What had I done to my ribs?

[OrmIrian]

I clonked my ribs the other night on the bedpost of DS2#s bed - was sitting on his bed reading to him twisted round and drove the bed post into my ribs. I felt something 'give' and was a bit winded for a minute. I can't find anything when I poke about but it's sore, doesn't feel broken, but it's hard to breathe deeply and it hurts when I move.

Is it possible to just bruise a rib? I guess it must be.

Anyone?

I broke a couple of ribs falling off a bike. Didn't feel anything give and twas very painful for several weeks. Not much they can do, but if you are having problems breathing, definitely go and see your GP, just to check you haven't damaged your pluera. Could try Voltarol gel to ease the pain.

you could have just bruised them, they could have a hairline fracture or you could have possibly done damage to the intercostal muscles.

if it's painful and you need pain relief go to the docs but if you can cope with it and don't want to have to faff around getting x rayed i wouldn't bother tbh, there's nothing they can do about any of those things except tell you to rest (i speak from experiance of all 3!)

Right. Thanks.

I can cope with the pain although it does seem to be getting worse. But the breathing is the thing I don't like. I'm an athsmatic so I've had enough of that. Bit worried that I can actually damage my lungs that way.

I will see how it is tomorrow.

does it hurt your ribs when you take a deep breathe... or your lungs?

if it's just the injury that's hurting it's probably nothing to worry about but if it's the lungs then definitely go to a&e.

go to the docs anyway if it's painful enough to be worrying you and get it checked just to be safe. the fact that it's getting worse is reason enough to get it checked... although when i cracked a few ribs years ago i did find they got worse before they got better and there was nothing serious wrong so don't panic

I think it's the ribs really pink. I suspect I am worrying about nothing. I have crappy old lungs due to having undiagnosed athsma as a child and every nasty chest infection under the sun for many years. And I am just a little nervous.

i freaked out when i tore my intercostal muscles to the point of convincing myself i had cancer (didn't remember injuring them so presumed it was my lungs)

and i don't even have a history of chest problems so trust me i know how panic inducing it can be!

head down to the docs to set your mind at rest (and hopefully get a nice supply of good painkillers )