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OK what have I done to myself now?

9 replies

MyNameIsInigoMontoya · 06/02/2012 13:11

Background: I came down with a bad cold and cough over 2 weeks ago, it got better after a few days except for the cough which hung around. Last Weds I had a particularly bad coughing fit and got a stabbing pain in one spot in my ribs, which gradually got more and more sore until by Friday they were really quite painful (when coughing, taking deep breaths, being leaned on by the kids etc).

Over the weekend I got worse again and had temperature, shivering and increased coughing again, so eventually went to the doctor's who gave me anti-b's and said the sore ribs was probably a muscle strain which would get better on its own (eventually).

But I just had another big coughing fit and felt a very distinct "pop" in my ribs, in the bit that was already sore. So am wondering if I have done myself some more injury there? It's hard to tell as that area was already very sore, so not sure whether it is more painful now or not.

What is this likely to be and is there anything I can do apart from just waiting for it to get better? I do have a friend who broke a rib coughing, so hopefully it's not anything like that... Thank you!

OP posts:
MyNameIsInigoMontoya · 06/02/2012 13:41

I should add perhaps that I'm asking here (rather than going back to the doc's) only because it seems like they can't do much about this sort of thing anyway Smile But it would be good to have some idea how long it might take to get better, and if there is anything I can do or avoid doing to help it heal. (Unfortunately I probably won't be able to avoid lifting DD...)

OP posts:
annalovesmrbates · 06/02/2012 16:17

I've had just that! I was told its just strained muscles and it will did better once the cough went. I used to sort of hold the sore bit when I coughed and it didn't seem to hurt as much. It's not nice though.

annalovesmrbates · 06/02/2012 16:17

I've had just that! I was told its just strained muscles and it will did better once the cough went. I used to sort of hold the sore bit when I coughed and it didn't seem to hurt as much. It's not nice though.

MyNameIsMeekIAmInFactMrMeek · 06/02/2012 19:24

Yes I have to do the holding-ribs thing when I cough too.

Think it's getting worse though Sad It hurts to lift my arm on the sore side, or to carry anything heavier than a cup of tea, and driving is quite uncomfortable too, especially as gear changing has gone a bit funny on our car atm so it's quite hard to push it into 1st at the best of times...

Really hope it will get better quickly, as I'm not going to sleep well if it stays like this and will really struggle if/when I have to look after the DCs on my own - they are 2 and 4 so always wanting to be picked up/sit on my knee (while leaning on my ribs)/barge into me for cuddles etc etc. They are at nursery tomorrow, but I have them on my own all day Wednesday, unless MIL can help out...

MyNameIsMeekIAmInFactMrMeek · 06/02/2012 21:16

(It's still me by the way, just namechanged for the Dickens thing!).

StantonLacy · 06/02/2012 21:45

Oh dear, I had this happen to me last year...

Really bad cold and cough getting steadily worse. Then, just as you described, the feeling that something had 'gone' in my rib area during a coughing fit - god, the pain.

It turned out to be pleurisy and I had cracked a rib from coughing so hard. I had to resort to holding a pillow on my rib and applying a bit of pressure when I coughed just to try and ease it.

Looking after kids is no joke when you're in that much pain, I'd really try and get some help if I were you. Luckily for me, DH was at home, I honestly don't think I'd have been able to cope on my own with two.

I got some antibiotics which did seem to help with the cough, but the doctor told me there was really nothing they could do for the rib pain, just ibuprofen. If I remember correctly, the pain seemed to improve a bit after about a week, but to be honest it was hard going.

So sorry, not really much help am I ? Blush

Anyway, I do hope it improves for you soon, fingers crossed you haven't actually cracked/broken a rib!

MyNameIsMeekIAmInFactMrMeek · 06/02/2012 21:57

Eek. Well at least if it gets better in a week that would be better than months (which is what my friend who bust a rib said!).

The anti-b's are definitely doing something as the feverishness is now gone, sadly the coughing is no better yet but hopefully that will come soon. Then maybe it can start to mend...

Luckily the PILs get back from abroad tomorrow (I think), so they may be able to help on Wednesday and definitely Thurs/Fri if I'm struggling. Tomorrow will be fine as the DCs have nursery, DH can help before/after, and I can work from home - sitting very still at a PC is about the only thing I CAN manage comfortably right now!

annalovesmrbates · 07/02/2012 11:03

Oh yes, I did have pleurisy too. My, that hurt. It did get better though.

annalovesmrbates · 07/02/2012 11:03

Oh yes, I did have pleurisy too. My, that hurt. It did get better though.

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