Ribs
Three weeks ago I was very sick and had a ridiculous cough. I would cough for literally hours at a time. I would lay in bed and try to hold my coughs in, but I couldn’t. If I was with Jerome I’d wake him up all the time. I would cough so hard that I would convulse and almost throw up. Nothing really stopped my coughing fits. I would drink water, have some cough drops, and take over the counter medicine. I took a lot of cough syrup and was always tired at work and school. I’d get these embarrassing coughing fits in class, too. I’d have to walk out and cough in the hallway.
My cough is still there, but slightly. Last weekend I was coughing so much that I pulled some rib muscles. I also slipped and fell in a bathroom last weekend which I believe has bruised my ribs as well. I’m not coughing as much which helps to ease the pain in my side. I’ve been using a heating pad all week and even bringing it to work. I’ve been trying to take it easy and lay down a lot, but I can only lay down on one side and I turn in my sleep. I like when Jerome holds me really tight and keeps one of his hands under my ribs.
I decided that I would give in and go to the doctor today. I have health insurance, why not use it? Well, that didn’t exactly work out. All the doctors that my co-workers recommended to me are not accepting new patients. I tried looking some new ones up on the Aetna database and everyone I call isn’t accepting new patients until next year. It’s getting really annoying waiting on hold and then getting nowhere.
I’ve decided to just tough it out. I’ve looked up some tips online and decided to treat myself. There’s not much doctors can do anyway and now that my cough is subsiding I think I’ll be much better. Plus I won’t have to miss work and I won’t have to pay a co-pay!
I’m still going to a show with Brett tonight and then having the CAWC tomorrow!
Treatment tips!!
Instructions for Treating Bruised Ribs
Step 1
Buy some Tylenol, aspirin or any other the counter pain reliever of your choice.
Step 2
Take the over the counter pain reliever as prescribed on the bottle for pain relief. Be careful not to over medicate yourself and watch your alcohol consumption when taking any medicines.
Step 3
Apply an ice pack to the affected area to take away any swelling that might occur. Be sure to wrap the ice pack up in a towel, do not directly apply the ice to the abdominal area.
Step 4
Protect yourself from further injury by putting your arm in front of them. Do this to keep over zealous friends from hugging you too hard.
Step 5
Give your body time to heal. Try not to engage in sports or physical activities that can cause you to further injure the rib cage.
Step 6
Limit your amount of stretching for at least the first 24 to 72 hours.
Instructions for Treating Pulled Rib Muscles
Step 1
Apply ice to your pulled rib muscles to reduce the level of inflammation you’re experiencing from a fresh injury. Ice the area for 20 minutes at a time up to three times a day. The ice may also temporarily numb the pain.
Step 2
Get some pain relief from over-the-counter medications. Acetaminophen, ibuprofen and naproxen ease the pain and may also reduce inflammation. These medications may upset your stomach—if they do, ask your doctor for an appropriate substitute.
Step 3
Rest as much as you can to help your rib muscles heal. Limit heavy lifting and other vigorous physical activities that may aggravate your injuries.
Step 4
Treat pulled rib muscles with heat after the first couple of days. A heating pad or warm, moist compress can take the edge off the soreness and stiffness you feel. Make sure to use the low setting on a heating pad to avoid burning yourself.
