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?
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.
