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Pulled muscle coughing

drahawkins_1973

Well-Known Member
Messages
452
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Insulin
Hi all
I'm recovering from a chest infection but I've pulled a muscle around my rib cage by coughing too hard.
I've been taking ibuprofen and paracetemol for about 4 days so want to stop them but I'm still in a fair bit of pain.
I will go to pharmacy tonight to see if they can recommend something that is ok for type 1 but thought id see if any of you had any advice?
Thanks Andres


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Is the pulled muscle your conclusion or was that diagnosed by a doctor, after an examination? The reason I ask is I had this a few years ago, but when the Doc examined me, he concluded I actually had pleurisy, along with the persistent chest infection. If I recall correctly I was treated by mega-antibiotics, pain relief and a steam/vapour inhalation. It wasn't a quick fix, unfortunately.

That breathing thing is a pest sometimes, but better than the alternative.
 
is there any chance you might have cracked a rib with the force of the coughing?

its very unlikely, but it did happen to my grandmother. although you are unlikely to have osteoporosis.
she thought it was a strained muscle, and only went to the doc when it took so long to heal.

They don't actually do much for ribs nowadays, but I think it put her mind at rest to know that the discomfort had a reason!
 

Hi AndBreathe,

Its my conlcusion I kind of felt it go when I coughed really hard and it does get better during the day when I'm up and about. Its just at night when I'm trying to sleep its so uncomfortable it keeps me awake.

I finish my anitobiotics today, do you think I should go back to GP just to make sure?

Thanks
A
 

Its amazing what damage you can do just coughing isnt it!!

I've been trynig to read online about it and mostly it says just tro try to rest even if its ribs or muscle strain. But just wondered if there anything I could get from chemist to help with the pain really.
 

I'm not a frequent flyer at the doc's, but based on my own experience, I'd want someone to have a listen to my chest. Although the steam/vapour inhalations didn't have any real medical component, it was very soothing. It could be worth a try, with menthol crystals or Karvol? Not too much or it's unpleasant.

I hadn't dealt with the underlying condition too sensibly when it happened to me. I had been sailing for 3 weeks, and took the beginnings of the chest infection with me. Disturbed sleep patterns, by virtue of time zone changes and long passagemaking meant I got tired and the chest infection moved in. This was before we had our blue water first aid kit, so I had no antibiotics to hand, and I couldn't face going to the local medics, so stuck with it. So, I ended up driving from Gatwick to the local walk-in centre for antibiotics, and negotiating myself not to go to hospital.

It took ages to finally get over that, and the decent ignoring I gave it at the outset didn't help, and was compounded by not reacting to the lack of material improvement quickly enough.

To be fair, if I'm going to be ill, my chest can be the starting point, but I'd be much more cautious these days.
 

ooh, thast sounds bad!

I'm not feeling particlarly unwell, I've stopped coughing up phlegm (sorry not nice) I'm just uncomfortable, so maybe i'll just see if improves over the next few days. All the reading on the internet (what did we do before google???) says it just takes time. Perhaps the chemist can suggest some pain relief gel or something that is ok for type 1
 
I would pop into the Dr's and get it checked, better safe than sorry, having had a few ops where coughing afterwards was hard I was told to hug a cushion to my chest when coughing, I have to say it did help though people looked at me funny as where I went so did my cushion, but I didn't care and still use this trick if having a problem with a cough.
 

I've no idea, but I would have thought a topical application would be a safer bet than anything systemic. Perhaps make an umbrella appointment that you can cancel if not required?

(Umbrella appointment is like a place marker on Planet Breathe. It puts a stake in the sand for a mental/physical review, and reduces stress on the day if you decide you need to go.)
 
Could you now have bronchitis.. The wife thought it was a pulled muscle.. But it was in fact a heavy bought of bronchitis.. Get the Dr to have a listen to your chest .. He will be best to advise.
Hope your feeling better soon
 
I had a similar experience when I was pregnant. I felt and heard 2 muscles 'twang' (like an elastic band snapping). It was excruciatingly painful. I think this only usually happens in pregnancy though when everything is softening ready for the birth. The doc told me I could crack a few ribs too(!!!) but I didn't. I agree with everyone else, see your doc, so you know what you are dealing with.
 
Every time I have a cold I end up with a chest infection which is unpleasant and painful. If I were you I would definitely get a check up at the surgery. My GP insists that when my antibiotics are finished I see him again to make sure the infection has completely cleared. Sometimes I have needed a second course of antibiotics
 
Thanks Poohtiggy.
Think after everyones replies I'll book in for a checkering the drs.


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Saw my dr today and he sent me for a chest x-Ray so glad I went back. Thanks for the support everyone. Results be back in a few days so hopefully will know what's going on.
Andrea


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drahawkins_1973 said:
Saw my dr today and he sent me for a chest x-Ray so glad I went back. Thanks for the support everyone. Results be back in a few days so hopefully will know what's going on.
Andrea


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Click to expand...

Your Welcome.
Glad you went back, maybe nothing but at least its in hand, remember the cushion tip though you never know when it will come in handy,
 
So pleased your getting help ... The wife has to have a chest X-ray every time she gets a chest infection .. It always come back fine .. Hope yours will to
 
Enclave said:
So pleased your getting help ... The wife has to have a chest X-ray every time she gets a chest infection .. It always come back fine .. Hope yours will to
Click to expand...

Er,............ You hope her infection comes back? Surely not.
 
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