cherokeereb
Journeyman
Reged: 05/08/03
Posts: 90
Loc: Southeast
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Three weeks ago this Sunday I broke a rib on my left side. It started getting better about 10 days in until I did a couple of stupid things including trying to pick up a 70 lb box. Now the pain is so intense I can't stand it. I can't sleep, I can only lay on my right side etc. My Dr (ARNP) gave me 30 7.5 hydros about 10 days ago and they are gone. I called her because the pain has got so much worse and she said there is nothing she can do and will not give me more pain meds.
Can anyone please give me some advice about what I can do? Like how can I sit/lay down without so much pain?
Thanks so much!
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johng
Enthusiast
Reged: 02/13/03
Posts: 207
Loc: great lakes
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Rib pain can be terrible. For imidate BASIC FIRST AID relief take a pillow place against the area with the arm on THE SAME SIDE hold the pillow firmly it will lessen the pain.
Now to the change in pain. any time you hurt from an acute injury means the is something wrong. go to your doctor now. if they cant see you got to the er. with a broken rib it could esily punctue a lung or diaphram. very rarely the liver.
again when ever you have a major change in an acute injury means there is something wrong!!! you need to be X-rayed to ensure you rib has not changed postion
let me know how you do
Johng
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Ask and it will be given to you Matthew 7:7
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IMSUSCOT1
Veteran
Reged: 10/23/02
Posts: 732
Loc: usa
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you can "bind" your ribcage using a large ace bandage, will lessen motion with breathing, and movement and should help a bit, much like the splinting actionn this poster mentions
also start taking 800 mg Ibuprophen 3-4 times a day, routinely, with food....take it whether in pain or not...it will reduce inflammation, the source of the pain take it with food & possibly tagamet or pepcid
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debbrad
Journeyman
Reged: 11/06/03
Posts: 97
Loc: Texas, USA
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My hubby broke his rib in December so I can relate. Do not bind those ribs yet. His turned out to be broke into a sharp point and almost punctured his spleen. If he had tried to bind himself he would have done that. I don't want to scare you, but, this can be serious. You might want to go to an urgent care clinic and get an x-ray just to be safe. My hubby had to get an ultrasound besides the x-ray to be sure his spleen wasn't bleeding.
Take Care,
Deb 
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IMSUSCOT1
Veteran
Reged: 10/23/02
Posts: 732
Loc: usa
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excellent advice, I'd assumed this poster has been to the ER or doc...since the injury is so old...but shouldn't assume as you know what that does, ha
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cherokeereb
Journeyman
Reged: 05/08/03
Posts: 90
Loc: Southeast
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Thanks for all the help. I told the lady at the Dr's office I thought it needed to be re-x-rayed cause the pain had got so bad. The heating pad works and yesterday I found that by propping pillows in the corner of the couch I could sit/lay relativly pain free. I have also developed nausea (sp?) and have to force my self to eat. I'm just a wreck! lol
Anyway, thanks for the kind words.
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