Costochondritis Support Group

I am a 45 year old woman. I seem to have hurt myself in the gym two months ago. My doctor diagnosed costochronditis after heart and lung tests, as well as a visit to the ER. I do not have much pain, just a bit. My biggest problem is labored breathing. The symptoms come and go. I have tried aleve, motrin, ice and rest. Last night and today seem worse, but not unbearable. Just very uncomfortable. I work out at the gym five days weekly. I modify my workouts at times, but have not been willing to give up my exercise routine. Sometimes I feel great and the breathing is not an issue and other times not so much. I do not want to go to the doctor again unless absolutely necessary. Any suggestions would be welcome and very much appreciated.

I have found that I cannot do any exercises that target the pecs, such as push-ups, even when I'm feeling good and I think I could just do light pectoral exercises, it has caused me pain, so now I've learned not to even try! I do exercise though but have learned to listen to my body especially when I have a flare-up, then I just do yoga.

Hello. Thank you for your reply. I have been too stubborn to do what you recommend, although I am trying to listen to my body. Some days are fine and others are not. I do more lower body cardio if things are bothering me. Does it ever go away entirely? It is really annoying and interferes with daily life at times. I had never even heard of it until it hit me. Any input or suggestions are welcome and appreciated. Thanks again.

Do you have access to a pool? Doing water exercises can also help...

Also look into food allergies...as our bodies always change and this too can be a contributing factor.

Christine

Thank you for your reply. I am not aware of a food allergy, but will try to look in to it. Unfortunately, I do not have access to a pool.

Pam

I don't exactly know to answer your question "does it ever go away entirely?" For me, I have flare-ups that last anywhere from @10 days and up to @6 weeks. Sometimes there's only a few weeks between flare-ups and other times I may go a few months without a flare-up.

Between flare-ups, I usually feel great and am able to be very active, in fact, I do a lot of cross-country skiing in the winter.

I read somewhere that people may get costochondritis as a one time condition that eventually runs it's course, goes away and never comes back...but that's not the case with me, and many others' too, I'm finding from reading others' posts.

Take care.

Annette

Hi Annette,

It is so nice to have contact with someone who understands my symptoms. They are SO frustrating! I read somewhere that it can take months or even a year to heal. I just don't want to have to deal with it the rest of my life and I am beginning to think I will have to. It is nice to hear that you manage to remain very active between flare ups. Do you have pain or does it affect your breathing or both?

Thanks.

Pam

I am new to this group and so glad to see thes information from everyone. My first onset was about 6 years ago, I think due to a car accident. I went to the allegy doctor because of the labored breathing and he was the first to diagnose Costo. Luckily I have only had to other surfaces of the Costo...the second about 8 weeks ago. I take advil and then add ginger supplements, a natural anti-inflamatory. I also avoid sleeping on my side. Based on notes here, I will now try swimming and contact a chiropractor, thank you!

This may sound strange, but sometimes I also apply an ice pack to my rib cage when the breathing is labored. It seems to help to some degree. I may have to try ginger too. Too much advil is not good for the liver and I have taken a lot of it in the three and a half months since my symptoms started. I have also stopped sleeping on my side. It does seem to help. Thank you for the suggestions.

Pam

Let me just throw this out there...

Most people can use ice for relief...but there is a small percentage of people that it will actually make it worse...ME of course - I fit there...

So If you Ice and it gets worse...go to heat instead...