Costochondritis Chest Pain in Fibromyalgia

Do you have areas of your chest that are painful to the touch? A condition called costochondritis, which causes pain around the breastbone and rib cage, could be to blame. It's believed to be common in people with fibromyalgia (FMS).

Costochondritis is also called noncardiac chest pain or musculoskeletal chest pain. It does not involve the heart.

Because anything and everything can hurt when you have FMS, a lot of people don't realize this pain is from a separate condition that requires its own treatment. Because any other sources of pain can make your FMS symptoms worse, it's important for you to treat costochondritis.

Costochondritis can make you think you're having heart problems, which is a scary thing. Even though costochondritis is common, you should get medical attention if you have unexplained chest pain. You don't want to assume that it's FMS-related and end up with permanent heart damage or worse.

Costochondritis is inflammation of the cartilage that connects your ribs to your breastbone. Depending on how much inflammation there is, it can range from mildly annoying to intensely painful. People sometimes describe the pain as stabbing, aching, or burning.

The causes of costochondritis aren't clear, but they may include:

• Chest trauma, such as from a car accident
• Repetitive trauma or overuse
• Viral infections, especially upper respiratory infections

Estimates are that between 60 percent and 70 percent of people with FMS have symptoms very similar to costochondritis. In one study, non-specific chest pain is listed as the most common additional symptom in people who were hospitalized with FMS. Another lists FMS as a frequent cause of musculoskeletal chest pain.

No one is exactly sure whether it is true costochondritis or why it occurs with FMS. One hypothesis is that FMS involves inflammation of the fascia, which is a thin layer of connective tissue that runs all through your body. If that's true, it may explain why costochondritis is so common in this condition.

The fibromyalgia tender points just beneath the collarbone may play a role as well. (Tender points are 18 spots on the body that are used to diagnose fibromyalgia.) Myofascial pain syndrome, which is common in people with FMS, also could be a cause.

Costochondritis is typically a minor injury, but it can take several weeks or months to resolve. If symptoms don't clear up, they could be a sign that something else, such as FMS, is going on.

Pain in the chest wall and rib cage is the chief symptom of costochondritis. Generally, the pain will get worse with activity or exercise. Taking a deep breath can also cause more pain because it stretches the inflamed cartilage. Sneezing and coughing can increase pain as well.

The pain can radiate to your shoulder and arms as well (another way the condition mimics a heart attack). Sometimes the pain is accompanied by redness and/or swelling in the most painful areas. When that's the case, it's called Tietze's syndrome.

Your doctor can diagnose costochondritis by pressing on the area where the ribs and breastbone come together. If it's tender and sore there, costochondritis is the most likely cause of pain.

Doctors generally will perform other tests to rule out heart problems and other causes of pain before making a diagnosis.

You can treat costochondritis the way you'd treat any inflammation—ice and anti-inflammatory drugs, including Aleve (naproxen) and ibuprofen-based drugs such as Advil and Motrin.

This treatment sometimes runs counter to FMS treatments, which can include other types of pain relievers and heat. If you have both, you might find yourself with an ice pack on your chest and a heating pad on your back at the same time. 

Your doctor may recommend other types of treatment as well, including physical therapy or acupuncture.

A Word From Verywell

It's bad enough to live with one source of chronic pain. The more you heap on, the more pain you'll have and the more it can impact your life.

Fortunately, costochondritis is fairly easy and inexpensive to treat, and managing it will keep it from exacerbating your FMS symptoms.