Costochondritis or Tietze Syndrome: inflammation of the ribs

[deeindiana]

So, it seems that I have a new condition (on top of the SjS, fibro and IBS): Costochondritis or Tietze Syndrome --  "an inflammatory disorder characterized by chest wall pain and swelling of the cartilage of the upper ribs where the ribs attach to the breastbone". The doctor is leaning towards Tietze because it's more visible. I could just cry...

I've frequently had, what I called, muscle pain in my upper right chest but just considered it normal aches and pains. Seems like we always hurt, right? But this time there is a slight swelling and the area was red and warm. It hurts to even touch it there. There isn't really a test for Tietze but the doctor was pretty sure. Apparently he can tell just by pressing on the joint junction of bone and cartilage plus it's common to see it in people who have other autoimmune diseases.

Often it's associated with an injury but I kind of think mine has flared up because of chronic bad posture and the fact that I'm eating WAY too much sugar while self-isolating at home. Sugar = inflammation.

So, one more thing. Anyone else have it?

[Deb 27]

I've had it and it seems when I have an RA flare, the costochondritis also flares up. I don't know what causes it or a trigger, it just happens. But, I usually feel lousy in general when I have it. I hope yours clears up soon.

[Linda196]

I have it as well, and it can be very painful, not to mention misleading because the pain can be very similar to cardiac pain. The first few flares I had, I wound up in ER with a full cardiac workup. My cardiologist tells me I should go every time, but sometimes I have flares every month or six weeks, so I monitor heart rate, BP, take NSAIDS, check for tenderness over any of the intracostal joints,and give it about 4-6 hours (not really smart for a cardiac trained nurse, I know. If there are any new symptoms, sweating, nausea, radiation of pain, etc, I will call an ambulance of course, but so far so good.

I'm very lucky that I have no risk factors for heart disease, other than being slightly overweight and chronic elevation of ESR and CRP. Lipid profile is below normal range, Angio was totally clear of deposits, no elevated BP since I started treatment in the mid 90s after a hypertensive stroke, no diabetes or kidney conditions. Actually, I'm remarkably healthy, on paper!

Often, my GP will know when he gets my 3 month routine bloods if I've had repeat episodes, because my CRP will be very high. Some time after my initial diagnosis, I started on prednisone and Methotrexate for Sjogrens, and the ICC episodes lessened in frequency a lot.

[Jenny]

I?ve had it as well. At first I worried it was my heart. A treadmill test ruled that out. It finally went away for the most part.

[deeindiana]

I certainly wouldn't wish this on anyone, but I'm also a little glad to hear of others with it. Just having the diagnosis and being able to put a name on it helps.