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What to do with the rib pain?

I have rib pain, but I don't know what it is? Doctors suggested cracked rib, but the x-rays show nothing...?

  • Here's the deal: I was sick for about a month this year while at college; about one or two weeks before that my right side started hurting. When I say right side, I mean right about where your 'floating ribs' are located. The pain outlines the edge of my ribs and runs along the bottom of one, just above the floating ribs and a bit above the first rib as well. Occasionally the pain goes through right straight to my back, but usually it just pangs in between my ribs and presses up against about where my liver/stomach is. This is a sharp pain that pangs, but the area stays with a dull kind of ache. The sickness went away, but the pain in my ribs didn't. The doctors thought maybe I coughed too much when I was sick, but I hardly coughed at all; and when they did an x-ray they didn't find anything. It isn't excruciating pain, but it's enough to take my breath away when it's hurting. When it hurts, I can't touch it. If it's not hurting, I can poke the area and feel nothing more than as if it's bruised, or swollen. I plan to go to my actual doctor for this (I go to school in Vermont but live in Maine, so I haven't been able to see my actual doctor), but I don't have time right now or a way to get to her. I was hoping I could get some answers here. If you need any more details, just let me know. This pain has been going on for about two and a half/three months, and I'm not sure what to do. My grandmother suggested a pulled muscle in between my ribs, and my friend who is having liver problems suggested it could be my liver. All I know is that when it hurts it hurts and when it doesn't I still feel like there's something uncomfortable in that area, even if there is no pain. I'm confused and worried, but I have the area wrapped about once a day for a few hours in hopes that it'll help... Any suggestions?

  • Answer:

    follow up with your doctor.

Crimson at Yahoo! Answers Visit the source

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See a chiropractor - maybe you need an adjustment. A misaligned vertebrae can pinch on the nerves exiting the spine and cause muscles at the nerve endings to go into spasm.

I'm a Medical Assistant, not a Doctor, so just as a possibility and as a result of coughing perhaps too hard...you may have torn one or more of your intercostal cartilage (cartilage between the ribs). I have done this on occasion for many years due to a lung disease. I have to agree!!! Hurts like a b*tch, and it makes breathing an incredibly painful endeavor. Torn intercostal cartilage most likely wouldn't show on an Xray. But I'm sure your Doctor will investigate all possibilities. Good luck and breathe easy.

It sounds to me like you have some bruised ribs. If I were you I would wrap yourself up in a big ace bandage. (not too tight where you can't breath-but tight) I would also get yourself some bath salts with eucalyptus and menthol and soak yourself. Drink plenty of fluids, eat lots of greens and build up your immune system so you can heal faster. Take an anti inflammation pill such as aleve, tylenol, or advil. If it's a pinched nerve like suggested you would be feeling right leg pain-that's the key. You also said it wasn't excruciating-when a nerve is pinched-it's gonna hurt-BAD. I'd try the ace wrap and keep it on longer than two hours. Take care.

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