Rib Injury

Originally Posted by jannieC

Last month, I developed a wicked cough. It turned into bronchitis and became a WICKED cough. On October 3 (not that I'm counting), I noticed a slight pain in my rib when I coughed. A little while later, I had a major coughing fit and felt a pop(!) in my rib area. The pain was incredible. It progressively got worse; to the point where talking and even breathing was agony.

ANYway, I went to the doctor (wth no insurance-you KNOW I was desparate) and as it turns out, I didn't break my rib, but rather bruised it when the cartiledge separated from the rib (Costochondral Separation). They gave me a shot of demerol with phenegran and a prescription for painkillers, antibiotic (for the damn cough) and cough syrup.

The first two weeks were really intense, but now (day 24)- I am still in major (though not unbearable) pain.

The internet searches I've done indicate this could take 6-12 weeks to heal. Calling to doctor to find out when I can expect this to heal is like trying to get through to the president.

Has anyone experienced a rib injury like this? Anyone in the medical profession (Curtis)?? I'm DYING over here.

OUch I feel for you,try to rest as much as you can...Hubby was involved in a major accident and all his ribs were broken. It took a long time to heal..

[Raeven Skye]

my aunt has had this happen to her a couple of times, and it does take a long time to heal. she had to wear a brace of some sort, as i recall (like the ones they wear at Sam's club)..since i'm all into the witchy-poo stuff, you could try rubbing the area with Lavendar massage oil to help promote blood flow and healing...i wouldn't use straight Lavendar oil b/c it could irritate your skin...I hope you feel better soon!

[reebokandlace]

I really feel bad for you. I hate to hear of another Ledgie in pain.

I don't have any advice, but I can offer sympathy.

[jannieC]

Originally Posted by crylove77

I get bronchitis twice a year like clockwork and over the last ten years have bruised my ribs three times, and cracked one, from coughing. I hate to tell you, but each time it has taken about 4 months for the pain to fully go away. Wrapping your torso tightly helps some, but it's hard to do that for months. My doctor told me ribs are one of the slowest areas to heal because it's nearly impossible to not use that part of your body unless you're bedridden. And he didn't want to prescribe painkillers for that amount of time. So I was stuck with Tylenol.

This is what I've been afraid of. My doctor would probably continue prescribing me painkillers, but I just don't want to get into that long-term. I know that the biggest problem for me with healing is the fact that I am still coughing (in the morning and late at night) and so I just keep aggravating it.

I can't quote each person because I'm on dial-up at work and it would take me an hour to do so, but I just want to say thank you so much for all the responses and well wishes. You guys are awesome.

[AliP]

That sounds horrible! I've had many injuries over the years from playing soccer and unfortunately, I'd rather break a bone than suffer any sort of injury having to do with cartlidge or ligaments. I'm sorry to say, but injuries like that take months and months to heal.

I don't take pain killers because they make me extremely ill. However, when I did take pain killers they did not work as well as just taking about 800mg of ibuprofin (prescribed) twice a day. That's what I would do because it reduces inflamation and promotes healing. I would also submerge myself in a hot hot tub of water (obviously not scorching) everyday. This will promote the healing as well. Good luck and hope you feel better soon!

[DavidMn]

What makes this place so great is times like this when someone can come and ask for help or advice, and can get it.