Cracked rib and medical records..OH MY

Ok, good news first....I finally got the last set of records I was waiting on. I called their office and got the run around on how they sent me a notice and left two messages on my machine, which I never got. Anyway, they said they could not release them to me unless I paid $40. I said ok, I'll be right over with the money and they will be ready? She said yes, and they were. They are all out of order too....grrrr, but at least I have them, and I don't think they are gonna help me out much either...double grrrr. Now for the bad news, I was able to stop by the old PCP to get the records cuz I had an appt with new PCP for a pain just beneath my ribcage on the rt side of my abdomen...turns out I have a cracked rib. How the hell I did that I have no idea. Ive had the sinus crud and been sneezing and coughing, so maybe that is how, or my toddler does pack a mean kick in her sleep and she has been sleeping with me on and off the last week, which is when the pain started. Let me just say, if you've never had a broken rib, you don't want one! They hurt. Im okay just sitting still, but if I take a deep breath, cough, sneeze, yawn, burp even, or move the wrong way, its like someone stabbing me with a hot knife. Very unpleasant. All I can do is wait for it to heal, use naprosyn and heat. So, how is your day going?

Hi Colleen, I'm sorry for your cracked rib. I just had that too. All I did was twist the wrong way while cleaning the bathtub. Good thing you can take the naprosyn. I couldn't because my surgery date was scheduled. It was not nice when I had major house cleaning to do. Hope you feel better and that the records will help. Jeanne

I understand your angst. I found out through a Nuclear Bone Scan in October 2005 (3 months post op) that I had 7 fractured ribs posterior. How? No one knows. No wonder my back hurt so much. They claim its from the excess weight I carried and rapidly lost OR, that my post op days just after my surgery I overdid it. I couldnt help it- I had no choices in the matter. I was on my own. I understand how you must be feeling but the best thing I can tell you is it will heal in time and the best thing you can do to help it along is to NOT lift anything at all and to NOT do anything that will cause you pain. I wish you the best :D

Ya know, I wonder if my excess weight caused the fx. But anyway...Not doing anything is next to impossible, especially lifting, as I have a toddler. Oh the joys. Hopefully it will heal fast. Any idea how long the pain lasts?

Well, and not lauging because that can be painful, mine seems to come on and off at bitter cold times and when I have not had a good nights sleep. I find tylenol PM helps because I take that before bed time -- and I work 2nd shift right now (4p-12am) so I find the pain more present later on at night. What works for me is a heating pad, and physical therapy with some work on my back muscles to strengthen them, and it helped. Due to time constraints, I had to stop going to PT, but am able to apply the work we did at home and at work. Pain still is present, this was in October 2005 they found them after 4 attempts on Xrays and nothing. I had three broken ribs in 2004 and that took 1 year solid to heal. Nothing but pain meds was all I could do- and weight restrictions. I had to take it easy. Going up stairs, shopping, and doing anything else was forbidden. Keep me posted ok?

Oh my gosh, I wouldn't have thought it would take that long. Of course, my doctor gave no indication of how long healing could take. She just said there really isn't anything that can be done other than rest, analgesics, and heat. Greaaaaaat. I have a job that requires me to sit for 8 hours a day typing and its not easy to do with pain. I find my other muscles are trying to compensate and Im having spasms elsewhere in my back and neck. Add to that the fact that Im prone to them anyway, this is gonna be a hellava ride. Yikes. Hope you feel better soon, too!

Colleen, My doc told me six weeks if it was cracked. I think I only pulled a muscle it's much better after 3 weeks. When I actually cracked some it took about 6 weeks for the pain to go away. Never fall over a bike onto the handlebars. Also never try with your 5'5" body to ride a 6'2" mens frame bike. Jeanne

I take one day at a time now. I'm a bit more careful than I use to be, and I watch what I do, and I too have a sit down job, but I do get up and walk. Walking does not hurt me. That is the only exercise I can do right now per my surgeon. So take it slow and it will all heal in time. I hope that you feel better soon also!