betty
Ususally when costochrondritis is severe it is caused by an injury... I've had this before caused by a hard slap of a seat belt. IT IS NOT A SERIOUS condition..but it feels like you're having a heart attack. IT FEELS horrible and regardless of what "they" say it is quite disabling... It causes one to "hyperventilate" very easily... I'm wondering what caused the condition in your son..? I understand a "coughing fit" can bring it on... Where the ribs join to the breast bone is where the problem lies...It would have had to have been sprained...This is a joint, so everytime you breath it is aggrivated...If you laugh, your heart beat is faster...making it move more and start hurting and enough to bring you to your knees... I've know several people that have had this..and from personal experience...Summer time and warm weather seem to help some and lessen... If it don't get better,,,I have heard of steriod shots right into that area to "boost" some healing...