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What Causes Chronic Chest Pain And Back Pain When Diagnosed With Costochondritis?
Question: I have chronic costochondritus. I woke up a year ago with stomach abdominal pains and some chest pains, i had blood tested and I was positive for H. pylori. It felt like gastritus and was worse on an empty stomach. I was given antibiotics etc. A few months went by and stomach was better but had awful chest pains et.. I had endoscopy and they said no h. pylori and just had some indication of mild gastritus and esophogitus. But i still had awful chest pains. I was then Diagnosed w chostochondritus. I have just about every test to rule out all major things (xray, ct scan, ultrasound, food allergies, rheumatologist, chiro, PT, massage, etc etc, changed diet). I am a year in and no better. It is chronic 24/7 pain and gets worse with any activity. Flares make it worse in the sternum area, but sometimes i also have back pain. Just wondering if there are any doctors out there that have any thoughts for me as i have given up. I truly believe the h. pylori infection caused the inflammation in my body which is the costochronditus. Problem is I have no idea how to get rid of it and i am afraid i am stuck with this for the rest of my life.
Brief Answer:
yeah, makes sense....
Detailed Answer:
First the diagnosis of costochondritis is quite easy. it is irritation of the rib joints where they join onto the sternum. There is no reason why this cannot occur in the back as well as the front. But, in any case, the joints are very close to the surface and they are either sore to the touch (often visibly swollen and sore) or it isnt costochondritis.
there gets to be a problem in costochondritis with treatment. By far the best treatment is anti inflammatories that can be quite harsh on the stomach. This includes prednisone which should be tried. There isnt a reason why other drugs used in other inflammatory arthritises and Oh! there are a LOT! wouldnt work on this inflammatory condition. Its just that USUALLY it is so mild and temporary nobody needs it. But methotrexate, all the injectables, anti lymphocytic drugs, heck probalby even chemotherapy would also work
A bit of blood work to look at rheumatoid, overall infection, thyroid disease, lupus, would generally be done. THey almost never are present in costochondritis.
So, in summary, its sore or it isnt costochondritis. Its an inflammation of joints. Theres a huge number of therapies in rheumatoid they havent tried.
yeah, makes sense....
Detailed Answer:
First the diagnosis of costochondritis is quite easy. it is irritation of the rib joints where they join onto the sternum. There is no reason why this cannot occur in the back as well as the front. But, in any case, the joints are very close to the surface and they are either sore to the touch (often visibly swollen and sore) or it isnt costochondritis.
there gets to be a problem in costochondritis with treatment. By far the best treatment is anti inflammatories that can be quite harsh on the stomach. This includes prednisone which should be tried. There isnt a reason why other drugs used in other inflammatory arthritises and Oh! there are a LOT! wouldnt work on this inflammatory condition. Its just that USUALLY it is so mild and temporary nobody needs it. But methotrexate, all the injectables, anti lymphocytic drugs, heck probalby even chemotherapy would also work
A bit of blood work to look at rheumatoid, overall infection, thyroid disease, lupus, would generally be done. THey almost never are present in costochondritis.
So, in summary, its sore or it isnt costochondritis. Its an inflammation of joints. Theres a huge number of therapies in rheumatoid they havent tried.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
thank you very much. Yes I agree with everything you wrote. It is usually sore to the touch but it just doesnt make sense why it is 24/7 for 13 months. I am following up on bloodwork. I had a rheumatoid apt last month and he tested my blood for inflammation and for AS (arthritic condition) and both were negative. I am intrigued by what you say regarding infection. Do you think there still could be infection after 1 year? and wouldnt the blood test for inflammation catch this?
many thanks
many thanks
Brief Answer:
infection triggers inflammation
Detailed Answer:
pretty much always. even after the infection is gone. and sed rate is a good test. and cbc for elevation of inflammatory cells .. but it does NOT show localized problem. so, if you have overall fever, chills, etc, the sed rate is usually elevated (SLIGHTLY!) but if it is asthma, a boil, a scraped knuckled none of those tests are going to be elevated because it is only ONE PART with the irritation. still.... gotta work on the inflammation (as mentioned).
infection triggers inflammation
Detailed Answer:
pretty much always. even after the infection is gone. and sed rate is a good test. and cbc for elevation of inflammatory cells .. but it does NOT show localized problem. so, if you have overall fever, chills, etc, the sed rate is usually elevated (SLIGHTLY!) but if it is asthma, a boil, a scraped knuckled none of those tests are going to be elevated because it is only ONE PART with the irritation. still.... gotta work on the inflammation (as mentioned).
Note: For further queries, consult a joint and bone specialist, an Orthopaedic surgeon. Book a Call now.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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