Ever Hear of Costochondritis?

Ok. Here's a new one. When I sit too long (in my easy chair or for more than an hour or two in the car) I start to get a pain in my chest. The pain feels like it is between the ribs. It is a sharp pain and the longer I sit, the more it hurts. If I get up and strech, the pain subsides. But getting out of the chair feels like walking into a sharp knife.

This has been going on for a while, but it became very bothersome on the drive back from Washington DC and I have noticed it get worse since getting back home. I learned my lesson about ignoring unusual aches and pains and finally decided to ask Scott Lunin about this He suggested that it could be costochondritis and suggested some Motrin.

Costochondritis is an inflammation of the cartilage that connects a rib to the breastbone (sternum). It causes sharp pain in the costosternal joint — where your ribs and breastbone are joined by rubbery cartilage. Pain caused by costochondritis may mimic that of a heart attack or other heart conditions. Most cases of costochondritis have no apparent cause. Treatment focuses on easing pain while waiting for costochondritis to resolve on its own.

I never knew there were joints in the rib cage. Other than this annoying pain, I feel good, In fact, I feel better every day. I am not as tired as I was. The next stage of my recovery will be to exercise.