Costochondritis- Symptoms and a Piggy Back

This post is a shout out to Sophie, who asked for a post where you could comment on what makes your pain worse, and compare with other costo cats.

Random: I don't know about you, but ever since I went to the marathon, I keep thinking about my journey as a marathon. This could possibly be because I don't get out much. And you know how they have water stops every few miles? And people run by and grab water and don't ever look at the water holders? I so just want to jump onto the water holder, wrap my legs around one of them, give em a jolly ol' "giddy up" and get a it's a healing party piggy back ride off the course and straight to Pizza Hut. ....hmmm...it's been a long time since you and me made out, Mr. Yummy Slice.

Back to the topic at hand:

Okay, here we go, all of the symptoms I currently have are as follows:

• Chest Pain - I know...that was a shocker to everyone
• Burning in the Chest
• Stabbing Pain in the Chest
  
• Pressure in the Chest - mostly left side
• Chest Spasms - when laying on my back
  
• Lower Back pain
• Pain in upper left stomach
• TMI alert....diarrhea, lethargic, moody after eating any food with oils (canola, sunflower, safflower)
• Acid reflux and increased burning chest pain (and wake up feeling hung over the next day) if I eat dairy, potatoes, fried food, tomatoes, or gluten- hence- I avoid.
• High Protein in my Blood
• Slow digestion-in my small intestines
• Low blood circulation
• Candida
• Numb left hand, tingling down extremities
  

Symptoms that I've had the past 3 years, but are not there as of the past month with certain changes, mostly diet changes- Holla!:

• Lethargic
• Felt like I could not get enough sleep-and then felt hung over upon waking, this stopped when I changed my diet- (insert celebration dance)
  
• Pin needles down legs and right foot
• Tightness in throat
• Bladder Infections - yeah, that was fun to admit- gag
• Ovarian Cysts
• Mid- Back pain
  
• Thyroid is sluggish - on meds.
  
• Dark circles under eyes
• Blurred Vision
• Left Facial Pain...I know...WHAT?
  
• Hot flashes
• Headaches- haven't had one in 3 weeks!
  
• Tightness in throat- feels like it closes up- and burning after eating
  
• Cramps in my Calves
• Imbalanced Hormones
  
• Bad PMS - yes, that makes for a fun week- lol- you what I'm talking about ladies!
• Low Vitamin D

What makes my chest pain worse:

• Breathing
• Talking
• Laughing
  
• Singing
• Laying on my left side
• Laying on my stomach
• Lifting anything heavier than a pen
• Exercising
• Coughing
• After eating Canola, Sunflower, and Safflower oil
• After eating potato based food
• After eating tomato's
• After eating gluten
• Jumping, moving in general
• If anyone touches me
• Caffeine
  
• Sitting up
• Sitting for long periods of time
• Driving
• Shaving my legs -)
• Bending over in general - keep your mind out of the gutter people! (insert chuckle)

What makes my Pain Better after all this Guinea Pigging

• Sleeping on my Back
• Walking daily, light stretching
  
• Avoiding Gluten, Potato, Oil, dairy, fried foods, and Tomatoes
  
• Skilled Relaxation Exercises, prayer, meditation, reading the Word, everything that calms me down
  
• Sauna
• Not lifting anything, zilch, nada
• Staying as quiet as I can
• Medical Massage Therapy
• Watching totally cliche chick flicks
  

My worst pain with all kinds of hospital trips was about 10 months ago when I was touring and singing, lifting all my bags on and off the tour bus everyday, my mom had cancer, and I was doing the Mediterranean diet - lots of bread an oils. So that's what my rap sheet looks like. If you feel like sharing your symptoms and what makes it worse, feel free and thanks in advance for dropping a line in the comment section, where it's always a party. I didn't say a good one, with like cake and a pinata of giant, inflamed ribs....haha...okay...I just made myself laugh. I better go now.

-)
Lucy