Chest Hurts.

[DonutEater]

Hi everyone hope you all had a wonderful Christmas. I just wanted to ask after I have a coughing fit obviously it hurts my chest probably pulling the muscles do anyone have any tips on helping with the pain? I take paracetamol and try to rest but it still kills for the rest of the day or so. I wondered if anyone has tried anything else. Thanks.

[Yvonneh1234]

hi have you tried ibuprofen ? ( some people can’t take ibuprofen so check first with a professional first )I get a lot of aches in my chest area I was told by the hospital it was muscular pain due coughing as I’ve got copd the only thing is I can only take ibuprofen short term as I have high blood pressure hope this helps you can also take paracetamol when taking ibuprofen but I space this out if you no what I mean. please speak to a pharmacist or 111 BEFORE taking any over the counter medication or what you can buy from shelves and give them a list of what medications your taking aswell they are there to help 😊

[Yvonneh1234 in reply to Yvonneh1234]

also if your in pain give 111 a call or maybe ask a pharmacist if they can give you anything over the Christmas period ? I’m sure they will point you in the right direction take care xx

[DonutEater in reply to Yvonneh1234]

Thanks I will try the pharmacy tomorrow I appreciate it x

[Lysistrata Administrator Community Ambassador in reply to Yvonneh1234]

I'm glad it works for you but just wanted to flag that some people with asthma can't take ibuprofen or related drugs (including aspirin) as it can trigger asthma. So for anyone reading, please be careful about taking or recommending ibuprofen/diclofenac/naproxen/aspirin or other NSAIDs if you have asthma.

[Yvonneh1234 in reply to Lysistrata]

😊Thankyou for your information 😊 everyone on here and these forum have other health issues .dont they ? I myself can only take ibuprofen for 3 days as it affects my blood pressure and copd but I have to go threw my gp first Thankyou for the information though my daughter is asthmatic and will take ibuprofen ( naproxen for her back ) I wonder if this is why her asthma flares up when she’s on them? so I will tell her this thanks 😊xx

[Lysistrata Administrator Community Ambassador in reply to Yvonneh1234]

Yep but I was concerned people might just go straight for the ibuprofen without realising, if someone suggests it on here.

It's the kind of thing that often floats around in a drawer at home even if you didn't buy it yourself, and if someone is ill it's a lot easier to try what you have vs go out to a pharmacy or wait for 111.

Glad you found the information helpful.

[Yvonneh1234 in reply to Lysistrata]

oh gosh I never thought of that 🙁 I always check with pharmacist or gp before I take anything as I take quite a lot of tablets I’m glad you were there to put the post up after me now Thankyou again xx

[Lysistrata Administrator Community Ambassador]

Hi DonutEater, that sounds painful! As Yvonneh1234 says, may be worth asking a pharmacist if they can recommend anything in the short term - be sure they know you have asthma and what else you're taking so they can make safe recommendations.

I'd also say are you sure the pain is from the coughing and not something else? And if your coughing is from asthma, do you need to see someone and get more treatment? If the cough is asthma, it sounds like your asthma is flaring at the moment and you should see someone asap about that to get on the right treatment, if you haven't already.

Same applies if you're coughing from eg an infection - are you getting the right treatment, especially if it's setting off your asthma?

It may be worth trying to see someone just so they can confirm the coughing is the reason for the chest pain, treat your asthma if it needs it, and then maybe they can suggest pain relief if they're satisfied it's from the coughing and you already have what you need to reduce the coughing.

[DonutEater in reply to Lysistrata]

I’m finding the cold triggers me so I wear a snood to keep the air warmer to help me when I venture outside but it wasn’t the cold but a smoker that started me off today and then my chest was hurting so much I took some paracetamol that helped but I don’t want to be popping pills every time I get it. Many thanks for the advice.

[Lysistrata Administrator Community Ambassador in reply to DonutEater]

You're welcome! It does sound like your asthma isn't happy at the moment though so I would keep an eye on it and get help asap if you're needing a lot of reliever.

[Troilus]

Try warmth DonutEater. They say it improves the blood supply and promotes healing.

[DonutEater in reply to Troilus]

Thanks I didn’t think about that.

[hankisbest]

I went to my chiropractor who helped a lot

[Oldandgray]

very occasionally after coughing fits I suffer from something called Intercostal neuralgia. It’s not recognised by doctors in this country but is in Europe. How about you google it and see if it fits the symptoms you are having. Sadly the only thing that works for me when I’m suffering is a week of 2mg diazepam.

[Asthmasince2yrsold]

Hello! I am unable to take Ibuprofen or Nsaids. I find that a hot water bottle on my chest periodically throughout the day works wonders. I hope you find what works for you. Take care.

[peege]

Try putting a rolled up towel underarm of the worst side, holding it in place makes that side immobile therefore still giving the area a rest and allowingyou to breath without the pain. This was recommended to me by a physiotherapist when my ribs were broken and really worked. Also brilliant in pleurisy which I've had a few times. Try it, it's drug free and may just work for you. Good luck P

ps if it's still very painful when absolutely still then call 111

[4someone]

I’m in the hot water brigade as NSAIDS make me worse. I was lent an electric throw after I had pneumonia which was really rather lovely and soothing.

I’ve used Tiger Balm before, it’s a bit tricky to spread (my house is cold) but the smell is potent and may make matters worse for some people.

I have allergic alveolitis. I’ve had coughing fits for 22 years and can’t tolerate steroids. I take lungwort over the winter which reduces my symptoms quite a bit but before Christmas discovered Bowen Therapy. My young neighbour is training and needed a three week case study. I injured my neck and she was hoping to rid me of residual pain. But I couldn’t lie flat on her therapy table without breathing problems. By the gentle twiddle of her finger tips I am breathing much better. She also taught me a little manoeuvre which can reduce or halt a coughing fit. For me it’s been the most wonderful gift.

[JJ_7]

Hi DonutEater. I would take anything with codiene as it helps with the pain and stops the cough reflex. I would make an appointment with my GP to see if a mild codiene/paracetemol mix could be prescribed. Hope you have a good New Year xxx❤️