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by Anonymous on October 31st, 2006

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How long will it take to heal a broken rib? Any advice for pain relief?

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Answers. 12 helpful answers below.

  • by Anonymous on July 14th, 2008

    Anonymous

    I fell down some stairs and broke 5 ribs. Had xrays to make sure I didn't puncture anything. It's been a month and I'm just now off vicodin. Decided to try alieve- don't want to be on vicodin too long. I couldn't lay flat and forget laying on my side. I have had to force myself to breathe deeply, don't want congestion.
    I am 52 years old and weight 115 pounds-so I'm not over-weight and I have always believed myself to have a high pain tolerance level. This pain was different and wiped me out. I can't drive and just now have begun to pitter out in the garden. I feel badly for anyone who breaks a rib. You're in for a long healing process

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  • by Shady Guy on November 1st, 2006

    Shady Guy

    I've broken ribs twice. It took me about 4 weeks to stop hurting when I sneezed or rolled over on them. I'm told the doctor can put you in a corset type thing to help but I didn't bother.

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  • by tim.kerian on February 4th, 2012

    tim.kerian

    for me vicodin causes stomach cramping for me causeing significant discomfort with my broken ribs. the pain is now a 10 - whereas it was 8 before I took it.

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  • by Jimmy G on January 5th, 2009

    Jimmy G

    I need a miracle,this is what hell might feel like.
    I broke two ribs in a hockey game.It is easly the worst pain I've ever had.My hot tub does help a liitle
    Good luck,
    Jimmy G

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  • by SmashTheState on January 5th, 2009

    SmashTheState

    They no longer bind ribs, as it's been found the practice restricts breathing and makes pneumonia a serious risk. Having lived through a broken rib, I know it's not fun. I didn't need to take anything for the pain because I'm a Buddhist and practice meditation. Meditation is excellent for dealing with pain. It's not so much that the pain stops, but rather it allows you to recognize the pain, accept it as another sensation, and allow it to pass through you without ringing all the OMIGOD THAT HURTS MAKEITSTOP MAKEITSTOP firebells in your head.

    It took me about six weeks before I stopped getting twinges, but the worst of the pain only lasted between two and three weeks. You may want to consider getting a cold and flu shot, since coughing or sneezing with a broken rib is just pure misery.

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  • by tim.kerian on February 4th, 2012

    tim.kerian

    Beware I've personally experienced the pain of vicodin used with broken bibs - Vicodin causes stomach cramping which for me caused significant pain with a broken rib. I'm doubled over now and don't wish this on anybody.

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  • by TraLaigle on May 31st, 2011

    TraLaigle

    I fell and landed on a chair on 4/9/11. The rungs of the chair hit my ribs on the left side breaking 3 (8th, 9th and 10th) ribs all the way through. I was rushed to ER thinking the ribs punctured my spleen. Thank God the spleen was ok. But I am still in a lot of pain and I can feel the ribs clicking each other, which is painful and makes me sick to my stomach. The ribs really move and hurt while driving (I have pillows propped in my car to help stabalize the ribs.
    I was on percocet for 3 weeks (2 pills every 4 hours in the beginning.) and am now taking tramadol for pain. I was starting to feel a little better and then lifted some bags and now feel the bones again crunching on one another and I am back in quite a bit of pain. Has anyone else had a similar experience? I can't take naisads or asperine due to a stomach ulcer. I am about ready to go back to the Dr and ask for more pain meds..... Does anyone else hear and feel the rib bones hitting each other?
    Tracy

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  • by Lieim on January 18th, 2011

    Lieim

    I just broke my #7 rib and let me tell you it SUCKS! I had a child with no epidural and the pain from the single broken rib by far out weighs the pain of natural child birth. It has been eight days since my rib has broken and it is pure agony. I am an avid runner and eight days of no cardio really frusterates me so I ran three miles today and there was pain initially in the beginning but it subsided after only a few minutes...but I shouldn't have misconstrued that as healing. See what happens is that our body releases natural endorphins when it thinks it is in danger to perhaps save your life and that is when those natural endorphins are released to hide the pain in a way. I hope I didn't damage my rib any further. I will play it by ear tomorrow. Wish me luck and my heart goes out to all that have broken a rib...I cant imagine what it would feel like to break 5? I hopw you all heal quickly and effectively:)

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  • by Jay_G3735 on February 20th, 2011

    Jay_G3735

    I broke a LOT(6-7) of ribs and Question sometimes if should have gone by ambulance to the hospital.I don't think I could have made it through the first couple of days without that kind of care.I hate being confined at home and VERY low activity but any exertion creates HUGE pains that take up to 10 minutes to subside.
    Never looked forward to the next day as now because every day brings me a little a closer to less pain.The only way I see out of this mess is time and easy does it activity.Not easy for most of us and none of us who have them got them from being sedentary in the first place.Whenever think I'm going to be able to get by without the pain pills,I get a unpleasant reminder that this isn't up to me but healing process.10 days down and many more to go.
    Get prayer help if you have hurt ribs because nobody gets through these injuries without lots of help.

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  • by jc7 on March 5th, 2011

    jc7

    My Dad took a fall on holiday 2 weeks ago resulting in 4 broken ribs. He is 77 years old but prior to this accident a very mobile individual. He has been recommended Paracetamol which doesn't seem to be working. I visit every day to ensure his meds are taken. He has been taking Warfarin for years so quite reluctant to take other medication, now I feel depression is setting in with him.
    Did anyone find relief from 'heat pads'? I read a review about them but wondered if anyone had 1st hand experience?

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  • by TraLaigle on May 31st, 2011

    TraLaigle

    I fell and landed on a chair on 4/9/11. The rungs of the chair hit my ribs on the left side breaking 3 (8th, 9th and 10th) ribs all the way through. I was rushed to ER thinking the ribs punctured my spleen. Thank God the spleen was ok. But I am still in a lot of pain and I can feel the ribs clicking each other, which is painful and makes me sick to my stomach. The ribs really move and hurt while driving (I have pillows propped in my car to help stabalize the ribs.
    I was on percocet for 3 weeks (2 pills every 4 hours in the beginning.) and am now taking tramadol for pain. I was starting to feel a little better and then lifted some bags and now feel the bones again crunching on one another and I am back in quite a bit of pain. Has anyone else had a similar experience? I can't take naisads or asperine due to a stomach ulcer. I am about ready to go back to the Dr and ask for more pain meds..... Does anyone else hear and feel the rib bones hitting each other?
    Tracy

    No comments. Post one | Permalink

  • by Diane_G1187 on October 31st, 2010

    Diane_G1187

    I have 4 broken ribs at the back and one of them broken at the side, boy does it hurt!!! I find that when the urge to cough arises, lean up against a wall or door to lessen the pain as it can be total agony! Also I dose up with regular paracetamol every 4 hrs (not more that 8 in one day) Keep yourself healthy and eat a healthy diet as you don't want to catch a cold as it says above, you do NOT want to be coughing or sneezing!! Avoid heavy excercise and stick to light duties to avoid poking a rib through a lung or elsewhere. You will learn what helps and what worsens things. The worst thing for me is patience...It's been 2 weeks and I'm still in total agony! Good Luck and healthy living!
    Fellow Rib breaker.

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