Costochondritis??

[Blueberry]

Curious if anyone else has ever experienced this:confused::confused:

I had low grade chest pain/coughing when I lean over/feeling like I can't get a deep breath. Oddly, it gets better with exercise. Went to the doc - and he did all relevant tests, and determined that I'm not, in fact, dying of anything - seems I just have irritated cartilage in my chest (for no reason we can ascertain). He says it doesn't explain the coughing - but thinks they may not be connected.

Any thoughts on how long this takes to go away? It's getting hard to make myself exercise (even though it does get better) when I don't feel like I can breathe. Doc was very vague on that....

[KnottedYet]

Sounds more like a thoracic derangement than costrochondritis to me.

Especially with the bit about leaning forward being worse and exercise making it better.

If it isn't significantly improved in a week, I'd check back with the doc.

[Blueberry]

Thanks, Knott - will do!

He diagnosed it primarily based on the fact that when he pressed on the sternum on the right hand side, it was quite painful (that, in conjunction with ruling out other things).

[bambu101]

I have had this, and it can be very painful to breathe. It was a number of years ago, but I think it took about a week to feel better. It was explained as an inflammation.

[maryellen]

I had this about 6 weeks ago. I'd never heard of it before that episode. Sure enough I was much better after a week or so. Hang in there and feel better.

[alice]

I've had this on and off for a while. The last time I had it, it lasted for about three months (worst three months ever; I constantly worried I was having a heart attack). I find that warm compresses can make it at least bearable, and my doctor told me to try and avoid heavy lifting, which at least kept it from getting worse (I had to move during that period, so I discovered that heavy lifting really does make it worse).

Anyway, hopefully you'll have a much shorter experience like previous posters, but these are just some things to keep in mind.

[Blueberry]

Bleh. I have no idea what's wrong. The pain is gone - but I still can't get a deep breath (lungs burn when I try to). Tried to call my Doc (as he instructed) this AM - his nurse just returned my call - "since it's the weekend, check yourself into an urgent care." That's why I called this AM. ARGH!!!!!

Next on the list: finding a new doctor.

I'm so frustrated - I have an event in 3 weeks and I talked to the doc about said. Grrrr.......

[emily_in_nc]

Gosh, I'm so sorry to hear this. I hope you get to the bottom of this soon. Could be pleurisy, possibly, since you can't get a deep breath?

You may not be able to do the event, sadly. Your health is more important.

Hopefully you'll be "all better" by then, though!

[Blueberry]

Saw a different doc (finally) today. The pain is, of course, gone - but the fact that it happened is concerning. He does not seem to agree with the initial diagnosis.

They are testing to make sure I don't have a blood clot (eek! - I hope not), since that was not tested before. They have also scheduled a stress test. Assuming all is clear, I'm cleared to ride though my training is well beyond inadequate at this point

[emily_in_nc]

Saw a different doc (finally) today. The pain is, of course, gone - but the fact that it happened is concerning. He does not seem to agree with the initial diagnosis.

They are testing to make sure I don't have a blood clot (eek! - I hope not), since that was not tested before. They have also scheduled a stress test. Assuming all is clear, I'm cleared to ride though my training is well beyond inadequate at this point

Gosh, sure hope it's not a blood clot! :eek: Good luck with the tests and keep us posted. I hope it's nothing serious. :(

[bunny_ninja]

I was hit by a car on my commute June 7th. The main impact was my sternum to the handlebars. I *just* found the definition of my symptoms. (after a trip to the ER, gp, and 7 x-rays). Viva la google.

I just want to ride my bike again! sniffling hurts. coughing hurts. sneezing... oi vey! And I was in so much pain that I went into shock on Friday (taking my Jack LaLanne juicer out of the cabinet did it. Screemed and dropped the juicer).

Better than narcotics has been alternating 600-800mg ibuprofen and 1000mg acetaminophen.

I really hope you don't have what I have. Just be careful with lifting things and don't do anything silly like push-ups. Just when I think I am getting better - I do something stupid and have a big setback. Be careful!

[Blueberry]

Ouch!

If I had it, it went away quickly. The shortness of breath stuck around for another week. All gone now. (of course, I lost about the last month of training time dealing with it all) We still have no idea what caused it - which is really scary to me. But - at least we ruled out the really bad stuff.