AIBU to not waste a doctor or hospitals time with this.

[Shootfirstaskquestionslater]

I think I might've cracked a rib I'm in agony and I can't move my right arm or turn my body to the right without it hurting my boyfriend and his parents think I should go to the hospital but me and my mum think it's a waste of time they won't give me anything for it or do anything I probably won't even get a chest x-ray so AIBU to just leave it and let it heal up on its own without bothering anyone over it.

They can’t do anything for a broken rib, but it could puncture a lung if it’s badly broken I suppose.

They can give you painkillers though. I would ring 111 maybe the OOH will do? 111will be able to tell you though.

JustDanceAddict that's mine and my mum's point there is nothing they can do for it so why should I waste an appointment or sit around a&e for hours on end over something that can't be treated. I might as well just get on with it and let it heal.

Pickleypickles yeah that's true they could possibly give me stronger painkillers for it but I would just feel like I wasting everyones time.

How bad is it that you can't turn without it hurting your boyfriend??

Whatshallidonow no it doesn't hurt my boyfriend when I turn it hurts me when I turn sorry. I can only turn slightly before it hurts I can't even bend so struggling to look after my cats at the minute.

When I broke two ribs they did xray to make sure there was no damage to my lungs and I think to make sure it was a clean break (I.e no sharp bits digging in to dangerous places!) they also gave me strong painkillers and muscle relaxants and I bloody well needed them as well. Worst pain ever and it lasted for months.

Yes, technically there's nothing they can do but personally I'd want it checked out just to make sure there's no further damage.

Id either go to Dr or one of those non emergency drop in places if there's one near you.

I hate this message the NHS are sending out that anything short of a heart attack is a waste of NHS time. No, you are in pain, you have a suspected undiagnosed problem. You now go to your gp or if in serious pain a & e. It is dangerous to just assume it will all be fine.

I cracked a rib (I heard it crack) and like you didn't see the point of going to A&E. I spoke to the GP on the phone and he confirmed that if I started coughing a lot or struggling to breathe then get checked out, otherwise don't bother and I it would feel loads better in 4 weeks and be fully healed in 6. He was spot on!

(Note: don't confuse the 'struggling to breathe' with the fact that it's impossible to draw a deep breathe when doing any form of exertion with a broken rib!)

I hope you feel better soon!

Actually it's best to pain killers to enable you to cough and yawn without it hurting to much. Your body tries to suppress these functions when you've hurt ribs and it can lead to chest infections so I would try ooh

And in this case a gp appointment may be more of a waste of time as if they suspect a break they will send you to a&e anyway. If you go early or during the day they won't be as busy as if you go in an evening.

I'd ring non emergency number and get their advice

I'd also go to a walk in (and early so that you beat the crowds).
There'll be people going for less than your issue and you don't want to leave it until later tonight (the first Saturday night after pay day for a lot of people).

its probably not a bad time to go to a&e, the drunks should be clearing and the sportspeople wont be in yet.

LunarGirl Pugsleyplugs thank you I will stop being stubborn and try and get over my dislike of hospitals and go and get checked out because I do have limited movement it hurts to cough and if I breath too deep and I have tried paracetermol that hasn't helped and co-codamol and ibpurofen aren't helping either. I guess I will have to get it checked out.

Thank you everyone I will get myself checked out and going early enough means I might get seen a bit faster than if I leave it until later. I just don't want to feel like I've wasted people's time over nothing but it's better to be safe than sorry.

Yes do get it checked. My DD had 2 cracked ribs from whooping cough (she was 18) and the pain she was in literally took her breath away. She got some stronger painkillers and the xrays just checked over by a Dr to make sure they were cleanly broken. She was in utter agony for the first 2 weeks. They were very insistent she was right to get it checked over. Hope you feel better soon.

Thank you JaneEyre70 I will go and get it checked out at least then I will know for definet what I've done and can hopefully get some painkillers that will help with her pain.

Hon you need to get it checked ! Call the line and get their advice and take it from there .

Stopfuckingshoutingatme I will get it checked out I know I need to. I guess I just want to make sure that I wasn't wasting anyone's time like I thought.

Hey op, did you manage to get checked out?

LunarGirl Yeah I went and got checked out I have pluerisy again. I have been given nirproxin and co-codamol 30mg. So far it's not working. I hope I didn't waste the doctors time with it.