Hello all! With this, I'm looking for info and personal experiences. Has anyone had costochondritis? Or have it now? I've been having chest pains for about 3 weeks and the doc said that I have costochondritis. The doc said that it may be because I had bronchitis a few weeks ago, but she also said that it could be my arthritis getting to my rib cage. I've tried looking up info about it, but everything I read seems to be fairly vague on causes and treatments. If anyone has any info on this, or personal experience you would like to share, it would be much appreciated! Thanks!
Hi, I had severe chostochrondritis prior to full onset, the only reason I didn’t go to the ER was because I was only 35, no family history of heart disease, and it was 9am in the morning and I was sitting in a glass-walled office with lots of people (all of whom had first aid) who would see a collapse. Even though I felt pressure and couldn’t breathe, I was too embarrassed. I got an appointment with my GP for that afternoon.
With no dx of inflammatory disease, It was pretty scary. Since then, it’s just been painful and annoying. I found a hot wheat pack on the back helps, others have suggested a cold pack on the front at the same time is helpful, though the only thing I found helpful for the front (with the exception of having the disease under control properly with a DMARD), was steroids.
It rates up there with bad spinal symptoms, so I hope you find something that works.
Hi there,
I get costochronditis most winters during the cough and cold season, it can be excruciating. First experienced it about 10 years ago, way before PsA diagnosis, and was given Naproxen to help, but boy! nothing helps when you cough and sneeze! .....you go Achew! AHHH! Most of the time its in the costalsternal joint but I also get it in the back - costalvertebral joints but not sure if its called the same......luckily I've never had it severely in both places at once, but with me one eases off and the other one starts. It seems to subside on its own when your cold/cough ends and I'm usually clear after a few weeks. Last winter it was really bad as I was going through my worse ever PsA flare and MTX had only just started to work. My Rheumatologist confirmed it was likely the PsA was affecting there too.
Can't say much helps really but try not to exert yourself because, as you've found out, breathing hurts. If possible avoid people with colds, and if it gets severe you have to rest and look forward to it disappearing.
I have found that I used to sort of huddle so protect myself but as soon as I'm able I try to take slow deep breaths and do chest exercises, yes its painful but I find it helps me to recover quicker in the long run.
Thanks for the input! I think I'm going to try the heat and cold packs!
JenAus said:
Hi, I had severe chostochrondritis prior to full onset, the only reason I didn't go to the ER was because I was only 35, no family history of heart disease, and it was 9am in the morning and I was sitting in a glass-walled office with lots of people (all of whom had first aid) who would see a collapse. Even though I felt pressure and couldn't breathe, I was too embarrassed. I got an appointment with my GP for that afternoon.
With no dx of inflammatory disease, It was pretty scary. Since then, it's just been painful and annoying. I found a hot wheat pack on the back helps, others have suggested a cold pack on the front at the same time is helpful, though the only thing I found helpful for the front (with the exception of having the disease under control properly with a DMARD), was steroids.
It rates up there with bad spinal symptoms, so I hope you find something that works.
Thanks for the input! The doc has me on Meloxicam and it seems to be helping. And I definitely try to avoid people who have colds, however, I have a 3 year old that gets colds frequently and it's pretty tough to avoid him! Lol.
Louise Hoy said:
Hi there,
I get costochronditis most winters during the cough and cold season, it can be excruciating. First experienced it about 10 years ago, way before PsA diagnosis, and was given Naproxen to help, but boy! nothing helps when you cough and sneeze! .....you go Achew! AHHH! Most of the time its in the costalsternal joint but I also get it in the back - costalvertebral joints but not sure if its called the same......luckily I've never had it severely in both places at once, but with me one eases off and the other one starts. It seems to subside on its own when your cold/cough ends and I'm usually clear after a few weeks. Last winter it was really bad as I was going through my worse ever PsA flare and MTX had only just started to work. My Rheumatologist confirmed it was likely the PsA was affecting there too.
Can't say much helps really but try not to exert yourself because, as you've found out, breathing hurts. If possible avoid people with colds, and if it gets severe you have to rest and look forward to it disappearing.
I have found that I used to sort of huddle so protect myself but as soon as I'm able I try to take slow deep breaths and do chest exercises, yes its painful but I find it helps me to recover quicker in the long run.
Yep you’re right there no escape from their or their little friends germs 
I’m now on meloxicam too as naproxen started giving me indigestion…good luck with it and take care x
Reading this is very interesting to me. I have had crushing type chest pains and I was admitted to hospital and when they realised I wasn't having a heart attack I finished up having an angiogram and nothing was found..
There was a person in theatre garb at the time and I have no idea who he was, whether it was a nurse or an aneathatist or radiographer and when they had just about finished with me he leant over me and quietly said its your Psoriasis causing the problem as if to tell me he knew what it was even though the heart specialist didn't find anything. I was sent home with no follow up from the heart specialist. I so often have pain in my ribs and right now I have pain on one side of my upper back and it hurts to breath in and out and my shoulder and arm aches. Maybe I have this. Thanks for sharing your symptons and I wish you well.
I was diagnosed with the same thing in September, my primary care said it was just another thing to add to my list of ailments(it flares up just like the arthritis) but my rheum said it “could have something to do with the arthritis” but didn’t do anything to figure out if it was. I dont know much more about it other than its the cartilage that surrounds your rib bones inflamed. I don’t know if that helped
So glad that this is being discussed here. Since we all have one thing or another come up out of nowhere..... atleast if this kind of pain shows up on our little sad bodies, we will have a good idea now of what it is :) Thanks for bringing it here and for all the responses.
I can't help but giggle just a little from your comment, because after the doc diagnosed me my first thought was "Oh great, another thing to add to my list"! And thank you for your input!
itswhatitis said:
I was diagnosed with the same thing in September, my primary care said it was just another thing to add to my list of ailments(it flares up just like the arthritis) but my rheum said it "could have something to do with the arthritis" but didn't do anything to figure out if it was. I dont know much more about it other than its the cartilage that surrounds your rib bones inflamed. I don't know if that helped :)
bella, chest pain is nothing to mess around with. Please go to your doc asap to find out EXACTLY what is going on. I hope you find an answer to your chest pain and I hope it's nothing serious!
bella said:
Reading this is very interesting to me. I have had crushing type chest pains and I was admitted to hospital and when they realised I wasn't having a heart attack I finished up having an angiogram and nothing was found..
There was a person in theatre garb at the time and I have no idea who he was, whether it was a nurse or an aneathatist or radiographer and when they had just about finished with me he leant over me and quietly said its your Psoriasis causing the problem as if to tell me he knew what it was even though the heart specialist didn't find anything. I was sent home with no follow up from the heart specialist. I so often have pain in my ribs and right now I have pain on one side of my upper back and it hurts to breath in and out and my shoulder and arm aches. Maybe I have this. Thanks for sharing your symptons and I wish you well.
Thank you so much for your input Jonathan! I am extremely relieved to know that I'm not alone with this new ailment that I have.
Jonathan said:
Hi I had crushing chest pains a symptom I'd never had before .it lasted for weeks a pain in chest and seem to radiate through to my back. Long story short, ended up having a radial angiogram ! Results negative ,so Dr diagnosed costochondritis. The pain is said to be similar to heart attack ,hence my Mrs called 999 and the resulting invasive procedure!
It seems with PsA we have to learn on the job so to speak.this forum allows us the outlet we need to share and see we not alone and our disease affects us in similar and unique ways . I'm 41 and had PsA for 4 1/2 years , and still experiencing new symptoms with each flare. It seems here in England we lucky to have such a brilliant Heath service .hope my experience gives you confidence to never feel your alone .
Hi morey,
Though I have not been officially diagnosed with this, I have continued rib pain, and was just sent for a stress test because of it. The test came up clear, so this will be a topic of discussion with my GP and Rheumy this month!
I can tell you that the episodic rib pain is much better since I have been taking Enbrel, so seems it is PsA related!
Hope you can get some answers and some relief.
SK
Yep, I have bouts with this as well. Mine usually hits me between the shoulder blades but there are occasions where it can litterally change locations instantly. Even had a cardiac cath to make sure my ticker was OK. Just something else to add to the list.
I would like to thank all of you for your input! It is so good to know I'm not alone with this! Makes me feel slightly normal....well, as normal as I (we) can be with all of our health problems! :)
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Hi, have had costo for 3 years on and off with most recent flair up starting 6 months ago....to this point, not much relief. Chiropractic helps a ton but only lasts for a couple of hours....Look into self myofascial relief stretching....its become a major way of life for me along with trigger point self massage. I wish I could say that it goes away, but unfortunately, I've been going 6 months strong and sleeping is the hardest thing. Good Luck!
I get this, too. The first episode was as others described: asthma or heart trouble? Drove myself to the ER: Chondritis. I was an active long distance runner, karate student, yoga enthusiast, etc. I had had "arthritis" symptoms since a couple of years after my psoriasis reared its ugly head, but always tested negative for RA. And it was always just an annoyance more than anything. That was then, this is now. The psoriasis is mostly in remission, but the arthritic symptoms have developed exponentially! This chest pain is so bad I refuse to wear bras!! And I have noticed that my shoulder, elbows, clavicles, and the scapula area will also become inflamed at the same time. I am currently dealing with the diagnosis b.s.. I feel your pain!
Oh Yuck! I had Costo for an entire year about 25 years ago. It was at that time that a Dr. Told me I was presenting as an early Rhuematoid… No tests corroborated however. 25 years later… PsA! Many symptoms in between my full blown flare up 3 years ago. I still get Costo- like symptoms in my ribs during flare-ups. It comes and goes. I use ice packs to help. My PsA likes cold weather/ ice… Heat and humidity KILL me. Keep positive…
The best remedy for at least some temporary relief regarding costo has been through Active Release Therapy and Chiropractic manipulation...Although its uncomfortable but worth it for the few hours of relief I get...might be worth a try but you have to find someone who knows what they are doing....Hope you feel better.
Hi, what chest exercises do you do for that issue? I get it several and ribs. Thank you. Have a pain less week.
Ginger