symptoms

[gorbybelle]

just wondering how many of you have had 'costochondritis' at anytime since their symptoms began.  -  very painful around breast bone and end of ribs [where they meet the breast bone].

[JackieCalifornia]

Yes, it's a symptom of Lyme.  I had it worse before treatment, and still get it occasionally during treatment.  It's the Lyme critters messing with the cartilage that connects your ribs to your breastbone (sternum).  I have read that the bugs love cartilage, because it has a low blood flow and they can hide better there from antibiotics etc. (in knee cartilage too).

[gorbybelle]

do you think there is a connection to lyme

[patsy10]

Yes I have had it.

[shells17]

Well, my history is kind of complicated. I have had health problems since I had mono when I was 12. All of this escalated when I got a "mono-like virus" when I was 20. Since then I have had a number of issues - costochondritis being one of them (when I was 21). So, it wasn't really on the onset, but jumbled in with everything else.

[gorbybelle]

yeah - ouch.....  was it at the start of your symptoms , did you have anything else going on at that time?

[shells17]

Hi,

I had costochondritis, but I have not (yet) been diagnosed with Lyme. OMG - it was seriously one of the most painful things I have ever experienced in my life - worse than a spinal tap, broken bone, and surgery recovery! I woke up from a nap feeling like there were glass shards in my ribs and I couldn't move or breathe. They had to call the paramedics. I had never heard of it before or heard of anyone who had it, but the doctor at the hospital said it was "fairly common." I think he said that so I wouldn't freak out. Meh!