Shown: posts 1 to 10 of 10. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by shelliR on February 25, 2002, at 10:50:21
It's been suggested to me that what I feel as pain and depression in my chest might be costochondritis (a form of inflammation of the cartilage where ribs attach to the breast bone).
I also have pain with touch on my ribs under my breasts, but no aching like on top.
The "cure" for costochondritis is anti-imflammatories or a cordisone injection. I have set up an appointment for an injection; they have helped me in the past with muscle spasms. Unfortunately my doctor had no appointments for almost two weeks.
The doctor who told me to check out costochondritis, a psychiatrist (social acquaintance, not professional relationship) also said that depression can cause symptoms to feel worse.
My depression is so very physical, that I want to explore this option. Anyone have experience with this?
Shelli
Posted by Geezer on February 25, 2002, at 12:06:48
In reply to Has anyone had costochondritis?, posted by shelliR on February 25, 2002, at 10:50:21
> It's been suggested to me that what I feel as pain and depression in my chest might be costochondritis (a form of inflammation of the cartilage where ribs attach to the breast bone).
>
> I also have pain with touch on my ribs under my breasts, but no aching like on top.
>
> The "cure" for costochondritis is anti-imflammatories or a cordisone injection. I have set up an appointment for an injection; they have helped me in the past with muscle spasms. Unfortunately my doctor had no appointments for almost two weeks.
>
> The doctor who told me to check out costochondritis, a psychiatrist (social acquaintance, not professional relationship) also said that depression can cause symptoms to feel worse.
>
> My depression is so very physical, that I want to explore this option. Anyone have experience with this?
>
> ShelliHi Shelli,
I would bet your pdoc friend is right. I worked with chest surgeons for years and have seen the injections work wonders. Have to keep in mind this is a pemporary fix. Steroids not good LONG TERM - destroys the blood supply. Meantime try some Advil - good over the counter anti-inflammitory.
I can appreciate the discomfort. I have a large Hiatial(sp?) hernia. When it goes into spasm it feels like a heart attack.
Hope you get control of the "tension"-best I leave that to your pdoc.
Geezer
Posted by shelliR on February 26, 2002, at 9:45:59
In reply to Re: Has anyone had costochondritis?, posted by Geezer on February 25, 2002, at 12:06:48
Posted by jaby on February 27, 2002, at 11:02:41
In reply to Has anyone had costochondritis?, posted by shelliR on February 25, 2002, at 10:50:21
I've had the costo also. I wourk out quite a lot and have to limit myself to different exercises because of it. It is always tight, but it gave me excrutiating pain for a while and still does if I do the wrong thing.
Posted by shelliR on February 27, 2002, at 11:32:37
In reply to Re: Has anyone had costochondritis?, posted by jaby on February 27, 2002, at 11:02:41
> I've had the costo also. I wourk out quite a lot and have to limit myself to different exercises because of it. It is always tight, but it gave me excrutiating pain for a while and still does if I do the wrong thing.
Did the tightness feel at all like depression? Or relate to your depression?
Shelli
Posted by BarbaraCat on February 27, 2002, at 16:40:56
In reply to Has anyone had costochondritis?, posted by shelliR on February 25, 2002, at 10:50:21
Yes, I was diagnosed with costo, but the pains eventually spread to all over the body (were probably there all along) and now it's been upgraded to fibromyalgia. Unfortunately, there's no cure for fibro except to treat the symptoms and get a hell of a good nutritional support going.
Tell me about how your depression is so physical. I'm very interested in that aspect, since mine is very much so. In fact, always starts out with a general achiness, then tiredness, then the sleeplessness then depression. I'm very interested in if others have such a physical component to their depression. - Barbara
> It's been suggested to me that what I feel as pain and depression in my chest might be costochondritis (a form of inflammation of the cartilage where ribs attach to the breast bone).
>
> I also have pain with touch on my ribs under my breasts, but no aching like on top.
>
> The "cure" for costochondritis is anti-imflammatories or a cordisone injection. I have set up an appointment for an injection; they have helped me in the past with muscle spasms. Unfortunately my doctor had no appointments for almost two weeks.
>
> The doctor who told me to check out costochondritis, a psychiatrist (social acquaintance, not professional relationship) also said that depression can cause symptoms to feel worse.
>
> My depression is so very physical, that I want to explore this option. Anyone have experience with this?
>
> Shelli
Posted by shelliR on February 28, 2002, at 12:49:26
In reply to Re: Has anyone had costochondritis? » shelliR, posted by BarbaraCat on February 27, 2002, at 16:40:56
> Yes, I was diagnosed with costo, but the pains eventually spread to all over the body (were probably there all along) and now it's been upgraded to fibromyalgia. Unfortunately, there's no cure for fibro except to treat the symptoms and get a hell of a good nutritional support going.
Have you tried buprenorpine for the fibromyalgia, etc? I would think that might be a good drug to try for both pain and depression.
> Tell me about how your depression is so physical. I'm very interested in that aspect, since mine is very much so. In fact, always starts out with a general achiness, then tiredness, then the sleeplessness then depression.I just feel my depression in my chest. Sometimes my head feels very clear and "up", but I'm very aware of a horrible tightness in my chest. Most of the time it isn't commected to any thoughts, but other times the chest pain is connected to minor things coming wrong, really minor. For example, I won't feel the pain and then I'll misplace something I need, then immediately my chest will tighten and I will feel depressed, rather than just annoyed or disappointed.
Also, my muscles seem to ache easily. Like after a short but brisk walk. But its not horrible pain, and it's not all the time, so I don't think I have anything like fibromyalgia. I can say that opiates take away the aches as well as the depression.
Shelli
Posted by BarbaraCat on February 28, 2002, at 13:37:05
In reply to Re: Has anyone had costochondritis? » BarbaraCat, posted by shelliR on February 28, 2002, at 12:49:26
Hmmm, I've been hearing alot about buprenorphine here, especially from Elizabeth. I never considered taking it myself, but now I think I'll consider it. The hurdle will be getting my pdoc to agree. Is that what you're taking?
The fibro manifests as much more than just pain. Major fatigue, flu-like aches all over, depression, insomnia. I'm usually in bed for 2-3 weeks when it hits, then in remission for a few months. You definitely don't want it.
Your chest tightness is very interesting. I primarily feel my depression in the central part of my chest and upper solar plexus area. It's like a visceral expression of the psychic pain, almost a feeling of a hard emptiness, or a tight black fist is how I've described it. The reason I find it interesting is because of all the recent work being done on vagus nerve stimulation for refractory depression. Stimulating the vagus nerve seems to have the capacity to increase noradrenergic and serotonergic transmission to the brain. One of it's major nerve plexes is in the diaphragm area. My theory is that a spasm in the vagus nerve would translate into disrupted neuroendrocrine transmissions and perhaps vice versa. I've always thought there was a strong correspondence between diaphragm/chest pain and depression, but have never heard of any significant studies on it. - Barbara
> > Yes, I was diagnosed with costo, but the pains eventually spread to all over the body (were probably there all along) and now it's been upgraded to fibromyalgia. Unfortunately, there's no cure for fibro except to treat the symptoms and get a hell of a good nutritional support going.
>
> Have you tried buprenorpine for the fibromyalgia, etc? I would think that might be a good drug to try for both pain and depression.
>
> > Tell me about how your depression is so physical. I'm very interested in that aspect, since mine is very much so. In fact, always starts out with a general achiness, then tiredness, then the sleeplessness then depression.
>
> I just feel my depression in my chest. Sometimes my head feels very clear and "up", but I'm very aware of a horrible tightness in my chest. Most of the time it isn't commected to any thoughts, but other times the chest pain is connected to minor things coming wrong, really minor. For example, I won't feel the pain and then I'll misplace something I need, then immediately my chest will tighten and I will feel depressed, rather than just annoyed or disappointed.
>
> Also, my muscles seem to ache easily. Like after a short but brisk walk. But its not horrible pain, and it's not all the time, so I don't think I have anything like fibromyalgia. I can say that opiates take away the aches as well as the depression.
>
>
> Shelli
Posted by jazzdog on February 28, 2002, at 14:59:22
In reply to Re: Has anyone had costochondritis? » BarbaraCat, posted by shelliR on February 28, 2002, at 12:49:26
Hi Shelli -
I had costo for a while, and it was definitely impacted by my stress level. One thing I found really useful was side stretches - they took pressure off the intercostal nerves, which were causing the pain. Also, I forced myself to sit pretty straight, instead of slouching to one side on the couch, as I was prone to do. That helped too, and eventually the costo went away.
Yours, Jane
Posted by shelliR on February 28, 2002, at 15:38:13
In reply to Re: Has anyone had costochondritis?, posted by BarbaraCat on February 28, 2002, at 13:37:05
> Hmmm, I've been hearing alot about buprenorphine here, especially from Elizabeth. I never considered taking it myself, but now I think I'll consider it. The hurdle will be getting my pdoc to agree. Is that what you're taking?
If you really think you want to try buprenorphine, it might be best to go to a pain specialist or pain clinic and see what they think. (Your pdoc shouldn't take offense because of your fibro.) Most pdocs will not prescribe it. I am changing pdocs because because my present pdoc will not only not prescribe it, but she will kick me out if I take it. So I called around and talked to pdocs who were recommended to me and specifically asked them if I'll be "allowed" to take bupe. On my fourth try I found a pdoc who said he would definitely not give me an ultimatum about it. And he just seemed open in general, as well as having a specialty in treatment resistant depression. One other thing that might be helpful is to first order it from the internet and see how it feels to you, before you bother to risk upsetting your pdoc. The sublingual pill is so much easier to use anyway, and is still before the FDA for approval, looks positive, but who knows when. Anyway, I ordered it off the internet and asked pdocs if they could accept that (rather than asking them to prescribe it). Doctors have to be concerned about law suits if something happens and because bupe is prescribed for pain and not yet approved for depression, your pdoc would be taking more of a risk than a pain specialist.
>
> The fibro manifests as much more than just pain. Major fatigue, flu-like aches all over, depression, insomnia. I'm usually in bed for 2-3 weeks when it hits, then in remission for a few months. You definitely don't want it.Do you know how you react to opiates in general? I have always had positive reactions to opiates and found I reacted the same way to bupe.
> Your chest tightness is very interesting. I primarily feel my depression in the central part of my chest and upper solar plexus area. It's like a visceral expression of the psychic pain, almost a feeling of a hard emptiness, or a tight black fist is how I've described it. The reason I find it interesting is because of all the recent work being done on vagus nerve stimulation for refractory depression. Stimulating the vagus nerve seems to have the capacity to increase noradrenergic and serotonergic transmission to the brain. One of it's major nerve plexes is in the diaphragm area. My theory is that a spasm in the vagus nerve would translate into disrupted neuroendrocrine transmissions and perhaps vice versa. I've always thought there was a strong correspondence between diaphragm/chest pain and depression, but have never heard of any significant studies on it. - BarbaraThat's fascinating that you have thought all that out. One of the pdocs I talked to from NIMH mentioned exactly the same thing. He said they were not sure why vegus nerve stimulation worked (why that nerve specifically increased transmission), and he was interested that my pain and depression manifested exactly where the vegus nerve travels. It might be interesting to write or call one of the vegus trial centers and ask if they have any data on the type of depression for which the implant has worked the best. It's always best to talk to the researchers themselves and most times they *will* talk to you. The data is showing that it is helping about 40% of the "subjects" 50% or more. Not good enough odds for me if something else works, but if the data was broken down into manifestation of depression, perhaps the odds might be better.
Take care,
Shelli
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