UPDATE: Living with the guilt of chronic pain as a young adult

Hello everyone, I hope that all is well. My last post I express how living with chronic pain (chronic costochondritis*) is affecting my mental health, and the support I got was beyond amazing, I really appreciate you all. 

A day ago, I went to the rheumatologist and well, there’s a lot to unpack for me. Firstly, after listening to my heart they said that there’s an unusual sound, and it is possible that it’s a pericardial friction rub, basically it is an abnormal, high-pitched scratchy or squeaky sound heard through a stethoscope when the inflamed, rough layers of the sac surrounding the heart rub against each other as it beats. So i need to do an echocardiogram to see what’s going on. 

They also said that I could have fibromyalgia, a pain condition. Also, right now my symptoms are atypical, not pointing towards anything specific so, I need to do a blood test as well to rule out autoimmune disorders, and sickle cell, and then do an ultrasound on my thyroid. 

I need to do these tests within two weeks, because the heart condition could be very dangerous, if it’s what they suspected.  

Right now, it’s just a lot, honestly too much for little ole me. Sigh, but that’s the update for now. I am trying my best to cope and take care of myself in the process. 

*At this point, i am not sure if the chest pain is because of the costochondritis i was diagnosed with or a possible heart condition.