tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30024817395509403202024-03-13T13:31:19.273+00:00My Tietze's blogThere is so little about this condition on the net, I thought I could start a blog detailing my experience with this condition, and how I live and deal with it, as well as any useful info I have found out about, or any treatment ideas!
This is a really nasty thing to have, so I hope this blog helps peopleCharliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00064410473431683365noreply@blogger.comBlogger17125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3002481739550940320.post-52777043929934110122010-05-16T10:22:00.002+01:002010-05-16T10:24:55.613+01:0016th maySo I've been given Naproxen to try for my ribs. I'm having quite a bad patch on the rib front right now so happy to give anything a try. Its my birthday in a few days and I'd really prefer not to be in loads of pain then!Charliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00064410473431683365noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3002481739550940320.post-76967471628276116282010-04-19T15:19:00.002+01:002010-04-19T15:23:35.046+01:0019th AprilHad a great holiday in San Francisco, ribs behaved themselves nicely! Had a bit of pain every morning when i woke up, but I suspect that was because we stayed somehwere different every night, and I often get pain when not dleeping in my own bed!<br /><br />My usual allergy season i just starting, so I need to stay on top of antihistamine taking, otherwise I'll be sneezing, and that's never good for my Tietzes!<br /><br />CharlieCharliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00064410473431683365noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3002481739550940320.post-1453925653979444622010-03-29T20:46:00.002+01:002010-03-29T20:51:49.282+01:00hiccups...Earlier I randomly had a 20 minute spell of hiccups. When they evetually stopped I was left with the worst rib pain i've had in ages, really awful. Managed to calm it down after about an hour of agony using one of those microwaveable toys. (For the record I have a pink mouse and a Blue Steggosaurus)<br /><br />It was the worst pain I've had in quite a while, was a bit scary to be honest! I've not been very well this week and am rather pissed off that my ribs have kindly decided to flair up at this moment in time.<br /><br />CharlieCharliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00064410473431683365noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3002481739550940320.post-44568506945952073442010-03-13T14:30:00.002+00:002010-03-13T14:31:40.143+00:00...Note to self.... next time you have a job interview, take some painkillers, ribs don't feel good when nervous!Charliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00064410473431683365noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3002481739550940320.post-26697701987425292232010-03-05T15:29:00.003+00:002010-03-05T15:44:25.410+00:003 years this week...Hi all,<br /><br />This week marks the 3rd Anniversary of my Tietze's starting, and I still have a lot of pain, and I've tried all sorts of things for the pain, most having little to no effect on the pain.<br /><br />But the last few weeks I have been sleeping on a memory foam matress topper. And I am finding it a lot less painful to lie on my side, I don't wake myself up when I roll onto my ribs, I am sleeping much better and I don't wake up in the morning feeling like I have been punched in the chest!<br /><br />So anyone that has sleep related troubles thanks to Tietzes should maybe look into one of these mattress toppers/ matresses, because it could give you some much needed relief!<br /><br />Only thing I would say is that the foam the mattresses are made of do seem to hold heat and whilst its nice being all cosy and warm at this time of year, in a few months when the weather is much warmer it might make my bed into a bit of an oven!<br /><br />But definitely worth trying out! I got my 3 inch thick mattress topper from Amazon for about £60, you can get some really good, expensive ones, but I can't afford that!!<br /><br />Oh for those that are asking, I do update this, oocasionally! I am going to try to update this once a month, but no promises!! <br /><br />CharlieCharliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00064410473431683365noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3002481739550940320.post-87459093943146335652009-12-31T19:18:00.002+00:002009-12-31T19:23:51.507+00:00An Update...I've been mentally busy lately but here's a quick update!<br /><br />Tietzes is still an issue for me, the cold weather has made it alot worse. My advice to all sufferers is wrap up warm before you venture out in the cold!<br /><br />I feel that doctors are just offering me the same drugs, injections etc, and for me they don't work. They may work for others though!<br /><br />Heat is my biggest and most sucessful weapon against Tietzes, especially for kids I would reccomend those cuddly toys you can microwave, they really help and are cute at the same time!!!<br /><br />My pain is still primarily on my right side, but I have been noticing twinges on my left side more and more lately!<br /><br />Hope all followers are ok and I'm sorry I haven't been aorund to answer questions etc, I'm going to message osme people now!<br /><br />CharlieCharliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00064410473431683365noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3002481739550940320.post-86959796189079723992009-04-20T12:02:00.003+01:002009-04-20T12:30:42.720+01:00an apology, a thankyou and an update!Hi!<br /><br />So firstly I'm so sorry for the lack of updates, I've been away filming for a few months and barely had enough time to sleep, let alone blog! But I will stay on top of this page now, I know I've said it before, but I mean it this time!!<br /><br />Secondly a big THANKYOU! for all the nice comments and messages people have sent me, really appreciate them and I'm glad you like the blog! Also the survey answers are coming along nicely, I'm gonna start wading through them in the next few days.<br /><br />So onto me, it's been an interesting few months rib wise, the injections back in January didn't really do anything, clearly its a treatment which just isn't going to work for me, so I think I am not going to try anymore of those.<br /><br />I still have my constant low level pain, which fluctuates dependign on what I'm doing. Whilst iflming, I found the pain to be more achey than usual, especially when I was tired (which was most of the time!). Some times if I ran about too much it got really bad, same as when I got a little stressed!<br /><br />I'm getting a lot less open about having Tietze's, people see it as a weakness, and therefore view me as a liability, which really annoys me, especially as I am trying to break into an industry that is pretty difficult to get into to!<br /><br />So anyway, I'll be back to the specialist soon, I wonder what he'll throw at me next!<br /><br />charlieCharliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00064410473431683365noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3002481739550940320.post-78104825674203640842009-01-27T14:34:00.003+00:002009-01-27T14:40:30.198+00:00injections, laughter and other such thingsso tomorrow is my next trigger point injections, (bad times) but tonight im going to see Russell Brand (good times) but afterwards my ribs will undoubtedly be painful from all the laughing (bad times, again)<br /><br />In other news 15 replies to the survey which is quite good, hopefully will get more over the next few days<br /><br />will post again in the morning whilst doing the usual 'no eating before anaesthetic' thing.... no matter how much i eat before hand im always hungry again later!<br /><br />charlieCharliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00064410473431683365noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3002481739550940320.post-17006240030586703142009-01-26T14:53:00.003+00:002009-01-26T15:00:00.254+00:00Didn't sleep, surveys and moreHey,<br /><br />So I didn't sleep last night, I don't think it was particularly because of my ribs because they weren't being terrible. I do find that lack of sleep or being tired does aggrevate this sometimes.<br /><br />So now I'm tired, but I have just looked to see if anyone has completed the survey and so far 6 people have. The survey has been online less than 24 hours so I'm quite pleased with that! Hopefully lots more people will fill it in soon.<br /><br />I'm finding it really interesting reading people's results because the condition seems to vary so much from person to person. Also most people seem to suffer with it more on their right side, whereas mine is on my left side. I hope the survey replies keep coming in because i'm getting some really interesting results!<br /><br />CharlieCharliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00064410473431683365noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3002481739550940320.post-91116738272226956462009-01-26T00:10:00.002+00:002009-01-26T00:12:21.718+00:00been posting links...So I've posted links to this site and the survey all over the internet, I hope someone sees!<br /><br />Going to bed now, I'm in quite a lot of pain rib wise, but im sure its just because my body knows its getting another round of injections on wednesday!<br /><br />Night!<br /><br />Charlie xCharliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00064410473431683365noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3002481739550940320.post-68336226774694463992009-01-25T23:43:00.002+00:002009-01-25T23:46:11.698+00:00Tietze's/ costochondritis survey<a href="http://freeonlinesurveys.com/rendersurvey.asp?sid=a8i8kjec2te3syd538183">http://FreeOnlineSurveys.com/rendersurvey.asp?sid=a8i8kjec2te3syd538183</a><br /><br />Hey I decided to get this survey going so I can find out some more info for the website, if you could take the time to fill it in that would be great! Hopefully will get some interesting results!<br /><br />CharlieCharliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00064410473431683365noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3002481739550940320.post-3013731234749615042009-01-25T19:27:00.003+00:002009-01-25T19:33:45.516+00:00Working towards a websiteIt's so important to get other people's input on this site, I have had the idea of collecting as many people's stories, treatment ideas and info as possible to be put into a website to help people who are newly diagnosed, or just looking for information.<br /><br />As many of you probably know, it is really hard to find info online about this condition!<br /><br />If you have anything you'd like me to include in the website, or would like to help out please email me on <a href="mailto:charlie_coombes@hotmail.com">charlie_coombes@hotmail.com</a> or comment below!<br /><br />thanks!<br /><br />Charlie xCharliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00064410473431683365noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3002481739550940320.post-634501813393452222009-01-25T19:15:00.003+00:002009-01-25T19:27:01.041+00:00Heat Patches<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLjlAESTs1rVAFXjbSWgT7erSmXQEf10BwZEjsCiX2EdJt3pvzky3Hba-yoUsO125Arf805PvKHJFqA6CWwRTGD7WylGKk9neS8DHns6C0bzJh_SudC-Cj_zQWPYn9V1lGPh9l0bxpvuCw/s1600-h/deepheatpatches.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5295312774410898306" style="WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLjlAESTs1rVAFXjbSWgT7erSmXQEf10BwZEjsCiX2EdJt3pvzky3Hba-yoUsO125Arf805PvKHJFqA6CWwRTGD7WylGKk9neS8DHns6C0bzJh_SudC-Cj_zQWPYn9V1lGPh9l0bxpvuCw/s320/deepheatpatches.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />So Deep heat patches are (I think) one of the best ways to keep Tietze's and Costochondritis under control.<br /><br />Heat seems to work really well at soothing aches and pains. I swear these things have got me through difficult days so many times.<br /><br />They stay hot for about 6-8 hours, they don't smell and can stick discreetly to your skin under your clothes<br /><br />I would thoroughly recommend trying them if you havn't already!!!<br /><br />charlieCharliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00064410473431683365noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3002481739550940320.post-10580558130725890222009-01-25T19:05:00.003+00:002009-01-25T19:12:19.745+00:00The "things which make my pain worse" list!thought I'd post a list of stuff that makes my pain worse, would love to know if these things make it worse for other people!<br /><br />:<br /><br />Running and other exercise!<br />Laughing lots<br />Breathing in cold air (this might be the worst pain cause for me!)<br />walking far<br />shouting<br />breathing deeply<br />singing<br />driving a long way<br />carrying heavy things<br />Dancing<br /><br />and some other stuff, I'll probably add to the list!<br /><br />So what makes it bad for you?<br /><br />charlieCharliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00064410473431683365noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3002481739550940320.post-3646384695142607262009-01-25T14:29:00.004+00:002009-01-25T14:32:55.684+00:00Sorry for the neglect!!!So I did set out for this to be an awesome powerhouse of Tietzes experience and info, obviously I completely forgot about this page!<br /><br />But my best friend has just been diagnosed with Costochondritis, and it reminded me of this page, so all this week I'm going to update this and as long as I have Tietze's I promise I'll continue to update!<br /><br />Charlie<br /><br />p.s: oh I'm having more injections into my chest on wednesday, whether they will work, who knows!?Charliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00064410473431683365noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3002481739550940320.post-25701092450512581902008-11-03T21:20:00.003+00:002009-01-25T18:49:03.248+00:00Post #2 when it started and what I've had doneSo here's a little about when i first got Tietze's , would be cool if other people commented with their stories!<br /><br />In March 2007, I started having this weird sensation in my chest, it felt like when I was breathing in, my breathe was catching in my chest, kind of like as if my ribcage wasn't expanding and contracting like it should.<br /><br />After a few days of that it suddenly changed into a very concentrated pain, on the right side of my chest, across the top few ribs. It was pretty scary, so I went ot the doctors. They said it was probably costochondritis, that it would not last long, and gave me some Ibuprofen and sent me away.<br /><br />About a week after I woke up on a saturday in lots of pain, at first there were no lumps on my chest but after about an hour or two, 2 of my ribs got really swollen, and very painful.<br /><br />Back to the docs! And he said with the swelling it was probably Tietze's Syndrome, he gave me some stronger anti inflam pain killers to try for 10 days, and said if that didn't work, steroid injections would be the next option.<br /><br />Well the pain killers did very little and they made me feel pretty dizzy and nasty. So steroid injection in the chest it was!<br /><br />I knew it wouldn't be very fun, and I'm not going to lie and say it was ok because the pain was awful. The injection and subsequent 10 minutes were absolutely fine, it didn't feel like I'd had anything done. But as we were in the car on the way home I suddenly got hit with this massive wave of pain, (the injection taking affect I'm told) it was all across my chest, in my neck and pretty much all down my right side. For a few days I couldn't really move, it was really painful. After a few days the added pain went away and I was just left with my normal tietze's pain.<br /><br />So back to the docs, the steroid injection didn't work. He referred me to a Pain and Anaesthesia specialist. This new Doctor had dealt with the condition before and had lots of ideas, he sent me for a bone scan (they inject you with radiation and then scan to see the where you are radiating!) which just confirmed my Tietze's but it was nice to rule out anything else.<br /><br />He then suggested some botox trigger point injections, (queue lots of jokes about having botox!). I had a general anaesthetic for this, so they can be really precise, they use some imaging equipment to get the injections in the right place. These didn't hurt nearly as bad as the steroid injection, but still made me pretty uncomfortably for a few days.<br /><br />I had a second round of these a few months later and they didn't do very much to help me. So the doc sent me to go see the pain management people, who referred me to Physio.<br /><br />From May- September I went to physio weekly or fortnightly, whilst my back and shoulders felt a bit better, my ribs were just as sore.<br /><br />I had to go back through my GP to get re-referred to the specialist, my GP had changed since I had last been to the docs about this and he took some persuading to get my referral! The doctor tried to give me Amitryptyline 10mg which did nothing so I got my referral.<br /><br />Back to the specialist and December 2008, over a year and a half since I first got this. He sent me for an MRI just to double check there was nothing else other than Tietze's going on in my body, which there wasnt. The MRI wasn't too bad, it took an hour, and i had quite a stiff neck afterwards!<br /><br />So after my results came back ok I saw him again on the 8th January, he suggested another try with the botox injections. So on wednesday this week I'm getting another round of injections, whilst I'm not very confident that they will work, it's worth a try!<br /><br />And that ladies and gentlemen is the story so far! Hope it wasn't too boring a read!Charliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00064410473431683365noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3002481739550940320.post-73360412041189459412008-11-03T17:55:00.002+00:002008-11-03T18:06:09.019+00:00Post #1Welcome to my Tietzes blog,<br /><br />So first a little about me, I'm 18 and from England, I work in film and tv, I love theatre, film, comedy, photography and travelling. I'm not particularly athletic, I play guitar and I sing. I drive, don't smoke, drink a little and have never taken drugs (other than prescribed, of which i've taken rather a lot). I've had Tietzes Syndrome since March 2007, and it's a right pain! ( sorry for the bad joke)<br /><br />I'm doing this blog because I'm fed up with not being able to find info about Tietzes and Costochondritis on the internet, and I really, really hope I can help others who are suffering!<br /><br />I'm going to try to post as much as possible as often as possible and I'd love to hear people's thoughts/ experiences/ questions. Please feel free to link to me anywhere you want. I hope this blog is informative, helpful and entertaining!<br /><br />Charlie :)Charliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00064410473431683365noreply@blogger.com3