Fibromyalgia and Costochondritis
Tuesday October 7, 2008
Although there are no formal studies looking at the connection between bipolar disorder and fibromyalgia (FMS), there are many personal reports that these two conditions seem to occur together. In our forum community there are many people who have fibromyalgia. One reason for this may be that both depression and mania can have a negative effect on sleep or sleep quality, and inadequate good sleep has been shown to cause FMS.
I, too, have FMS, and a few years ago I developed costochondritis, a painful inflammation of the cartilage that connects the ribs to the breastbone. I thought I was having heart problems! For me, it took months to go away.
Now Adrienne Dellwo, About.com's Guide to Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue, has written Fibromyalgia & Costochondritis, explaining more about costochondritis and how it may be linked to FMS. I thought it was important to bring this article to the attention of our community because of the apparent connection between FMS and BP.
For more on BP and the sleep problems that could lead to FMS, see Mood Disorders and Sleep.
Do you have fibromyalgia? Have you had costochondritis? Leave a comment.
~Marcia
Comments
I have just been diagnosed with FMS and costochondritis. I have had severe pain for a number of years but was told it was most likely a side effect of the Seroquel—which is known to cause muscle and joint aches. I have been dealing with terrible pains in my chest they have worked me up for heart problems , stoach problems if it caused pain in the chest I was tested and treated—but the pain remained—-so of course they chalked it up to me just being “crazy” and it was just a panic attack. Finally was sent to a neurologist who did several tests and FINALLY gave me the FMS/CFS diagnosis as well as the costochondritis. Have been on new meds for only a week and already feel like a new woman. By the way…I have a diagnosis of Bipolar Disorder also.
I was diagnosed with BP in 1995 and FM in 2001. I don’t really see the connection although I know a lot of folks have both conditions. I can understand a diagnosis of depression and fm but not the bipolar. Just my unprofessional opinion.
52 yr old male who 1st case of costochondritis occured in the late 80’s. So disabling at times, knife in the center of the chest and double over with pain. ekg and blood enzymes ok so written off as costochondritis. 6 years ago dx with fibro and my Dr studied the ties between the 2 and came to the conclusion they certainly can be tied togerther. Altho fibro has gotton worse, no chest pain in awhile. Nothing seems to help it when it does occur. Just have to ride it out.
You said that inadequate sleep causes fibro. That is a false statement, I’ve been living with the fibro monster for 9 years now, and I know that FMS causes lack of sleep. It prevents REM sleep due to the chemical imbalances in the brain. However, lack of sleep causes Fibro to worsen. Research your self and you’ll see that I’m right.
Thanks, Sheri
You said that inadequate sleep causes fibro. That is a false statement, I’ve been living with the fibro monster for 9 years now, and I know that FMS causes lack of sleep. It prevents REM sleep due to the chemical imbalances in the brain. However, lack of sleep causes Fibro to worsen. Research your self and you’ll see that I’m right.
Thanks, Sheri
I too am BP and have fibromyalgia. I hurt constantly all over my body. It seems to be worse when I go along period without sleep. I never sleep anyway. Tried Lyrica, it helped with my body pains but increased mania which also prevents more sleep, endless cycle and it caused weight gain and swelling in my hands and legs really bad.
i have both fibromyalgia and bipolar i was dxed with bipolar in 2003 and dxed with fibro in 2008
I have Bi-Polar and Fibromyalgia. Not Costochondritis.
I have had BP2 for about 15 years.
And also have experienced costochondritis for about that long. Also have many “tender points” that are very sore to touch …. tho never enough other symtoms to call it FMS.
Never could understand it and didn’t know what is was called. The doctors always just ignored it. Glad to see this costochondritis mentioned in your newsletter.
Forgot to add: This morning I woke up with chest bone pain …. thot maybe I was having a heart attack (women’s style) …. then anxiety took over, which probably caused the light headedness. AFter an hour, seemed to pass … but didn’t go into work.
It was uncanny how this article showed up today.
Thanks.
I was diagnosed with chronic fatigue syndrome (or fibromyalgia) 35 years ago, in 1974. I was diagnosed with BP in 2004. I have never had costo-chondritis, but since 2002, every year I develop a new ailment, some of them potentially serious. I am now 63 years old – probably, my immune system is aging. In previous years, klonopin or nardil helped immensely with the CFS; now, just a little. Wellbutrin was helping with the CFS, but I developed atrial fibrillation this summer, and the Wellbutrin irritated it, so had to be taken off. I do biofeedback, which helps the CFS somewhat – maybe the BP, too!
I had constrochondritis a year ago. i am Bipolar.. and it occured during a bout of mania. I was interested to see if it might be correlated. The costocondritis lasted for a while, was pretty severe, and only went away once i took a vacation to vermont and got away from daily stress and triggers. could this all be related?