?Torn Intercostal Muscle

[Temeraire]

I was amazed to find this Emperor Dragonfly emerging from lava in our pond on Saturday. In my eagerness to get a good photo got myself into a twisted awkward position. Something in the side ( towards front) of my ribcage sort of ‘clicked’ and gave instant sharp pain. Since then its been really sharp pain if I bend, cough, sneeze, on sitting down or standing up, rolling over in bed. Can’t bend to get things our of cupboards etc without pain. Do you think ibuprofen would help? - I know its not good with pred but its short term and I’m on Omeprazole 10mg. Sure is painful!

[SnazzyD]

Try this, a sprung rib.

healthline.com/health/slipp...

I did that once reaching behind a toilet to clean the floor whilst squatting in a very confined space. Mine was sorted out by an osteopath. It was flippin painful when it happened and I felt a pop.

[Temeraire in reply to SnazzyD]

Thank you. Yes something definitely snapped or crunched. Very painful. Wonder if being on pred makes us more vulnerable to this type of injury. I’ll be more careful in future!

[SnazzyD in reply to Temeraire]

Yes it does, muscles, ligaments and tendons.

[piglette]

wow, that is impressive. Perhaps not worth the pain it caused, but I would be very proud if I could take a photo like that. I would try Ibuprofen just for a short time as you are taking a PPI. An Emperor Dragonfly flew into my living room yesterday, panicked and then flew out again.

[Temeraire in reply to piglette]

Think I will take the Ibuprofen. They are amazing aren’t they. Was lucky I didn’t fall in 😂

[piglette in reply to Temeraire]

You would definitely remember your Emperor Dragonfly if you had fallen in!

[Temeraire in reply to piglette]

😂

[SheffieldJane]

what an amazing shot. Having already hurt my digestive system I wouldn’t risk ibuprofen. Perhaps upping your Pred for a couple of weeks then return straight back to your current does might give you the temporary relief you need plus lots of rest on a sloping back rest. At least send your picture to a nature magazine or something. It’s great!

[Temeraire in reply to SheffieldJane]

Thank you for that. I did take ibuprofen yesterday and it really helped. Did increase dose of omeprazole too for now though. Don’t really want to up the pred as its affecting my blood sugar. Hopefully only need it for short time. Am resting. Hubby looking after me. I do love the photo too. 😊

[Theadmiral]

Please take care with this-last year my husband believed he had torn his intercostal muscles and this was verified by two doctors. After 6 months and no improvement, in fact it was worse, he underwent a raft of blood tests. The outcome was terminal multiple myeloma and immediately he was started on 40 weeks of chemo. Make sure you get it checked out properly if you have no improvement.

[Temeraire in reply to Theadmiral]

Oh my goodness. What a shock for you both! Thank you for the warning - I’ll keep it in mind. I do hope he is responding well to the treatment and you are both doing well.

[par600 in reply to Theadmiral]

Thanx for posting this. I have a fractured rib, which I think is healing. MD now wants a bone scan. I guess he is looking for - whatever. I am scheduled for the test in 10 days . I will not worry!! will just think positively.

[sidra1968]

Something similar happened to me, took many many months to go away (probably because it was right before my PMR diagnosis) almost completely..but I had many tests including an MRI and the docs said they didn't "see" anything.. so I treated it myself with yeah, painkillers and rest and sometimes ice. My best advice is at east you "know" what it is and how you did it so you won't be worried that t's something else (worse)

[par600]

It must be the season!!I have a broken 9th rib at the intercostal joint. No explanation for it, so they are looking for possible causes. I found the best relief comes from moist heat. Good luck. 4 weeks in and it is healing. I no longer scream everytime I bend to put my shoes on.

[Temeraire in reply to par600]

Ouch - I can sympathise. It sure is painful. Glad to hear its improving.