Hello everyone. It is 5:25 in the morning and I have not had any sleep yet. My ribs feel like they are being crushed. This happens to me almost every week about 3 times a week and then it goes away. I do not take pain killers, well I do take over the counter acetaminophen, but that is it. It gets to the point where I have trouble breathing. My doctor told me a few years ago it is my fibromyalgia causing the burning pain and costochondritis which is most likely the result of my fibromyalgia is causing the crushing pain. Does anyone else suffer from rib problems like this? I know we all have so many different symptoms, but some symptoms for me are easier to deal with then the other symptoms I get. The rib pain causes the most problems for me. Another symptom I am getting sick of is the dizziness. I cannot not do anything without getting dizzy. It drives me crazy. I have had so many test over the last 20 years for my dizziness, but everything points to it being caused by fibromyalgia. Okay, I think I am going to try and get some sleep now. I am starting to feel like I am drunk because I am so exhausted.
Hi,
I'm sorry you are having so much pain and exhaustion. I understand what you mean about some symptoms being easier to deal with than others. I have narrowed it down to two categories (tolerable and intolerable) and when those intolerable symptoms strike, it can be very difficult to cope. I haven't experienced the rib pain and crushing sensation, but I am no stranger to pain and exhaustion/fatigue. I'm sending support your way and I hope you feel better soon.
Many hugs,
Sara
Hi hon, I am sorry this is happing. I haven't experienced this with my ribs but I can relate to the crushing feeling as I occasionally get that in my fingers. Have you talked to your doctor about the dizziness? If not, please do so as it could be a sign of something else or something that is easy to fix. There are medications and exercises that can help with chronic dizziness (I have this at times as well but luckily it is fairly mild). I am sending you hugs.
Hi yes I've had the same issue costochronditis.I was taking tramadol at the time but tried it and didn't help.I used ice or heat packs.now when I'm in pain I take 1 extra strength Tylenol every 6 hours and 2 Motrin every 4 hours.I just read an article that said it usually lasts 1 year that was my experience.how long have you had it?I'm SORRY I know how much it hurts.talk to your doctor or the others to see what they suggest.
Hi there, Shell. Wow, sorry to hear about your severe costochondroitin. It can be a real bear. If I don't take my Lyrica, I start to feel like someone wrapped their arms around me and squashed the air out of me. And yes, I have trouble breathing when it happens and that is super-scary.
The worst part, though, is the burning pain. It's almost intolerable. But I have found that Lyrica does a fantastic job of controlling those particular symptoms. Since you only take over the counter meds, I am wondering if there is a reason for that? Have you tried any of the drugs normally used for fibro? I know they don't work for everyone and they don't help a lot of the symptoms, but they can help some peole some of the time.
Maybe an appointment to a doctor would be a good idea. Maybe there is something out there to help with the pain. I certainly hope so.
Please take care. Maybe some nice warm tea might help a bit or a nice rub (Ben Gay, Tiger Balm)? Or an Epsom salt bath. My best to you.
Hi Sara,
Thank you for your reply. You are right, the intolerable symptoms are hard to cope with. I am doing a little bit better today, pain wise. Of course, I am still exhausted, the exhaustion never goes away for me.
Hugs to you,
Shelly
SaraZ553 said:
Hi,
I'm sorry you are having so much pain and exhaustion. I understand what you mean about some symptoms being easier to deal with than others. I have narrowed it down to two categories (tolerable and intolerable) and when those intolerable symptoms strike, it can be very difficult to cope. I haven't experienced the rib pain and crushing sensation, but I am no stranger to pain and exhaustion/fatigue. I'm sending support your way and I hope you feel better soon.
Many hugs,
Sara
Hi Petunia,
Thank you for your reply. My ribs are feeling a little bit better today. To answer your question, I have used drugs that are for fibromyalgia. My doctor no longer thinks it is a good idea to use them. I have become so sensitive to the drugs, my system can't handle the side effects anymore. I use to be able to take anything, but over the last 4 years I have had some pretty bad reactions. The only medication I can handle is over the counter acetaminophen.
I do have an appointment in two weeks. I am going to ask if there are any other options for the pain. I wish there was something for the exhaustion.
Warm tea does sound good. I might just have to go make some.
Hugs to you,
Shelly
Petunia Girl said:
Hi there, Shell. Wow, sorry to hear about your severe costochondroitin. It can be a real bear. If I don't take my Lyrica, I start to feel like someone wrapped their arms around me and squashed the air out of me. And yes, I have trouble breathing when it happens and that is super-scary.
The worst part, though, is the burning pain. It's almost intolerable. But I have found that Lyrica does a fantastic job of controlling those particular symptoms. Since you only take over the counter meds, I am wondering if there is a reason for that? Have you tried any of the drugs normally used for fibro? I know they don't work for everyone and they don't help a lot of the symptoms, but they can help some peole some of the time.
Maybe an appointment to a doctor would be a good idea. Maybe there is something out there to help with the pain. I certainly hope so.
Please take care. Maybe some nice warm tea might help a bit or a nice rub (Ben Gay, Tiger Balm)? Or an Epsom salt bath. My best to you.
Hi Suzy,
Thank you for your reply. I do have an appointment in two weeks with my doctor. I am going to see what other options I have for the pain. The only medicine my body can tolerate is over the counter acetaminophen.
I have been having issues with costochrondritis for a couple of years. My doctor is confused, he thought it would of been better after a year, but it keeps coming back. I am sure he will want to run more tests to make sure nothing new is going on.
Hugs to you
suzyq said:
Hi yes I've had the same issue costochronditis.I was taking tramadol at the time but tried it and didn't help.I used ice or heat packs.now when I'm in pain I take 1 extra strength Tylenol every 6 hours and 2 Motrin every 4 hours.I just read an article that said it usually lasts 1 year that was my experience.how long have you had it?I'm SORRY I know how much it hurts.talk to your doctor or the others to see what they suggest.
Hi Auburnm,
Thank you for your reply. I do have a doctors appointment in two weeks. I am definitely going to talk to him about my dizziness. It has been an issue for so long, but it is starting to really annoy me.I have had tests done before, but everything always comes back normal.
I do have TMJ, and TMJ can cause dizziness. Years ago I seen someone who specializes in TMJ. He did not give me a clear answer. He said the only time TMJ would cause dizziness is during pain in the jaw, but I have heard from others that it can cause dizziness all the time. I should probably learn how to do jaw exercises for TMJ, maybe that will help somewhat.
Hugs to you
Auburnm said:
Hi hon, I am sorry this is happing. I haven't experienced this with my ribs but I can relate to the crushing feeling as I occasionally get that in my fingers. Have you talked to your doctor about the dizziness? If not, please do so as it could be a sign of something else or something that is easy to fix. There are medications and exercises that can help with chronic dizziness (I have this at times as well but luckily it is fairly mild). I am sending you hugs.