Should I be worried about this awful ache?

[TheDullWitch]

I had a cough for weeks, didn't go to the doctor, hacked away until I was nearly sick. Fool I am. Eventually got this awful ache in my sides, like I'd bust a rib. Went to doctor who listened to chest said it was an infection.

Now I ve had almost a week on antibiotics and the cough is gone. But the pain in my ribs is worse than ever. On both sides now. Aches like hell.

Has anyone ever had this?

It sounds like it could be muscular from all the coughing! I have had pains like that before.

But it has got worse since I stopped coughing.

Is it sensitive to touch? It could be bruising?

h for a long time. It's probably muscles - or you can even crack a rib by coughing - but either way there's no cure, you just wait for it to fix itself.

Maybe see GP again if it doesn't go, but just wanted to reassure you it's not necessarily anything bad. Mine was gone in a week or two.

Oops! I accidentally deleted a bit. That should have said that I had this too after having a cough for a long time. And yes it went on after the cough stopped - you've probably pulled a muscle or damaged a rib, which takes time to heal.

It's not an inflamation in the lining of my lungs then? Am otherwise quite well now.

I am world's leading Google Doctor!

Yes, I had that too - chest infection where I hacked away, and ended up with a really excruciating pain - cracked rib. It took about six weeks to heal, then I did it again! I don't think the docs can do anything for it really, just takes time.