Anyone else with costochondritis /BiPAP pressure issues?

Hello. I've visited this site off and on for a few years. I really value the advise, feedback, support I've read in this forum. I have a condition called costochondritis. It's the inflamation of my intercostal tissue. And I have intercostal nerve damage from an open lung biopsy.

Costo is very painful. Breathing in, especially panting and SOB can be very painful around my rib cage. Up my back and sholder blades and my sternum. I was DX'd with it in 03. At least 70% of people that suffer from fibromyalgia also suffer w/ costo. As I mentioned mine is exasperated by nerve damage. I also have plaque on my lungs dur to asbestosis and my intercostal nerves get to talking when they rub up against the plaque......yeah, welcome to my world LOL

Anyway, night time is particularly painful for me. Just laying on my ribs hurts, placing my arm on my rib cage hurts.

I am now wondering if the high pressure (high for me) I'm on, 14, is expanding my rib cage and working my costo into a major flare at night?

I definatley believe the air and gas up against my diaphram doesn't help either. Who knows. I just started taking simethicone - 125 to try to bring some of the gas down.

Thank you in advance for any thoughts anyone may have on the effects pressure has on intercostal nerves. Peace, MM

hey there
sorry to hear you're in so much pain
i can relate: i have fibromyalgia and flare-ups of costochondritis, also...
i couldn't say for sure if your flare-ups are due to high pressure though it stands to reason...i had a painful chest and upper back when i first started cpap, though for the most part it has subsided now...my costo flare-ups are usually related to exercise
so i don't really have any thoughts for you, other than to commiserate...

sharon

Thanks for responding Sharon. I'm sorry your dealing with fibro & costo also. Fibro.....the gift that keeps giving. lol

When they first upped my pressure from 7 to 14, I thought I was going to explode. I was the "gas queen". I should have boxed it and sold it. As "methane minny" I would have become rich! It really felt like the air was traveling up to my diaphragm and irrigating my costo. The pain had escalated. But, like you mentioned, eased off after a while.

But now I notice that when I first get on the machine and I immediately start passing gas, my costo flares up again. I can be fine for hours, but at soon as the air is forced down my throat, I'm in pain.

Who knows. I hope the simethicone starts helping.

I was just looking at your list that shows up in your post... your machine is Resmed and your software Encore Pro?? That's an incompatible setup won't be able to read anything.

I ended up at DR office about 2 months after starting CPAP

I had a cold and cough- but when I coughed it hurt so badly it
was like a knife in the ribs- costal pain-
of course docs made lots $$ on checking my heart out etr etc
[ if you say severe chest pain they kind of go nuts]

they decided it had to do with CPAP [ DUH!!!!}
what I did was take off a couple days from the hose

that was over a year ago- no more chest pain-
haven missed a day hosing in over year

packer

cFlame, I don't know what software is used in my VPAP Malibu. Do I need to call my Sleep Clinic to find out? Thanks

Thanks Packer. It's sent me to the ER a couple of times also. The lst time the pain shot my blood pressure up to 210/160 !!! Costo mimics heart attacks so they really go over you with a fine tooth comb.

You confirm what I've though all along. I'll have to get a lot of pillows and sleep sitting up the next couple of days so I can go "hoseless" for a couple of days.

Thanks for your help.

MM