Wow what a story. Thank you for your help. Ill definitely try the exercises. You suggested. Cheers piet

Chostochondroitis is a scary and sometimes completely debilitating condition. I, like many, recall the first time that I experienced this crushing pain in my ribcage. I thought that I may have been experiencing a heart attack. I was not. My heart is quite strong and healthy still.

When caused solely by Spondylitis, it is inflammation of the tendons and ligaments where the ribs connect to the joints in the spine, and of the cartilage where they connect to the sternum. It makes expansion of the ribcage for a deep breath and to project the voice almost impossible. Sharp shooting pain from it feels similar to sharp extreme heartburn. I often describe it like I'm being given a bear hug by a Sasquatch. I wondered if I had COPD because it feels like an elephant sitting on my chest, like a commercial once described COPD. But my lungs are crystal clear still.

I find deep diaphragmatic breathing exercises helpful in overcoming costo symptoms. Several techniques for this can be found online. This has to be done slowly and carefully, paying close attention to how it feels as you expand your rib cage so as not to further stress those soft tissues. Stop at the slightest increase in pain. Do this 10 times a day always stopping just before the tiniest increase in pain. Hold that breath there then slowly release. In the beginning you might not be able to hold a full one second. However, with patient commitment just 10 times daily you will likely find yourself able to expand, hold, and release for longer counts by the end of the year. I went from a shallow half second inhale, no hold, and 1 second release to up to a 10 second inhale, 5 second hold, and 20 second release. It took me about 6 months to get there. For me, it was work to improve it or get on supplemental oxygen. I hope my method helps some of you experiencing this frustrating condition. 😌🙏