9th March 2004
Hi everybody. I have some questions regarding these conditions. About three years ago I was getting into a routine of exercising (sit ups and push-ups). Well, I noticed a hard mass, kind of a lump on the right side of my chest. It felt swollen and was kind of painful to the touch. I went to the doctor and he said it was Costochondritis.
Three years later, I still have this mass, this swelling. It is no longer painful to the touch, but it really bothers me. From what I've read, this is actually Tietze's Syndrome. I do have pains in that side of the chest and shoulder from time to time, depending on how I move or what I'm doing. I also experience some pain sometimes when I cough in my lower ribs and I feel pain in the top part of my chest sometimes when I sneeze.
My questions are: Will any of this ever go away? I recently brought it up again to a new doctor and she said the swellings I feel are the rib cartilage. Maybe I'm freaking out over nothing, but what prevents the swelling from stopping? Could it infect all my cartilage or go to other places if left "alone." I don't really know how infection and imflammation works. Can this all lead to other infections or swellings in other areas of the body? Is there anything I can do to get the swelling down or stop the pains I have? From what I've read, Costochondritis can be very debilitating at times and I am thankful that mine is not too bad. I am taking Cipro now, but everything I've read is so discouraging saying nothing really works. There has to be something! And can I EVER get this swelling down from the Tietze's Syndrome? Is it something I should worry about or is it OK? Any help or advice would be appreciated. I understand there's greater things to worry about, but this bothers me because I want to fight to make myself better and not just "live with it." Thank you for reading! :)
-Tom
Three years later, I still have this mass, this swelling. It is no longer painful to the touch, but it really bothers me. From what I've read, this is actually Tietze's Syndrome. I do have pains in that side of the chest and shoulder from time to time, depending on how I move or what I'm doing. I also experience some pain sometimes when I cough in my lower ribs and I feel pain in the top part of my chest sometimes when I sneeze.
My questions are: Will any of this ever go away? I recently brought it up again to a new doctor and she said the swellings I feel are the rib cartilage. Maybe I'm freaking out over nothing, but what prevents the swelling from stopping? Could it infect all my cartilage or go to other places if left "alone." I don't really know how infection and imflammation works. Can this all lead to other infections or swellings in other areas of the body? Is there anything I can do to get the swelling down or stop the pains I have? From what I've read, Costochondritis can be very debilitating at times and I am thankful that mine is not too bad. I am taking Cipro now, but everything I've read is so discouraging saying nothing really works. There has to be something! And can I EVER get this swelling down from the Tietze's Syndrome? Is it something I should worry about or is it OK? Any help or advice would be appreciated. I understand there's greater things to worry about, but this bothers me because I want to fight to make myself better and not just "live with it." Thank you for reading! :)
-Tom