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This has got to stop.

I've broken a rib. Again. From an asthma induced coughing fit. It was a prolonged attack.
As I said, this has got to stop. It's not normal in any sense of the word.
So my GP and I need to get to the bottom of this.
I feel like I've been stabbed. I'm on a type of Oxycontin that doesn't have constipation as a side effect. So it's going to be a while spent lying very still.
The cats are helping; they've put aside their differences somewhat and have taken up residence on my stomach and arm.
This sucks donkeys balls.

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indyjoe · 56-60, M

I know what you're going through...last year I broke not one but three from heavy coughing (I had severe bronchitis/borderline pneumonia). My doctor wanted me to have a bone density scan but my insurance refused to pay for it even partially because I am not at least 75 years old, and I could not afford to pay for it entirely myself. My doctor dis a blood test and found I was vitamin D deficient and told me to take 5000 mg daily and it has helped a great deal. There wasn't much that could be done about it except put me off work, order complete rest with little movement or lifting (anything over 10 pounds). My ribs are still not completely healed/mended and still bother me when I do any really heavy lifting or staining, but otherwise they don't bother me much. It's just a weird feeling when I take a really deep breath and I can feel movement in there.

SW-User

@indyjoe Mine felt weird for quite a while after. My GP, at first, didn't really believe I fractured my rib. I told him to look at the radiology scan from the hospital again. It really pissed me off, because I hurt so bad.

indyjoe · 56-60, M

@SW-User That's how mine was found...I was sent for chest x-rays to see if I had pneumonia, I didn't but it was found that two of my ribs were broken and that was what was causing my increasing pain. When a second set of x-rays were taken as a follow up to see how I was progressing, it was discovered that I actually had three broken not two (they didn't notice/catch the third one the 1st time). They will probably be broken for the rest of my life, I'll just have to remain conscious of them and be careful what I do...otherwise I can live fairly normally with them.

Cavedweller · 46-50, F

@indyjoe I've had a punctured lung from broken ribs and boy howdy that damn near killed me. Internal bleeding and all. That's always in the back of my mind. You know, could it happen again.

indyjoe · 56-60, M

@Cavedweller Yes, I've known of people who have had that happen too, and believe me, it's always a thought that lingers in my mind as well. Up until then I never had a broken bone in my body, and the first time it happens is not even from anything traumatic and is one of the most potentially dangerous...it's unbelievable.