How to deal with a busted rib?

Question

It’s been a week now since I hurt my ribs. I went to the hospital and they didn’t even check it, they gave me no pain killer and they sent me home. So seeing a doctor is out of the question. Breathing, coughing, laying down, sneezing and dressing myself is very painful. There are no obvious signs of bruising or anything broken, nothing feels out of place, but the pain is severe. What ways can I help it to heal faster? It’s already been a week and no improvement.

Anonymous · Accepted Answer

The most significant factor in healing is good sleep.

The next two important factors is nutrition (even if just temporary) and water. Your body will use nutrients you est to repair and damaged tissue, and the body just generally operates better when hydrated.

Most people won't follow this advice but if you want to have good sleep, one of the best things you can do is not watch TV and not look at your phones screen (when on) before bed. Ideally an hour or 2, but if you're not in that habit you'll likely get bored. So I'd suggest, if you can, finding a book and reading it for a half an hour before you go to bed.

The light from TV or phones or other similar devices inhibit melatonin production in our brain, making it harder to fall asleep and (more importantly) have good, quality sleep.

But yeah, good and long sleep is the single most important factor in healing.

Sparkie460 · Accepted Answer

I have broken several ribs several times. It is very painful. It usually takes 4 to 6 weeks for them to heal. You can wrap an ace bandage around your chest. That's what doctors say to do. I found that it made the pain worse. All I did was just take over the counter pain medication like excedrine or advil. Basically, you just have to grin and bear it for the duration

CupcakeTheDestroyer · Accepted Answer

I mean, if it's been a week and there's no improvement, that's at least a reason to call a doctor. Google is honestly the best resource we have around here, and it wouldn't be wise for you to trust the opinion of people fueled by the top internet search result. I know it's not fun, and dealing with the copay isn't fun, but some insurance plans do allow you to just call a doctor over the phone to get medical advice for what you're experiencing.

Anonymous · Accepted Answer

I can't help with the rib pain, but for shitty doctors my advice is tell them you want it written down that you requested and they refused to do anything. Most doctors don't want it on record that they were being a lazy asshole to a patient with legit medical symptoms.

DryGermanGuy · Answer

I learned to sleep on my back... other than that, painkillers help and it just needs time to heal. But I agree, a busted or broken rib is very painful.

Mansearching · Answer

I've had 4 broken ribs in past. You can do what you're doing. Or go to E-R and get them to wrap you up around ribs.

Other than that, nothing you can do. Just suffer and heal. Strange that fingers and toes are like ribs... lol

GoodGuyBreakingBad · Answer

My cousin, who we share housing, hurt her ribs and the ER doctor wouldn't do anything for her either, they told her there is nothing they can do.

NYlatefun · Answer

Oh sorry to hear that. Yup it sounds like a bruised rib. I had one before and it hurts like you describe. I’m afraid all you can do is wait and be careful so it doesn’t get worse.

eagle1951 · Answer

not much can be done with rib injury you could try and wrap it with an Ace bandage

In_Trance · Answer

How do you know it's broken?

collie22 · Answer

Sounds painful, sorry your hurt

How to deal with a busted rib?

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My cousin, who we share housing, hurt her ribs and the ER doctor wouldn't do anything for her either, they told her there is nothing they can do.