Accident Prone !! Broken Rib Or Just Bruised?

[Smowball]

Really don't want to bother doctor or hospitals precious time unless I absolutely have to so asking for bit of advice first. Last night I slipped on wet patio and fell really hard on left side. Went to bed. I've woken up and can barely move without being in agony. Hurts to breathe in. Cannot even touch the actual area(think bra strap and where it goes round the side of the body). Strangely no bruising but the pain is incredible. Your thoughts? (Apart from locking me in my house for the rest of the week!)

[murraymints]

badly bruised/cracked ribs ?? may need strapping smow xx

[Old_Geezer]

Whilst it may not be serious, why take chances ? Let the doc prod around and confirm their diagnosis. Probably have good advice at least.

[Smowball]

Omg really?. I can tolerate pain but this is something else. Grrrrrrrr

[murraymints]

best to get it checked...danger is when a broken rib can compromise lungs...

[Peter Pedant]

I would bother your doctor quite honestly

sya you think you have broken a rib and you cant breathe

[Maydup]

I should bother the doctor but not the hospital.

You could probably do with some painkillers and a proper diagnosis.

[Sqad]

All good advice from above.
What would I do? Ibuprofen 600 mgms when necessary and monitor the situation for 24 hours.

[ImLostAgain]

Did the same thing myself 4 or 5 years ago. Slipped in the snow and landed on my left side, it took the wind right out of me and as it was late at night there was nobody around to help. When I got my breath back I walked home with no problem whatsoever. The next morning however.....agony. I put up with it for a day or two because the pain had eased a little before I felt I had to go to the docs. Yes I had broken a rib. He didn't strap it though, he just gave me strong painkillers as he said the worst was over and true enough I was pretty much ok in another couple of days.
Best of luck, fingers crossed your only bruised.

[anneasquith]

Hurts to breath in, in agony, can barely move ? And you wonder if you should see a doctor ?

[Smowball]

Oh Jesus I just sneezed!! Am going to go to walk in medical centre and see what they say

[jourdain2]

Go to A & E Smowball. Your post mirrors my accident last August almost exactly. I waited 2 days, the pain was horrible and a bra was a distant dream.
They don't do strapping these days.

[mightymouse]

I had the same, earlier this year. Whether bruised or cracked, the pain at night is chronic, and can take a few weeks to disappear. My doctor gave me various painkillers and laxatives (to counter the side-effects), but if he offers you co-codamol, think carefully. I found ibuprofen more effective. Hope you feel better real soon.

[mazie]

I fell out of the car 5 weeks ago tomorrow. Sounds just the same pain, especially at night. The pain went after about 4 weeks

[Sqad]

\\\They don't do strapping these days.\\\

Which days are those?......;-)

[scorpiojo]

Were you sober, mazie? ;o)

Apologies for butting in, Smow.

[mazie]

On that occasion I was Jo ;o) x

[scorpiojo]

;o) x

[Togo]

I don't think they strap up broken ribs anymore, due to the risk of lung infection or pneumonia which can be encouraged by the resulting shallow breathing. When I broke my ribs (go karting) I was told to try to take the occasional full breath to fully inflate my lungs and I slept sitting up for 2 weeks. I still feel them 8 years later. Pain killers and swearing helped.

[Togo]

//Manage your breathing. Before, the most commonly recommended treatment for bruised ribs was wrapping the ribcage in a compression bandage. Turns out that's a terrible idea, because restricted breathing can lead to complications like pneumonia. Repeat: don't wrap your ribs in an elastic compression bandage. Here's what to do instead: •Take a deep breath whenever you can. Every few minutes, try to take one good, prolonged inhale, and let it out slowly. •If your ribs are so damaged that this seems out of the question, try to take one deep breath every hour, on the hour.//

http://www.wikihow.com/Treat-Bruised-Ribs

[TonyV]

Do you have walk in clinic at your local hospital