Costochondritis- Video Blogging- Oh Mercy.

Hello my friends,

So I tried a little vlogging. AHHH!!! In my new celiac blog, it will be all video blogs- crazy and exciting. More on that later...I have no clue when that transition will happen. I imagine when my body says it's okay, then we'll rock and roll. So until then, I'm using you people as Guinea pigs while I learn this video craziness. So yes, you will be seeing more of these vloggy things. I promise, they will get better. These do not rock. Lots of rambling...haven't got the editing down yet. lol. So this is 1 of 2 "first attempts" at Video Blogging. I thought, "crap...just post em both- who cares?!" So this first one is:

CELIAC AND COSTOCHONDRITIS: NUMBESS AND TINGLING
Warning, I'm abnormally hyper. Excited to be doing something "normal." =)

Next up, my 2nd "first attempt" at video blogging...waaaaay to long.
CELIAC AND COSTOCHONDRITIS: SHOULD YOU GET TESTED For Celiac?
Warning: I say the words "you should get tested" WAY too much. AHHH!!!! What I meant is, consider it as an option. =)

My next vlog will be an update on my own journey of healing....just wanted throw these out there and see if I sank or swim.... kind of felt more like a doggy paddle.

Hugs,
Lucy

Costochondritis- The Doctor Show

To those new to my blog, howdy! I've recently been diagnosed with Celiac, the reason for my costochondritis. The doctor who recently told me my Celiac diagnoses was Dr. Wallach. I called into his national radio show to talk about Costochondritis, and he told me I had Celiac after a chat about my symptoms...I was skeptical, but then went on and got a diagnoses via gene testing. Holla!

So to those who have asked for the information to call into the radio show and talk to Dr. Wallach (for free). who originally told me I had Celiac.- here's the number for the radio show:

"Dead Doctors Don't Lie" Radio Show LIVE with Dr.Wallach.
Monday through Friday # 1-888-379-2552
12noon-1pm pacific, 2pm-3pm central, 3pm-4pm eastern.

If you are interested in calling in to the Dr. Wallach radio show here in the U.S....have these things ready:

• Notepad and pen, be prepared to write crazy fast- he talks fast
  
• Check out his Youngevity website HERE, so when he talks to you about supplementation, you have an idea of what he's talking about (of course, you don't have to use his supplements or suggestions at all, but free advice while sitting on the couch ain't so bad).
  
• Have your most prominent symptoms ready to read off to him (think quick bullet point list of all your symptoms)
• When you get on the show, it moves fast, say "my name is blank and my symptoms are A.B.C.D. and E, and I'm seeking some advice." Then be prepared to write, write, write.
• He may ask your name, age, and weight ( to tell you the supplements he may want you on)
• When you get off the phone, remember you don't have to take ANY of his advice, just think of it as another tool to use. However, after 75 doctors...this dude nailed me. Pretty cool.

Or if you want to meet him in person, His 2010 schedule is HERE.

So, do I assume everyone wants to call into this show? No, my friends. I'm not saying that at all. This is just another option to possibly try, no pressure from this little blogger, just a wish for us to all be well. And since my Costo blog, that has become like a fuzzy pink security blanket to me, is coming to a close this month, I want to put as much information as I can out there into the bloggy world for my Costo/invisible illness brothers and sisters. You guys are so special to me!

Hugs,
Lucy

Costochondritis- Celiac Q & A

This is my 100th post....wow.

That deserves an electric slide with a pop and lock to finish it off- dance.

To those new to the blog, welcome- I've just been diagnosed with Celiac Disease, the reason for my Costochondritis. To my normal peeps, may I just say thank you with all my heart to everyone who has been celebrating with me! It has warmed my heart soooooooo much. You all are such a life line to me. Seriously, I have lots of luv for you people, no lie. That's right, I said luv. Cause I'm attached to all you crazy cats. That's how I roll. All attached and stuff.

So the past week has been a wee bit NUUUUTs! My mom had her last surgery from her breast cancer battle and she's doing amazing. Cancer free looks good on her. And so do her new boobies! You knew I was gunna TMI on you. I can't stop it. So I've been with her a lot and loving it. Soooo...I won't lie, I've been unbelievably excited about the new Celiac diagnoses. And going gluten free is wild. I have slowly...okay, whom I kidding, I've been like a gigantor tornado trying to make sure everything that remotely comes near my body is gluten free. I have the food down, then yesterday I started checking the gluten content on all my vitamins, thyroid meds , makeup, shampoos, laundry detergent, leave in conditioners, hairsprays, hand soaps etc...so I've been on the phone for like 10 years so far, calling all the manufacturers, making sure that what's on my body is gluten free. I thought I was going gluten free...yeah...no...not so much. I feel a little jaded- lol-...because I was SHOCKED at how I'm practically bathing in gluten every day. One of my vitamins has gluten, my hairspray- (ewww- I'm INHALING it!? lol.), my lipstick, my mascara...AHHHH!!!! ....and the list goes on. This is encouraging- so folks, I have yet to make it one full day without putting it on my person. And I thought I was all gluten free already. oops.

I tried to cook something gluten free and well....I still have to work on what a square is. chuckle.


Alrighty then, let's get to business, here are some Q & A from my comment section, here we go!

Did you have an endoscopy? My G.I specialist suspected all my issues were coming from my stomach and wanted to do a endoscopy to check my small intestines. I showed up for the procedure at the hospital, the smell just blew me over, and I went down hill from here- hives, shaking, panic, a full blown PTSD episode and all. Glorious. My fault for not going to this hospital before hand and walking through and letting my body adjust before the procedure. So no...no endoscopy for me....soooo we went a different route.

How did you come to the diagnoses of Celiac? So here's the delio- when the 90 year old Dr. in chaps-lol- Michelle!!...told me he thought I had Celiac, I started rocking out the gluten free diet (or so I thought!). This meant that my gastro doctor could not do any normal Celiac tests on me unless I wanted to go back and do a "gluten challenge" for a month. I most certainly did not, I had started to feel better and there was no looking back. So this is how I was diagnosed:

1. My blood was packed with protein.
2. After 5 weeks of being mostly gluten free, I started having heart palpitations, so we did a blood test to check my thyroid 2 weeks ago- and it confirmed that my meds were waaay too strong due to my body beginning to heal without gluten in it- super cool. (Heart Palps are one major symptom to thyroid meds being too strong- and since the only change I'd made was the gluten, I requested that it be tested....no, that's a lie- I called and sorta demanded it...in a nice but- I've had this crap for way too long and my heart is skipping beats, run his test now...sort of voice.).
   
3. Then we did a blood test that showed I was experiencing malapsorbtion- a marker for Celiac. If you are consuming gluten, you can do a stool test for this.
   
4. And last, we did Genetic testing, the test I was waiting on. Mine came back positive, positive, positive. I can back with the strongest DNA combination for Celiac disease that you can have. Holla!
5. So with those results and my symptoms, the conclusion was Celiac. ta-da!
   

Are there other ways to conclude Celiac? Sure, absolutely. I did the best I could with where I am in my life. I wish I could have done the endoscopy. But it's all good. Other Celiac and more traditional tests can be checked out HERE.

Do you feel better being off gluten?
Crap yes- I feel better! Healed, No. But one day at a time. Here is what I have slowly noticed:

• My headaches are GONE. (Insert booty shake victory dance here)
• I can wake up easier. While on heavy gluten, I can easily sleep 14 hours a day. If you suffer from fatigue or mood swings, maybe getting checked would be a good option.
• My insomnia is gone
• I think I'm a Celiac who's stomach hates Citric Acid- steering clear
• My nails are starting to grow
  
• My back pain /tightness is releasing more and more each day
• My right neck/shoulder pain is getting less and less
  
• My stabbing attacks have almost stopped and my breathing is getting better and better. My pain is about 25% less than it was 6 weeks ago. Am I nervous it won't all together go away? Yes. Si. For Shizzle . I totally am. But I can't focus on that, I have to focus on the task at hand: Target gluten. Slay Gluten. Then run like mad from the SOB... So yes, I still have Costo and I have no idea how long it will it will hang around. I'll keep you posted.
• TMI ALERT, PEOPLE! I'm not constipated anymore if I stay away from dairy and gluten, and I don't have diarrhea any more due to staying away from canola and palm oil. Here's the deal...can't believe I'm going to say this.Ugg. The next time you visit the loo, check out your ...(you know)...and if it's soft, fluffy, light brown, and one long tube-ish , and you have this little experience once or preferably 2 or 3x a day, chances are your digestive system is SUPER happy with you! But if you are constipated, have diarrhea-ish/ or stringy/ or pile-ish poo etc...then yes, getting checked for Celiac could be a good thing. Mercy,I want to wash my hands just writing about it. AHHH!!!

So what do you eat now? Well, Since my tummy is so jacked up, I'm not drinking cokes, or eating gluten, dairy, soy, corn, or any oils. Not until my stomach is healed. I hoping to add corn, soy, oil, and possibly dairy back into my diet after 6 months to a year. So currently I'm eating a pretty plain all organic diet:

• Homemade toubule Salad- I substitute water or applesauce for oil
• Red Beans
• Black Beans
• Brown Rice Cakes
• Veggies
• Lundberg Brown Rice
• Mary's quina Pretzels- the sea salt ones
• Chocolate Chips- Yum!
• Sweet Potatoes
• Apples
• Bananas
• Blueberries

How does it feel to have this answer? Weird, amazing, overwhelming, peaceful...and just right. I feel like a I just met a weird brother I never knew I had, ya know? But one that I want to shake with excitement...and then make him go square dancing with me and tell everyone we are related. Even though he's ugly and awkward and I'm pissed off at him, I'm proud to finally know him. I also feel a little guilty. I know there are so many amazing people out there waiting for their good news of healing. It's so strange to go from, "I'm a girl with Costo" to " I have Celiac." I'm still in shock. But I feel really blessed, and eternally grateful to God for this gift. After walking through the past 3 1/2 years, living the anti-gluten life will be my honor. And I know in my heart that I will never feel bad for myself for being a gluten freak, cause this kind of freakishness is totally welcome. Bring it on!

If you'd like to check out another great chick who has costo and Celiac as well- you can follow Alyssa's healing journey at Young and Going Gluten Free.

What did you do when I found out? Well...my hubby and I quietly celebrated all day on Friday. He brought me roses, very sweet....and then I got money and went shopping!! haha! It was awesome! I love shopping by myself and never do it anymore...I mean...am I going to ice my ribs in bed in a comatose state while in a new pair of hot jeans before I drag my exhausted self to the granny stroll? Nada. But maybe one day....so did I buy a pair of super sexy unneeded pair of hot jeans and a romper that is OH SO CUTE??!- You bet I did!! I went crazy. lol. I even bought lipstick. What?! Then my hubby rubbed my feet Friday night and we watched a chick flick. It was such a quiet, but really joyful and peaceful day. I was in awe and shock all day. And you know I strolled extra saucy during my granny stroll..uh huh!

Are you going to do a Celiac blog? You know it!! It's in the works.

Alright folks- wanted to add a few random links where folks are chatting about Costo and Celiac:
Chatty Link 1
Chatty Link 2
Chatty Link 3
Super Long but AWESOME Link 4
Chatty Link 5
Random person with Costo and Celiac

Here's a website with more Celiac info and both GI and non-GI symptoms of Celiac

And remember, I'm not saying that everyone with Costo has Celiac. What I AM saying is that it's one more option to check out: if you notice your costo gets worse after you eat...or your attacks happen sometimes when you aren't lifting anything at all (sign of delayed gluten reaction) or just chilling, get yourself checked for Celiac. If you're looking to get tested on your own, cause your doctor is a knuckle head, these are some great tests in the USA:

My Celiac ID
The University of Chicago Celiac Testing Center

Well, that wraps up this post. Let me know what I can answer- or if I can help in any way. Much luv and prayers to everyone. May you feel the hope seeping through this blog to you, and the peace of God leading you to towards healing.

Costochondritis- Tests Before Diagnoses

Alright, ladies and gents. I had a great question asked in the comment section of another post, "what tests and diseases did you get done and ruled out before you were confident in the Costo diagnoses?"

These are the tests performed previous to my diagnoses. And although I've had tons of other tests and a rough ride like many of you, these were the ones I found most informative:

1. Cardiologists- ruled out all heart problems
2. Chest X-RAYs
3. Head MRI (I get tension headaches- ruled out tumors since I had one when I was 16)
4. Allergy Testing
   
5. BACK MRIs (I was having LOTS of referred pain to my back from my chest...it was important to rule out that the bulging disks in my back were not causing my chest pain.)
   
6. Bone Scan- to rule out any strange bone diseases
7. Ultrasound of chest area, stomach, liver, gall bladder
8. OBGYN - you may want a mammogram. I did not have one since I knew my pain was related to working out. But my mom did have pain in her arm before her breast cancer diagnoses. Don't let this scare you, just let it be a piece of your puzzle.
   
9. Rheumatologist- Full Blood work up (took 5 biles of blood) -she tested:
   

• Thyroid level
• Ana Nuc. Antibodies
• Protein electorphonoresis
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• HLA-B-27 (this gene and Costo are associated with ankylosing Spondyltis and several other diseases)
• Glucose
• Complete Blood count (important test)
• Cholesterol
• Sedimentation rate

With you receive tests results, get copies from your doctor asap (and keep it filed away)- to take with you from doctor to doctor. Don't be shy in getting copies, these are your results!

If I had it to do all over again and was trying to get diagnosed, I would hit up:

1. Cardiologist- rule out heart problems
2. Rheumotologist -rule out major diseases
3. General Practitioner- to order ultrasound of area
4. MRI of spine - make sure no back problems are causing the chest pain
   
5. Then call around to every pain management specialist, cardiologist, and general practitioner in my area and I would ask if the physician was confident in diagnosing Costochondritis. And if I found one that was, I would march into his/her office asap. When I was diagnosed, my physician was extremely confident- which helped immensely. Remember, if you can recreate your pain by pushing on the area near the sternum or lifting objects and the pain returns- it's a good sign it's costo. Just a thought...
   

If there are any tests you found helpful, let me know and I'll add them.

2010....here we come.

Costochondritis- Two Different Types of Costo.

Contrary to popular belief. Well...maybe not popular- since no one seems to know what in the world costo is. =) Anyway. The different kinds of costochondritis are inflammatory costo and Infectious Costo. Below you'll find the different kinds and how they are generally daignosed. You'll read about the different causes of infectious costochondritis as well. My goal is to put as much information out there so all of us crazy cats can heal!

Costochondritis - The Different Kinds of Costo. by Richard M. Kravitz

• Inflammation of unknown or known (such as fibromyalgia) origin (histologic examination can be normal if origin is unknown)
• Infection:
  • Can present months to years after surgery (the costal cartilage is avascular, making it vulnerable to infection if it has been exposed, injured, or denuded of perichondrium)
  • Complication of median sternotomy
  • Occurs by spread from adjacent osteomyelitis or may arise de novo during surgery

Costochondritis - How you got it

• Infectious:
  • Bacterial:
    • Staphylococcus aureus
      
      (especially after thoracic surgery)
    • Salmonella (in sickle cell disease)
    • Escherichia coli
    • Pseudomonas species
    • Klebsiella species
    • OR
      
  • Fungal:
    • Aspergillus flavus
    • Candida albicans
    • OR
      
• Posttraumatic injury
• Inflammation costo from known or unknown origin
  

Costochondritis - Diagnoses, signs & symptoms

Costochondritis - history

• Inflammatory costochondritis:
  • Pain usually preceded by exercise or an upper respiratory tract infection
  • Description of pain:
    • Usually sharp
    • Affects the anterior chest wall
    • Localized or radiates to the back or abdomen
    • Usually unilateral (left side greater than right side)
  • The 4th to 6th costochondral junction is the usual site of pain.
  • Motion of the arm and shoulder on the affected side elicits the pain.
  • Girls are affected more often than are boys.
• Tietze syndrome:
  • Onset is usually abrupt, but can be gradual.
  • Believed to be caused by a minor trauma, though etiology is unknown
  • Description of pain:
    • Radiates to arms or shoulder
    • May last up to several weeks
    • Swelling at the sternochondral junction may persist for several months to years
  • Usually affects the 2nd or 3rd costochondral joint
  • Pain is aggravated by sneezing, coughing, deep inspiration, or twisting motions of the chest
  • No differences in frequency between sexes
• Infectious costochondritis:
  • Slow, insidious course
  • Usually unimpressive clinical symptoms

Costochondritis - physical exam

• Usually normal
• Inspect for evidence of trauma, scars, bruising, and swelling
• Palpation and percussion of the costochondral and costosternal junctions should reproduce and localize the pain.
• In Tietze syndrome, spindle-shaped swelling is visible at the sternochondral junction.

Costochondritis - tests that have been used and not been helpful

Costochondritis - lab

• WBC count not helpful (even when infection present)
• EKG (may be helpful if cardiac etiology is being considered)

Costochondritis - The different types of imaging used to try and diagnose Costo.

• Radiologic studies (chest x-ray, CT) usually not helpful
• Gallium scan:
  • May be useful in some cases of infectious origin
  • Not highly specific
  • May show increased radionuclide uptake
  • No evidence of osteomyelitis of the sternum in most cases
• Technetium bone scan:
  • Not highly specific

"Infectious (bacterial or fungal) costochondritis should be treated initially with IV antibiotics. Afterward, antibiotics by mouth or by IV should be continued for another two to three weeks to complete the therapy." (information from webmd.com)

Costochondritis- Misdiagnosis

Costochondritis is often misdiagnosed and mistaken for another condition. Bummer times ten. It's often diagnosed by an important process of elimination with a doctor who will stay the course with you. Finding that doctor can sometime be harder than diagnosing this insane condition. Here are a list of misdiagnoses as written by Richard M. Kravitz. It's a great place to start if you are looking to rule out problems to confirm that you have costochondritis. I'm not seeking to scare anyone in any way. This list is for those seeking a diagnoses. I was misdiagnosed with 6 of these from the list. Gag. You can literally print this out, march into your doctors office with confidence, and let him know you need these conditions ruled out. By the way, little tip, don't look happy in ANY way when you are seeking a doctor. I made the mistake of smiling, dressing up, and laughing with docs...and they were all like..."you are fine, it's in your head." Then one day, my mom was like, "they don't take you seriously because you look like you feel great." Light bulb! So from then on, the more miserable, somber, and determined I looked, the more serious they took me. So dumb, yet so true. Don't wear your makeup, don't wear your cute clothes. BUT, this one is important, take a friend or spouse and have them dress to impress in a suit or dress. This way, you look serious, sick, and have a viable/credible witness. It makes them take you seriously. There you have it. The twisted thoughts in my head. =)

And always remember: The squeaky wheel gets the oil.

Costochondritis - differential diagnosis

• Cardiovascular:
  • Myocardial infarction
  • Pericarditis
  • Pericardial effusion
  • Myocarditis
  • Endocarditis
  • Cardiomyapathy
    
  • Premature ventricular contractions
  • Supra ventricular tachycardia
  • Dissecting aneurysm
• Pulmonary:
  • Asthma
  • Exercise-induced bronchospasm
  • Pneumonia
  • Pleural effusion
  • Pneumothorax
  • Pulmonary embolism
• GI:
  • Gastroesophageal reflux
  • Esophagitis
  • Gastritis
  • Achalasia
• Mechanical:
  • Muscle strain
  • Stress fractures
  • Precordial catch syndrome
  • Trauma
• Rheumatologic:
  • Rheumatoid arthritis
  • Ankylosing spondylitis
• Oncologic:
  • Rhabdomyosarcoma
  • Leukemia
  • Ewing sarcome
    
• Miscellaneous:
  • Tietze syndrome
  • Psychogenic chest pain
  • Breast tissue pain (both sexes)

Costochondritis- Diagnose Tietze

Okay, so I read that if you have Tietze instead of Costochondritis (check out my post about the differences), the inflammation will show up on your Sedimentation Rate or C-Reactive Protein Test in blood work. (costochondritis tests come back normal). I'm not a doctor, but it's just something to ask about when get your blood work done with your doctor. (In the event you are trying to get a clarification on a daignoses).

Costochondritis- &Tietze's Syndrome

Costo and Tietze are different, but are often confused for each other...here's a great article you will find useful:

(PS- if you googled "costochondritis and sleeping" and came to this blog post- CLICK HERE for sleeping tips)

The difference between Costochondritis and Tietze's Syndrome

According to the article. here are the differences:

• Tietze’s syndrome causes inflammation, tenderness, and swelling. According to the Mayo clinic, swelling is absent with costochondritis.
• Tietze’s syndrome affects men and women equally, but usually occurs in the 20-40 year-old age range bracket. Costochondritis tends to affect women over the age of 40.
• According to Harrison’s Rheumatology, costochondritis affects the third, fourth, and fifth joints down in between the breast bone and ribs (you can feel these joints with your fingers).
  
• Tietze’s syndrome tends to affect only one joint, although the pain may radiate out, making it near-impossible for a sufferer to tell which rib is causing the pain.
• Costochondritis is usually short-lived, whereas Tietze’s syndrome can last for years, turning into a chronic condition. (I personally disagree with this, I know many folks who have had Costochondritis for YEARS...sorry, not very encouraging! But I think most of us with Costo never fully rest to really allow the injury to heal. Just my opinion. =)
  

Costochondritis- How did I Get it?

So only you and your doctor can diagnose the cause of your Costochondritis. Here are the causes that are most common:

• Chest trauma, such as from a car accident
  
• Repetitive trauma or overuse such as lifting weights/working out
  
• Viral infections, especially upper respiratory infections
• You can be genetically disposed to it
• Pregnancy
• Celiac Disease
  
• Candida
  
• You are NOT alone, this is a common condition, but NOT commonly diagnosed correctly
  

If you got Costo another way than what I listed, please leave a comment and I'll add it here. Thanks!

Costochondritis - Getting Diagnosed

There are many doctors who are unfamiliar with costochondritis. I was told the pain was in my head and to go on anti-depressents. I was furious...but didn't give up. You and I both know how real the pain is. If you experience the same reaction, I can't tell you what to do....but my friends, I would go to another doctor.

When most people get diagnosed, they have gone through a multitude of tests. It's often diagnosed by a process of elimination. Make sure you are cleared by a cardiologist! For me, after ruling out all auto-immune diseases, spine problems, and having bones scans, chest x-rays, Ultrasounds, MRI's, blood work and more...I found a pain management (pysiatrist) doctor who diagnosed me. I was so thankful...and the frantic search for healing began...fun. =)

How did you get diagnosed?