Bruised rib

Ouch! Sympathies to you - I have broken ribs coughing on several occasions and it takes a long tome to settle - I hope it will be better soon.

It takes on average 6 weeks for a broken rib to heal.

Had this after a car crash and I agree its unbelievably painful to even move, and if you need to cough or sneeze well brace yourself. The physio gave me a good tip to hug a pillow tight against the chest if I needed to cough or sneeze, it helps.

I found carrying a handbag was almost too much.

Charleygirl I actually wept with the pain I have to admit.

Horrible! And so easily done.

I find holding my rib cage tight when the need to move arises, helps somewhat.

nina

Thanks for the sympathy.

I'm doing all of the above. It's bending I'm finding hard but DH is being very good.

Those of us who have cracked ribs in the past know what you are going through nina- it is not pleasant.

Twisting around to put my seat belt on ...ouch!

Very painful, lots of sympathy from me too ??

Nina It sounds dreadful how did you do it?

Silly really. Nellie I stretched across one of the large open freezers in Tesco, as I did so the front edge was pressing on my lower ribs. I felt a sort of pinging and knew I'd done the same as before. I'm not actually sure if it's rib or cartilage. I have a physio session next week anyway so will get the nice young fella to check it.

DD1 fell down their (wooden) stairs in their w/e house on Christmas morning and cracked one rib, bruising several others. Trip to A&E was not how she had planned to Christmas Day and with three children (6, 4 and 15 months) and her job as a teacher 30 minutes drive away is having a painful January. I got short shrift when I suggested she should be signed off for at least the first week of term.

Oooh yes, Alea I'd have thought that would be for the best. I hope she has a good TA

I slipped on wet grass just before Christmas and landed on my back, bruising ribs and mscles. Has it been painful!!!!! The worst is in the evening when the muscles tend to start spasming and gripping the sore ribs.

I tripped over the leg of the ironing board and crashed into the doorframe and broke a rib. A while later I broke the same rib again just stretching up to do some pruning. My GP was amazed I had broken it so easily and checked me for osteoporosis, for which I am now undergoing treatment. So if you do break a rib, or any other bone, ask your GP to check you out for osteoporosis as you will need to start treatment asap.

My event was more unusual. DH, though not too D at the time, slipped on the escalator at gatwick, falling backwards onto me, propelling me back too. I can just about remember yelling for someone to stop the escalator. Someone already had. He was fine, just a bit shaken. I refused an ambulance as I wanted to go on holiday so had to sign a form. I only discovered the next day in Italy that I'd broken a rib. It was painful but I managed to have a nice lazy holiday. A cruise, luckily, so plenty of relaxing. I never stand near my husband on stairs or escalators now.
Nina I hope you manage to get around ok. It does take a while. Lots of help in the house and a few good books ?