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How Can Costochondritis And Pain In The Ribs Be Managed?
I have been diagnosed with costochondritis. I had bronchitis and then began experiencing SEVERE pain in my ribs. I have been mostly home and mostly resting for two weeks. The pain is improving, but still no where near a level where I want to be social or moving very fast. Sometimes it is still excruciating. I have tried to stop the Tramadol and just deal with 800mg of ibuprofen, but that just keeps me from screaming, not from feeling pain. How long will this go on? What else can I do?
Tue, 26 Jun 2018
Hello and Welcome to ‘Ask A Doctor’ service. I have reviewed your query and here is my advice.
Most cases of costochondritis are treated with over-the-counter medications. Kindly consult an orthopedician. If your pain is mild to moderate, your doctor will probably recommend nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen (Advil) or naproxen (Aleve). Since you are already taking it i feel you can continue with that. Your doctor may also prescribe:
1. prescription-strength NSAIDs
2. other painkillers, such as narcotics
3. antianxiety medications
4. tricyclic antidepressants, including amitriptyline
5. oral steroids or injection of a steroid into the area involved.
Your doctor may tell you to make permanent lifestyle changes if you have persistent or chronic costochondritis. Some types of exercise can aggravate this condition, including running and weightlifting. Manual labor can also have a negative effect. Your doctor may also recommend:
1. bed rest
2. physical therapy
3. hot or cold therapy using a heating pad and ice
4. Your doctor may use pain levels to evaluate your response to treatment.
Once you’ve finished treatment, you can gradually build up to your previous activity levels. Daily stretching can help relieve some pain. Your doctor can also perform a procedure called transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS), which uses small amounts of electricity to stop your nerves from sending signals of pain or aching to your brain.
Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Most cases of costochondritis are treated with over-the-counter medications. Kindly consult an orthopedician. If your pain is mild to moderate, your doctor will probably recommend nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen (Advil) or naproxen (Aleve). Since you are already taking it i feel you can continue with that. Your doctor may also prescribe:
1. prescription-strength NSAIDs
2. other painkillers, such as narcotics
3. antianxiety medications
4. tricyclic antidepressants, including amitriptyline
5. oral steroids or injection of a steroid into the area involved.
Your doctor may tell you to make permanent lifestyle changes if you have persistent or chronic costochondritis. Some types of exercise can aggravate this condition, including running and weightlifting. Manual labor can also have a negative effect. Your doctor may also recommend:
1. bed rest
2. physical therapy
3. hot or cold therapy using a heating pad and ice
4. Your doctor may use pain levels to evaluate your response to treatment.
Once you’ve finished treatment, you can gradually build up to your previous activity levels. Daily stretching can help relieve some pain. Your doctor can also perform a procedure called transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS), which uses small amounts of electricity to stop your nerves from sending signals of pain or aching to your brain.
Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.
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