Friday, August 21, 2009

Costochondritis- Bra or no Bra

AHHH!!! Ok, ladies, we all know that wearing an under wire bra with Costochondritis is OUT of the question. ARG! Mine are actually in a box in the top of my closet. If you're a dude, be thankful. =)

For more on why the bra hurts us, click HERE.

OK- So I personally buy Flexees at Macy's and cut them short...or leave then as they are and wear a hoodie, jacket, or sweatshirt over it.



Flexees Bra #1

Flexees Bra # 2

Flexees Bra # 3

Flexees Bra #4 -this bra was recommended by a wonderful reader- thank you!!)

Spanx Bra #1 - This bra has no under wire. Recommended by a reader, thank you! I own this bra. Good to wear if I have to wear a bra. I mostly stick with camisoles and jackets.

Bra Extenders are another way to go. This gives you more room so your ribs aren't squeezed. Thanks Joanne!

29 comments:

  1. I have Costochondritis and fibromyalgia I suffer in chronic pain, I've had costo since feb 2011 please help me to get the pain gone..

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    1. I have both of them and ostearthritis etc I have found the doreen bra the best so far the pain is harder to deal with I am using fentayln pain patches 100mg which have to be change every three days I also have a cocktail of drugs I hope you find something to help

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    2. Try with Magnesium Chloride Oil, it should get better in about two weeks. You can find it in Holland and Barret. Read First about it in Google.

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  2. Hi Betty, its also a problem for me for several years now. Thankfully I have the right doctor to help me with the costo. Have had my ribs injected with cortisone, early days yet but its showing signs of improvement.
    Important to rest and not do anything that is likely to irritate the problem.
    Fatique is another daily problem for me too.
    All the best and hope u find the right help.
    LB

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  3. Hi, Betty, I've had costo for about 25 years, plus fibro and now arthritis, so i feel for you. Rest, not lifting heavy objects, hot showers all help. I use alternative medicine, too. Meditation, a nice back rub with a scented oil you like can help you relax so your not so tight and ease the discomfort some. You can also try putting an oil like eucalyptus on your chest, it helps with the inflammation.

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  4. Hi, I find that taking Omega oil (such as NutraSea HP) to greatly assist with the inflammation.

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  5. This condition sucks! I notice the symptoms when I was 16, been a struggle since then. Lately U have develop the swelling that feels like a lump near my sternum...2 car accidents does not help. I think once I get back into working out regular that will be a brownie point, along with changing my wire bras, so vicious!!!

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  6. Hello,
    I haven't been diagnosed with Costoc but I have beeb suffering from this symptoms for 3 years!!..the docs have all said it was anxiety, I have had my heart checked and I do have a murmur, I have numerous tests done and nothing..so I finally run across an article about Costoc and realized that is exactly how I feel...I have landed myself in the ER many times thinking it was a heart attack!..now even my bra bugs me, as soon as I lift my bra, I can take the deep breath that I have been wanting...I was exercising but I can't even lift my arms up without pain in my chest...I am going to the chiro and it makes it better..but when I am sitting at work, it' is so bad...I thought I was going crazy...my doc is finally sending me to the specialist...hopefully he will be help me to see if it is actually Costoc!!..everything hurts, I am not the same woman I used to be....I was beginning to think I was crazy!!..

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    1. You're not crazy, I am going through the exact same thing except my pain radiates from underneath my left Breast all the way around to my ribcage in my back. The mysterious thing about about it is my skin has no redness, but my skin do respond to antifungal creams like monistat. My belief is that Costochondritis and candidiasis are also responsible for this bizarre cutaneous and subcutaneous pain. I have read that subcutaneous candida abscess also attributes to this type of pain and that creams can be effective for treating both. Be well my sisters❣

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  7. Some of the bra links above aren't working. Any way to give more info or update them? NEED help!!!

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    1. Or I guess I'm just curious - is the solution just to find a wireless bra? :)

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    2. I only see the main maidenform/; hanes page when clicking ANy of the links = same page.. :/

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  8. I have suffered with Costo for 3 years now. My family does not understand. So far the only thing I have been able to wear are the cami tanks with the built in lining, unfortunately I am large breasted and look as if I am not wearing anything. I am tired of wearing baggy clothes. I am going to try some of the bras you ladies have listed. Thank you.

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    1. This bra looks good. I am 36F, so I must wear a bra.
      http://www.maidenform.com/sale/brands/maidenform/maidenform-comfort-devotion-seamless-wirefree-foam-bra-09432?showSearchBC=true

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  9. Read about people using the ahh bra. Haven't tried it yet, but looks comfy.

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  10. hi! I am a 2 year costo sufferer and a lingerie expert. I highly reccomend the wacoal wireless bras. supportive and there is extra padding along the bottom. they have been a lifesaver for me. they also go from a 34 band to I think a 44, and up to a triple d. I highly recommend getting for as well, as the right size takes A LOT of pressure off the ribs.

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  11. Does anyone also get pain in their upper middle back from their bra?

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  12. Hi gals - going on 5 years with my self diagnosed costo. Dr's couldn't find anything wrong but the pain at night is bad at times. I sleep hugging a pillow and try not to make sudden moves when waking up. I think mine is from weight lifting and underwires.

    Found some great bras! Bali Comfort Revolution line. I like the wider band models. No wires yet supportive, comfy, coverage and reasonably priced. Kind of like s sports bra but easier to put on and no uniboob. Good luck to you all!

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  13. I've had Costo for about 30 years, diagnosed in mid 80's. I never had a real problem with my bra until I had a car accident 11 years ago and air bag hit my chest. I haven't been able to find a comfortable bra since. I have found a couple of cheap sports bras I can wear for a few hours, but then I have to take them off. Having arthritis in my chest cause of the cracked ribs doesn't help.

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  14. My costo disappeared three days after I stopped wearing my underwire bras!!! I have ahh bras that I wear if I HAVE to wear a bra but even those "bother" me a little. Bought a soft no wire bra that was large and very comfortable but even wearing that for a day set it off again!
    Could this all be being caused by underwire bras? Or do they just irritate it?

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    1. I had a bad pain from an underwire bra digging into my mid chest.got rid of it and switched to wirefree bras. Today I went to test bras and tried on three underwires, guess what? The pain returned all day. Never again buying an underwire bra

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  15. Hate bras !
    Nearly took mine off at work today, not a good look aye :)
    Just want to know how i can be comfy at work without the jiggle action being obvious.
    Dont care at all if im flattened.
    Have tried the arr bra, but this still irritates.
    Cheers ladies :)

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  16. Hate bras !
    Nearly took mine off at work today, not a good look aye :)
    Just want to know how i can be comfy at work without the jiggle action being obvious.
    Dont care at all if im flattened.
    Have tried the arr bra, but this still irritates.
    Cheers ladies :)

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  17. I recently discovered the bras sold at Stein Mart. They are disposable and you stick one on each breast and they clip in the middle. No pain, they are about 29 dollars but they last a long time. You can get them up to a D cup, and place them however you want on your body. I am in love with them. they come in a box (pink) and are sold back by the shoes and lingerie departments. I am going down now to buy another one, so I will get the name. For those of you that don't live near a Stein Mart, you may find them in other retailers or on line. More later....

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  18. Curious about this. Did you find out the name of the Steinmart bras?

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  19. just curious, is most of your costo pain in the ribs? I was sick and had a bad cough and after the cough left, my ribs ached terribly and still do. my chiro thinks its costo. Your input please

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  20. Forget wearing a bra while dealing with costo. I find using a mixture of thyme oil and olive oil helps with the inflammation. Also invest in a back pod or bolster. Do the exercises recommended on youtube and if you're having trouble breathing inhale rosemary oil calm to your anxiety. Hope this helps!

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  21. I am so glad to hear that others like myself are going though this, I feel like an alien. I will take my bra off in the car going home from work and there are times that I don't go anywhere just bc I don't want to put a bra on ... I hate this!! My favorite thing is going home and putting on a sweatshirt and letting the girl free - I am being to think that it's not healthy for me to wear a bra bc of shortness of breath, at times it feels like my head is going to pop off bc of the presser ... need help :(

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