If my name was Eve I'd be a *little* more concerned
September 14, 2008 2:32 PM Subscribe
Pain. pain. pain. Broken rib(s). Looking for herbal or other suggestions for relief because I do not think my doctor will refill my prescription. Apparently I am supposed to just tough it out. And, dammit, I know you are not a doctor. I am just looking for similar experiences.
Six weeks ago I was tossing a ball in the backyard and my dogs clipped me at full speed right into my right knee. This caused me to fall onto a very well built doghouse. I was in denial until the next day. PAIN. I went to the doc and the x-rays showed no break. I get some meds and I leave. I show up the next 2 days at work in tears (I think I have a high pain tolerance). Story cut short: went to another doc and verified that my rib was indeed broken and separated from my sternum. OUCH. The problem for me is that they did not x-ray my whole chest, they just asked where it hurt and imaged that. Since then the other side of my chest is causing me mondo pain. Methinks that in actuality I have 3 broken ribs. I can feel them grinding. I know that there is nothing that can be done to fix a broken rib except time. BUT, I am still in major pain. Seizing pain. My prescription has been filled 3 times and I am afraid that if I call again they will think I am a junkie. I have been taking a lot of Aleve and purchased some valerian. There is more to this story (my right foot has been numb...dead numb since this happened. Doc thinks it will work itself out.) So, any recommendations on how to manage pain until I begin to heal?
Six weeks ago I was tossing a ball in the backyard and my dogs clipped me at full speed right into my right knee. This caused me to fall onto a very well built doghouse. I was in denial until the next day. PAIN. I went to the doc and the x-rays showed no break. I get some meds and I leave. I show up the next 2 days at work in tears (I think I have a high pain tolerance). Story cut short: went to another doc and verified that my rib was indeed broken and separated from my sternum. OUCH. The problem for me is that they did not x-ray my whole chest, they just asked where it hurt and imaged that. Since then the other side of my chest is causing me mondo pain. Methinks that in actuality I have 3 broken ribs. I can feel them grinding. I know that there is nothing that can be done to fix a broken rib except time. BUT, I am still in major pain. Seizing pain. My prescription has been filled 3 times and I am afraid that if I call again they will think I am a junkie. I have been taking a lot of Aleve and purchased some valerian. There is more to this story (my right foot has been numb...dead numb since this happened. Doc thinks it will work itself out.) So, any recommendations on how to manage pain until I begin to heal?
I think you need to go talk to your doctor again. If you think they misdiagnosed you, or under-diagnosed the extent of the your injury, then say so.
You may need some kind of brace/support and/or bed rest. Or maybe there's something else going on. In any case if you've gone through three prescriptions for narcotics then I don't think Aleve is going to do the trick. There's no reason to try to be a hero here.
posted by skallagrim at 2:50 PM on September 14, 2008
You may need some kind of brace/support and/or bed rest. Or maybe there's something else going on. In any case if you've gone through three prescriptions for narcotics then I don't think Aleve is going to do the trick. There's no reason to try to be a hero here.
posted by skallagrim at 2:50 PM on September 14, 2008
Also, if you think your doctor is a jerk or isn't listening then go somewhere else. Some doctors just suck.
posted by skallagrim at 2:51 PM on September 14, 2008
posted by skallagrim at 2:51 PM on September 14, 2008
Which "pain pills" make you hyper? That's a little unusual if you're talking about stuff with opiates in it. The whole point is that they are central nervous system depressants.
posted by Justinian at 2:52 PM on September 14, 2008
posted by Justinian at 2:52 PM on September 14, 2008
You should have another imaging done of the other side of your chest, because it's important to make sure you haven't punctured a lung.
As for the pain issues, perhaps looking into buying a TENS device? They're not crazy expensive ($50 and up, iirc) and that might be helpful.
And nth-ing the "see another doctor" recommendations.
posted by Sidhedevil at 2:58 PM on September 14, 2008
As for the pain issues, perhaps looking into buying a TENS device? They're not crazy expensive ($50 and up, iirc) and that might be helpful.
And nth-ing the "see another doctor" recommendations.
posted by Sidhedevil at 2:58 PM on September 14, 2008
@Justinian "Which "pain pills" make you hyper? That's a little unusual "
Nope. I had Fexeril (same as crankyboots) mixed with Percocet for my back. Made me hyper plus an a-hole.
As you mention numb foot and the result of a fall, maybe you hurt your back as well? The siatic (sp?) nerve runs all the way from your back down your leg and can result in pain in the leg / foot numbness.
posted by monkeydluffy at 2:59 PM on September 14, 2008
Nope. I had Fexeril (same as crankyboots) mixed with Percocet for my back. Made me hyper plus an a-hole.
As you mention numb foot and the result of a fall, maybe you hurt your back as well? The siatic (sp?) nerve runs all the way from your back down your leg and can result in pain in the leg / foot numbness.
posted by monkeydluffy at 2:59 PM on September 14, 2008
The right foot numbness concerns me. If there's a teaching hospital near you, go to the emergency room. Bring a couple of books and be prepared for a long wait. You need more than an x-ray to figure out what's wrong.
posted by TorontoSandy at 3:01 PM on September 14, 2008
posted by TorontoSandy at 3:01 PM on September 14, 2008
foot numbness is not good. go back to your doctor, or find another.
posted by thinkingwoman at 3:18 PM on September 14, 2008
posted by thinkingwoman at 3:18 PM on September 14, 2008
If you think your doc missed part of the diagnosis, definitely either go back to the same doc or try another doc. Walk into the room and state as the first sentence out of your mouth, "The reason I'm here is because I think the diagnosis was [wrong/incomplete]. I am still in pain and I am afraid I have an injury to my [rib on the other side, spinal column, common peroneal nerve]. I would like these possibilities evaluated and I would like the pain to be treated more successfully."
posted by ikkyu2 at 3:36 PM on September 14, 2008 [4 favorites]
posted by ikkyu2 at 3:36 PM on September 14, 2008 [4 favorites]
Call your doctor (or his service today.) You're still in significant pain and have foot numbness.
That it hasn't gone away; and you'd like help or a referral. Or go to doctor number 2. It's been six weeks. You've probably hurt your back or your knee and have a compressed nerve.
You're not to 'tough this out.' In fact, after you talk to the doctor, and they find something explain you have been toughing this out and had trouble sleeping from the pain. And that you interpreted your doctors post visit instructions to 'tough it out.' And that you're still in significant pain.
posted by filmgeek at 3:54 PM on September 14, 2008
That it hasn't gone away; and you'd like help or a referral. Or go to doctor number 2. It's been six weeks. You've probably hurt your back or your knee and have a compressed nerve.
You're not to 'tough this out.' In fact, after you talk to the doctor, and they find something explain you have been toughing this out and had trouble sleeping from the pain. And that you interpreted your doctors post visit instructions to 'tough it out.' And that you're still in significant pain.
posted by filmgeek at 3:54 PM on September 14, 2008
Foot numbnes = sciatic nerve = big trouble
Don't tough it out. I tried that and ended up unable to sit down for 4 weeks.
posted by unSane at 3:55 PM on September 14, 2008
Don't tough it out. I tried that and ended up unable to sit down for 4 weeks.
posted by unSane at 3:55 PM on September 14, 2008
Response by poster: Wow. Thanks everyone. I was really starting to think I was being a baby about the whole thing. I know i am not but when you are repeatedly told that is "just a rib fracture", you start to doubt yourself.
As to the "hyper" on downers question, I have always been like this. Hydrocodone or anything with a "ine" in the name makes me hyper. Codine, morphine, you get the point. When you are in enough pain to be prescribed one of these drugs it becomes very depressing because one does not get the relief one needs when the drug has the opposite effect than what was intended.
I will go and see another doctor. I am beaten down by the pain.
Hopefully I can get another months worth of meds, but really, that only translates into a week or so.
I WILL be proactive tomorrow! I still fear the "it is only a broken rib..."
And by the way, they do not promote using a wrap or anything that restricts breathing. Too many worries about pneumonia.
posted by crankyboots at 4:08 PM on September 14, 2008
As to the "hyper" on downers question, I have always been like this. Hydrocodone or anything with a "ine" in the name makes me hyper. Codine, morphine, you get the point. When you are in enough pain to be prescribed one of these drugs it becomes very depressing because one does not get the relief one needs when the drug has the opposite effect than what was intended.
I will go and see another doctor. I am beaten down by the pain.
Hopefully I can get another months worth of meds, but really, that only translates into a week or so.
I WILL be proactive tomorrow! I still fear the "it is only a broken rib..."
And by the way, they do not promote using a wrap or anything that restricts breathing. Too many worries about pneumonia.
posted by crankyboots at 4:08 PM on September 14, 2008
4 over the counter generic ibuprofen and a pint of Guinness every six hours or as needed. Yes, I'm sure that's medically contraindicated for any number of reasons and dumb and so on but, and YMMV, that's how I made it through three broken ribs. However, by six weeks I was able to cut down on both the ibuprofen and the Guinness, which is good, since I don't like Guinness much. If you're still in significant, constant pain - not just the occasional twinge-y oh I probably shouldn't have lifted that box or raised my arm kind of pain - then my completely IANAD opinion would be that you should get thee to another doctor, there's something else going on here.
posted by mygothlaundry at 4:34 PM on September 14, 2008
posted by mygothlaundry at 4:34 PM on September 14, 2008
Make sure you explain to the new docs that you've got an atypical reaction to hydrocodone.
(Shit makes me high as a kite and completely disinhibits me, much to the consternation of folks around who have to see my breasts without advance warning. And *then* my throat swells up. Turns out I'm actually really allergic-- so your weird reactions may be more to do with a bad drug reaction.)
posted by fairytale of los angeles at 4:39 PM on September 14, 2008
(Shit makes me high as a kite and completely disinhibits me, much to the consternation of folks around who have to see my breasts without advance warning. And *then* my throat swells up. Turns out I'm actually really allergic-- so your weird reactions may be more to do with a bad drug reaction.)
posted by fairytale of los angeles at 4:39 PM on September 14, 2008
I had two broken ribs while traveling in Southeast Asia. It hurt like HELL but I knew there was nothing that could be done for it so I wrapped them and popped ibuprofen like it was candy. My doctor in the U.S. later told me that was pretty much all I could've done, there's really nothing much to be done for broken ribs. (Although I probably added more Thai whiskey to the mix than he would've prescribed...)
Seconding what others said about having the lungs checked though. It turned out I had a partially collapsed lung as well as the broken ribs and was just lucky that by chance I actually did the right thing for that too. And for a numb foot, that makes me think maybe a nerve is being pinched or something...? It probably should be xrayed just as a precaution, I'd imagine.
I'm wondering... do you have insurance? Because it's sounding to me like maybe you don't. Reason I say that is because I know when I had no insurance, it didn't matter if I had a bone sticking out doctors would still tell me that things would "work themselves out" and I was "fine"... but the second I got insurance I found they'd demand a battery of tests for a stubbed toe. I know I found that very frustrating.
posted by miss lynnster at 5:24 PM on September 14, 2008
Seconding what others said about having the lungs checked though. It turned out I had a partially collapsed lung as well as the broken ribs and was just lucky that by chance I actually did the right thing for that too. And for a numb foot, that makes me think maybe a nerve is being pinched or something...? It probably should be xrayed just as a precaution, I'd imagine.
I'm wondering... do you have insurance? Because it's sounding to me like maybe you don't. Reason I say that is because I know when I had no insurance, it didn't matter if I had a bone sticking out doctors would still tell me that things would "work themselves out" and I was "fine"... but the second I got insurance I found they'd demand a battery of tests for a stubbed toe. I know I found that very frustrating.
posted by miss lynnster at 5:24 PM on September 14, 2008
What the others have said above, plus: make sure you emphasize that you're having trouble sleeping, and that you find it very difficult to work. Those two things always make doctors take things more seriously.
posted by Koko at 5:24 PM on September 14, 2008
posted by Koko at 5:24 PM on September 14, 2008
The really painful part of broken ribs shouldn't last anything like six weeks. I think your doctor doesn't know what he's doing and I'd suggest going to get another opinion.
posted by fshgrl at 5:25 PM on September 14, 2008
posted by fshgrl at 5:25 PM on September 14, 2008
If you are truly looking for a home remedy for pain, get drunk. Seriously. Not puking in your boots drunk but a beer every half hour. This is if you are NOT on the opiates.
Oh, and see your doctor. Self medicating is a big mistake in the long run.
posted by JohnnyGunn at 5:29 PM on September 14, 2008
Oh, and see your doctor. Self medicating is a big mistake in the long run.
posted by JohnnyGunn at 5:29 PM on September 14, 2008
fshgrl's right. Six weeks for cracked ribs?
I fractured three ribs on the way to work a couple years back. For the first week, the pain was almost unbearable, particularly when laughing, coughing or heaven forbid sneezing, and I'm one of those idiots who avoids painkillers. By the end of the second week, I was getting by on extra strength over the counter stuff.
posted by JaredSeth at 5:32 PM on September 14, 2008
I fractured three ribs on the way to work a couple years back. For the first week, the pain was almost unbearable, particularly when laughing, coughing or heaven forbid sneezing, and I'm one of those idiots who avoids painkillers. By the end of the second week, I was getting by on extra strength over the counter stuff.
posted by JaredSeth at 5:32 PM on September 14, 2008
Response by poster: Thank DOG, I do have great insurance. I already called my doc (he answered the phone on a Sunday evening!!) The problem with him is that he is an hour away from me. He is going to schedule a CAT (meOW) scan. I recently started to migrate to docs who were closer to home. Bleh. Stick with what you know and who you trust, eh? My Little brother (by a whole year) has MS and it started out w/foot numbness. I am not thinking that is my issue...but holy crap, my foot feels like a brick for a month & a half and I have been complacent about it just because DR X said so?
He said it would work itself out. He's probably hoping the same for his hairpiece. Maybe I should tell him to take 2 Aleve before he looks in he mirror.
*cattily smug*
posted by crankyboots at 6:00 PM on September 14, 2008
He said it would work itself out. He's probably hoping the same for his hairpiece. Maybe I should tell him to take 2 Aleve before he looks in he mirror.
*cattily smug*
posted by crankyboots at 6:00 PM on September 14, 2008
That's called a "paradoxical reaction", if you want to google it. It's not uncommon.
You should not be in this much pain this long after the injury, I would think.
I used a rib belt back before they decided it was contraindicated and found it most helpful. I was aware of the potential for pneumonia, and made it a point to breathe deeply and cough every time I thought of it, just as you would after surgery. I haven't broken a rib since they decided you shouldn't, so I haven't been faced with the moral dilema.
Interestingly enough, a nurse explained to me last week that liquor, while it does kill pain, also lowers the pain threshold. I have not gotten around to looking that up, but I suspect there's some truth in it.
The numb foot worries me, because if a nerve is pinched too long, it may not come back.
Do they have an urgent care center in your area? They're always good for a secod opinion, although I'd see a neurologist if you can afford it.
And what ikkyu2 said.
posted by unrepentanthippie at 7:04 PM on September 14, 2008
You should not be in this much pain this long after the injury, I would think.
I used a rib belt back before they decided it was contraindicated and found it most helpful. I was aware of the potential for pneumonia, and made it a point to breathe deeply and cough every time I thought of it, just as you would after surgery. I haven't broken a rib since they decided you shouldn't, so I haven't been faced with the moral dilema.
Interestingly enough, a nurse explained to me last week that liquor, while it does kill pain, also lowers the pain threshold. I have not gotten around to looking that up, but I suspect there's some truth in it.
The numb foot worries me, because if a nerve is pinched too long, it may not come back.
Do they have an urgent care center in your area? They're always good for a secod opinion, although I'd see a neurologist if you can afford it.
And what ikkyu2 said.
posted by unrepentanthippie at 7:04 PM on September 14, 2008
Hey kids, here's a fun one for pain -- since you can only take ibuprofen every four hours and you can only take tylenol every four hours, stagger them, taking ibuprofen at 10 and then tylenol at noon then ibu at 2 and tylenol at 4 etc and etc. I've got a buddy that's a nurse, I called her when I had a really rockin' fever and that's what she recommended to me, said that they don't bounce off of each other, don't interact badly, etc and etc. It knocked the fever down in a heartbeat (okay, a few heartbeats) and I sure hope to remember it any time I'm in the sort of pain you're in, or any other.
Any docs out there in askmetafilter-land care to let us know if this is incorrect? I trust my buddy, she's been a nurse for a thousand years (give or take) but if you've got something to tell us, if this is a bad idea (or a good one) please let us know.
posted by dancestoblue at 7:38 PM on September 14, 2008
Any docs out there in askmetafilter-land care to let us know if this is incorrect? I trust my buddy, she's been a nurse for a thousand years (give or take) but if you've got something to tell us, if this is a bad idea (or a good one) please let us know.
posted by dancestoblue at 7:38 PM on September 14, 2008
dancestoblue: That's what my daughter's pediatrician has us do when she's sick with a fever.
posted by headspace at 8:23 PM on September 14, 2008
posted by headspace at 8:23 PM on September 14, 2008
Look for, or ask for a referral to, a Pain Management Specialist, or a 'pain doctor'. Usually they are anesthesiologists who have specialized training in managing day-in-day-out pain.
They have training in finding exactly the right medications for managing your pain without incapacitating you with side effects. There is absolutely no need for you to suffer without the right meds. You will heal better if your pain is controlled, allowing you to stay active. Good luck.
posted by oceanmorning at 9:35 PM on September 14, 2008
They have training in finding exactly the right medications for managing your pain without incapacitating you with side effects. There is absolutely no need for you to suffer without the right meds. You will heal better if your pain is controlled, allowing you to stay active. Good luck.
posted by oceanmorning at 9:35 PM on September 14, 2008
"BUT, I am still in major pain. Seizing pain."
geez if a doc told me to tough it out i'd kick his ass. it's like a mechanic saying your car is fine even tho all the windows and doors are missing.
if it wasn't your chest area, i'd say light bong ;)
posted by axltea at 10:18 PM on September 14, 2008
geez if a doc told me to tough it out i'd kick his ass. it's like a mechanic saying your car is fine even tho all the windows and doors are missing.
if it wasn't your chest area, i'd say light bong ;)
posted by axltea at 10:18 PM on September 14, 2008
Heads up on ibuprofen - I broke the hell out of my left wrist in July. I was taking ibuprofen when I ran out of hydrocodone. The orthopedic specialist I saw specifically told me NOT to take ibuprofen, as it may inhibit healing.
According to this article, it may only slow it by a week. YMMV.
posted by louche mustachio at 2:44 AM on September 15, 2008
According to this article, it may only slow it by a week. YMMV.
posted by louche mustachio at 2:44 AM on September 15, 2008
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posted by crankyboots at 2:49 PM on September 14, 2008