"Costochondritis is not going to 'go away' if you change your diet or take vitamins. Also, taking medication or getting painful cortisone injections for the rest of your life is no solution either. I believe there is a way to reduce inflammation and keep the pain away so don't fall into the autoimmune disease pitfall! While Costochondritis is a nightmare, I believe I found a way to deal with it and finally be able to live a happy healthy life and you can too." - Sharon M. Fitzgerald

This book will go over my entire up-to-date 17-month journey of medical treatments and procedures, medications, diet, and exercise. For those of you who just found out you have costochondritis - and mortified to hear I've had it for 17 months - believe me, I am mortified too!

In this book, I will examine what has worked and what hasn't. I tried everything from Western medication to holistic healing and everything in-between. I was also put through a slew of treatments while providing very little relief. My hope is that if you are suffering from costochondritis that this book will help you identify some useful measures that can be taken to help you regain control of your life.

Chapter One: Introduction; what is costochondritis or Tietze's syndrome?; how do you get costochondritis?; costochondritis in pregnancy

Chapter Two: Medical bills, tests, and procedures; my story; thyroid problems; blood results that lie; the top medication options

Chapter Three: The autoimmune disease pitfall; treatments that didn't work for me; the chiropractor; juice fasting for 25 Days; acupuncture

Chapter Four: What are flare-ups, and how are they triggered?; treatments that worked for me; cortisone injections; physical therapy; support groups links; and online resources; about the author and mailing list; end notes