Sore ribs from coughing

[Italianasoitis]

I had a cough about 2 weeks ago. It was a really bad, mucousy, hacking kind. The cough has mostly gone but now my ribs hurt so much! I'm taking paracetamol, having daily warm baths and am using vicks as it's giving some relief to any straggly symptoms. Any other ideas?

You need ibuprofen to reduce any inflammation

Great! On it!

Am I wrong in thinking I can take ibuprofen at the same time as paracetamol? I'm taking lemsip and finding it helpful (not sure if it's psychological though!)

Stagger the paracetamol and the ibuprofen. So paracetamol and then two hours later ibuprofen.

Thanks

Viks coughing medication.

The cough had mostly gone but seems to have come back tonight. It's very painful to cough. I've started an antibiotic which the pharmacist seemed to think would help. The cough is now just a tickly, annoying affair (was previously very gunky) but it hurts!

Suffering with similar. Yes stagger ibuprofen and paracetamol. Also consider cough sweets.

Sorry to hear you're in the same boat! Good call with the cough sweets. Will see what we have as it's pouring amd not going back out again. Was looking for some Deep Heat or similar but couldn't anything. Hot baths do tend to help and I read a week ago that an antihistamine might calm things down a bit, so will give that a go later too

For those of you who have had the pain in ribs, did you go to work?

I'm a teacher and have been just been off for half term. At the start of the week, the cough was on the way out and i was hoping to rest over the holiday. The cough has mostly gone but the pain in my ribs is constant. I'm on an antibiotic and alternating paracetamol and ibuprofen and just feel exhausted by it. I'm due to go back tomorrow and, while I usually LOVE my job, I feel so worn out at the thought of it.

Take a day to rest or soldier on and wait for the antibiotics to kick in?

I've had rib pain from coughing before (I'm a chronic asthmatic) and when I went for a CT to check for tumours on my lungs (previously had breast cancer) they told me I'd fractured a rib from coughing so much.

It can take 2/3 weeks before it starts to heal and the pain subsides.

Sorry to hear that. I don't think I've fractured a rib but can imagine how it happens.

I feel like I've no patience with anyone as I'm such constant discomfort/pain.

I have so much respect for people living with chronic pain.

Ibuprofen and heat patches worked for me. Remember to take the ibuprofen on a full stomach.

I took ibuprofen until it passed, I didn't have time off work for the post-cough sore ribs, but I did have a few days off with the cough - I talk a lot for my job, and I couldn't without coughing 🙄

The pain has got much worse and its actual agony to cough now. Even breathing hurts. I have to hold on to someone or something and each time I cough I feel like it's made things even worse, each time. I've told my boss I'm not coming in tomorrow; I just can't see myself doing the job.

Get a small soft pillow and hold it onto your rib when you cough that sometimes helps.

I had something similar last year, I actually ended up with pleurisy and it was awful! I thought it was just pulled muscles from the coughing but it was more serious. Took me a lot of antibiotics and weeks to shake the pleurisy so please bare that in mind and go to gp if it gets worse. I am usually very fit and healthy so it hit me like a tonne of bricks!! Rest up x

I've been doing that while also squeezing one of my toddlers hoodie:-)

I’ve got issues with ribs from so much coughing during loads bouts of bronchitis when younger. I found putting pressure around the ribs helped a lot, still do it if get a cough / am super tired as rib pain kicks back in. One of those elasticated back support type bandages on firmly has been a life saver at times.

This sounds like pleurisy. I had it years back and was in agony with my ribs but didn't start to feel unwell for around a week, like you I thought I'd just hurt them coughing. Get an appointment with GP they should be able to give you strong antibiotics and painkillers x

Thank you. I'm trying to get an appointment with my doctor. This morning I've had to get on all fours on the floor to cough as the best way to handle the pain.

Hope you get seen today.
I'm a teacher too and not gone into work today- feel so guilty but no way I can teach

Take care

I started vomiting this morning and haven't stopped all day. It's not a viral thing. Thus happens to me when my immune system is totally broken. Like you I felt too guilty to take time off work when I needed it a few weeks ago and feel like I'm falling apart. Your health comes first.

Quick update: my doctor signed me off work for the rest of the week. I explained that I keep coming down with one bug after another as I never have a chance to rest (3 kids and full time job, no family support). I've spent the week just sleeping and resting and I didn't realise how low I had been when I wrote the OP. The pain is still there but the cough is nearly gone. The cough was exhausting and my whole immune system felt shot. I feel human again, albeit very slow and still tired. Moral of the story: rest where you can. If you can't rest, make sure you rest!

Glad you're starting to feel a bit better op.