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How To Recover From Costochondritis?
I am a 50 year old women weighing 12. 12 1/2 and am 5 foot tall. I was diagnosed in March with costochondritis and have been suffering on and off with this since then. I have been prescribed Naproxin 500mg to take for this condition but it does not seem to be helping. When I get a flare up I am in excrutiating pain across my chest more so to the left and experience profuse sweating and begin to hyperventilate to deal with the pain. In addition I now have constant pain in the back of my neck. A doctors referral was made in April for a course of physiotherapy but I am still waiting to hear for an appointment. I am concerned as I am due to take a long haul flight to Australia in December and am concerned that I may not be fit to fly. In addition I have now also been diagnosed with menieres disease but the consultant has advised me that this will not restrict me from flying.
Mon, 19 Oct 2020
Hi,
Firstly, one must be sure that your pain is coming from the inflammation of the cartilage of the rib cage especially where it joins the breastbone or sternum. Pain arising from the heart should be ruled out. If the pain has been localized to the exact location of the cartilage and breastbone a local steroid injection may be tried (by your doctor). If Naproxen is not working, you can try Diclofenac potassium 50 mg or Celecoxib 200 mg. Physical therapy should be done and will give you relief also for the neck pain. Try local pain patches, Diclofenac or Buprenorphine (these needs to be prescribed).
Take care. Hope I have answered your question. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Regards,
Dr. George Verghese, Orthopedic Surgeon
Firstly, one must be sure that your pain is coming from the inflammation of the cartilage of the rib cage especially where it joins the breastbone or sternum. Pain arising from the heart should be ruled out. If the pain has been localized to the exact location of the cartilage and breastbone a local steroid injection may be tried (by your doctor). If Naproxen is not working, you can try Diclofenac potassium 50 mg or Celecoxib 200 mg. Physical therapy should be done and will give you relief also for the neck pain. Try local pain patches, Diclofenac or Buprenorphine (these needs to be prescribed).
Take care. Hope I have answered your question. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Regards,
Dr. George Verghese, Orthopedic Surgeon
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