My body is experiencing technical difficulties.
As you may have noticed, I haven’t been posting on Facebook or Instagram like I normally do. While I have been actively posting on Twitter, I have been slower than usual in responding to comments and messages. Why? Costochondritis, a common comorbid symptom of both fibromyalgia and psoriatic arthritis is to blame.
Here we go again
This is the second severe Costochondritis flare-up that I have experienced within 12 months. Not realizing what I was experiencing during the first flare, I pushed and pushed until the pressure around my ribs became so severe that I suffered multiple fractured ribs.
Now that I am able to recognize the symptoms, I am doing everything possible to avoid repeating the broken rib fiasco.
#Costochondritis: Inflammation of the connective tissue where the ribs attach to the breastbone. Recovery may take days, weeks, or even months. #chroniclife #autoimmunearthritis #fibromyalgia
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Plan of attack
My plan is to NOT have to spend as many months recovering as I did with the first flare. The only way to prevent my ribs from breaking from my current flare is rest.
I am not talking about slowing down or swapping crutches for my wheelchair, instead it is spending as much time lying in a reclined position. This means only being upright when absolutely necessary.
The good news is that as a freelance writer, blogger, and patient advocate I am able to work from bed. How I treat my body and what I use to relax my muscles allows me to think clearly and to concentrate on my projects.
My Treatment Plan
- Bed rest
- PEMF therapy
- Cannabis (topical rub and dry vaping flower)
- Heat
- Ice
- Re-prioritizing daily activities
This is just a description of how I am treating my flare and is not to be mistaken for medical advice. Talk to your doctor to decide how you should treat your next costochondritis attack. Cannabis is legal in the state of California for both medicinal and recreational purposes.
What this has to do with social media
What does this current flare have to do with my social media sabbatical?
In addition to giving my body time to heal, my next top two priorities are my family and work. At the moment this leaves little to no time for social media.
Instead of posting daily on Facebook and Instagram, my goal is to post 1-3 times per week. I will continue posting daily on Twitter, but with all three accounts I won’t be responding to comments or messages as quickly as I typically do.
Please do not be offended if it takes days or weeks for me to reply to your comments on social media. I promise I will respond as time permits.
Currently, my blog is the best place to interact with me. Be sure to follow it (see sidebar) to receive new post notifications or click here to subscribe to my email list. New email subscribers will receive health journal printouts to help you and your doctor learn more about your body and illnesses.
Thank you for your patience! I look forward to feeling better and catching up with you on social media as soon as I am able. Until then I would love to talk to you about Costochondritis right here.
What was your worst Costochondritis flare like?
What helped you the most?
Last December, I got costochondritis around Christmas and it didn’t go away until late February. I was taking Lipitor for high cholesterol. When I told my doctor at my early February appt, he told me to stop taking it. The pain went away a couple weeks afterward.
Costo is really awful. I struggle with it, too. In case you need an additional tool to conquer it, take a look at one of my fasciablasting posts. It’s been a wonder for my costo and my overall fibromyalgia pain and I can usually get my costo under control in a matter of days. It’s even resolved some of my tender points! I’m happy to send you a link if you’d like. I hope you don’t suffer too long with it. Xx.
Please do! Sounds interesting.
Oh no, I’m sorry you’ve got this flaring so badly at the moment. I’m not sure but my GP thought that could have been what I was dealing with before but it was hard to tell. When I had recurrent chest infections I pulled a lot of rib muscles, quite a few times. Never even knew there were muscles between the ribs until that happened! Then I cracked a rib with it, because of the coughing. With the pulled muscles, and possible costochondritis, it was painful to breathe let alone move or lie down. I really do hope things ease up for you soon to make life a bit more manageable. There wasn’t much that helped me greatly, but I used a lot of Voltarol, prescription pain meds and heat therapy. Sending extra gentle hugs,
Caz xxxx
Healing thoughts are with you. Costochondritis is one of my nemesis, as well. I’m truly sorry for this severe flare. Hope you are able to rest and take care of you!! Holiday Blessings!
Thank you Terry! It is awful! I am so sorry that you know it so well.
I didn’t know about Costochondrotis until I told my doctor I thought it felt like I had bruised ribs but had not been in an accident. He explained it comes with some chronic illnesses. Prayed for you.
Thank you for your prayers! I have always had what I now call mini attacks, but they would go away within hours. Funny thing is I used to think they were the worst until the attack I had 12 months ago. It is such a horrible pain. Sorry you know it too.
sending you lots of healing thoughts….
Thank you. Much appreciated!
absolutely!