Accident Prone !! Broken Rib Or Just Bruised?

[Smowball]

Really don't want to bother doctor or hospitals precious time unless I absolutely have to so asking for bit of advice first. Last night I slipped on wet patio and fell really hard on left side. Went to bed. I've woken up and can barely move without being in agony. Hurts to breathe in. Cannot even touch the actual area(think bra strap and where it goes round the side of the body). Strangely no bruising but the pain is incredible. Your thoughts? (Apart from locking me in my house for the rest of the week!)

[jourdain2]

The days at the end of August 2015, Sqad. That's what I was told. It seems that it is considered more dangerous in regard to puncturing a lung. Anyway, they explained this and didn't strap me up. They gave me a cocktail of painkillers, which I abandoned after 3 days because they made me a) constipated and b) doolally(talking even more rubbish than usual).

Other advice was to keep breathing deeply (I kept on singing) and report in if I found any blood in my mouth. That, plus sympathy, was it. I'm fine, anyway. :)

[Sqad]

jourdan...it was a funny comment......I think ;-) I wasn't being serious, but it back fired..........sorry.

[jourdain2]

Sqad, sorry :0) xxx

[Peter Pedant]

// \\\They don't do strapping these days.\\\ Which days are those?......

not recommended these days - I am sure it must be somewhere in APLS - as it immobilises the injured lung and worsens the reaction ( contusion )
my ass ....
I did this a few years ago and walked out of hospital and got my frenz to strap me. The clever docs writing the manuals now dont know how much relief you get from strapping

[Sqad]

I have to agree with PP here.

Relief of pain or immobilisation of lung.

Given the choice I would go for the strapping and relief of pain.

Non-strapping has been advised for at least 40 years...so isn't new.

[Togo]

I must agree with the thought of strap me up and save the pain. That is great if you are kept in hospital with medics to monitor and watch for any adverse reaction. Sadly in our days of send em home pdq, many people would probably succumb to lung problems through lack of care.

[Smowball]

Well that was a waste of time. Went to a smaller hospital 25 mins away as knew waiting time would be shorter and I'd Seen an X Ray sign there before , whereas the big hospital you can wait 5 hours easily. Got there, sat (unwittingly) next to a lady with severe dementia who took one look at me, started barking like a dog and slapped me round the face!! (Don't laugh!) Saw doctor who examined me and said I needed X Ray and ultrasound and told me to go to the big hospital. Erm I said - you have an X Ray dept here - I can see it! Ah he said we aren't allowed to use it - its purely for patients referred from doctors surgeries. How ridiculous!!

[jourdain2]

Poor you! I do understand the pain you are suffering, I began to think it was worse than childbirth at one point. Stuff yourself with paracetamol or Sqad's favourite Ibuprofen (1000g paracetamol, by the way) and, very seriously, get yourself to A & E tomorrow. Can't believe you had such terrible treatment, where are you?

I fell on Friday night. I broke down in pain on Sun. morning; OH whipped me to Scarborough A & E straight off and by 2 p.m. I had been seen, diagnosed, given advice and a prescription -which Morrison's supermarket pharmacist filled.

Prop yourself on a pillow to sleep. I'll think of you, bonne chance, but you will get through it, I did. :) xx

[TonyV]

Your feeling any better Smowball

[Smowball]

Sorry to hear that jourdain2 - right pair aren't we. I've got work tomorrow and I cannot miss it as I'm self employed and can't get anyone else.ive managed to get someone to help me and I have a few hours off in the afternoon before I go back to work at 5.30pm till 9.30 so am going to go to the hospital in the afternoon.Tonyv no I feel worse- I've checked and have no bruising at all which seems odd considering what pain I'm in x

[jourdain2]

I had no bruising either. (from your description of the pain, I still think it is broken:( ).

[Canary42]

At least it takes your mind off your finger.

Seriously though Smow, please try to take more care :-)

And I hope all goes well at the hospital.

[Smowball]

Ah thanks canary.very kind x

[jourdain2]

How are you doing today Smowball? x