A condition calledcostochondritis, which causes pain around the breastbone and rib cage, could be to blame.
It is resulting from inflammation in the cartilage that connects your ribs andsternum(breastbone).
It’s believed to be common in people with FMS.
Illustration by Cindy Chung, Verywell
Costochondritis is also called noncardiac chest pain or musculoskeletal chest pain.
It does not involve the heart, but it is sometimes confused with cardiac chest pain.
Because any other sources of pain can make yourFMS symptomsworse, it’s crucial to treat costochondritis.
Get our printable guide for your next doctor’s appointment to help you ask the right questions.
Fibromyalgia chest pain can make you think you’re having heart problems, which is a scary thing.
Depending on how much inflammation there is, it can range from mildly annoying to intensely painful.
People sometimes describe the pain as stabbing, aching, or burning.
Regardless, because FMS amplifies pain, it can make costochondritis much more painful.
Costochondritis and Fibromyalgia: The Connection
Many people with FMS have symptoms very similar to costochondritis.
No one is exactly sure whether this is actually costochondritis or why it occurs with FMS.
Thefibromyalgia tender pointsjust beneath the collarbone may play a role as well.
These pressure points are 18 spots on the body once used to diagnose fibromyalgia.
Myofascial pain syndrome, which is common in people with FMS, also could be a cause of costochondritis.
Costochrondritis Symptoms
Pain in thechest walland rib cage is the chief symptom of costochondritis.
Sometimes the pain is accompanied by redness and/or swelling in the most painful areas.
When that’s the case, it’s called Tietze’s syndrome.
Get our printable guide for your next doctor’s appointment to help you ask the right questions.
This treatment sometimes runs counter toFMS treatments, which can include other types of pain relievers and heat.
In addition, exercise may help improve fibromyalgia-related chest pain.
Your healthcare provider may recommend other types of treatment as well,including physical therapyor acupuncture.
In most cases, this condition shouldn’t prevent you from doing daily activities.
If your chest pain is associated with fibromyalgia, it may not clear up as fast or at all.
A Word From Verywell
It’s bad enough to live with one source ofchronic pain.
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