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Real members of MyFibroTeam have posted questions and answers that support our community guidelines, and should not be taken as medical advice. Looking for the latest medically reviewed content by doctors and experts? Visit our resource section.

Costochondritous

A MyFibroTeam Member asked a question 💭
Suffolk England

Hi I think I've spelt it right but I also suffer with Costochondritous if that's the right spelling! Does anyone else suffer with it an if so how do u deal with it because I'm having trouble adjusting to that condition aswell as the fibro

November 21, 2016
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Answer Summary

Members connected over the painful reality of costochondritis, describing sensations ranging from sharp rib pain and chest pressure to... Read more

Members connected over the painful reality of costochondritis, describing sensations ranging from sharp rib pain and chest pressure to feelings of having a heart attack, with many sharing that the pain can last all day or even months at a time. Several members found relief through heat therapy (electric heating pads, tiger balm, China gel), muscle relaxants like Norflex, pain relievers including codeine and ibuprofen, and stretching techniques to open up the chest. A recurring theme was the importance of catching flares early, using whatever combination of tools works for your body, and finding comfort in knowing you're not alone in navigating this challenging condition alongside fibromyalgia.

A MyFibroTeam Member

I get it all the time and it's awful and so damn painful! I get mine right in the middle of my chest, about where a bra underside sits between the breasts. Mine can be so severe in can almost drop me and it more often then not has me in tears. I take Norflex which is a muscle relaxant and it seems to help, plus ibuprofen. I feel like I want to shove my hand into my chest and squeeze it, like when you clench your teeth when you have a toothache. I find heat helps, I have an electric hot water bottle and it's fantastic. It's filled with a type of gel and you plug it in n heat it up (only takes 7-10mins ish to get fully hot) n the heat can last for up to 5 hours (also awesome for other body aches like back pain and tmj jaw/face pain). I get pneumonia ALL the time (at my worst I had it 17 times in 2 years!). I don't get it like regular peeps, it don't get a cold which turns to flu which turns to pneumonia. I get severe chest and back pain (between my shoulder blades) and it's like a really painful, deep, constant ache and then within a few days it's turned into pneumonia, and if your fibro is feeling like it wants to REALLY over share with you, it turns into pleurisy!
If you have a wheat bag of hot water bottle, try that next time it hurts (if it's in a place you can get to, if you get what I'm trying to explain, not sure if I'm making any sense lol). Good luck, soft hugs, I'll be sending you happy thoughts and warm fuzzies your way!! :-D

November 22, 2016
A MyFibroTeam Member

Tigerbalm is awesome, stretch backwards over something like the end of a bed to open up the chest. Trigger point work too. Try to catch it early when it flares.

November 21, 2016
A MyFibroTeam Member

@A MyFibroTeam Member It is the inflammation of the connective tissues in your chest, mostly ribs. I get it off and on on the right side and it can take my breath away. I use heat, lidocaine, pressure of my hand, and making sure Mark doesn't touch it.( He's a breast man and thinks my nipples are his personal toy to help him sleep when he's home.) I have found wearing bras that are well fitting, all cotton or the new fabric that feels like silk, without lace or seams work well to support the tissues and calm some of the pain.

January 13, 2017
A MyFibroTeam Member

I too suffer from that. If I get a bad cough I know I'm in for it. My ribs become so sore it sometimes feels like a pinching sharp pain between them. Sometimes on one side sometimes on both sides. Takes it forever to go away too.

November 21, 2016
A MyFibroTeam Member

Haven't heard of it what is it please?

November 21, 2016