So what exactly is this odd name? The Mayo Clinic says this:
Costochondritis is an inflammation of the cartilage that connects a rib to the breastbone (sternum). It causes sharp pain in the costosternal joint — where your ribs and breastbone are joined by rubbery cartilage. Pain caused by costochondritis may mimic that of a heart attack or other heart conditions.
Costochondritis causes pain and tenderness in the locations where your ribs attach to your breastbone (costosternal joints). Often the pain is sharp, though it can also feel like a dull, gnawing pain. Pain associated with costochondritis occurs most often on the left side of your breastbone, though it can occur on either side of your chest.
Other costochondritis symptoms may include:
Pain when taking deep breaths - Pain when coughing -Difficulty breathing
Costochondritis is the most common cause of chest pain originating in the chest wall. It occurs most often in women and people over age 40. However, costochondritis can affect anyone, including infants and children.
Costochondritis pain is often mistaken for heart attack pain. The pain of a heart attack is often more widespread, while costochondritis pain is focused on a small area. Heart attack pain usually feels as if it's coming from under your breastbone, while costochondritis pain seems to come from the breastbone itself. Heart attack pain may worsen with physical activity or stress, while the pain of costochondritis remains constant.
Back to my thoughts: An Attack usually last me about 2 weeks to fully recover. I have learned not to push myself. Who'd thought I would ever say/do this?
I've lived with these attacks for quite sometime, after Dylan was born I experienced my first attack of symptoms, which rushed Adam to whisk me away to the Heart Hospital, speeding (I seriously thought I was having a heart attack) they were able to give me a shot of Toradol and sent me on my way.
I have about 2-3 attacks a year, it's nothing Adam and I can't handle and they are usually brought on by stress, over exertion, or weather changes. All three were factors in this last attack. At 3am I'm up and screaming, I can't breathe and I can't move without pain. Adam took me to the Dr. this morning got my shot and I slept, still in minimal (constant) pain (I can function).
The best part is I can breathe again.
Worst part: this all had to happen on Jacob's birthday leaving me useless I wasn't able to make his breakfast or get his b-day card or make his cake. I just hope he understands.
Reason why I'm giving all you these symptoms, b/c one day you might think you are having a heart attack, and of course you should get it checked out, but if it turns out to be nothing more than a flare up of Costochondritis call me and I'll understand you. You can't see the inflammation it's like a mystery until the doctor pushes hard on this one piece of cartilage then mystery solved.
I think I am queen of odd illnesses.
