Broken Ribs 9 and 10

[Badrabbit]

Broke my Ribs almost 6 weeks ago now, I've been to the Hospital 4 times, had at least 10 X Ray's(everytime I go the Dr says "let's do another X Ray) I'm going back tomorrow for the 5th time, I'm worried about the pain and maybe complications, the Dr has stated "broken Ribs, no complications" lm just worried and feel it's worth going back to check(Insurance covering) I can't see any point in any more X Ray's, what else can be done to put my mind at rest?

[South]

I broke 14, yes 14 in one go a few years ago! They will heal by themselves including 'floating' ribs (unattached to rib cage). There may be minor pain but nothing too serious to worry about.

[Tropicalevo]

As far as I recollect, there is no treatment to fix broken ribs. Just be careful, rest and pain killers if required.

[SidJames]

The main danger would be a punctured lung from a bone splinter but you would really have know about that at the time, time & rest is your friend.

[Badrabbit]

6 minutes ago, South said:

I broke 14, yes 14 in one go a few years ago! They will heal by themselves including 'floating' ribs (unattached to rib cage). There may be minor pain but nothing too serious to worry about.

Yea thanks, as Insurance is paying I'll go back one more time.

[Saddic]

Not much can be done for your broken ribs (unless life threatening)...  They'll heal on their own, although you might have some discomfort for a while...

 

The only complications I can think of (barring getting in a fight, don't...)... is if the Insurance doesn't pay...

 

[Badrabbit]

2 minutes ago, Saddic said:

Not much can be done for your broken ribs (unless life threatening)...  They'll heal on their own, although you might have some discomfort for a while...

 

The only complications I can think of (barring getting in a fight, don't...)... is if the Insurance doesn't pay...

 

Insurance is paying as I did this on the 6th Jan, I'm taking Tramadol 100mg and think this might be causing my problem of Stomach ache, feel shakey sometimes, generally feel low, I'll ask Hospital for a better pain killer, never want to go through this again!!

[Gottfrid]

Let´s say like this. I would be more worried about that the good doctor is giving your far too many x-rays.

[sanuk711]

I have broken a few ribs on different occasions-----yer you just leave them alone (try not to cough or laugh) --the most painful one I had was dislocating a rib (there not joined to the Sternum there in a socket.) done it running into someone while playing Football--both looking up in the air at the ball---his shoulder my chest, I came off a lot worse. They have to be popped back in.

[BritManToo]

1 hour ago, Badrabbit said:

what else can be done to put my mind at rest?

Broken or cracked ribs give intense pain for 3-6 months.

So painful that you want to scream when you sit up.

If you aren't coughing up blood and the bones appear to be inline (just from touch) there's nothing to worry about.

ZERO need for x-rays ever, it the bones are inline to the touch.

 

I also had Tramadol, only to be taken if you can't sleep or have intense pain.

Tramadol is addictive, don't take it every day. 

Edited February 9, 2022 by BritManToo

[Badrabbit]

1 hour ago, BritManToo said:

Broken or cracked ribs give intense pain for 3-6 months.

So painful that you want to scream when you sit up.

If you aren't coughing up blood and the bones appear to be inline (just from touch) there's nothing to worry about.

ZERO need for x-rays ever, it the bones are inline to the touch.

 

I also had Tramadol, only to be taken if you can't sleep or have intense pain.

Tramadol is addictive, don't take it every day. 

Thanks, no more X Ray's, I'll ask Dr for an alternative to Tramadol.

[Badrabbit]

I've found since I broke my Ribs it's harder to wee(difficult to start but improves gradually) how can I help this?

Edited February 9, 2022 by Badrabbit

[blackcab]

@Sheryl is away for a few days. I have tagged this post so that she can reply to you on her return.

[bbko]

Often times people with broken ribs don't want to take deep breaths because of the pain and could lead to pneumonia, maybe the doc is concerned about that also.

[karolkaz]

It seems that they just want to make sure everything's ok. It could be beneficial to look for second opinion if you're having doubts . Or maybe seeing radiologist that has access to automated CXR AI.

 

[Badrabbit]

11 hours ago, karolkaz said:

It seems that they just want to make sure everything's ok. It could be beneficial to look for second opinion if you're having doubts . Or maybe seeing radiologist that has access to automated CXR AI.

 

Yea I know they are just making 100,% sure that nothing serious has happened, least of my worries now as last night I suffered an Acid Reflux attack, the pain was unbearable in my Stomach and Chest, I could not cope with it, so to the Hospital for another CT scan with contrast again no problem found, also had ECG, Blood test and Urine test all good, the pain has gone the same as the last 4 times it happened, I'm seeing a Specialist tomorrow to get confirmation it is Acid Reflux. and hopefully advice on how to prevent it happening again 

Edited February 11, 2022 by Badrabbit

[karolkaz]

https://oxipit.ai/products/chestlink/ produces reports in collaboration with doctors, it could be beneficial for the diagnosis. They have a huge data base and act as a 'second pair of eyes' during the patient data interpretation.

[Nojohndoe]

On 2/9/2022 at 6:45 PM, Badrabbit said:

I've found since I broke my Ribs it's harder to wee(difficult to start but improves gradually) how can I help this?

That might be due to the amount of painkillers. They can also cause constipation  which also may  effect  your peeing ability.

[Sheryl]

On 2/9/2022 at 12:28 PM, Badrabbit said:

Insurance is paying as I did this on the 6th Jan, I'm taking Tramadol 100mg and think this might be causing my problem of Stomach ache, feel shakey sometimes, generally feel low, I'll ask Hospital for a better pain killer, never want to go through this again!!

Absolutely 100mg of tramadol could cause this.

 

If the pain is really bad they can inject anesthetic agents into the nerves around the ribs - ask your doctor about this and maybe get a referral to a pain specialist for it. Much better than taking high doses of opiods.

 

Healing normally takes 1-2 months.

 

Do you smoke? As that has an immediate and detrimental effect on bone healing.

 

[Badrabbit]

35 minutes ago, Sheryl said:

Absolutely 100mg of tramadol could cause this.

 

If the pain is really bad they can inject anesthetic agents into the nerves around the ribs - ask your doctor about this and maybe get a referral to a pain specialist for it. Much better than taking high doses of opiods.

 

Healing normally takes 1-2 months.

 

Do you smoke? As that has an immediate and detrimental effect on bone healing.

 

Hi Sheryl, my ribs are okay but I have a much bigger problem now, I'm suffering from Acid Reflux, I've had 6 attacks in the last 6 months and am suffering now after a very painful yet again sleepless night, I've had in the last 6 months 2 CT Scans with contrast which has shown nothing is wrong, ECG's plus blood and Urine tests all okay, it's 100% Reflux, burning pain in my Stomach which goes into my chest, I'm so low and Miserable at the moment.

I how do I control this as I dread the nights.

What is the approx cost of the Reflux operation in Mission Hospital should I need this in the future?

[Sheryl]

Reflux can usually be managed with lifestyle measures such as:

 

- weight loss (very, very important if you are at all overweight)

- eating smaller amounts at any one  time

- not eating for at least 2 hours before lying down

- elevating the head of the bed on blocks or using a GERD pillow (easily found online, google it)

- avoiding foods that seem to trigger it. Caffeine is a common culprit (especially in coffee) but everyone is different and some people are triggered by different things, you will need some trial and error

-stop smoking of you are a smoker (very important)

 

Another thing that helps some people are herbal treatments for gas - often the reflux is caused by gas escaping upwards, you may not be aware of the gas and only feel the resulting reflux. Some people swear by turmeric for this purpose. Airess made by HappyHerb contains it plus soem other things and works well for many people, can get it on Shoppee https://shopee.co.th/Handy-Herb-Airess-แฮนดี้เฮิร์บ-แอเรส-ช่วยขับลม-บรรเทาอาการท้องอืด-ท้องเฟ้อ-(2-แคปซูล-ซอง-24-ซอง-กล่อง)-i.213722682.7935409600

 

If these fail, PPIs like meprazole etc will give symptomatic relief - they don't stop the reflux but will reduce the acidity of the stomach contents so that the reflux is nto so painful. There are down sides to these meds and they can be very hard to get off once you start on them so try all the above first

 

Surgery is a last resort, needs a specialist experienced in it and I am not sure you would find one at Mission. As to cost, I would guess something like 150-175K but that is just a guess

 

[South]

On 2/9/2022 at 12:18 PM, SidJames said:

The main danger would be a punctured lung from a bone splinter but you would really have know about that at the time, time & rest is your friend.

Yep, had punctured lung as well .... was on a ventilator for a week ????

Edited February 16, 2022 by South