Any Tips For Dealing With Bruised Ribs?

NoelSeven · ‎03-09-2010

I tripped yesterday and ended up in the ER to get my ribs checked.

Aside from multiple bruises and pulled muscles, the ribs may have small fractures which cannot be detected, they say.

WOW! It sure hurts, LOL. A cough, hiccup, laying down, leaning the wrong way, and please, no laughing allowed.

I'm on Tylenol 3 w/Codeine for now, but there must be little things I can do. Just dozing on-and-off last night, had to lay in one position on my other side all night to relieve pain.

Any helpful ideas will be appreciated Smile

A Thrill Of Hope The Weary World Rejoices

betteb · ‎03-09-2010

Oh gosh Noel, I'm so sorry. You have to be careful girl! What was it Jeff Foxworthy used to say? "Hurt like h*ll didn't it? Don't do that no more"

I have always felt like heat helps sore ribs. I had Costochondritis awhile back and that's what I did. So heating pad, warm shower/bath. I'm assuming you are already on some type of anti-inflammatory? If not, Advil.

Hope you feel better soon ${#emotions_dlg.wub}$

ETA- Keep a pillow handy to brace with when you have to cough, sneeze, etc.

It's God's job to judge the terrorists. It's our mission to arrange the meeting. U.S. Marines

12andcounting · ‎03-10-2010

I recently had a broken rib. One of the things that helped me a lot was a rib brace. I think you can pick one up at any drug store. It didn't take the pain away, but it really gave me a lot of relief -- made it much more bearable. Good luck. Sorry you are in such pain. I truly know how you feel.

Perkup · ‎03-09-2010

Well, I went to Target one day and became one. A boy, about six or seven was pushing his Mom's cart backwards, and banged the corner of the handle into my right side, cracking two ribs. He and his Mother took off and ran out of the store so as not to be blamed- really classy!

Anyway, the pain was awful. One doctor (a neighbor) suggested I get a pack of those pain patches like you put on a bad back, and putting a pad on the painful area, changing it every morning. I won't tell you it was a sure cure, but it did help a little - at least I could breathe! You might give it a try. Get the generic brand wherever you shop - they are all the same regardless of the price.

Gooday · ‎03-23-2010

In the old days, a binder would be the treatment of choice.

Now...rest and pain medication. It just takes time. Hold onto a teddy bear of stuffed animal so when you cough, sneeze or laugh it will decrease the pain. That's what they give patients who have had their chest cut after bypass surgery.

sunshine45 · ‎03-09-2010

they do hurt like crazy!!! when i had an auto accident over a year ago my ribs hit the steering wheel. it took almost a month, maybe a little longer for that pain to totally go away. it was so tough at night because i am a side and stomach sleeper and move a lot at night. it was so difficult to get comfortable.

i agree with betteb about the heating pad and hot showers. they do help relieve the pain a bit. i was just taking two tylenol and two advil instead of the codeine. codeine often makes me nauseous and getting sick like that would make my ribs hurt more. also, if you can get one on, tight shapewear helps a bit.

hope you feel better soon noel!!!! so glad it wasnt anything more serious!

********************************************
"The world is a dangerous place, not because of those who do evil, but because of those who look on and do nothing." - Albert Einstein

kzeks · ‎03-10-2010

That is very painful...

:

Many years ago when I played women's field hockey I got

""slammed"" a few times... After visiting a Doctor to rule out

that nothing was broken... I would have a bath drawn with

a few cups of Epson Salts and sit in it up to my neck.. I

needed help getting in and getting out of the tub...

then I would be wrapped... Today they may not do the wrap

but use a brace with Velcro....

LilacTree · ‎03-25-2012

Hi Noel! I had a dislocated rib high in my chest just a month or so ago. I did buy a brace for it and used Aleve when I had to. I rested a lot, and that's about all you can do. I didn't even go to the doctor because I have had so many of these before and they really can't do more than give you a heavier pain killer. I don't take those, but if you're in really bad pain, they can help (they put me to sleep).

I know coughing and sneezing can make you almost hit the ceiling, and I am so sorry. However, it usually only takes a few weeks to improve. If it doesn't, then certainly see an ortho doc.

Good luck, my friend! Smile

Formerly Ford1224
We must always take sides. Neutrality helps the oppressor, never the victim. Silence encourages the tormentor, never the tormented. Elie Wiesel 1986

BORN AGAIN · ‎03-09-2010

Awww I'm sorry you hurt yourself. Try wrapping an ace bandage around your ribcage area for support. It helped me before, and I did it for my daughter too. Good luck.

hckynut · ‎03-10-2010

Hi NoelSeven, I have had a total of 5 fractured ribs, 3 different instances, and all relatednto hockey. Two times I had 2 fractured and one time a single rib. Made it very hard to skate because at full lung expansion, it hurt like crazy. Sleeping was not easy, especially when 1 of those 2 rib instances when a rib on both sides were fractured.

Time was my only friend during the healing processes, and very shallow breathing when skating as the Ref in my hockey game. Take whatever OTC pain relief that works for you without adding any more issues. Seems like forever for them to heal, but all of mine did, in time. I never wrapped them because my Ortho doctor friends told me it could make them worse by sweat causing the wrap to tighten while skating and possibly causing damage to my lungs. I did not like the way any type of wrapping felt when not skating, so never went that route.Sorry to hear about your fall and your injuries. My very best to you and your healing.

hckynut(john)