Fractured ribs

[Elizabethk]

I have asthma and bronchiectasis- though it feels like they have me-and I was wondering how many people with lung conditions have either fractured or broken ribs by coughing. I’ve been diagnosed with one fractured rib through coughing and feel like I’ve done it again despite a GP telling me it’s only muscular, they really have no understanding of the pain caused by a damaged rib! So please share your experiences, I’m really interested to know how other people cope with painful ribs and dismissive GP’s.

[knitter]

I have fractured a rib in the past when having a bout of coughing, but I thought I had done it again when I twisted awkwardly, but an X-ray showed no sign of fracture even though it was very painful.

I have had a bone scan, and been prescribed calcium and Vit D tablets as well as alendronic acid .

I also put a spare duvet on top of my mattress so that lying down was less painful.

[lejaya]

HI ElizabethK

I have fractured a rib from coughing before, the doc at the time told me it was muscle strain but my cons said it was probably a fracture as the pain lasted for months. I have alos pulled muscles and all the docs did both times was give me pain meds, no xray or anything else, I wasn't even signed off work, even though at the time I worked in a nursery!!!

Lejaya

[judg69]

Hi Elizabeth, my ribs were very fragile after my lobectomy , and , yes, I fractured 3 ribs in a violent coughing fit. This was verified in my next CT scan. Best advice I can give you is to always have a pillow near you so that you can very firmly press it in against your ribs when you feel a cough or sneeze coming on. While it may seem counterintuitive , it absolutely works. Best Wishes, judg69

[Elizabethk in reply to judg69]

That’s good advice thank you. What did you use for pain relief as ibuprofen is a no no? I use a TENS machine and Co codamol but am always interested in alternatives. E

[Ramy22]

I have done just that... !

[Elizabethk in reply to Ramy22]

Oh Ramy22, you have my FULL sympathy!

Stuff that may help;

.warm bath with magnesium salts

.co codamol, Dr can prescribe higher dose than over the counter tablets

.holding a pillow against damaged ribs when you cough

.TENS machine and lots of rest and sleep.

Take care Ex

[Ramy22 in reply to Elizabethk]

Oh thank you.... but what I meant was that I have had fractured ribs caused by coughing in the past ...and yes it really hurt... every time I breathed... AND I continued to cough. My GP gave me all manner of painkillers, bless him. I thought I’d done it again last weekend but I must have pulled something in my rib cage because the pain went after a few days thank goodness.

Anyone that happens to needs everyone’s full sympathy.... I hate coughing!!! 😀 what’s a TENS machine?

Ramy x

[Elizabethk]

Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation. It produces small electrical impulses which interrupt pain signals going to spinal cord and brain and may stimulate production of endorphins=happy chemicals!

NHS web site has more info if you’re interested.

I too hate coughing, so tiresome! Ex

[swimmer]

Hi

Do you have osteoporosis? It seems excessive that you should fracture a rib whilst coughing... I have severe osteoporosis and have cracked several ribs from an impact injury over 4 years ago. I also have bronchiectasis, with hefty flare-ups sometimes, but have never cracked a rib from coughing - and I do, sometimes, cough a lot. D'u think you need to have a dexa-scan to see if you are osteoporotic? (rib fractures do not always show up on x-ray).

wishing you all the best.

swimmer

[Elizabethk in reply to swimmer]

Hi swimmer, I’ve been scanned and don’t have osteoporosis. It was a hearty cough when I fractured my rib and I was dealing with undiagnosed bronchiectasis- dr thought it was an allergy 😒

[Hidden]

I've done this before, and again 4/5 weeks ago, just from coughing. It's extremely painful and what makes it worse is having to do twice daily physio & cough the gunk off my lungs. Agony! It also delays healing. Luckily my GP is very sympathetic because he's fractured ribs himself before, in a fall, so he knows just how painful it is. This time he's given me 30mg dihydrocodeine, which if taken together with paracetamol is quite good, and also helps you sleep. In fact you can if necessary take two dhc ie 60mg when the pain is really acute. (Tramadol is good too but interacts with other meds.) Nevertheless, after 3 weeks of being unable to clear my lungs properly, I got a chest infection. Inevitable really, and even more so if you're not getting good pain control (point this out to your GP?)

Try sleeping more upright, with a V-pillow, and when you need to do physio, press a cushion against the affected side, or tie a long piece of material around your chest.

[Elizabethk in reply to Hidden]

Thank you Hanne62, that’s all really useful information. I’m pleased that you have a sympathetic GP, that’s half the battle won. Like you I had great difficulty clearing out my lungs and was frustrated that I couldn’t use my Flutter for a week. I’m using it now with relief in all senses of the word.

I ended up in hospital out of hours last week because of the severity of the pain and stressed that I wasn’t able to clear my lungs. The Dr first questioned my Bronchiectasis diagnosis then dismissed me with nothing more than a recommendation to use voltarol. Luckily the damage to my ribs is healing well and I’m able to cope and have had good advice from this forum. Thanks for being there! Ex