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I was a front seat passenger a week ago in a car that rear ended a car stopped at a red light. We were probably still moving about 25-30 MPH when we hit them. Immediately I knew I was hurt as I grabbed my left rib cage and struggling to catch my breath. The pain was pretty intense for about 5 minutes then it started settling down. I waited a couple days then finally had to go to the DR. I'm the type that will never allow an ambulance come for me unless I've lost a limb or I'm unconscious. Macho I guess. I've had some pretty intense pain in the ribs which by the way was caused by the seatbelt and not the airbag. My DR sent me for x rays which they advised shows no breaks. My question is this: Can bruised ribs really be this painful? I mean to the point it's affecting my sleep as it hurts in most positions when I try to sleep. It still hurts to breath in deep breaths. Hell, I hiccuped yesterday and thought I was going to start crying. Any thoughts?
No fractures? I had 2 fractured ribs and it sounds like your pain. After a week it's not any better?
I agree; I had a fractured rib in the back on my left side; it was pretty painful.
My 87 year old neighbor broke 4 & punctured his lung & didn't have the type of pain I had; but he was admitted & on painkillers. Even the nurses said he should have pain breathing but he didn't; so who knows if pain affects everyone differently?
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bigfoot424
My DR sent me for x rays which they advised shows no breaks. My question is this: Can bruised ribs really be this painful? I mean to the point it's affecting my sleep as it hurts in most positions when I try to sleep. It still hurts to breath in deep breaths. Hell, I hiccuped yesterday and thought I was going to start crying. Any thoughts?
I would question the xrays. Do you have the report?
Take the films to an ortho. Some times they see fractures that others don't see
It really doesn't matter whether your ribs are broken or whether the tissue around them is just traumatized. Unless it's a compound fracture (which would show up on X-rays) there's really nothing to do about it except wait for it to heal.
I'm no doctor, but I'd advise pain medication and time.
Stillkit. I'm the type that never uses the prescription RX given to me but I have used it for this. At least when I go to bed I use it. Doesn't seem to help as sleep has been pure hell so far.
Today seems to show some minor improvement with the pain. So maybe week one was just destined to be pure hell. It's still painful but whereas the pain was staying at the 10 level I'd say it's come down a notch or two today. Maybe sleeping will be easier tonight. Thanks all.
Many years ago I had a water skiing accident and fractured several ribs. The pain was terrible, knife like stabs. The worst was the first couple weeks and then it began to taper. But, it actually took several months for all pain to subside. The ER doctor told me it just takes time to heal and there's not much anyone can do. They don't bind your ribs any longer as it can cause respiratory problems.
Bending, pulling, pushing, lifting, or moving in general can be painful. Take it easy for a few weeks. Ouch!
On the last day of July of this year the trunk section of my Honda Accord was literally sheared off when I was hit broadside in the rear passenger side by a full-sized Dodge Ram truck in an unmarked intersection on a rural west Texas county road. Had I not had my shoulder strap on, I very likely would have been thrown through the passenger side glass and would not be sitting here writing this message. I was thrown so heavily against the belt across my chest that I suffered heavy bruising to my sternum and right breast area. They had to use a backboard to get me out of the car. I spent several hours at the local ER and CTI scans revealed that nothing was broken. However I can tell you, that even three weeks after that accident, a sneeze would put me on my knees and grabbing walls. I actually did not heal completely for two months.
An injury to my rear right side ribs (nothing broken) from a tree-trimming accident back in September 2009 has not healed and I suspect never will.
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