I posted this on another board so I may sound familiar to some of you. I went to the RD yesterday. I have been having PT for costochondritis. She became concerned due to the amount inflammation and the redness. Basically, my sternum and ribs look like a sunburn. I have had this for years and it is not getting better. Now my neck and shoulder are bothering me-there is a knot on my shoulder.
So, yesterday he gave me three cortisone shots in my sternum and one in my thigh for an overall affect. He also upped my oral pred. and gave me a refill on painpills. He couldn't give me one for the lower ribs since the liver is right there. He wanted me to go over the the hospital across the street but I told him that I would rather wait to see if the systemic shot and the upped pred would help. He wants me to continue the ultrasound treatments with the PT but also wants to add a TENS unit.
So, how does the TENS work? Does anyone else have this much issue with their chest and ribs? Even back when I was diagnosed as a teenager this was a bad area. The dr. kept asking me if I had ever broken my collar bones. I told him know but he kept pressing the issue:like I would forget something like that?
I am just soooo incredibly frustrated. I can handle almost any joint but I need to breathe! Plus, when I give the kids lecture notes it becomes very painful. They can't learn everything from videos and textbooks, I need to explain as well. Plus, I love my job and even those hormonal adolescents. AARRGGHH.
Thanks, I am done. I was venting to the cats yesterday but all I got was a tail swish from one and a yawn from the other. Ungrateful critters!
Becky
I am sorry to hear your chest is so painful. I had costo real bad about a year ago, now it just sort of comes and goes, although I still can't not wear a bra because the pressure is too much.I'm sorry things are so difficult for you right now. Hope the injections and the PT will soon be helping.
Hang in there.
Becky, I would follow through with the suggestion of the TENS unit. If your insurance will pay for it, have your doctor write you a prescription for it and get it. I have never needed to use it on the chest, but I think our family has used ours just about everywhere! It does help. The electrical stimulation massages the area, and also increases blood flow. Often pain comes when muscles become tight and blood flow is restricted.
In my opinion it is well worth the try, and even if it doesn't help with your current pain issues, I think you will find it a valuable tool to have in your pain arsenal!
Good luck to you - I hope you find something that helps soon.
Karen
Dear becky, I like your idea of wanting to see if the prednisone 'works', it did for me.....one injection , 3 a day. (now I'm down to 1-1/2.) Sarah