Costochondritis is so painful I thought I was having a heart attack.

We hear you, ! Many people who have experienced costochondritis have described it so painful they've thought it was a heart attack. Here's more information about it, https://psoriatic-arthritis.com/answers/chest-pain-costochondritis-tietze-syndrome. Can I ask more about your experience? Did you end up going to the doctor or emergency room when you thought it was a heart attack? I thought you might also appreciate this forum about costochondritis also, https://psoriatic-arthritis.com/forums/does-having-psoriatic-arthritis-caused-costochondritis. Please know that you're not alone! Sending you gentle hugs. -- Warmly, Christine (Team Member)

Yes, Costochondritis, something so few know about that even iOS thinks the word is a misspelling, is a real pain. Once it’s gotten away from what standard NSAIDs can manage, a course of Prednisone is usually about the only option to deal with it. A word of caution, though. Another condition that I, and others with PsA, have dealt with is pericarditis, inflammation of the lining around the heart. It starts off feeling much like costochondritis, but can actually result in a dangerous condition called cardiac tamponade. I once spent a couple days in ICU due to acute pericarditis, and it was not a fun experience. Pericarditis will have a sudden onset of symptoms, pain in the chest much like costochondritis, but it will not radiate to the rib cage, and leaning forward can lessen the pain somewhat. If at any time you have chest pain, it is always a good idea to go to the emergency room, but once you’ve had costochondritis, you generally got a good feeling for what it feels like when it starts coming on. And though painful, costochondritis isn’t a medical emergency.