posted
While I was in Scotland, I managed to pick up a case of bronchitis. While it cleared up after a few rounds of antibiotics, I am still having pain in my chest. It started about two weeks after I began coughing. I actually first felt it when I woke up one morning after getting back to the States, so it might have something to do with the very uncomfortable bed I was sleeping on at the time.
Anyhow, it's now been about two weeks since it started hurting, and it's not getting better. The pain's pretty localized on the right side at about the height of my elbow. It hurts to engage the muscles there--very sharp pain if I breathe in all the way, sit up, cough, or sneeze. It hurts to do other things like walk or laugh, but not quite as badly. Poking it also hurts.
I've had two chest x-rays since it started hurting, and nothing showed up. Anyone else have something like this happen to them? Any suggestions on how I can make it stop hurting as much?
Posts: 3546 | Registered: Jul 2002
| IP: Logged |
posted
Sounds like intercostal muscle pain. Straining those muscles hurts like the dickens, and takes a long time to heal (it's so easy to re-strain them!).
Try splinting with a pillow under you when sleeping. Advil and other NSAIDs may also help (assuming you have no contraindications). So do warm showers.
Printer-friendly view of this topic
