Broken Rib(s) Anybody?

[LeftyStrat]

Yeah, it's different for everyone. My wife's a redhead that's always needed extra. Now there's proof it is genetic.

[Structo]

Thanks for the sympathetic posts guys.

Yeah, it's painful.

I don't dare: laugh, sneeze or cough, reach for something, roll over in bed, etc.

Just getting out of a chair is an ordeal.

The Vicodin barely takes the edge off.

I don't have more than one or two drinks when I am on those.

Last night I had what I think was a panic attack.
I woke up like I had a nightmare, sweaty, anxious.

Probably because I was breathing too shallow.
Never experienced a feeling like that before.

I think I am going to get a X ray today.

I can feel something moving around in there, even if they can't do anything for it, for my own peace of mind and to convince my wife
that I really did break a rib or two!

[boots]

Sorry to hear Tom. I had cracked ribs a few years ago and it's just like you describe. It hurts just to exist. But you will heal. Just don't re-injure yourself. I agree that vicodin doesn't do much. It just makes me itch.

Hang in there, and don't sneeze!

[Leo_Gnardo]

I don't have more than one or two drinks when I am on those.

Last night I had what I think was a panic attack.
I woke up like I had a nightmare, sweaty, anxious.

Probably because I was breathing too shallow.
Never experienced a feeling like that before.

Pick one or t'other not both please Tom, opies & alky don't mix well & you're finding that out. May be better off with some holey smokes, brownies or cookies, that's usually a sure fire muscle relaxant.

I was reminded from the responses that I did make a rudimentary sling for the arm on the affected side and that minimized movement of all muscles there, helped to stop me from zinging my bruised ribs with painful moves. Cheap experiment & worth a try.

Ribs belong - - - on the grill!

[eniam rognab]

i like my ribs with carolina style barbecue sauce

[Cantplay]

Last night I had what I think was a panic attack.
I woke up like I had a nightmare, sweaty, anxious.

Probably because I was breathing too shallow.
Never experienced a feeling like that before.

Could be withdrawn symptoms too from pills and booze wearing off.

John

[Structo]

I don't think so because I used to be on an opiate pain therapy plan, so I am well versed what that withdrawal feels like.
I was on sustained release morphine for a couple years for low back pain.....

Vicodin is like baby aspirin compared to that stuff.

I got so strung out on that shit that I went through about six weeks of hell, just to get off of them.
Never again!

I decided I would just tolerate the pain verses being an addict.

But I am on a lot of meds due to my heart condition and high blood pressure.
So who knows what is reacting.

I don't drink much alcohol due to the fact if I do and get stupid, she'll kick me to the curb in a heart beat.

[NickC]

http://www.webmd.com/drugs/drug-3459-Vi ... genumber=5

Sometimes I wonder if it's physicians, or lawyers, that write the drug contraindications disclosures.

[Leo_Gnardo]

But I am on a lot of meds due to my heart condition and high blood pressure.So who knows what is reacting.

Yikes! Please don't wind up like my neighbor 93 y/o woman, 9 meds and she went into tardive dyskenesia, arms & legs flapping, head rolling, silly faces, echolalia, couldn't eat nor drink. Now just past her first anniversary in "rehab" hospital. She's much better there but - she ain't comin' home.

Might dial down the caffeine too. Whatever you can do to relax will be best for your ribs, heart and blood pressure.

Texas BBQ for my ribs please.

[donzoid]

Sorry to hear you are in so much pain Tom, you probably are right your body is feeling the pressure required just to breathe and it's causing you to sweat (literally as part of the healing process....the Native Indians have known about that for millenia). You might try sleeping in a recliner (so your upper body is elevated a bit). There is less chance of developing other side issues from the ribs like pleurisy or worse (pneumonia for example).

[vibratoking]

Sorry man. I hope you feel better soon.

Vicodin does nothing for my pain...but it does make me angry. Found that out when I cut my finger tip off. I was better with no pain killers rather than in pain AND angry.

Good luck.

[lord preset]

I impaled myself on the end of a mountain bike handlebar some years ago and broke two ribs. It initially hurt more than I would have thought possible but the worst was over in a couple of days. I had been led to believe it would take much longer. Here's to hoping for the same for you.

I can't take Vicodin at all. It seems to be all side effects and not much pain relief. Sometimes I think they prescribe because it's too unpleasant to get hooked on but apparently some people manage to do it.

[Structo]

Wow, that Tardive dyskinesia sounds nasty!

But to be honest, if I make it to 75 I'm probably dreaming.

My accident is sure to take a while to recover from since they really don't do anything for ribs unless it is a displaced (compound) fracture.

I just got back from the last doc visit and this time I insisted on an X ray.

I had to see the 'doc of the day' as they say, for urgent care.
Unfortunately and not to sound homophobic, she was a man hater and didn't treat me with the best bedside manners.
She acted like she thought I was a drug addict when I asked for more pain killers than a two day supply.

Right in their own description for broken ribs, they say the only treatment for broken or cracked ribs is pain medicine.

I did not ask for Oxy, just more Vicodin.
She finally relented but only gave me 10 more tabs.
And I noticed on the after visit summary that she prescribed it as, "1 to 2 tabs before bedtime".
I guess my pain only occurs at bedtime now.......

She said she did see a fracture but a radiologist will make the final interpretation of the X ray.
Well I knew that because I can feel it floating around and grinding.

Oh well, it could have been worse.
I could have broken my fall by putting my hand out, but then I would be dealing with a broken wrist.

[John_P_WI]

Tom,

Sorry to hear of your fall and subsequent broken ribs. Been there done that back in my active sports days. It is a bitch when you feel them moving, a lot of pain as you know too. Hang in there, and hopefully you won't end up with arthritis around your rib cage and chronic pain.

Good luck.

[Leo_Gnardo]

Wow, that Tardive dyskinesia sounds nasty!

Yeh, the poor ol gal looked one step short of rabies final days. Flippin' like a fish. It WAS pitiful. She managed to get out "I . . . don't . . . wanna . . . be. . . like . . .this." The rehab she's in is like a nice 3 star hotel. Nothin' too fancy but it's clean, spacious, doesn't stink, well lit & well run. Heck I'd stay there myself. I've been to much worse places on rock tours. But the bill, crikeys. Rack rate is @ $15000 a month. Medicaid looks like they're picking all that up, at a very steep discount. Her hubby is stuck with @ $150 copay for her meds every month and boy does he grouse. I explained he's getting a 99+% discount and it doesn't seem to calm him down a bit. Cue "I Just Can't Be Satisfied."

She acted like she thought I was a drug addict when I asked for more pain killers than a two day supply.

What, no Doctor Robert?

Well docs do get a lot of dope beggars & doc shoppers. The ol' doc you've known for decades is more likely to write you a meaningful Rx if he's confident you're not a drug abuser or likely to sell your pills to someone who is. Dr. Attitude there - well sounds like she'd be the first one to prescribe morphine to "send you on your way - to the boneyard" had you a case that hinted of mortality. It's been done, believe me.