Ive had costochondritis since I was 12 years old. I'm 24 now. So I had costochondritis before the lyme. Costo is inflammation of the breast bones and cartilege, joints. my left side has always been the more sore side. i also have some tenderness on sides of ribs under arms. I remember i was terrified because it feels like chest pain so I went to my doc and she was did a exam and presssed on certain areas of my breast bone and she was like YUP you have costochondritis
When I first started not feeling good a few months ago I felt that the lyme was making it worse. its easing up now. anyone else have it? Did lyme make it worse????
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
Then you've probably had Lyme since you were 12. It is not uncommon with Lyme. Do a search here.
(the treatment is likely stirring up the spirochetes there.. like a herx there)
Posted by sutherngrl (Member # 16270) on :
I had costocondritis as one of my early symptoms. With lyme treatment it has improved.
Posted by rera2528 (Member # 29886) on :
I don't have a dx yet for Lyme, but my costochondritis dx this summer was the beginning of my journey.
I've actually had chest pain problems for two years, including a trip to the ER and a stress test.
I find that when it flares, I am also having other symptoms (twitches in left hand, fevers, stiff left wrist, prominent feeling heart beat).
I took too many NSAIDs this summer trying to knock down the inflammation, so I have to use alternative therapy. Heat works well for me.
Best to you, MA
Posted by one4islands (Member # 28187) on :
I was never officially dx with it, but have had pain of the rib cage, sternum, chest wall.
My dr. told me that women of a slender build are more prone.
Before I started my Lyme treatment my ribs were incredibly painful for months.
Along with abdominal muscle pain like I had done a million sit ups.
I have not had an episode of the rib pain since the middle of Decemember.
Therefore, I feel something is working.
I've suffered with varying types of chest pain that have landed me in the ER twice with overnight stays.
All heart tests clear.
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
me too it has come and gone over the last 2 years but since starting IV 3 weeks ago I have noticed it again.......its awful......very stressful as you always wonder is it something else.....
Posted by Jane2904 (Member # 15917) on :
My daughter has this as well. Diagnosed back in Sept with the chest inflammation.
She has Lyme, Bart, Myco P, RMSF.
It is very bothersome and uncomfortable.
Hope you feel better.
Posted by opus2828 (Member # 15407) on :
I have it as well and looking back it was one of my first symptoms.
Posted by renny1985 (Member # 25222) on :
One of my latter lyme symptoms. Thought I had a blood clot!! Whole left side hurts sometimes Posted by Shahbah (Member # 28735) on :
it could be from lymph nodes being full?...
Posted by cleo (Member # 6646) on :
I have this too. It also was one of my first symptoms. It gives me an awful time breathing. The muscles spasm and I can't catch a full breath. Any one else have this? Breathing issues that is.
Posted by lymeinhell (Member # 4622) on :
I've had it on and off for years (way before I was diagnosed). It tended to wax and wane.
I fell on the ice last week and it seems to have triggered it to flare again.
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
quote:Originally posted by lymeinhell: I've had it on and off for years (way before I was diagnosed). It tended to wax and wane.
I fell on the ice last week and it seems to have triggered it to flare again. [/QB]
OUCH! Hope you are OK! Posted by tdtid (Member # 10276) on :
I too was diagnosed with it in my early search for what eventually turned out to be Lyme.
Through out treatment it has come and gone, but it definitely isn't as severe as it was before my treatment. So that tends to make me think that in my case, it was related either to Lyme or one of the Co's I've had to treat along the way.
I'm sorry you are going through this. It is so horribly painful.
Catahy
Posted by anjiell (Member # 28322) on :
i had this the whole time of being sick.i was first put on doxy and did not do much and then i was put on cipro and WHOOA!my rib cage/bones burned so bad i crawled into the emergency room and i was already on pain meds crying it hurt so bad.thank god i stuck out the cipro but that was something else.i just wish the rest of my treatment responded like that.
Posted by lymeinhell (Member # 4622) on :
Thanks Tutu! Hopefully it's nothing a heating pad and flexeril can't fix
Posted by LuLuFlorida (Member # 12066) on :
Was just in the et last week because of chest pain. My llmd diagnosed me with this that day. Wish I would have known this years ago!
Posted by IckyTicky (Member # 21466) on :
So what kind of "chest pain" does this cause?
I wonder because my chest bones hurt.. just painful to touch. Bones under the breast, middle of chest, above and sides.... Is this what that is???
Or is it more of a chest pain like you think you're having a heart attack? Mine only really hurts with touch. I have had this off and on for years come to think of it.
Posted by rera2528 (Member # 29886) on :
Hurts to touch is a hallmark of costochondritis. My PCP was thrilled that it hurt to touch, because that meant cartilage inflammation, rather than heart problems.
For those with costo, I recommend checking out this blog: http://costohope.blogspot.com/. While the author no longer keeps it current, the archives are wonderful.
Posted by jwick25 (Member # 15190) on :
I have this as well. I had a bout of it last year. It was mostly felt on the right side of my upper chest.
Recently, I'm dealing with similar symptoms. This time, it's on the left side. My Internist believes that it is costochondritis.
He put me on Naproxen for inflammation.
I also experience difficulty breathing and a pain behind my left shoulder blade.
This freaked me out because doing a search on that leads to articles on heart disease, etc. However, my doctor confirmed that, even if it is a muscular/joint issue (like costochondritis), it can cause shortness of breath.
I hope that's the case, as it gives me peace of mind.
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