http://www.tietzessyndrome.com/forums/ The web's first Tietze's Syndrome Community en-US Mon, 06 Sep 2010 18:16:03 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q http://www.tietzessyndrome.com/forums/search.php http://www.tietzessyndrome.com/forums/topic/what-doctor-should-i-see#post-55 Tue, 23 Feb 2010 03:42:31 +0000 Kevin 55@http://www.tietzessyndrome.com/forums/ <p>I've been having this strange abdominal pain at the base of my ribs for over a year. About three weeks ago my sternum started popping (like cracking your knuckles). I've had shortness of breath on occasion (for several years) where it almost feels like my diaphram is spasming, and the bottom of my rib cage hurts.</p> <p>I've been researching online and have discovered most docs don't know about these types of things. What kind of doctor would be the best to diagnose this problem? I've seen thoratic surgeon come up alot, but I feel like starting with a surgeon isn't the best route.</p> <p>Thanks in advance! </p> http://www.tietzessyndrome.com/forums/topic/gluten-free-diet#post-69 Tue, 30 Mar 2010 03:04:27 +0000 mamaof3gr8kids 69@http://www.tietzessyndrome.com/forums/ <p>Has anyone had luck with a Gluten Free Diet to help control their pain?? </p> http://www.tietzessyndrome.com/forums/topic/pain-in-all-of-chest-area#post-56 Mon, 01 Mar 2010 05:51:12 +0000 cathydebra 56@http://www.tietzessyndrome.com/forums/ <p>Hello,<br /> Fabulous, just found this website. Yeh, people think you are crazy. I was told I had costochrondritis about 15 years ago. Still have the pain, however, I have pain "everywhere" you touch in the chest region and in between - I guess the cartilage&gt; The pain in my chest has got worse and feels swollen in the sternum area. I do also have pain in bones of left upper arm. I am wondering if this is all related. I am in Australia, so what would be the next thing for me to do? I just know something is "not right". Thanks, very interesting reading so far. </p> http://www.tietzessyndrome.com/forums/topic/living-in-a-prison#post-105 Fri, 06 Aug 2010 15:31:03 +0000 LauraO 105@http://www.tietzessyndrome.com/forums/ <p>I am a 27 year old female, and was officially diagnosed with Tietze Syndrome 2 days ago by my PCP. I have been experiencing symptoms for several months now. My doctor even thought I had a touch of asthma based on my symptoms, prescribed me albuterol, which ended up to be a disaster making things worse.<br /> I have good days and bad days as far as the pain and discomfort. My pain feels like a tight belt cinched around my chest, or like someone is sitting on me constantly. I get short of breath, and find it nearly impossible to find a comfortable position to rest in.<br /> My pain radiates to my shoulders, neck, and back area. I have a slight bump on rib area just a bit below my colar bone. I feel like this pain is a prison, and sometimes do wonder if I am going crazy.<br /> I ended up in the ER the end of June because of the tight, heavy, short of breath feelings. I ended up having a panic attack. I thought I was having a heart attack too. The doctors hooked me up to an EKG, did blood work, and gave me a chest x-ray....nothing. Diagnosed me with anxiety.<br /> Went back to my PCP at least 5 more times. She prescribed me 800 mg Ibprofen, which honestly doesn't seem to help much. I'm now trying another anti-inflamatory called Diclofenac, generic for voltaren. I am scheduled for some physical therapy, and I am considering acupuncture.<br /> What I don't get is how these symptoms come on without warning. It doesn't seem to matter what time of day, sometimes it's at bed time, other times while I'm driving or when I am working.<br /> I am relieved to find this website, and to know that I am not suffering from an anxiety disorder, or just plain losing my mind. </p> http://www.tietzessyndrome.com/forums/topic/does-anyone-have-a-lump-on-their-ribcage#post-100 Wed, 28 Jul 2010 19:34:27 +0000 SaraK 100@http://www.tietzessyndrome.com/forums/ <p>I've been dx'd with costochondritis, but I have a hard bony mass on my left rib cage. I've had an XRAY and a CT Scan and they both came back normal, which I don't understand considering there is a big lump on my rib. I am not sure why it is not showing on the scans. Does anyone else have this? Maybe it is the inflamed cartilage?</p> <p>My left ribs are constantly hurting and it seems to radiate around to the back and is also in my upper abdominal area. I also have pretty bad stabbing pains in my armpits- usually just the left one, but sometimes in the right.</p> <p>I am a female and 34 years old. I was dx'd back in Jan and starting having pain in Oct 09.</p> <p>I've had a CT Scan, XRAY, Abdominal U/S, U/S of both underarms, and tons of blood work. Most results came back normal- I was a tad anemic, but I am on iron pills and I was a tad hypothyroid and now taking 25 mcg of Synthroid. My sed rate was normal (6), which is weird b/c I thought with costo and Tietze it would be elevated. </p> http://www.tietzessyndrome.com/forums/topic/is-your-sternum-swollen-visibly-like-a-pertruding-small-bump#post-111 Wed, 18 Aug 2010 14:22:17 +0000 marcela 111@http://www.tietzessyndrome.com/forums/ <p>I too started in Oct.2009 and got a little better than in March 2010 it was back. I read serveral stories with about the same starting time. I find this sort of weird but yet no conclusion to this. My pain is along my sternum,1st and 2nd rib, i do get pain in my upper back and under my left arm pit. Most of the pain is towards the left, and pain is created when I roll from side to side in bed. And it the pain sometimes mimics heart pain. I am currently seeing a rheumatalogist and he gave me a six day steroid pak which helped but did not heal the problem. He also gave me Aleive. I want to know if it will ever go away, I have read several of these stories and it seems to go on forever! I am going to research the vitamin supplement turmeric which consist of curcumin. Has anybody taken this? It suppose to be a natural supplement to help with inflamation. I also try to eat the right foods as to avoid more inflamation.<br /> I believe there has to be a resolution by using natural supplements, I am a strong believer of homeopathic remedies. Again I am curious if any of you have a visible swollen sternum? Because mine is. Any feedback would be helpful. </p> http://www.tietzessyndrome.com/forums/topic/too-much-pain-1#post-98 Sun, 18 Jul 2010 23:55:45 +0000 vzrizzo 98@http://www.tietzessyndrome.com/forums/ <p>I´m from Brazil,,,At first my pain was exactly in the places described in several reports here,,, sternum and xiphoid process ... but one thing that no one commented and in my case is very strong, is that from the beginning I used to have much pain in the upper abdominal muscle and when I lay in back to sleep I already had spasms from upper to lower abdominal muscle,,, ever heard about this? Just to tell my story,,, after about three months going to several doctors and discovering even gastritis, I came to live with the pain,,,, which had diminished enough, but increasing back pain,,,, but whenever I return to running or do some small exercise, the pain returns. Today my pain is not so close to the sternum, but more distant in the ribs underneath, sometimes on one side, sometimes the other, and in the upper abdomen,,, sometimes burns, sometimes it's a stitch, sometimes itchy, ,,, some exams such as CT or MRI can diagnose Tietze? In two weeks I'll back the doctor,,,, pray for me .... by the way,,,, anybody here has cured? (my e-mail is <a href="mailto:vzrizzo@gmail.com">vzrizzo@gmail.com</a> to keep in contact) how?</p> <p>Thanks! </p> http://www.tietzessyndrome.com/forums/topic/diagnosis-stresspanic-related-tietze#post-109 Tue, 17 Aug 2010 14:10:24 +0000 burningtiger 109@http://www.tietzessyndrome.com/forums/ <p>Hello</p> <p>I would like to explain my story. I am mid thirty year male in good health<br /> 3 weeks ago I had to call ambulance at around midnight just before sleeping<br /> as had a pulsating symptom feeling on the upper right side of chest. I felt<br /> like was about to died and thinking it was a heart related condition.An impeding doom<br /> feeling.<br /> The cardiologist checked ECG,blood pressure and blood tests which were perfect and<br /> stayed one night in hospital. The initial diagnosis was angina pectoris.<br /> I took an echo and two stress test echos and results came up perfect,<br /> and cardiologist told me there would be nearly 99% certainty not a cardiac<br /> problem.</p> <p>On the run up to the incident I had taken 4 short haul flights in the week,<br /> and had busy work schedule on the friday evening 3 hours before the incident<br /> I had workout at gym with weights, although did n ot do too much warm up. I<br /> also do boxing training although not body to bodyhad a summer break for 1month.</p> <p>Last night I had a similar pain in the right chest just before sleeping, got concerned but less so because not a cardiac issue but still same symptoms as before but did not pulsate.<br /> I immediately went out and walked 10 minutes to hospital and they checked me, no ECG,blood pressure issues. then the intern pressed and felt pain there and she diagnosed tietze syndrome, chrondroosopathia costalis. She gave me some ibuprofen. The three days before had been swimming too for 30 minutes each </p> <p>I will get this checked by muscoskeletal specialist later this week. I do get stress at work easily and felt the pain started leading to minipanic attack. After the incidence i have an overactive brain and need to calm this too. </p> <p>Any insight, experience thoughts on this would be helpful. Has anyone been through some similar experiences like this too. Many thanks. </p> http://www.tietzessyndrome.com/forums/topic/relaxation-techniques#post-106 Fri, 06 Aug 2010 17:05:48 +0000 LauraO 106@http://www.tietzessyndrome.com/forums/ <p>When I am experiencing an attack, I was in a vicious cycle causing myself to further complicate the Tietze's by having anxiety/panic attacks. I was/still sometimes am hyperventilating, becoming dizzy and tingly in the arms/hands.<br /> I've found it helpful when these panic symptoms start to remind myself that I've had tests done, and I don't have cancer or other serious life threatning problems. I 'talk' myself through it, and try to have someone with me to help remind me that I am ok, and it will pass.<br /> Does anyone else seem to deal with the anxiety aspect of Tietze's? What relaxation/coping ideas work for anyone? </p> http://www.tietzessyndrome.com/forums/topic/unsure-costochondritis-dx#post-57 Mon, 01 Mar 2010 09:43:00 +0000 nicky9893 57@http://www.tietzessyndrome.com/forums/ <p>I noticed a knot/bump about two fingers width below my right clavicle about a year ago. It is almost the size of a half dollar. At that time I was having all kinds of moderate to severe right sided pain (from my jaw down to my chest with face, ear , mouth, and neck included) due mostly to what I eventually found out to be Eagle's Syndrome. I was diagnosed in emergency medicine with costochondritis during one of my initial evaluations, before the Eagle's Syndrome dx. Well the pain from both conditions has decreased significantly with little therapy, just passing of time. Though my right side sternum area does get sore when I do too much labored and/or heavy breathing, coughing (I had pnuemonia earlier this year) and the knot persists and is slightly tender to the touch. Never heard the term Tietze's out of a clinician's mouth. I have had several palpate the knot, and they just nod when I say costochondritis. One even told me this knot will probably persist for the rest of my life. I have had several chest xrays and a HRCT w/ contrast of my chest when evaluating my pnuemonia. My question is, generally, if this knot were something malignant, life-threatening, what-have-you, the CT probably would have picked up on it? Noone has ever made mention of a right side sternum knot showing up on any imaging I have had done. 25 Y.O. Female.<br /> Thanks in Advance </p> http://www.tietzessyndrome.com/forums/topic/does-caffine-affect-tietze#post-85 Mon, 07 Jun 2010 22:26:00 +0000 debbie 85@http://www.tietzessyndrome.com/forums/ <p>does anyone know if cutting caffine out makes a difference?? </p> http://www.tietzessyndrome.com/forums/topic/too-much-pain#post-97 Sun, 18 Jul 2010 23:55:02 +0000 vzrizzo 97@http://www.tietzessyndrome.com/forums/ <p>I´m from Brazil,,,At first my pain was exactly in the places described in several reports here,,, sternum and xiphoid process ... but one thing that no one commented and in my case is very strong, is that from the beginning I used to have much pain in the upper abdominal muscle and when I lay in back to sleep I already had spasms from upper to lower abdominal muscle,,, ever heard about this? Just to tell my story,,, after about three months going to several doctors and discovering even gastritis, I came to live with the pain,,,, which had diminished enough, but increasing back pain,,,, but whenever I return to running or do some small exercise, the pain returns. Today my pain is not so close to the sternum, but more distant in the ribs underneath, sometimes on one side, sometimes the other, and in the upper abdomen,,, sometimes burns, sometimes it's a stitch, sometimes itchy, ,,, some exams such as CT or MRI can diagnose Tietze? In two weeks I'll back the doctor,,,, pray for me .... by the way,,,, anybody here has cured? (my e-mail is <a href="mailto:vzrizzo@gmail.com">vzrizzo@gmail.com</a> to keep in contact) how?</p> <p>Thanks! </p> http://www.tietzessyndrome.com/forums/topic/my-pain-is-about-to-make-birthday#post-96 Sun, 18 Jul 2010 23:52:32 +0000 vzrizzo 96@http://www.tietzessyndrome.com/forums/ <p>I´m from Brazil,,,At first my pain was exactly in the places described in several reports here,,, sternum and xiphoid process ... but one thing that no one commented and in my case is very strong, is that from the beginning I used to have much pain in the upper abdominal muscle and when I lay in back to sleep I already had spasms from upper to lower abdominal muscle,,, ever heard about this? Just to tell my story,,, after about three months going to several doctors and discovering even gastritis, I came to live with the pain,,,, which had diminished enough, but increasing back pain,,,, but whenever I return to running or do some small exercise, the pain returns. Today my pain is not so close to the sternum, but more distant in the ribs underneath, sometimes on one side, sometimes the other, and in the upper abdomen,,, sometimes burns, sometimes it's a stitch, sometimes itchy, ,,, some exams such as CT or MRI can diagnose Tietze? In two weeks I'll back the doctor,,,, pray for me .... by the way,,,, anybody here has cured? (my e-mail is <a href="mailto:vzrizzo@gmail.com">vzrizzo@gmail.com</a> to keep in contact) how?</p> <p>Thanks! </p> http://www.tietzessyndrome.com/forums/topic/in-so-much-pain#post-72 Sat, 17 Apr 2010 23:56:12 +0000 frogger390 72@http://www.tietzessyndrome.com/forums/ <p>Hi i am a 24 yr old guy from Pennsylvania. About a month and a half ago i noticed when i went to bed it was all i could do to yawn.. i thought nothing about it but then i started to get sharp pains in my chest on my right side i thought it was a heart attack cause i also had pains in my back shoulder blades. At times it got so bad i was at work and ended up leaving to go to the hospital on March 5th. Spent 5 hrs there they did a ct scan told me i wasn't having a heart attack and said i had Costochondritis and didn't give me anything for it or tell me what to do for it. I have been in a lot of pain since taking Advil and using a heat pad on my chest and its not getting better. It hurts to breath and i feel i cant get a full breath in at times, its uncomfortable sleep at night and get up in the mornings and go to work. I use to be able to do a lot of stuff but i don't wanna do much cause i ache all the time... idk what to do a person with out no insurance when i went to the hospital i have now over $3000 in medical bills and i dread having to go back unless i necessarily have to. Does this sound like Tietze Syndrome? </p> http://www.tietzessyndrome.com/forums/topic/tietze#post-90 Sun, 13 Jun 2010 19:25:11 +0000 Jc 90@http://www.tietzessyndrome.com/forums/ <p>Hi guys! if any one can give me advice please do so. Im a 23yr old male. If been diagnosed with tietze and hypertension. In my work there is lots of stress involved. I got tietze last year october, it went a way for a while but in march this year i had Alot of stress and it came back, but my chest is realy burning badly and the pain is excrutiating! for my hypertension the doctor gave me pills and said to lose some weight, if done it, but the pain in my chest doesnt whant to go away even with the pain killers. Can anyone help me or give me tips on this matter? </p> http://www.tietzessyndrome.com/forums/topic/im-not-sure-heeeelp#post-91 Mon, 28 Jun 2010 21:33:36 +0000 melson 91@http://www.tietzessyndrome.com/forums/ <p>I'm 18, going on 19 in 7 days, and last Monday I noticed that I had a terrible pain where the underwire is in my bra. I took it off only to be in excruciating pain for the rest of the night; I had also noticed a lump in my left breast which drove me to the doctors in the first place. My grandmother on my father's side a severe case of breast cancer so I wanted to be sure. The pain radiated all down my arm, underneath my arm, down my side to the end of my rib cage, up to my clavicle, to my scapula. It has not let up at all. </p> <p>No on lymph nodes, no on cancer, no on fibrocystic breasts.</p> <p>I was just diagnosed today with intercostal strain and back spasm, however, my left breast is still swollen, and the pain is starting to crawl over to the right side of my chest. It's painful to lay on my left side, and to basically move. I've had the CT scan and everything looks perfect; no tumors, no embolisms, nothing.</p> <p>I had a blood test done and my thyroid levels are borderline [low]. I started feeling low about two weeks ago; there is nothing I could have done to strain those muscles. I'm exhausted, and suffering from insomnia and I just hurt all over. I do respect my doctor's diagnosis, but my body just feels as though there's something more.</p> <p>Is Tietze's Syndrome a possibility that should be looked into or should I just stop and wait 6 weeks to see if my strain and spasm go away? </p> http://www.tietzessyndrome.com/forums/topic/my-left-ribs-r-protruding-an-inch-more-than-my-right-horrible-pain-around#post-81 Thu, 03 Jun 2010 16:06:41 +0000 amanda25 81@http://www.tietzessyndrome.com/forums/ <p>went to the ER on sunday, they took xrays and diagnosed me with costochondritis. They said to take ibuprofen for the intense swelling/inflammation. pain worsened and i have an allergy to NSAIDS. saw the oncall dr on monday. he said possible rib fractures and to see a specialist such as an orthopedic surgeon. called my pcp tues, relaying the info and to tell them the lidocaine patches, muscle relaxors and pain meds r not sufficient and that the pain is worsening and the inflammation/swelling hasn't changed. They saw me, poked n prodded it, agreed with the costochondritis but stated to come back in a week. it is now thurday.. my condition and pain the same. i'm taking 600-800mg of ibuprofen 3x daily. 12hrs on/off lidocaine patches. the pain seems to be worsening with time. without the medication i can clearly feel an increase. swelling remains the same. advice? could this be tietze? </p> http://www.tietzessyndrome.com/forums/topic/is-there-a-way-out#post-71 Thu, 08 Apr 2010 07:21:05 +0000 Delta blues 71@http://www.tietzessyndrome.com/forums/ <p>So I just found this site, and decided to post my situation because it's hard to keep it inside for so long. I am not officially diagnosed with anything. Doctors think I am perfectly fine, but I know I am not. Almost four years ago, I remember exactly when this happened. I was eating lunch with a friend, got up from the table, and something happened inside my chest. I felt like I was dying from a heart attack, and you all probably know what I'm talking about. </p> <p>It's always there. Always. Sometimes it's sharp, but mostly it's just a dull pain. I am a 24 year old male, and I feel like this is absolutely ruining my life. I've been depressed, and seriously wondered if things would be better if I just didn't exist anymore and offed myself. </p> <p>So I guess my questions are, has anyone else experienced a sudden onset like me? This wasn't a gradual thing, I know exactly when it happened. Also, I see a lot of people's stories on here, but has anyone actually beaten this? My stress level has been through the roof, I'm losing hair over this, I have these cysts that are showing up on my arms that I am convinced are because of the stress. </p> <p>It's gone on for long enough and I just want to feel normal...It affects my personality, my mood, my ability to function. I feel like I was a completely different person before this began and I just want help. What is it like to feel better again? I'd feel better knowing there are some success stories out there. Also, thanks so much to the person who started this site, you seem very devoted to it. </p> http://www.tietzessyndrome.com/forums/topic/whats-next#post-84 Mon, 07 Jun 2010 22:06:42 +0000 debbie 84@http://www.tietzessyndrome.com/forums/ <p>I am 25 years old and have spent the last 20 months suffering with chest pains and back pain and have been back and forwards to my doctors, I have never related the back pain with the chest pain as I had convinced myself that I had a heart condition or tumour.. something life threatening! I have recently changed my GP and went today as I have the pain in my chest constantly and although it is not always severe, it's always there and always worries me, my gp diagnosed tietze syndrome, and thankfuly I found this site. I have 3 children under 4years old and as I have been worrying about this and being in constant pain I have started having panic attacks and feeling depressed I am seeing a physio therapist for my back and shoulder problems but after reading on here I believe that it is all linked. although my GP diagnosed this today he did not give me any prescription, and when I asked what I could do he said that there was not much I could do. I feel some what relieve that I final have some idea of what is going on and even more so that I found this site as some of the stuff I have read is exactly what I am going through. But I do not know where to go from here- what should I do now??? I will however go to bed this evening with the pain and for the first time in months not spend the night afaid and worrying of not waking up and leaving my children without a mummy, I have been feeling like I am going mad now I dont feel like I am the only one!! </p> http://www.tietzessyndrome.com/forums/topic/help#post-83 Mon, 07 Jun 2010 04:00:51 +0000 kar 83@http://www.tietzessyndrome.com/forums/ <p>I first want to say thank you for making this site I know I always feel alone and get aggravated when people ask what is wrong with me and their reply is 'what? What's that?' it helps to know others can come on here and discuss. I am in a lot of need for advice about how to deal with this pain and how to overcome the mental weakness I have that comes along with it. I'm only 18 and have had this for three years. I was homebound from school for my junior and senior year. I then attended community college but quickly changed my mind about my major and dropped out also because I couldn't handle all the pain and exhaustion... As for what I am asking is that I am leaving for college across state and will be the first time away from my family. How do I deal with the pain and change of everything and still have hopes of being able to complete school while going through pain all day everday and gets so frustating I want to cry and it takes a lot for me to cry, and i read all of the information on here and it gets me upset. No one I know how it feels and what I am going through. I don't know how I am going to be able to handle it and hopefully not, but I have a feeling, the years to come. I want to find a rheumatoid doctor where I am going because I'm not done looking for help. Dupont's Children hospital gave up. </p> http://www.tietzessyndrome.com/forums/topic/update-for-popping-in-sternum#post-80 Sun, 30 May 2010 16:42:07 +0000 BillyB 80@http://www.tietzessyndrome.com/forums/ <p>I went to get a MRI on the sternum area and right side of sternum, which the results came back as unremarkable. I then had an appointment at University of Penn Pain management and discussed my issues at length. The doctor said that I have a localized Costochondritis t2 on the right side, associated diagnosis is Costochondral Junction Syndrome. He dicussed all treatments that have been successful and recommended that the first step would be a t2 sympathic nerve root block intercostal (also used to be a diagnostic procedure) followed by physical therapy focusing on right rhomboid, latisimuss and deltoid. This all sounded great..but what about until the procedure which was 2 week away? He prescribed Diclofenac Potassium 50 mg every 12 hours. and Lidocaine-Tetracaine (Synera) patches for the effected areas. This seemed to help numb the area and was a welcome relief even though the pain was still present it felt to be reduced about 50 percent.<br /> Today is Sunday and I had the nerve block procedure on Thursday. For the first 2 days I didn't notice any difference. Then Saturday came and the pain was nearly gone. It felt great to not have my pectoral and rhomboid muscles in a constant state of spasm. I go back in 2 weeks for a follow up shot. Usually it takes 2 shots to give the nerve a chance to calm down. Start my PT on Tuesday.</p> <p>Hope this info can help anyone elsewith Tietze's, Costochondritis and slipping rib syndrome. </p> http://www.tietzessyndrome.com/forums/topic/maybe-tietzes-strange-popping-in-sternum#post-78 Wed, 12 May 2010 03:33:47 +0000 BillyB 78@http://www.tietzessyndrome.com/forums/ <p>Hello and thanks for having this website. I am relieved to know that I am not crazy, but also saddened that some cannot get the pain to heal.</p> <p>For the past year I have had this pain along with swelling on my 2nd rib at the sternum on my right side. The pain migrates to my upper back right side between my shoulder blade and spine. It happened one day as I bent down to pick something up. I heard a loud popping sound and felt a sharp pain from my sternum area. Ever since that day I have had to arch my back to pop my sternum/chest area to relieve the extreme tightness/stabbing pain and sometimes I can't make it pop so it just hurts. </p> <p>I have been to multiple Doctors and my current Osteopath has never heard of Tietze's Syndrome. Although he has heard of slipping rib and Costochondritis, he said that its merely semantics. I have had x-rays taken by the first Chiropractor I visited, that showed a slight curvature of the thoracic spine. After reading my report, my OD tried physical manipulations and gave me a round of taper steroids that actually took the swelling away but the pain persisted. He the sent me to PT for the spazms in my Rhomboid and Pec Minor muscles. Although the PT got my hips to re-align. The sternum/upper back pain remains. </p> <p>Has anyone experienced the popping and grinding sound that has been diagnosed with Tietze's out there? Also has anyone tried Prolotherapy for Tietze?</p> <p>Thanks in advance </p> http://www.tietzessyndrome.com/forums/topic/tietze-syndrome-and-back-pain#post-50 Thu, 11 Feb 2010 04:00:14 +0000 chu000 50@http://www.tietzessyndrome.com/forums/ <p>I was told I had Tietze Syndrome about 8 years ago and throughout that time the pain has been manageable. Recently I've been having lower back problems that seems to irritate my chest. Could the back pain be a result of the Tietze or could the recent inflamation of my chest be a result of the back pain. In either case the pain is somewhat tollerable for now but it's starting to get annoying and soon after both pains seem to ease up, it starts back up againe, all of the sudden... Any suggestions/advice/helpful input? </p> http://www.tietzessyndrome.com/forums/topic/heres-my-28-year-journey-with-tietzes#post-75 Sat, 01 May 2010 16:29:52 +0000 nancy 75@http://www.tietzessyndrome.com/forums/ <p>My Tietze's was diagnosed 28 years ago by a surgeon after my OB/GYN referred me to him for a possible lump in my breast. It hasn't been as painful as some of you have indicated, more of a discomfort. Originally I had a shot of cortisone injected into my sternum and that helped a lot. Through the years I have noticed that flare-ups occur with stress, too much caffeine, during the last two weeks of a menstrual cycle and if I wear underwire bras.</p> <p>On the last few years, the swelling seems to have thickened for no apparent reason though perhaps going through menopause may have had some inpact. The discomfort level has remained the same.</p> <p>For some time, I have also experienced chronic sinus infections that always seemed to settle in my chest with a low grade fever and fatigue. I never thought about any possible connection between Tietze's and the feeling in my chest.....I just assumed it was bronvchial since x-rays indicated no lung involement. But I have now had six sinus infections in six months with nine rounds of antibiotics which at the end also included prednisone. It all started when I substituted for an elementary school teacher and within 48 hours I was sick with what I assumed was HIN1. Later tests indicated that I had not had the flu - but boy it sure felt like it! Now I'm wondering if it could have been Bornholm's disease. Anyway, three months later, my Internist referred me to an Allergist and I am now on allergy shots which should eventually help with the sinus infections. HOWEVER, when the antibiotic is paired with prednisone, the tight feeling in my chest goes away along with the sinus infection and I immediately feel wonderful - no fever, no fatigue. BUT once I go off the prednisone, the chest discomfort and fatigue return.</p> <p>I only made the connection with the Tietze's yesterday when getting so frustrated with feeling so lousy for so long sent me to the Internet to find some answers. After reading the Tietze's blogs, I am certainly going to take control of the situation and refer my self to both a pulmonologist (to rule out any possibiity there) and to a rheumatologist. I live in a university town and there are both a female Pulmonologist and a female Rheumatologist in the same university-based practice which is important to me as I had one bad experience with male doctors not listening that pretty much made me swear off them for life. Hopefully these two women will work together to get to the bottom of the problem.</p> <p>Since my situation seems to be rather different than a number of blogs, I wanted to post it. I'll keep you updated as to whether or not I get any answers and find any relief.</p> <p>Nanc </p> http://www.tietzessyndrome.com/forums/topic/helped-me-feel-pain-in-the-mid-rib-bone-rib-cage-more-than-10-years#post-70 Tue, 06 Apr 2010 14:01:11 +0000 hend sabri 70@http://www.tietzessyndrome.com/forums/ <p>Welcome<br /> I saw your site today and read about a disease syndrome<br /> Introduce myself<br /> I hend from Egypt has been married for 5 years, 30 years old Omri<br /> I am suffering from this disease is present with me more than 10 years hard very tired of it<br /> I feel pain in the mid-ribs in the cartilage itself and some of the direction of right and left but the pain felt by Aktar bone in the middle of the rib cage<br /> I went to more than 100 of them gave me Dr. relievers pain did not go at all<br /> And them gave me. Movefreeadvanced </p> <p>Also as a result of treatment did not answer me did not hide the pain I am very tired I can not sleep the pain is with me all day in the morning and during the day I can not live it I want the solution please help me because in my excellent doctors there because in my doctors can not faith<br /> I ask you reply to the assistance I want to hide the disease because it is a name known to distress and pain as the answer a need on the ground, I feel this pain or when I raise my head up or to look up also feel pain when rolling off the bed I feel pain when I sit also feel pain, the pain will be online with me for 24 hours I plead with you Dr. What is the treatment I want a final solution Thank you </p> http://www.tietzessyndrome.com/forums/topic/it-all-started-in-1979#post-63 Fri, 26 Mar 2010 07:17:13 +0000 pattykraemer 63@http://www.tietzessyndrome.com/forums/ <p>The Doctors told my parents that I have this Syndrome called Tietze....I was 10 years old and could not figure out why my chest &amp; Arms hurt so much...My parents went to Doctor after Doctor and I felt like a pin cushion and though I was going to grow up and glow with all the xrays and injections of dye's...Doctor Patel sat me down and said when you get this pain in your chest I want you do lie down on your tummy and think of good thoughts and then he asked me to leave the room so that he could talk to my parents.<br /> back then I thought I had something that I could die from I had no idea at the time it was very rare that a child got this syndrome. The doctor told my mother and father that it would be very hard for me to breath and that sports like running, track, golf anything that would exert my self would most likly not be good not to mention I would not know the differance between a heart attack and the pain I feel in my chest and arms.....well I had it rough all the way through High school....I did run cross country, I ran track, I played golf...but I also had lots of attacks though out my childhood...I am 40 years old now and I still get the attacks but not as common as I did when I was a child. When I was growing up I would tell people that I had Tietze Syndrome and they looked at me funny and would come back with so that is why you have small brests kids can be crule....but I got over it. Now I am dealing with other medical problems....But if you want to talk about Tietze Syndrome I will listen I am not a doctor but I have alot of years of this under my belt so I understand what you might be going through.<br /> So lets chat....Take care<br /> Patty </p> http://www.tietzessyndrome.com/forums/topic/my-story#post-9 Sat, 02 Jan 2010 13:56:43 +0000 Steph Kenrose 9@http://www.tietzessyndrome.com/forums/ <p>I was 26 years old, and I felt a crushing pain in my chest, and sure that I was having a heart attack (the pain was like an elephant sitting on my chest)–I asked a friend to drive me to the hospital. When I went through the doors of the ER, I was so sure I was having a heart attack that I didn’t think I was going to make it out of there. I was rushed to a bed, where they hooked me up to an ECG, and found…nothing.</p> <p>After a series of other tests to make sure I wasn’t in the middle of a pulmonary embolism or something else serious, they gave me a couple of Valium and discharged me. I still had the tremendous pain–the elephant sitting on my chest–but thanks to the Valium, I no longer cared.</p> <p>I’ve spent two decades with this disease, gotten a whole lot of education, and done even more research, and I finally found the answers. The symptoms of Tietze’s Syndrome are similar to many other diseases, and very few doctors know about it or can diagnose it. So after years of doctors telling me I was nuts, and recommending antipsychotics, or antidepressants for what is essentially a bizarre case of arthritis, I know they were jut not educated about this disease. Even after finally knowing what it was, I had no way to treat it — it’s so rare there is no big pharma research into it at all.</p> <p>Finally, after all my pain and doubt, I discovered how to diagnose it, and how to manage the disease, and I feel vindicated. Empowered. Hopeful.</p> <p>And I think to myself, there are other people out there — people with these symptoms who feel like they are crazy (because their doctors tell them they are!), who are living with a disease they can’t fix, but which causes agony in spurts. People having what feels like a heart attack a few times a week, and not only not being able to fix it, but being told there’s nothing to fix.</p> <p>But I’m here to send a different message:</p> <p>You are right. Your doctors are wrong. You really have a disease. Tietze’s Syndrome is what it’s called. Here’s what you can do to stop the pain. Everything’s going to be okay now.</p> <p>That’s my story, 20 years in the making, and it feels damn good to finally be able to tell it!</p> <p>-Stephanie </p> http://www.tietzessyndrome.com/forums/topic/tietzes-syndrome#post-33 Wed, 20 Jan 2010 01:43:08 +0000 keith 33@http://www.tietzessyndrome.com/forums/ <p>I was diagnosed with tietze's syndrome on 1/18/10 and question if it is the correct diagnosis. Since november I had been experiencing horrible left side, chest and stomach pain. The stomach pain went away but the chest and left side pain got worse and spread all across my chest/rib area. Areas of my ribs hurt to the touch and out of nowhere begin to pulsate in pain. When not in pain I feel as if a massive weight in on the center of my chest and on my left side. My breathing is also hurried and I'll occasionally experience shortness of breath. Also occasionally my left arm will numb up. I've had an ekg done and that was normal. My doctor thought at first it was costochondritis, but after 2 months of treatment with steriods, nsai meds and flector patches there was no improvement in my condition and the pain seemed to have spread. My doctor now believes I have tietze's syndrome. Are my symptoms common with tietze's syndrome?</p> <p>My doctor also offered little advice in terms of knowledge, cause and more importantly treatment. I'm in law enforcement and have not been able to perform my duties do to the ease of injury and pain medication dosage. I would like to know if there is anything that eases this pain. She also did not advise if this is a lifelong condition or something that is treated and cured. I'd like to prepare myself for the prospect of losing my career to this. </p> http://www.tietzessyndrome.com/forums/topic/my-long-battle#post-61 Wed, 17 Mar 2010 21:51:03 +0000 angalea 61@http://www.tietzessyndrome.com/forums/ <p>i have been trying to find out what is wrong with me for 7years now. my first ever symptoms was the tight feeling in my chest, my doctor at the time said it was asthma and gave me panadol and a inhaler, 3 weeks after the inhaler didn't work i went back to the doctor and was sent for a ultra sound which showed i had gallstones, i was told that i would need to have them removed yay i thought there's the answer now all i had to do was wait for the waiting list, however when i was in hospital 4 times in a month my doctor pushed me up the waiting list and i had my operation 1 month later. 1 week after my operation i was rushed back into hospital when my pains returned only to be told that it was normal while i was recovering from my surgery. i continued to be in pain for another 3 months while what i though was what was supposed to happen. i was put back in hospital 6months after my operation and that was where the fun really started i had every test possible in the hospital scans, x rays and many more, only to be referred onto a stomach specialist who put me through 2 years of hell with the test he preformed but i didn't complain because i thought that the tests would find something and stop the pain. the tests did show that i have chrones disease but it is no way related to the chest pains i was experiencing. after 30months of being with my specialist i was told by him "that unless my symptoms change then he never wanted to see me again in his office" this was the lowest point of my battle this was then i thought it's all in my head there is nothing wrong with me and the pain is not real. however me saying that didn't stop the pain in fact it started getting worse more times being spent in hospital, less time being spent at work and less times being spent with my friends as i was stuck in bed. my mum and dad were my rocks and didn't give up when i did instead they made me change my doctor and went with to every visit and filled my new doctor in on everything. this lead to being put on pain relief daily which meant i could work more often, however it didn't stop the attacks from getting so bad that i had to go to hospital which was something that i wasn't keen on doing because i felt like they doubted my pain because nothing physical could be found to be causing the pain. my doctor increased my medications and put me on the pain blocker amitripline which helped me out but had me in bed an hour after i would take it. during this time i was still going to hospital and was lucky to get through a month without having to go into hospital, with this and the strength of my pain medication i had to give up my work which was so hard for me because i loved my job as a early childhood teacher and had even gone to university for 3 years to become qualified. this was when i really opened up to my doctor and how bad it was impacting my life this was when she told me that sh wanted me to attend the pain clinic which specialised in cronic pain, but i had to see the cardioligist first although we knew it wasn't my heart as all my ecg's had been`normal. of to the cardioligist i went only to be told nothing was wrong AGAIN! through this time i have tried everything to reduce the pain anti inflammatory's seemed to make the pain worse and put me in hospital within hours on taking them, i have tried steriold's which also only made it worse. currently i am on 100mg of tramol 3 times a day as well as 60mg of codeine 3 times a days and a mixture of other horrible pills. i went to the pain clinic 1 week ago today and after being with the doctor for 10minutes he diagnosed me with Tietze's syndrome that was all i heard i didn't want to hear anything else after 7 years of hell i had a name and that's all i needed. lucky for me my partner was with me and was able to ask the important questions about what it is and how do we manage it as we know there is no cure. finding out the name and knowing that there was actually something wrong with me and that it wasn't in my head was so overwhelming i can't explain it i felt amazing in pain but amazing my doctor at the pain clinic has taken me of the amitriptyline pills and has put me on nortriptyline which is used to treat diseases similar to Tietze syndrome (sorry i can't remember what he said) the change in medication has eased the pain somewhat i am still on pain relief but not as often and not as much. for the first time in years i was able to spend time with my partner and niece and nephew and have fun without having to worry about what we were doing in case i had an attack or was in to much pain to go anywhere. reading other peoples stories and knowing that i am not alone has been great support and has given me a sense of hope knowing that people with this can see through it and that there is another way to life than how i am living it at the moment. so thank you lots to everyone who has left a blog on here you have provided me with both information and hope and as i learn more about Tietze syndrome i would be more that happy to add it into a blog for all you to see and maybe try. </p> http://www.tietzessyndrome.com/forums/topic/living-with-rib-pain-for-40-years#post-62 Sat, 20 Mar 2010 17:16:58 +0000 Lynn Wickson 62@http://www.tietzessyndrome.com/forums/ <p>Ever since I can remember I've had painful ribs and vaguely remember being told at an early age by my doctor that it was Tietze's syndrome. I'm now 51 and the pain to my ribs is as acute as ever. Only recently, since getting the internet and researching the condition, have I begun to question if what I experience IS Tietze's syndrome. My ribs are extremely painful to the lightest of touch (I liken it to pressing very hard on a painful bruise), but they do not hurt without pressure on them. However, if you can imagine suffering severe discomfort when leaning against something, being hugged, even lying on a crease in clothing. When having a mammogram recently I nearly passed out with the unbrearable pain of having my ribs being pressed up against the machine. The pain extends from my breastbone to my backbone. If this is not Tietze's syndrome, I'd love to know what other condition I might have. </p>