Severe Intercostal pain - how long until resolves ?

[Wombling123]

Hi, I somehow sprained my intercostal muscles ( round back and through to ribs). I have never been in such pain in my entire life and paracetamol doesn't even touch it . Has anyone has this ? If so, how long until it resolves ? It is soooo painful to even cough ! :-(

It's probably worth a trip to the docs to get some anti inflammatory meds like naproxen.

I've had acute costochondritis over past few weeks (inflammation of rib cartilage following a virus). Terribly painful and the only thing that helps is hot water bottles and naproxen.

I feel for you. It is very painful. Unfortunately it can take a few weeks to really start healing (costo usually takes up to 6 weeks).

Oh and of course complete rest helps (though I'm not sure I know many people who can have complete rest - I know that given my job and family this is an impossible ask!)

I've had it, tried co-codomol and couldn't touch it.

You'll need prescription for strong anti-inflam. Once I got that, a couple of days had it tolerable.

I've had costocondritus a few times and it's horrid. Holding a hot water bottle and resting is all that helped me, and gentle exercise (from physio). Took me several months to recover :(

designed several months? (Sorry Wombling to hijack) Mine has been 4 weeks. Stitch like pain under left breast and pain radiating all round back. The only thing that helps is the anti inflammatory.

I keep worrying it's a gastro issue but have no indigestion, have had a scan and blood tests and all normal.

@Bertiemcgertie did you ever get to the bottom lf this? exact same thing with me x

Unfortunately never got to the bottom of what caused it. To my mind, I was run down, and had recently had a virus. Stress/tiredness can still kick it off from time to time even 3 years on. But it's less intense than the first time, and I'm not half as worried as I was (which perhaps exacerbated my symptoms - stress making my muscles even more tense).

Sorry to hear you're suffering too. Really awful pain and it was a slow recovery. Nurofen - naproxen from the GP if things are really painful- and hot water bottles are key.