Costochondritus

By Diana at HelloLife

Earlier last month i went to the hospital complaining of chest pain burning sensation shortness of breath tightness in my chest. I was thinking i was having a heart attack. I was getting so worry which made things worse for me. The Doctor did some test to make sure that it was not a heart attack.

He came back and said my heart is fine blood pressure is fine I’m wondering what is going on with me he went and touch my chest and that was very painful. when i breath in it was really painful.He said that i had this thing call Constochondritis.

Costochondritis is a condition that causes chest pain due to inflammation of the cartilage and bones in the chest wall. Also called Tietze's Syndrome, costochondritis occurs when there is inflammation at the junction of the rib bone and breastbone (sternum). At this junction, there is cartilage joining these bones. This cartilage can become irritated and inflamed. Depending on the extent of the inflammation, costochondritis can be quite painful.

The Doctor said it was cause by emotional stress, i have been letting a lot of things get to me instead of letting things go now i'm am learning to do that by walking away from situation i can't handle. I am reading a lot more and praying,giving it to God. I still worry some but i 'm learning.

6 Comments

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Laura Hogg
Diana, thanks for sharing. My mom gets this from time to time, and my boyfriend suffered from it for nine months straight. It sent him to the hospital a couple of times and it is a scary, scary thing. Like in your case, it was caused by mental and emotional stress.

Letting go of these emotional hurts is a lot easier said than done, but I'm glad to hear that you're managing it. Best wishes! :)
Commented on HelloLife August 16 2011 at 8:59 am
Bri Luginbill
Thanks for sharing this, Diana. It's very informative and personal which makes it easy to relate too. 3 years ago, I experienced severe chest pain. I thought it may have been related to my heart condition, but when I went to the doctor they said it was unrelated, but didn't know why I was having them. Three years ago, I went through a lot of emotional stress, so you shed some light on why I may have been experiencing that. Thanks a lot Diana. I also try and pray and for me it really helps too!
Commented on HelloLife August 16 2011 at 9:29 am
Beryl
Diana, Do not worry about the things that bring on stress in your life, it is not worth it. Matthew 6:27 says "Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?" Instead ask God to free you from your stress and the things that bring on stress.
Commented on HelloLife August 16 2011 at 10:54 am
Diana at HelloLife
Thank You Beryl for your words of wisdom it is truly appreciated,
Commented on HelloLife August 16 2011 at 11:12 am
Erin Froehlich
It's odd. The symptoms you describe sound a lot like a panic attack. :/ I wonder what the difference is between them....
Commented on HelloLife August 16 2011 at 11:38 am
Laura Hogg
I don't know too much about panic attacks, but what I've heard over and over about costochondritis pain is that it feels like an elephant is stepping on your chest. It's incredibly painful. Often, the pain makes you panic because you think it's something serious - so that could be where some similarities with a panic attack could come in.
Commented on HelloLife August 16 2011 at 12:37 pm