSOB @jdbarr1, Apr 2 1:53pm

I am so scared and on the verge of tears. Confused as well.

I started getting side pain in 2021 each time after smoking. I quit smoking and did OK but noticed I had pain in my sides when tapping them. No big deal.

Last fall 2024 I went through some stress and had a virus. Soon after that the old side pain was happening, except now it came back on it's own. No tapping needed. And it was every couple of days. But Tylenol, Muscle Relaxer, and Lidocaine handled it just fine. No big deal.

Fast forward to March 2025 this year. All of a sudden, the Tylenol, Muscle Relaxer, and Lidocaine need to be put on more often. OK, still working but then... they stop working!

I've done a month with PT before in the past and it helped (a bit) but after a little while I stopped keeping up with my at home exercises.

I used the backpod recently and I think it helped flare me up even more! Now I feel parts of my spine hurting and I am scared it will be even harder to heal!

I can't take NSAIDS because of my stomach. And my old regimen is not working.

I started a TCA and am going back to PT. I will address use of backpod in future to see if it can be useful.

But quite frankly I don't feel like I have a handle on this. It's getting out of control.

I am so terrified. So scared. I can't even do basic tasks the past couple of weeks , focusing enough to make this post was difficult.

I needed to vent and get advice on how to move forward.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Chronic Pain Support Group.

covidstinks2023 | @covidstinks2023 | Apr 2 6:00pm

LPRSOB, Bless you. I have only had this in my breastbone and it is so painful. My heart goes out to you and I am praying for you right now.

Have you done anything new that could cause a flare? COVID flared mine up as COVID increases inflammation
and costochondritis is inflammation. I can't take NSAIDS either.

Some thoughts:

1) Did you have COVID and this flared up worse after COVID?
2) Have you ever been given steroids for this such as a Prednisone taper?
3) Have you tried heat packs for this? Please ask your doctor before trying.
4) Have you been to a Rheumatologist?

Blessings & Prayers....

LPRSOB | @jdbarr1 | Apr 2 7:27pm

In reply to @covidstinks2023 "LPRSOB, Bless you. I have only had this in my breastbone and it is so painful...." + (show)

Thank you so much for your reply! I appreciate your well wishes and prayers.
1. I have never been diagnosed with COVID
2. I have never been given steroids.
3. I will give heat packs a try. They have helped me a bit with other kinds of pain in the past.
4. I have not been to a rheumatologist

Did steroids help you?

I am unfamiliar with Rheumatology and am surprised my PCP did not suggest someone. Did that help you as well?

Once again thank you so much

covidstinks2023 | @covidstinks2023 | Apr 3 7:27am

In reply to @jdbarr1 "Thank you so much for your reply! I appreciate your well wishes and prayers. 1. I..." + (show)

LPRSOB, Honestly, I have never been given steroids for costochondritis, with that said, a short
taper reduces inflammation greatly and quickly with me with other issues I have had and
steroids work quickly.

A Rheumatolgist can check you for a lot of autoimmune diseases that run on inflammation. I did not have to go to a Rheumatologist for mine.

A dear lady at church thought it was her heart causing her chest pain. She went to a cardiologist and they would doing a complete workup on her. She discovered it was
costochondritis due to her swimming laps in the pool. She stopped swimming laps and
if I remember correctly she took some NSAIDS and cleared up. She was worried it was
her heart....it wasn't.

Have you also tried Volateren Gel for arthritis over the counter? It does have NSAIDS it in, but, I find not enough to bother me. I use this a lot for arthritis and Fibromyalgia pain. You have to use it up to 4 times a day to get relief doctor told me. I have a lot of arthritis in my spine that triggers migraines and this is wonderful for me to use at night and helps me sleep. I usually get relief within about 30 minutes. I would ask my doctor about this before trying.

Try and move as much as you can to keep from getting stiffer and increasing more pain.

Praying for you right now to get relief. Blessings & Prayers....

JulesE | @julese | Apr 6 9:42am

Back in the day ER docs used ethyl chloride spray to treat costochrondritis. Here is a primer from our sponsor.
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/costochondritis/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20371180

Please sign in or register to post a reply.