Cracked/fractured ribs

[BG2015]

I'm severely asthmatic and am always coughing. Last year whilst on holiday I was in immense pain on one side, thought it was a pulled muscle but I had a CT scan a few weeks later and it showed a fractured rib.

I've now got 2 areas of pain on my right side and I just know it's fractured/cracked ribs again.

I'm taking paracetamol and trying to suppress my coughing and not cough as hard as I would (which is proving difficult).

Is this concerning though? Do I need to see my GP? I'm taking Anastrozole which is a hormone suppressant for breast cancer and this is known to cause bone thinning. I'm taking calcium tablets too.

A bone density scan last year did show some signs of osteoporosis but nothing terribly worrying yet.

It's agony.

Must be so painful for you OP! I would definitely contact your GP. Coughing shouldn't break ribs. Let us know how you get on.

Thanks for your reply. It's extremely painful this morning.

Sadly a lot of asthmatics get broken ribs through coughing.

Yup, should talk to a real life HCP firstly to discuss pain relief - suppressing coughing is just a good way to get a chest infection - better to take proper pain killers & breathe properly. Secondly, need to think about any of the other diagnoses that could cause chest pain given your other medical history. Hope you feel better soon.

If the pain is excruciating and you aren't able to take deep breaths I would call 111 for an urgent appointment as this is a recipe for a chest infection. Stronger pain relief may enable to breath more easily and prevent infection from developing- but the cause for the pain should be investigated.

Otherwise definitely see your GP on Monday. Although asthmatics can get stress fractures of the ribs from coughing, it is rare and generally associated with lower bone density.

Are you on any medication to protect your bones given you are on Anastrazole? You should be. If it was an oncologist that prescribed this for you, your GP should get back in touch with them to decide on the best treatment to protect your bones. Alendroic acid tablets will do this, or there are intravenous infusions that you have usually 6 monthly that provide cover to bones to prevent thinning or osteoporosis.

It is also worth them looking at the management of your asthma and whether your medications for that are optimised to prevent the coughing in the first place.

Hope you feel more comfortable soon!

I have severe eosinophilic asthma and am currently on a asthma trial and having biologic injections every 4 weeks as my asthma is no longer managed by regular inhalers.

My health has been terrible since my breast cancer diagnosis in June 2021.

Definitely need to see my GP