Brief Answer:
Need expert advise & cause specific treatment.

Detailed Answer:
Hi ,

Thanks for the query I understand your concern.

The pain you had in complete rib area , carried to upper abdomen can occur in following conditions.-
- It could be Costochondritis - an inflammation of junction where ribs join the cartilage which hold it with chest bone, This pain is felt both in front & back of chest ,increases with breathing .& can be carried to back or abdomen too. You don't have any accompanying heart symptoms. & such pain increases by pressing the rib junction near chest bone ( sternum )
- Such pain can occur in condition like Pleurisy( an inflammation of tissue lining the lung). This pain also fits in all characters of pain you have. You also had some such episode last year.. so this also needs to be considered, excluded / confirmed & treated as per need.
* In this context I would advise you to consult a physician.

Careful physical examination & few investigations like X ray, Blood counts & investigations for diagnosing/ excluding d respiratory infection would be done & specific treatment offered for costochondritis with anti inflammatory pills, steroids, antibiotic as per need.

In case possibility of pleurisy is seen you would need further investigations to find the cause followed by cause specific treatment . For this you would be referred to a Chest physician.
Thus with expert advise & proper treatment you would overcome the the problem.
Thanks.

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Brief Answer:
Can try home management with attentiveness for adverse symptoms.

Detailed Answer:
Hi xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Thank you for the follow up query.
* Costochondritis pain goes away eventually with / without treatment ( if one can sustain pain ( few weeks/ months)& is careful in watchful for other more serious etiology.
Pain increased/ reproduced with application of pressure at the site & absence of adverse signs -is easy recognizing factor about costochodritis
* Please understand about the symptoms which demand doctor's consultation.
- High fever which does not respond to usual fever medicines like Paracetamol.
- Signs of inflammation ( redness, pain, swelling, fever )& infection ( pus) in affected area.
- Increased pain while inhaling, not getting relief apart from home medication, with fever/cough / breathlessness
-A generalized chest pain increased on exertion, associated with sweating or nausea , pain in left shoulder ( can be a heart sign ) ER for necessary evaluation.
- A pain not relieved or aggravated in spite of home management.
It's always wise to take expert help in time rather than neglecting own
health and repent later on....& Peggy, nobody loves getting injection( not even myself)....neither they are essential every time. There are non invasive investigations for primary diagnosis of other possibilities ... so don't be scared to visit a doctor!
* So you have two way open for management-
1) Visit your physician for excluding pleurisy / heart problem & get Xray chest & ECG done- be sure that it's nothing else but costochondritis , be tension free & start with home management ( as advised below ) ....
2) Start with home care , be watchful for adverse symptoms & consult doctor as per need.
* Home management for costochondritis-
- Take pain medicine over the counter like Ibuprofen 400 mg twice a day after food - can be reduced as per need.
- Use hot or cold compresses for pain relief.
- Avoid exercises/ sports.
- Do only stretching exercises if possible.
* Please be sure to have regular follow ups examination with doctor( more frequently till healed & yearly later on
I hope that satisfies you. Any more information you want.. please feel free to ask.
Wishing you a fast recovery with home treatment !
Thank you.

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