I fell at work May 28. The x-rays didn't show broken ribs, but the second time I went to a doctor, he felt I had broken ribs even though it didn't show up. Tonight my back/kidney area on the opposite side is really hurting. The right side where I fell constantly hurts when i move. Breathing deep causes pain. I haven't been able to lay on the bed since I fell. I have tried to resume activities, but it's very difficult. Thursday after I feel, the doctor did a cbc to make sure I didn't have internal bleeding. After 2 1/2 weeks I expected to be healed. :(
G'day Reanne, sorry about your injury. Please don't be discouraged about taking so long to heal. Rib injuries heal very slowly. Just be patient. Even after several weeks, you may feel a sharp jab, if you move the wrong way.
Ease back into your work routine as slowly as you can. Do slow stretching exercises every day. Just don't over do it.
In my working career I have had several rib injuries. I have learned that the old saying, "Time heals all wounds.", applies to rib injuries. Just hang in there.
Seeker.
You might have pulled a muscle or two there too. They take time to heal. I'd ask about that.
Allow yourself the luxury of time to heal.
It takes awhile for bones to heal.. Maybe ask your doc for some pain meds to help you through it.. I hope you feel better soon..
Iris... Sorry you are still hurting.
My Mom, still sprite at 82, tripped over the dog Thursday morning. Fortunately, she already had a routine, Dr. appt Friday AM. He told her bruising was more painful than a break (no breaks for Mom :)) She hurt her ribs, and her foot.
"Breathing deep causes pain"
With your situation I would definitely do a follow-up with the Dr. I would not leave it to chance.
OUCH!!!! So sorry to hear!
I'm so afraid of falling. My feet are very painful and I have to be SO careful!
Thank you all for your encouraging words. I went back to the doctor yesterday and he thinks I may have injured my liver. That scared me, so I haven't really done much of anything since. He said to take tramadol as needed for pain, but I thought pain med was bad for the liver?
The center I work for follows the same schedule as public school, so I am off another 8 weeks or so. I am scheduled to have a sonogram of my liver on Monday to make sure it isn't bleeding, but my daughter who recently moved back home has an important appointment 75 miles away. I am going to call to see if there is a way I could possibly get the sonogram done in there instead of here.
Thanks again for your concern. Well wishes to all of you.
So sorry to hear about your fall. It is always something isn't it? Rest all you can, and be careful with moving around, and keep all your appointments, and you will at least feel better when they find out about your liver.
susanep :)
I am happy you followed up...smart lady.
"tramadol as needed for pain, but I thought pain med was bad for the liver"
Usually, a med will affect the liver if taken in large doses and/or taken for long periods of time.
My best talks with my daughter are alone in the car....enjoy. But, don't let her take control of the radio/CD :o
Oh boy, I hope your liver turns out to be fine.
These falls can really cause long lasting symptoms. My hubby fell last April and we ended up having 2 ER visits plus one urgent care. They didn't diagnose him right the first time or the second time. Didn't give him any pain pills and he was in misery.
He has broken more ribs than I can keep track of. I could hear them grate when he moved. It was about 2 months before it finally let up. It really caused him lots of grief for a while.
I took him to ER the second time because he is on warfarin and was having so much pain in his right side. I was concerned that he might be having some bleeding also. His face took many weeks to fade. He really hit hard on the edge of a metal bar stool when he fell.
One doesn't always realize the magnitude of the injury from a fall for a couple of days. It pays to be vigilant with a doctors visit. Good luck. Irish ;D
Thanks again everyone, you are all so supportive. I called today to see what time my appointment would be for the sonogram because I have to take my daughter to her out of town appointment this afternoon. No one can tell me anything. I left a message for the doctor to call, but so far nothing. Ugh!! If possible I was going to see if they would schedule an appointment in that town instead of locally. The pain has somewhat diminished today, but my belly is still swollen. My daughter tried to convince me to go last night to a "real" hospital so they could check right away, but that would involve an hour and half drive (one way). You would think if they really thought I might be bleeding from the liver they would get me in asap here. Very frustrating!
The clinic called back and said I needed a sonogram asap. Oh really?! :-\ It is done now. I should get results sometime late this afternoon or tomorrow morning.
Ugh!!! Hurry up and wait. The sonogram was supposed to be asap, but when I called to see if the results were in the nurse said, "It's on his desk. It will be after 1:30 when he looks at it."
Reanne , as far as I understand the liver regenerates itself pretty quick, hope this is so with yours/
Good Luck Dolly