Costochondritis

[cmasse]

I am diagnosed with Costochondritis and I get very bad chest pains, with pains in my upper ribs and up to my jaw. Everything came out normal EKG, bloodwork, chest x-ray, etc. I am on pain medications that are not working. I will be getting a cortisone injection in my chest eventually. I have Costochondritis for almost 2 months now.

I also had 5 episodes of trouble breathing and pressure in my chest. In fact, I woke up at 2 in the morning on Thursday and I had trouble breathing. My question is even though that it is Costochondritis, how do I know the episodes I am having are not from a heart attack?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.
Cassie

[Maria RN]

Hi, here's a link about chest pain and costochondritis: http://www.drjoshua.com/2009/09/27/common-causes-of-chest-pain-among-teens/

and symptoms of heart attack:
http://www.healthsystem.virginia.edu/uvahealth/adult_nontrauma/chespain.cfm

[cmasse]

I am a 25 year old with bad chest and jaw pain. How do I know that the trouble breathing and tightness in my chest is from Costochondritis and not a heart attack? I am getting a cortisone injection in my chest next week.
Cassie

[Jarol]

Costochondritis is an insidious inflammation of the cartilage that attaches the ribs to the breastbone generally affecting the third or fourth ribs.Costochondritis can be an independent condition by itself or sometimes be a feature of a more widespread disorder.:rolleyes: