I hope you get to feeling better Anxietychick. . . It is hard to feel all the thoughts spinning around and be able to put things into perspective. You mentioned that you are scared to go to a therapist. There is another option online for a therapy called CBT called MoodGYM. It is totally free and has helped many of us on this forum:) I think it might at least be a good place to start while you are already working with meds with your doctor. You can find the link to it and other great techniques at the top of our page under Anxiety-Panic Resources :)
I also have Costo and I know how hard that is to deal with on top of the anxiety. . . Enough of a reason to feel the anxiety by itself :) I use heat and cold alternating for the pain, take Ibuprofen for inflammation (consult your doc first:), and the breathing and relaxation exercise in the thread I told you about
are very soothing as well. If you have a soft pillow, I use a feather one, when you lay on your side at night, place it against your ribs lengthwise to get some comfort from the springs pressing into the ribs. You can also make a microwaveable heat pad by putting some long grain rice (not instant) into an old tube sock/pantyhose, or use hard soaking beans/field corn instead :) Just throw it in the microwave for about
2 minutes and it puts off a damp heat that helps a lot and is safe to go to sleep with :) And I have to do this everyday. . . When you feel yourself tensing up, just relax your shoulders and neck because it make the Costochondritis flare up :) If you go to the HW search, you can type in Costochondritis and find more great info and advice to help you too :)
Much Love, Hugs, Peace & Comfort . . . Your Bro . . . Sam :)
~Co-Moderator Anxiety & Panic Forum~
"Defeat may serve as well as victory to shake the soul and let the glory out."
~Edwin Markham~
Not a professional. Seek your physician's advice before making changes to your meds or lifestyle.
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