Costochondritis- Most Common Symptoms

• Pain is characterized by tenderness in the places where ribs attach to the breastbone.
• Sharp Pain
• Pain can extend to the shoulder and back (after 3 months of Costo, my shoulder and back starting hurting)
• Pain when sitting for long periods of time like at a computer or driving
  
• Dull, gnawing, constant pain
• Pain worse when eating large meals.
  
• Pain worse when eating fried foods, especially night shade foods. EX: Tomatoes, white potato based foods
  
• Any of the 7 costo-chondral junctions may be affected
• More than 1 area of the ribs are affected in 90% of cases
• It occurs most often on the left side of your breastbone, though it can occur on either side
• It may radiate pain to the back, shoulder or abdomen.
• The most common site of pain is fourth, fifth, and sixth rib
• Pain increases as you move your trunk
• Pain with deep breaths or in some cases, all breathes
• Stabbing
• Can simulate the pain of a heart attack
• Tightness
• Burning
• Severe cases- Unable to even pick up a pen without pain
• Pain with lifting, pushing, pulling, sneezing, coughing, long hours of driving or using the computer, repetitive motions and caffeine
• Cold, rainy and humid weather also make it worse
• Discomfort wearing a bra
• Pain worse during stress
  

The Rib Cage- pain at the sternum- ouch! My pain in ribs 1-7 from the sternum to my back in my left side. Fun. =)