Do I have a broken rib?

A few weeks ago, I slipped on a metal railing and had it pushed into my rib under my bra's underwire on my right side. I didn't notice the pain at the time (OK I was at a bar drinking lol) but the next morning I noticed it hurt to breathe. Now, it's been about 3 or 4 weeks and it is still a bit painful if I laugh or cough or try to lift anything heavy. I have been taking Tylenol for my wisdom teeth and it makes the rib pain go away. Does it sound like I broke a rib? Honestly, I don't have health insurance so please spare me the "go see a doctor" answer. Still, I wake up in the middle of the night to find my self in pain because I rolled over on that side. Also, I have had to walk somewhat hunched over because I am afraid to stretch backward that it might pop out or something. The area itself never bruised or got swollen, but it is obviously something internally. So anyway-broken rib??? What can I do???

Do I have a broken rib?
First till the pain subsides do not lay flat. Laying flat can promote pneumonia, try to sleep in a reclined position. Yes you sound as if you have cracked your ribs and or pulled the muscles severly. If the pain does not subside in a couple of weeks please seek medical attention.
Reply:Some years ago my father fell from a ladder at work and broke two or three. Trust me, broken ribs apparently are a TERRIBLE pain. I would have the doctor look at it, but if you aren't in agony, then it's probably not broken. Though you may have bruised the muscles between your ribs or something.
Reply:I've fractured a rib before and that's what it sounds like. The good news is that there is not much that they can do even if you go and get an x-ray. They told me to avoid hitting it and make sure to inhale deeply so that it does not heal at a funny inward angle. That being said whenever you have chronic pain like this it's worth getting at least a cursory examination at a clinic.
Reply:sounds broken or cracked -- I had both after a car accident,


and the it was pain pills and let it mend. Nothing more,


nothing less ---- never did nothin to my body before or


since that hurt so much for so long.
Reply:Sharp pain when you breathe may mean that the rib is broke and it hurts to expand the rib cage. You need to see your doctor because if you move the wrong way or fall with a broken rib you could potentialy peirce your lung or another organ!
Reply:Insurance or no insurance, you need to go to the ER. Last Tuesday while practicing kickboxing with my wife I, in my infinite wisdom, said "Kick me as hard as you can in the side"...well, she did and I felt something snap. I went on for a few days with pain very similar to yours. I eventually went to the ER because it hurt to breathe. They did an xray and found a cleanly broken rib. Side not, I didn't have any bruising and still don't. He gave me some Vicodin and I went about my life. The wife and I had planned a trip to Coney Island for yesterday so we went ahead with the plans, however, I had decided not to ride any rides. Well, once again, in my infinite wisdom, I rode virtually every ride and on one particular water slide, I felt something snap again and this time it damn near brought me to tears. I tried to make it to the van but passed out. A first aid technician fot the park just happened to be passing by and saw me. End result, I was taken to the ER in an ambulance because I had deminished breathing on my left side and they were concerned that I had punctured a lung. After 4 1/2 hours in the ER I was told that my lungs were fine, however, I had broken two more ribs. Turns out that my wife had broken 1 and fractured to with her trusty side-snap kick and the water slide helped me to break them completely. So you could have a MUCh bigger problem if you don't go get it checked out. Sorry for the long post. Dan in Cincinnati, OH



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