Cracked rib?
 

Is it possible to crack your rib from coughing?

I've been sick with cold/flu for 2 weeks. Last week I was having major coughing fits. One specific spot on my side hurts like crazy and it doesn't feel like a pulled muscle. Just about anything and everything makes it hurt.

I plan to call the doctor tomorrow, but I feel kind of stupid asking the question.

not sure about a rib.... but I had a co-worker who cracked her tail bone by coughing.

Does it feel like the worst stitch in your side ever? I had a bruised rib and that's what it felt like. Breathing, moving my arm, coughing, laughing, etc. caused a pain that felt like I had just run a marathon.

Cracking/breaking a rib... highly doubtful... more likely you pulled something coughing...

Highly unlikley unless you have some seriuously advanced osteoperosis.

i would be worried more about a small pneumothorax (AKA collapsed lung) but can also just be the muscles from coughing so much.

Tom

Yes, I've heard of it. Far less likely than a muscle strain/tear though.

Cracked rib would make you cry like a baby. The pain is extremely bad, if you had a cracked rib you would know it because you wouldn't be moving around.

No shit. I cracked a rib playing football when I was 14. I cried like a little bitch, after about 2 minutes of trying to catch my breath.

Mebbe you just put it out of place when you were coughing. I've done that. I went to my chiropractor and he put it back in place, and voila, pain gone.

Def not that bad, but it hurts constantly day and night for the last 5 days. :(

That's more what I feel. Should I call the doc? Or do I just need time to heal? :idk:

you need to go to the doc and get that checked, could be a pretty bad infection in there too

This is one of those questions that has an automatic yes.

Should I go to the doctor? Yes.

Is it broken? Maybe, or maybe not. Probably strained or bruised. Definitely possible. Pain is your body's way of telling you something is wrong. Constant pain is certainly a reason to go to a medical professional. What helps... take an ACE bandage and tightly wrap your rib cage slightly above and below where it hurts.

Heal well and feel better!!

"Is it possible to crack your rib from coughing?"


Yes mam! I did it back in my 20's when I had bronchitis and refused to quit smoking. I had bronchitis 3 or 4 months and eventually cracked a rib from all the coughing. Hurts!!!

I said that I had heard of it happening because, oddly enough, I was just talking about it last Saturday with a friend who had exactly that happen to him last year. I'm with the folks who are saying, "See a doctor" ;)

Thank all! I have an appt with the doctor this afternoon.

Doctors are for pussies. Just get really really drunk all the time.

So what did you find out Michelle? Or is it afternoon out there yet??? I can't remember how far behind you are :idk: Let us know, hope it's nothing bad!

Hope you're ok...

I have cracked ribs more than once and "sprained" them too...hurts like hell. I had chronic bronchitis and a few bouts of pneumonia as a teen...

Doctor said it could be a cracked rib or strained muscle in the ribs. He said either way the treatment is the same (pain killers). I did get an X-ray just to know which it is, I won't know for a few days on the X-ray reading.

I did ask about an infection, he said I would be getting sicker, not better - if it was an infection. So that's good.