Costochondritis or Tietze???

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melobious

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Hey,

I am a 26 year old female and about 7 weeks ago i went to the ER as i was suffering from extreme pressure on my chest. Slight pain just more pressure / tightness on the left hand side! I had all the test done for my heart (ECG, ECHO, stress test) and lung (CT Scan and xrays) as well as blood test (all clear)

They believe it is Costochondritis or Tietze, my concern is that im not really feeling pain just pressure. Everything i have read on both conditions say extreme pain. i do have some tender under my breast and under my left arm.

Has anyone just had extreme pressure on the chest and only slight pain (not much at all)? im worried that this could be something else due to the lack of pain (not that im complaining about lack of pain just wondering the right diagnosis was made!!)

Thanks
 
have you been experiencing any gas? upset stomach? vomiting, diarrhea? do you still have your gallbladder?
 
Hello,

Yep still have my gallbladder. I am not experiencing any of the symptoms that you have described just constant pressure and a few tender ribs.
 
Costochondritis should be distinguished from Tietze syndrome, a condition involving the same area of the front of the chest. Costochondritis is not associated with swelling, as opposed to Tietze syndrome where swelling is characteristic. Tietze syndrome is an inflammation of the costochondral cartilages of the upper front of the chest.
Patients with Tietze syndrome develop tenderness and swelling over the ribs and cartilage near the breast bone (sternum). Redness, tenderness, and heat can also be present, but a localized swelling is the distinguishing finding. The pain is variable, often sharp, can be confused with heart pain, and can last from hours to weeks. It can cause difficulty with sleeping and even rolling over in bed is sometimes painful. Blood testing (sedimentation rate or C-reactive protein test) can show signs of inflammation in patients with Tietze syndrome, whereas patients with costochondritis alone typically have normal tests for inflammation.
 
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