Cough, chest infection and agony between ribs

[ANewDayDawned]

I've had a really bad cough for three weeks, relentless coughing, bringing up green phlegm. Gp just prescribed antibiotics despite chest sounding clear, due to the symptoms described and length of time. I've also developed significant pain between my ribs on left side, it hurts a lot after a coughing fit and I'm struggling to move, sleep and function. Gp said pulled muscles. Anyone else had experience with this, and how long it might last? I'm finding the pain quite intolerable, ibuprofen doesn't do much. thanks

I have arthritis in my ribs (not costochondritis) and it's extremely painful!

Try applying heat to the area and holding a pillow against yourself.

Unfortunately costochondritis lasts for weeks :( so lots of heat and possibly Naproxen / Omeprazole for your stomach

Sounds like pleurisy to me, poor you

The GP didn't describe it as costochondritis and I thought that was usually higher up on the chest rather than ribs. Thank you for the tips though, I am using heat but haven't tried holding a pillow against it.

I'm also hoping for some solidarity, has anyone had this recently with horrible viruses going around?! I feel like I'm so unlucky and always get things worse than the average person,

@Ellaskitchensimple do you think so even though my chest sounded clear? I'm not entirely sure I know what plurisy is to be honest

It felt like someone was stabbing me with a stiletto every time I breathed in, it was a complication of pneumonia so my chest was already compromised. Hope you get to the bottom of it soon x

Yes me! The pain wS so bad I presented myself to a&e convinced I was either having a heart attack or a blood clot! Ecg, bloods and xray ruled all that out.

Gp the next day prescribed antibiotics.
A week later I phoned up for dome prednisalone (I'm asthmatic snd was struggling).

Almost clear now. Pain gone mostly. Still a little cough here snd there.

My sympathies @ANewDayDawned - the pain was unbearable. I'm due back at doctors on Monday for a follow up and I'm going to query if it might have been costacondritus - I take topiramate gorgeous a different condition so am wondering if it could be related.

Thank you @Ellaskitchensimple my chest is not good due to the impact of covid previously, I never used to have chest infections with colds but since covid it's just not the same. My ribs and just under my left breast feel so tender, it does hurt when I breathe in deeply but also coughing is agony- sharp pain like a stiletto being stabbed in. And if I move or use my stomach muscles for anything

Thanks @KickingScreaming do you think the antibiotics helped, how long until the pain eased off? I'm feeling a bit desperate, the last few years have been shit with I'll health. I feel quite lonely with it

@ANewDayDawned I really really sympathise!!
I'm a few weeks ahead of you.
Theres hope but to minimise pain please take regular pain killers I didn’t at first but take them as per instructions so every 4 hours. Use paracetamol and ibuprofen.
That should help
Use a hot water bottle or heat pad and apply to the sore rib area
Drink lots of clear fluids ( will loosen and liquefy secretions so you can cough it up more easily)
Using a pillow to support your painful ribs when you cough is super helpful.
Rest as much as you can.
If after 3/4 days despite all the above plus the antibiotics there’s no improvement revisit Dr you might need another course of antibiotics ( I did)
Sorry for the essay hope this helps I know how horrible this is

I had the 'coughing lurgy' recently, with the intense pain between lower ribs. Pain wasn't particularly related to breathing, although it did hurt when I coughed. I held hot water bottle against the area, took painkillers, and waited - I'd say it took about a week to go.

Thanks @Nongatron and @Walkacrossthesand I have been taking lemsip max dose for three weeks, but haven't properly or consistently added in ibuprofen until today. I've been signed off for a week but with weekend now starting and dc it will be difficult to rest. So stressful. Thanks, good to know I'm not alone though wouldn't wish it on anyone.

@ANewDayDawned consistency is key with the painkillers get a decent blood level and you will feel the difference. Don’t try to soldier on with the odd couple of painkillers here and there. Also if someone can help with your dc at the weekend take full advantage rest is also very important. Get better soon 🙂

Thank you @Nongatron

@ANewDayDawned firstly, apologies for my typos above! They are shocking!

Yes, I do think the antibiotics helped. I did take paracetamol also which is unusual for me as randomly I prefer to soldier on - I have this odd idea that I have no measure of pain getting worse/me getting iller. No, doesn't make sense to me either! Anyway, I took paracetamol religiously this time, and then a few days of prednisalone with ventolin as needed.

I feel heaps better now. Not 100% but I have a random other condition going on which affects me daily so am probably as good as iyswim

Thanks @KickingScreaming , I am clinging on to hope it will start to get better today, have woken up with the same urge to cough and same horrendous pain, I feel like I've been beaten up. By the way I totally get the weird thing about wondering if paracetamol is masking an illness!

Hope ypu begin to feel a little bit better today @ANewDayDawned - you're not alone, hang in there.