a few seconds ag Julie-31 wrote Broke my ribs at the weekend but just can't get comfortable any suggestions having to sleep on my sofa as

[Julie-31]

my mattress is to hard and find it

Very uncomfortable when sitting cause when I need to stand up the pain is unbearable,called nhs 24 and spoke to dr but both say co-codamol is all they can give me

[knitter]

I had a similar problem when I broke my ribs, I put a couple of spare duvets under the bottom bed sheet, but other people here have suggested mattress toppers or memory foam .

[Hidden]

out of hospital with broken sternum, on morphine pain still awful. Phone your GP out of hours service they can prescribe something stronger. Hope you gety some help KatieJJ

[Julie-31 in reply to Hidden]

Already called NHS 24 and my own dr and been told I can't get stronger tablets than co-coda mol incase it slows down my breathing bit I'm in absolute agony and can't walk sleep or even talk without my ribs feeling

Like I'm being stabbed constantly

[winnietyson]

I'll probably get my head bitten off but maybe try taking 600mg of ibuprofen inbetween the co-codamol!!

IE 3×200mg tablets at a time!! I was given these tablets for backache so I know that it can be taken at this dose!!

[teaky-19]

you can ask your doctor for oramorph which is morphine I used it along with co=codoamol when I had brocken ribs you should not have to live with pain

[Julie-31 in reply to teaky-19]

Have called this morning and waiting for dr to call me back going to suggest the oramorph,is this medication good

[Hidden in reply to Julie-31]

Sorry when I replied before I was ditzy with morphine and did not realise you had spoken to yr own dr. I have just seen my gp he wants me off morphine tablets (14 days) but has prescribed oramorph (I had this as well but tried not to take) Along side this I take paracetemol 4 times a day. I do no know yr lung condition but I should be huffing, puffing coughing to get mucous up excruciating! I asked to see hospital physio she advised bath towel folded into long strip held around chest hold each end with other hand this stabalises (exc spelling) mt beastbone or yr ribs when coughing acts like a bandage. try yoga breathing (deep and slow) through the pain. slow if you cannot do deep. likew others I have stacked pillows and stay on back sitting up sleeping and awake the tip re duvets and toppers is very good. use my elnbow and other arm around chest when I leave bed also shuffle. hope you get yr oramorph K

[happyfeet59 in reply to Hidden]

Good advice from Katie .

When I broke my ribs a few years ago my physio suggested the bath towel trick and it worked well. I needed to cough and huff to keep my lungs clear. I was given co-codamol at the hospital and then my gp advised something else to take between times (think it was paracetamol) and that worked well too. But she insisted I must take them regularly throughout the day - not just when I felt pain.

I slept propped up on soft pillows and kept the towel tight when moving for added security.

[acenort]

I slept in a recliner for several days before I tried sleeping in bed. I used extra pillows for support and to keep me from tossing and turning. Not much they can do for cracked ribs. I was off work for two weeks from two broken ribs.

[thatcham1939]

i had good information, on entering bruised and broken ribs on the internet, having got broken ribs myself i found it very useful

jan