Anyone familiar with costochondritis?

[*NikkiBell*]

My doctor diagnosed me with having this. He said it is inflammation in the cartiledge of the chest. Anyone familiar with it?

 

[lovetoscrap]

My daughter had it earlier this school year. She felt icky for a few days and then bounced right back. Not sure what kind of information you are looking for? There are tons of medical sites that can explain what it is and what to expect.

 

[*NikkiBell*]

I'm just wondering about how long it lasts, medications, etc. I was on prescription Ibuprofen, but had an allergic reaction to it. I am now on Tylenol Extra Strength three times a day. I also have a very high white blood cell count. Did she experience this too?

 

[lovetoscrap]

I'm just wondering about how long it lasts, medications, etc. I was on prescription Ibuprofen, but had an allergic reaction to it. I am now on Tylenol Extra Strength three times a day. I also have a very high white blood cell count. Did she experience this too?

They didn't take blood. Just diagnosed based on symptoms. She was in pain and just felt blech for a few days, maybe about a week or so? It was really not very major so I dont' remember much. She took ibuprophen for it.

Can you take something like Alieve? (Naproxen Sodium) As I recall it is a virus so that will elevate your WBC I think? I know that I put it in Google when we got home from the Dr. and got lots of info from the various medical sites just to understand what it was.

 

[tink_n_pooh]

Unfortunately yes, I am all together too familiar with it I first got it about 4 years ago during a trip to WDW. I thought I somehow broke a rib or something at first.

I take prescription pain killers when I get it and for most people (at least that I have talked to) it does come back. It's not fun at all

 

[*NikkiBell*]

Oh lovely. lol. I have read online that it can cause a high white blood cell count which is definitely what I have. I can't take the prescription Ibuprofen because it was causing allergic reactions. The doctor has me on Tylenol Extra Strength three times a day plus Nexium. That's a lot of pills for one day. I'm very frustrated because I've had blood work done four times already in the past two weeks and need it again to see if the WBC is going down.

 

[3DisneyBuggs]

I think I had this last year. I didn't have bloodwork but my chiropractor thinks that is what it was. It hurt to even breathe. She gave me a belt to wear around my ribs and that did help. I think it took about 2 weeks to feel better.

 

[mickeyboat]

I had it in college. I thought I was having a heart attack.
I took Rx Iburpofen and was feeling better right away.
I hope you get some relief, soon.

 

[npmommie]

As I recall it is a virus so that will elevate your WBC I think?

It is not always caused by a virus. Normally there is no known cause, but it can happen following an upper respiratory infection, the virus moves into that joint......... and a lot of the types caused by infection are after some type of sternum surgery.

Oh lovely. lol. I have read online that it can cause a high white blood cell count which is definitely what I have. I can't take the prescription Ibuprofen because it was causing allergic reactions. The doctor has me on Tylenol Extra Strength three times a day plus Nexium. That's a lot of pills for one day. I'm very frustrated because I've had blood work done four times already in the past two weeks and need it again to see if the WBC is going down.

what type of reaction did you have to the ibuprofen?

 

[*NikkiBell*]

I started getting the dry heaves and ringing in my ears. The doc took me off of it after trying to cut the daily dosage in half.

 

[minnie56]

I had it some years back after a nasty bout with a virus and severe cough. I took anti-inflamms and also saw my Chiropractor. It was painful and took some time to go away...maybe 3-4 weeks?

 

[mcrockett1220]

I am VERY familiar with it. I was first diagnosed about 5 years ago, after my daughter was born. I thought I was having a heart attack. The symptoms, for me, return ALOT. It will go away for weeks, then return for several more weeks. It hurts like hell if you press on the where your ribs meet your breastbone, or move your arms certain ways. Sometimes its a dull aching pain, sometimes I get sharp stabbing pains , and sometimes the pains even shoot down my arms, and they get tingly. I have alot of things that trigger symptoms: coughing alot, pushing or pulling something heavy, anxiety or shallow breathing will sometimes make it worse. My doctor told me it is very rarely caused by a virus, mostly just inflammation of the joints in that area, which can even swell and press on nerves.
Ibuprofen is best, but also damp heat works great, as does gentle stretching (doorway stretches). And sometimes putting the heat on my back between my shoulder blades helps too (your ribs also have joints at your backbone).

 

[mckryan]

I've had it, too, two times. Once during a bad cold with cough. I thought I had coughed so hard that I cracked a rib. It took about 6 weeks for it to go away. The second time I was blowing up balloons for a party, and I strained too hard and it happened again. I was leaving in a few days for a trip to Germany, and I let the doc inject lidocaine into the chest. Holy crap that stung, and the needle was huge. It didn't really help, so I had narcotics to help with the pain during the trip.

 

[D L and K's Mom]

DD had that. She is a diver so we thought she injured herself diving. I was so worried. She said the pain was like a heart attack. I was not happy when the Dr. perscribed Advil and that was it. I was so worried about her heart. She said it came and went for about 2 months. She of course didnt give up or take a break from diving as was recommended. She did however say that swimming helped it feel better. Not sure if it was the stretching etc. She didnt have a fever or high blood count. Just the pain.

 

[*NikkiBell*]

Did any of you here have the high white blood cell count with it? I read online that it can happen with this. Thanks so much for helping, guys. I'm really trying to get to the bottom of this. I did have a cold prior and was on antibiotics. The doc said I had an infection and then this. I had bloodwork done several times and the only thing that has showed up is the high white blood cell count.

 

[pixie921]

My best friend is having a bout of it right now. It's the second time she's had it, but this time is worse for her. She actually thought she was having a heart attack and went to the ER.

Her doctor's got her on Tylenol and she's supposed to be resting. Last I talked to her, she was painting her bedroom with her 5 and 7 year old kiddoes.

 

[JessicaR]

I've had this many times unfortunately. A heating pad, rest, and pain medication brings some relief. A muscle relaxer at bedtime helped also. The last time it happened I went to my rheumatologist. He seems to think it is autoimmune related in my case.

The pain can be unbearable. I hope it resolves quickly! Feel better.

 

[Poohbear123]

My DD had it on and off for about a year and a half from age 12-14. I once rushed her to the Hospital, only to find out..nothing, and they diagnosed her with costochondritis.They called it "growing pains" in the chest cavity.

 

[Minnie]

I was diagnosed with this just today

Ended up in the ER last week with chest pain and felt bad all weekend.

Hope we both feel better soon