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Rib pain can’t breathe without it hurting 😢bit scared

fruitpastle profile image
9 Replies

Ok I’m a bit panicked here so please can sumone advise. I was lifting a box into car 30 th June and got a pain in side where it hurt to breathe my brother who’s a body builder said it’s an intercostal muscle pulled the little ones between the ribs, so I never worried it got a bit better over the wks but now it’s worse and moved all around my lower back. I can only take half breaths not big deep ones as it feels like a sharper pain deep within my ribs also feels like sumone is squeezing me around the waist when I try to cough or hiccup ur burp it’s excruciating to say the least I can’t get comfortable when I sleep and Shen I forget and take a big breath the pain runs right up to my shoulder like a stabbing pain I can’t even cry cause it effects my breathin and it really is agony when I run my side I can feel like it’s tender and I was just thinkn it’s only a pulled muscle but I googled it and there’s lotsa things it cud be and one of them says it cud be all my rib cage and diaphragm inflamed due to this stupid MCTD I’m so upset and annoyed and I can’t even cry properly my lower back hurts in two places like sum ones sticking their thumbs deeply into my muscles. When I said to my husband he had no understanding just say go c a doc and he knows it’s a 2 wks wait I just feel alone and a bit scared cause iv tried so hard to b do positive about everything but it’s the not breathing properly that had me panicking it feels like Thers no space in my lungs😢 please tell me that no one has felt like this and it’s only a pulled intercostal muscle and nothing to do with MCTD 😢

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fruitpastle profile image
fruitpastle
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9 Replies

I’d book to see the doctor even if it does take 2 weeks because in 2 weeks time you’ll be relieved you booked it today.

I think from the nature of how it came on it’s more likely to be an injury than MCTD, but I’m not a doctor. It could be lots of things, as you say. My first thought was a hernia. Don’t panic. If you’re in as much pain as you say, I’d attend A&E at a time when it’s not likely to be too busy. Good luck, let us know how you get on x

fruitpastle profile image
fruitpastle in reply to

Thank u I had a better sleep but I’m only taking shallow breaths I will make a doctors appointment hopefully il get seen soon il try not to panic today 👍

honeybug profile image
honeybug

Hi fruitpastle 😊🌸🌿🦋

Why don’t you make an appointment to see your doctor and in the meantime try soaking in an Epsom salt bath if you are able to take baths. They are good to sooth muscle aches and slight traumas.

I get bouts of pleurisy which wreaks havoc on breathing and is agony until it passes. We are all individuals and are affected differently. Be safe and not sorry by having your doctor properly diagnose it. In the meantime rest. You can try applying heat then ice to see

If it responds. If not you can get the OTC pain reliever creams or role ons that create soothing heat. If you use these do not apply another heat source to it. Read those instructions carefully. Salon Pas patches work for 8 hours and the large rectangle ones cover quite a large area.

Strains/sprains/pulled tissues take awhile to heal. Be careful and don’t lift/tug on things until you recover from this. Also don’t stay in bed and continue to shallow breathe as you run risks of pneumonia and blood clots for inactivity. Deep breathe once every 15minutes by inflating the bottom of the lungs which looks like your tummy is full or pregnant if doing it right.

Doing all of this will keep you busy so time passes more quickly and will help you wait for seeing the doctor.

Best wishes for a quick recovery.

😊🌸🌿🦋🤗💗😘🙏

fruitpastle profile image
fruitpastle in reply tohoneybug

Thanks for ur advice il try get a doctors appointment and let u know how I get on I’m still in bed cause I thgt resting might help but il try some deep breathes but it really hurts and il let u know how I get on and il try not to panic thanks , yesterday was just a build up of frustration worry then panic il try to b calmer today 👍

honeybug profile image
honeybug in reply tofruitpastle

You’re welcome dear. I hope you’re able to cope well. Calming down is wise as it helps to de stress your whole body. I will look forward to hearing an update on how you’re getting on. Take care sweetie. Xxx

weathervane profile image
weathervane

You do need to see a doctor. This happens to me regularly , my ribs slip out of place and the pain can be awful , if the pain has gotten worse your back may have gone into spasm , the doctor may prescribe muscle relaxants and an anti inflammatory but you do need to see the gp to get checked out to make sure this is the cause . Best wishes

I agree with the others - sounds very like you’ve got some kind of rib dislocation. I have exactly the same pain you describe but I did have a big fall on Friday and badly bruised or cracked a rib. I also get costochondritis (inflammation of rib cage) so that is maybe complicating things too. Either way I am sure you could phone and get an on the day consultation as this pain is intolerable as I know myself.

Intimeslikethese profile image
Intimeslikethese

I am experiencing something similar but not as intense. It calms when I am lying down or sitting but I have found relief from 1/2 of a tramodohl pill and a hot cup of Pappys sassafras tea.

fruitpastle profile image
fruitpastle

Hi guys I replied a few days ago says I went to A&E but iv come onto site and my reply is not here so I mite not have submitted it silly me well I ended up waiting for 7 hrs to b seen my bloods and lungs are clear and more than likely an intercostal muscle or costochrondritis iv just to rest and take painkillers when sore but iv to go c rheumy thanks once again for ur comments and advice I don’t feel as paniky but I’m stil sore and can’t breath deep but at least I know why now xxx

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