D1 who just turned 30 is on her second bout with this diagnosis - the first several weeks ago, seemed to go away then has slowly returned. She had an EKG with first bout and all was clear otherwise. She is looking for a PCP this week (about time) but has just been to Urgent Cares so far.
It seems to bother her more in the morning and eases up during the daytime. Currently just using ibuprofen and zantac.
Wondering if there is anything else she should be doing to ease symptoms or stuff to avoid while it’s bothering her - obviously no strenuous exercise, lifting.
why Zantac? If it’s costochondritis anti-inflammatories and rest are what’s called for! I had a bout with this this year. Went away pretty fast now I just keep aware of it. Honestly, for me the fear was the major part - when you get random strong chest pains, you worry! Once I got the diagnosis the pain was manageable. Maybe have her work on improving her posture as part of ongoing management.
The Zantac was just because she was occasionally having some reflux/burbing and the doc thought that might be increasing the irritation/pain.
100% right about the fear - she and we keep reviewing any/all symptoms to make sure they aren’t mimicking something else! Her symptoms really are in line with costochondritis - and her anxiety(worrying if she’s ok or it’s something else) when it comes on strong(er) doesn’t help!
I had this once when I was in my 30s and it was scary until I learned that I wasn’t having a heart issue. It was painful at the time but I don’t think it lasted more than a week or so. It hasn’t come back in the last 30 years.
Friend has had this since that age. Ibu or Tylenol. Sure, watch for signs of worse, but it’s important to keep this one in perspective. Costocondritis, in itself, is not dangerous. But it “can” be affected by emotional stress. So, like many things, it’s good to not go too much on the alarm. Look into mindfulness, if she’s ordinarily prone to anxiety.
A lifting incident could have brought it on. My mother had the much worse form of arthritis in that area, first triggered by a fall. Entirely different.
^^Thanks all. She doesn’t have true “anxiety” but can get anxious by things to worry about - especially health since she has generally been healthy! Maybe some yoga or meditation is in order. She has had some stress issues the last couple of months including a break up (that is back on) and then a couple of deaths of people somewhat close to her.
I asked her this morning how much ibuprofen she was taking - 600 mg. Perhaps a doc will encourage her to increase. Anything else to relieve the symptoms @romanigypsyeyes ???
@abasket unfortunately, I haven’t figured out anything to do at home. They gave me something in the hospital that helped but it was in my IV and not something they gave me a script for.
I was told by my rheumy that the best I can do is try to keep the underlying source of the inflammation under control (in my case, the RA & lupus).
And the “with a doctor” was aimed at her not turning to dr. google. It can drive one into an anxiety attack.
Sometimes warm or warm/moist compresses. A doc may not want to Rx 800mg indefinitely.
Chances are a young person in good shape, with no diagnosed heart issue, isn’t headed for a heart attack. (I totally agree with romani checking this out at the hospital.) Some swear by an anti inflammatory diet.
I had it a year or so ago. Does she exercise? I often say my body repels exercise. It’s what caused mine. Truly rest and don’t lift, including babies and toddlers.
I had it ten years ago. I woke up in the middle of the night with severe chest pains, didn’t think I could be having a heart attack but didn’t know what else could have been causing the symptoms and wasn’t willing to bet my life. So I called 911. They gave me an EKG in my living room, then said it didn’t look like a heart attack but I should go to the hospital anyway to be checked out. Off I went (not in the ambulance) and sure enough, costochondritis. The doctor said it could be stress, which checked out because my father had died the week before.
Luckily for me, mine disappeared soon after and has never returned.
Costochondritis is my go-to example for why insurers should not be able to deny payment for emergency room visits based on an eventual diagnosis of a benign condition. I went to the ER and got a diagnosis of something not dangerous, and not an emergency. But I couldn’t know that when I was deciding whether to go the ER.
I had this in my 20s. Something I didn’t realize until told was that you need to KEEP taking the anti-inflammatory as often as called for, even if it feels OK/you feel like you don’t need it.
I had costochondritis about 20 years ago. It was brought on, apparently, by coughing caused by bronchitis/asthma. When I coughed or sneezed I saw stars, the pain was so intense. It seems to me it lasted about a week and I’ve never had it again.
My son gets this once or twice a year. It usually happens after lifting weights or strenuous exercise. He had open heart surgery as a child and the doctor said it is likely connected to the scar tissue that developed from the surgery. He treats with ibuprofen and rest. It is scary, but he was told that it is not related to his heart disease.
I had it for a few years when I was younger. The pain was a few inches below my sternum and felt more like a pulled muscle. It was worst when I had to drive long distances. I think having a lot of work stress didn’t help.
I saw my PCP first and scoffed internally when he suggested inflamed chest cartilage because of where the pain was.
Then I saw a cardiologist and he suggested the same thing and then prodded my rib cage which hurt a lot! … oddly, I’d never felt much pain there because I didn’t normally poke at my ribs. So, I finally had to agree with the diagnosis. The abdominal pain decreased over time and I haven’t had any problems in several years. However, I go for heart check ups annually for a minor heart issue and when the tech rubs that ultrasound thing over my ribs it’s really painful, but that’s basically the only time it ever bothers me.
I’d be careful with ibuprofen. I used it for a few weeks for shoulder pain and got a bleeding ulcer.
She has had some stress issues the last couple of months including a break up (that is back on) and then a couple of deaths of people somewhat close to her.