Hi Serce! I bet it is costochronditis - I had the same thing 2 years ago and wound up in ER - they did every test and sent me to a cardiologist and they found nothing. (I didn't know I had fibro at that time) I think it led to fibro.

It's not much fun, I know.

Take care.

Hugs

It might just be myofascial pain where the muscles get knots in them that refer pain elsewhere. Besides causing various types of pain from burning and throbbing to a dull ache to numbness and tingling, it can also cause breathing problems which is what happened to me and how I discovered myofascial pain. I had breathing difficulties where it was like I had been running in below freezing temperatures and couldn't catch my breathe. This would go on for hours on end to the point I finally went to the doctor and was diagnosed with asthma even though there was no wheezing in my lungs. Since the inhaler didn't help, I kept going back and was put on stronger and stronger meds to no avail. Finally my doctor decided to do a breathing test on me that showed my lung function was perfect so he told me the problem was muscle spasms in my chest wall and to 'take a klonopin.' I came home and started researching breathing difficulties and fibro and discovered myofascial pain. I started poking around my upper chest wall below my collar bone and located numerous sore spots [the trigger points], massaged them and was able to breathe normally with no trouble.

A couple of great resources on myofascial pain are the book at triggerpointbook.com and triggerpoints.net.

I have this too..I went to the ER a few times with it..terrible pain the worsed i think with the FM?...
Heat on my back [thoracic area} and anti inflamms helped, but it just took time for it to calm down...bad bad bad it is!....

I fear it!

Thanks Ya'll...I talked to the nurse at my Rheumy's office. They want me to monitor it, come in early next week to check it out. She said that 60-70% of fibro patients have this condition (at one time or other), was surprised I hadn't experienced it before.

It could also be myofascial pain, appreciate the links/book resource also. Today is is a bit better after resting, but still there, I'm recuping from a bug and every time I sneeze or cough, it is an event.

Thanks for your comments and hugs!

I been to ER a couple times thinking it was my heart, Finally one ER dr touched my stanmen and said does that hurt . Yes, he said costochrondritis,. Then once it got so bad after being on vacation and going up and down ladders I got short of breath, scared me so went to cardiologist, did the entire testing and it was costo.
Rheumy said costo aka chestwall inflammation is my fibro acting up.
Now when I get it I dont panic anymore, I know it will go away.just part of fibro. Just dont touch my ribs anywhere back or front,

There are several sites that I read recently because I had it just come on w/o any warning about three weeks ago. Every breath feels like a knife stabbing and the pain is overwhelming to us as Fibro patients. My first couple of times I went to ER, and you do need to get it checked out. One of my doc recommended a couple of anti inflams which are homeopathic and there are no contraindications with any other medications. They are Traumel and Zeel mfg by Heel.
I'm listing a link which gives an overview of both and also the benefits associated with them. They are much safer than any of the rx anti-inflams esp. Cox 1 or 2 inhibitors.

http://www.heelusa.com/practitioners/featuredproductsindications/Docs/Musculoskeletal_IndicationBrochure.pdf

There is the link for physicians and it is more technical; however, I'm certain that you can locate more info regarding them. This is an excellent overview of the benefits. Also, my doc uses the liquid to inject trigger points to avoid steroid usage, and they work very well.

I started immediately on the recommended dosage, and also applied warm microwave packs. I started getting some relief within 7-8 days whereas the first couple of times with the Costo , it took over a month.

Also, as stated, they are both great for many other conditions from which we suffer. Also available as gel/ointment for topical use. I have used it on a daily basis in this form for many years with no problems. Many local Health food stores have it, but I noted that Vitacost also has great pricing on it as well.

I hope this will be of help and that you will get some relief soon. I urge you to let your doctor rule out other causes as well. Google Costo and those sites will give you added info. There really aren't a lot of options available unfortunately, and this is the safest , most conservative, and highly effective for me. I always note as is frequently posted that we all respond so differently. Sending ever so gentle hugs your way since I just got over it.
SAM

I ended up in the ER and hospital for 3 days about 9 years ago, with chest and back pain. I was dx with costo and gerd and a hiatal hernia. What I do for the costo is use a percussion massager - it has 2 massaging heads that have a tapping motion more than a massaging motion. I use it on trigger points all over my body - even take it when I travel, though it's heavy and takes up a lot of room in my suitcase. It's Homedics brand that I got at Walgreens. It's been a lifesaver!

Definitely get it checked out by a doctor, because it could be more than only costo. I had had IBS for several years before this attack, which I got rid of doing a candida-cleanse diet, but it had turned into gerd. Gerd needs to be treated because it can cause damage to your esophagus. Fortunately it's under control by taking Prilosec - but get it checked out before you start taking over the counter antacids. They have their own problems.

Hope your rheumy can help you out with this!

Charinabq,

My journey 13 years ago began with Barrett's Esophagus & Gerd's...

Everyone take care and thanks for so much great input/advice!

Hugs!

when i first got chostrochondritis.. I thought i was actually having heart problems.. it deffintily is the pits... but finally cleared up.. it comes and goes.. which makes it difficult at times to tell if anything else is going on without having to make other trips to the dr. to find out the same thing..I hope you feel better soon..