Cracked rib or pulled muscle?

Ok, this morning I was cleaning the bathtub and twisted wrong, very wrong. I felt a pull/pain in my left rib cage. I was going to the PCP this morning anyway, he confirmed that I either cracked a rib or pulled a muscle. Either way it will last about 6 weeks. Go ahead with the surgery just remember to take deep breaths even if it hurts. Since I'm still pre-op does anyone know if I can take some Aleve? The CORI handbook says not to take ibuprofen or asprin. Aleve is naproxyn. Maybe this is a test to see how I'll be able to handle the pain of surgery. Jeanne

Hello Jeanne I had a filter placed in me on 2/9/06 and my pre surgical screening for both the filter and the gastric bypass surgery were on 2/7/2006. On that day the pre surgical nurse and the anastesialogist (spelling??? lol) both told me to stop taking all anti inflammatory's from that day and forever. They said it was for two reasons one its a blood thinner (not good to take before any type of surgery ) and two after gastric bypass you can never ever take asprin/ anti inflammatory/ a huge list whi*****luded aleve on . Sorry typed so much to get to the point of my reply both anastesthia , nurses , Liv Lite and Dr Pesta said no more ibprfen, aspirin aleve excedrin and this whole page of other drugs. You can have tylonol reg and extra strength tylonol now and after you are able to swollow pills. This is only what I was told so I would call the Cori Center and ask them.. Hope you feel better before surgery I just had surgery and you really want to be in tip top shape for that day. I was sick the week before but I worked real hard taking all antibiotics , drinking as much liquids as possible and resting the whole week. I hope you take it easy and dont do any lifting so you can heal that muscle or rib Good luckh and feel better !!!! Angie Paschall post op 2/21/06 356-348 in two days.

Thanks Angie I hope you are recovering well. I know the NSAIDS are a no no, I actually stopped taking them in January as soon as I knew I would be scheduled soon. I also called Cori and no one called me back. And I have some stronger pain pills that I can take. I just don't like to take them and work. I have a busy weekend of cleaning and working plannned. And I know the feeling of trying to get well. I just have 2 weeks with bronchitis and antibiotics. I also have to work tomorrow and Sunday. I went to work today and about 2 o'clock I was almost in tears because the favoring of the rib, aggrevated my knee pain. We had two call ins today, and I ended up having to teach but that wasn't bad because I didn't have to reach and bend a lot. Jeanne

Hey Angie, I wonder if it would be possible for you to follow and anti-inflammatory diet if you can't take NSAIDs. I'm sure it would be good for your general health too. There is a list of anti-inflammatory foods here: http://www.metabolismadvice.com/anti_inflammatory_food/ Winston

Stick with Tylenol if you can. I took celebrex before and I take them now stiil for my hand. I have Arthur-atiss, you see from years of listening to wrong notes frm students. Celebrex is ok. NSAIDS are not cool and as I remember there was a cut-off time with them. A few months ago I wacked a rib and it turned out to be connective tissue for a muscle would actually slip up over my last rib and make it feel like it was broken. I could hear a pop every time. I would lay on the ground and roll to that side and the band would pop back down. Very entertaining especially when it happened in a grocery store. I would ust roll around on the floor! If I opend my mouth when it happened it could be heard for quite a distance. I looked like a beeched tuna making poping sounds. Very cool. Terri didn't thinks so though. Feel better. kp @ grimace

In October of 2005 I had a Nuclear Bone Scan due to severe back pains. Turns out, I have/had 7 hairline fractures on my posterior ribs. We are not sure how this happened, when, or anything. Posisbly from dropping weight so rapidly, possibly from being on my own 3 days after my release from the hospital and doing everything on my own, or what. However, I am not allowed to take any naproxen or ibuprofen/motrin products. I have Extra Strength Tylenol and Night time Tylenol (which two helps the pain and helps me rest at night also), and a filled script for Tylenol 3 with codeine for rare severe pains. The plain tylenol works well for my pain, and also I might recommend a heating pad to alleviate the pain as well. I use a heated mattress pad during the cold months to help with my back pains and it does help a great deal. So my recommendation is Tylenol and Heating Pads and if that doesn't help, I would contact my surgeon or family doctor for something stronger. My ribs are still not healed, and it just takes time, and you have to limit your activity and it's easier said than done. I wish you the best!