Doctor thinks i have costochondritis

[drewsif204]

First of all thank you for the replys to my first post here a month or so back. It really gave me piece of mind knowing other people have gone through similar experiences. Getting to the point.. After almost a year of chest, neck, back, arm, leg...you name it pains my doctor has basically diagnosed me with costochondritis. Im currently awaiting to start physical therapy and under go a series of muscle relaxers as needed. My question is (just to ease my mind) should i be confident with this diagnoses. I have had a stress test, 2 sonograms, a 2 week holtar monitor, countless x-rays and blood tests and have met with a cardiologist who told me my heart looks fine. Im a 21 year old generally healthy male. Is it possible they could be missing something here and this pain really is my heart or should i be happy that im on the "road to recovery". Sorry if this post is a bit choppy

[smmaho]

I've been through this and had all the heart tests done which all came back fine. Costcondritis was mentioned but after some research and visiting an osteopath it was determined that it was all just caused by muscle tension. I went to a Physio for quite a while, did Pilates and it all disappeared I also had some strengthening band exercises to do. Once I got my head to change its thinking and told myself this chest pain won't kill me then I was able to concentrate on Physio. I still get chest pain but very rarely and if I do I do some stretches and im good. I think sometimes were to quick to give our pain a name when many times things like this are just pure and simply muscle tension from our anxiety. Hope you feel better soon

[gcalex]

Yes, you should accept it, absolutely.  Anxiety can cause pain, plenty of it.  Muscle tension. 

[drewsif204]

Thanks, smmaho. That was actually really helpfull. This forum in general helps so much, thank god.

[Pippy187]

I have had many chest pains and I can feel clusters by my ribs were the pain originates... I think it's a lot of muscle tension.... I'm thinking of trying yoga....have any of you tried?

[drewsif204]

One more thing. Does any one with costro ever get a vibrating sensation in the left brest area? Or does anyone know if thats an anxiety trait all by its self?

[Calamy]

I've been told I have had this in the past. I have a lot of tension in my chest muscles, and sometimes my pectorals will both ache for no reason (or probably a reason I don't realize, like I'm tightening them up and don't know it.) Also the ribs and the costochondria and all that, too. I have tender points all over and spots that will just spasm. I have areas that will just ache or whatever, too. I use tiger balm, a warm rice pillow and sometimes I find even a cold pack helps.

Right now I feel quite smothered and can't catch my breath and read online that that is another thing that goes with muscle tension. I have been told by doctors that it's muscles making you feel like you can't breathe etc. because you're so tense and don't realize how it is affecting the muscles all day.