Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Broken Rib Pain Management

Posted on 02/15/2010 10:00:00 AM PST by VA Voter

During a fall last Wed. night, 2/10, I completely broke two lower ribs in my right rear quadrant. The pain getting in and out of bed was excruciating. For some reason as the day progressed the pain decreased and was somewhat tolerable.. The doctor gave me a prescription for some heavy duty pain pills which were helpful except for getting in and out of bed which was still about the same.

Saturday night when the thought of getting in bed was really daunting, I chose instead to slept in a semi-sitting up position, at about a 45 degree angle, with my feet on the floor*.

Getting up Sunday morning, the pain was orders of magnitude less than the prior morning and was at about the same reduced level of pain from the prior evening. I slept the same way last night with the same result. It’s like a little miracle.

I have not taken or needed the prescription pain pills since Saturday night.

This sleeping technique was not suggested by my doctor and is probably not a part of the protocol. I’m passing it along for FReeper benefit.

Good sleeping.

* I used an extra seat cushion on a sofa so the sitting height was raised up.


TOPICS: Your Opinion/Questions
KEYWORDS:
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-4041-6061-70 next last

1 posted on 02/15/2010 10:00:01 AM PST by VA Voter
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: VA Voter

Avoid catching a cold at all costs.
Sneezing will send you into orbit.
From one who knows.


2 posted on 02/15/2010 10:01:21 AM PST by Texas resident (Hunkered Down)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: VA Voter

This was nice of you and I hope you heal quickly and completely.


3 posted on 02/15/2010 10:01:35 AM PST by Grunthor (America needs Obamacare like Nancy Pelosi needs a Halloween mask.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: VA Voter

Broken ribs suck. Thanks for the tip.


4 posted on 02/15/2010 10:02:36 AM PST by FateAmenableToChange
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: VA Voter

Been there and know what you’re going through.

Pain meds from doctor, asperin, liquor. If all else fails, NyQuil to fall asleep.


5 posted on 02/15/2010 10:02:57 AM PST by BunnySlippers (I LOVE BULL MARKETS . . .)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: VA Voter

Ouch. This injury is a nasty one. Hope you heal fast.


6 posted on 02/15/2010 10:03:07 AM PST by Nachum (The complete Obama list at www.nachumlist.com)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: VA Voter

Unfortunately, there is not treatment for broken ribs, except to wait until they heal.

My downfall was attempting to leap over a giant chain hanging only a foot above the ground. Oooops!


7 posted on 02/15/2010 10:03:30 AM PST by proxy_user
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: VA Voter

Doctors.
Glad that you figured it out.
Prayers for a speedy healing.


8 posted on 02/15/2010 10:03:34 AM PST by svcw (If you are going to quote the Bible know what you are quoting.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: BunnySlippers

Not all at once of course.


9 posted on 02/15/2010 10:03:49 AM PST by BunnySlippers (I LOVE BULL MARKETS . . .)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 5 | View Replies]

To: Texas resident

I had no idea that something as benign as a burp would have the same effect as a cough or sneeze.


10 posted on 02/15/2010 10:04:00 AM PST by VA Voter
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: VA Voter

That makes sense that it would help. I don’t know if you were warned by your doctor, but one really important thing to do is to work on breathing as deeply as you can several times a day. Broken ribs are a really good setup for pneumonia. Increase your activity (walking) as you can tolerate it - don’t overdo, but don’t underdo either.

(standard disclaimer that I’m a PT but don’t have a license to practice in your state most likely... take free advice as being worth what you paid for it... I haven’t evaluated you so I don’t know any specifics, etc., etc., LOL)


11 posted on 02/15/2010 10:05:11 AM PST by BuckyKat
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: VA Voter

As someone who has suffered a similar injury falling off a horse I learned one thing, even what seems completely unfunny when one is uninjured tends to inspire guffaws of laughter when you are hurt.

Another thing I learned when I broke my collarbone is how many times in the course of a day you bump into stuff and it goes completely unnoticed normally but will bring sharp reminders of pain when injured.


12 posted on 02/15/2010 10:05:29 AM PST by Bad Jack Bauer (Fat and Bald? I was BORN fat and bald, thank you very much!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Texas resident

Or worse yet, coughing your head off.


13 posted on 02/15/2010 10:05:37 AM PST by HiTech RedNeck (I am in America but not of America (per bible: am in the world but not of it))
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: VA Voter

Avoid laughing... don’t go to any comedy clubs and don’t hang out with your joker friends


14 posted on 02/15/2010 10:06:47 AM PST by dennisw (It all comes 'round again --Fairport)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: VA Voter

Oh, dude. Broken ribs are bad. Got run over by a car at 18. Was laid up so long I got a chest infection. Coughing was worse than the accident.

Are you taped up real good? If so, try some non-opiate muscle relaxers. Skelaxin is a good one and won’t make you high. Works great. Trust me this won’t be easy but at least the area around your injury won’t be stiff too.

All the best.


15 posted on 02/15/2010 10:08:11 AM PST by poobear
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: BunnySlippers

It’s smart to check with pharmacist or doctor for things that shouldn’t be combined with alcohol.


16 posted on 02/15/2010 10:08:31 AM PST by HiTech RedNeck (I am in America but not of America (per bible: am in the world but not of it))
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 5 | View Replies]

To: Texas resident

Sneezing, Coughing, Laughing - all bad for rib injuries!


17 posted on 02/15/2010 10:08:55 AM PST by Sax
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: Nachum; VA Voter
Hope you heal fast.

If my experience is any guide, there's not much improvement for nearly two full weeks.

18 posted on 02/15/2010 10:09:01 AM PST by ErnBatavia (It's not the Obama Administration....it's the "Obama Regime".)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 6 | View Replies]

To: VA Voter

Very interesting.

I hope I never need to use it.

Try not to laugh.


19 posted on 02/15/2010 10:09:17 AM PST by GeronL (Dignity is earned from yourself. Respect is earned from others.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: VA Voter

When you run into your friends don’t say, “Hear any new jokes?”


20 posted on 02/15/2010 10:10:20 AM PST by dennisw (It all comes 'round again --Fairport)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-4041-6061-70 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson