I'm 34 weeks pregnant and I pulled a muscle in my ribs from coughing. It is really sore and hard to move- now it is worse. There is still pain where I pulled my muscle(under my left under arm) but now I am having a lot of pain under my left breast(sharp pain when coughing, bruised pain when breathing) tried to sleep last night and now I am having referred pain in my left shoulder/neck area. It is throbbing and hurts every time I breath- not to mention the extreme pain when I cough.
Is there anything I can do about this? My doc has okayed extra strength Tylenol- but it just makes me sleepy and sweaty- he has also recommended low heat heating pads- which I have also tried, it works a little- but not for this new pain.
I am getting no relief from any position I am in. I don't want to go to the emergency room because- I can't afford it and I don't think they can really do anything about it.
Any other suggestions? or will I just have to wait to see my Doc on Monday?
Thanks!
~C.
I second the massage and chiro.
I would be very concerned about the tylenol for the baby's sake.
Updated
I second the massage and chiro.
I would be very concerned about the tylenol for the baby's sake.
Soak in some epsom salts, it works wonders. I hate those pulled cough muscles. Work on getting rid of your cold so you dont cough anymore and you'll heal up.
sry you are going through this, i had this happen when pregnant with my second at 35 weeks pulled a muscle during a cold. All I could do like you was take tylenol. Never did heal before delivery and was pretty miserable. I know this isn't much as far as hope but I hear you. I was still able to delivery vaginally the pain didn't seem to bad for that.
Sounds like you've done more the pulled muscles -- you've probably cracked a rib. I'm currently recovering from exactly the same thing in exactly the same place. It must be so much harder when you're pregnant though. I used ibuprofen, but it's not something you can take while pg. If heat isn't giving you relief, try cold. I put a rice sock in the freezer for a while and used that -- it doesn't get as cold as ice. Unfortunately, the only thing that will help is time. If it is cracked, it will take about 6 weeks or so to heal completely, but it should start noticeably improving by a week or two after you stop coughing so much.
Are you sure you did not break a rib? I friend of mine did that from coughing while pregnant. It might explain the lack of relief. Good luck, Sorry for your pain.
my aunt's friend had the baby kick her rib once and they thought it was cracked but it turned out the baby had kicked a ligament away from the rib. It hurt her terribly and unfortunately there wasnt much she could do except find a comfortable position on the couch and try not to move.
There's a safer way for them to find out if you broke a rib...a simple ultrasound. If they ultrasound over a broken bone it will hurt like CRAZY! There's not much they can do for it if it is broken, but they CAN give you stronger pain meds that won't hurt the baby.
This is beyond your ob's expertise, you need a chiropractor (one that specifically treats pregnant women.) I kept popping ribs out of place during my second pregnancy and my chiropractor kept putting me back together. I drive to Arlington to see Dr. Kathy Perry at ###-###-####, but I'm sure there is someone closer.
Oh, sweetie, you poor thing!
A nice relaxing bath should help --especially if you can read a book & sip a cup of tea while you soak!
Try to breath in easily through your nose and blow out gently through your mouth (like GENTLY blowing a candle).
Tylenol won't hurt your little one -- but a stressed out, in-pain mom won't help! Try and drink a great deal of water whenever you take pain meds.
I'm not sure about this (check with your doctor or pharmacist) but would a topical anesthetic maybe help? Like BenGay or Topricin? BTW -- don't use those when your skin is warm from a bath or heating pad -- the pores are too open and it can cause an uncomfortable burning feeling.
Ooh, if you can get a gentle massage (sore ribs or no!) go for it!
Take care of yourself, my dear. A humidifier might help ease your cough, which will ease your discomfort. Hope you feel better soon!
C.,
Try chiropractic care to help relieve the pressure off of your muscles. I am a chiropractor and have treated many expecting moms with similar symptoms. Every case is different, but I've had some great results with chiropractic care. My office is in Allen, but if you live elsewhere, I can refer you to someone closer to home.
Dr. Rahimi
Have you tried a warm bath and regular tylonal? I am in severe pain due to an injury and during the day, I take regular tylonal, so I can function and it helps take the edge off.
I don't suggest the ER because they usually just make sure you are not broken and refer you to your doctor. As well, they often take Xrays, which now isn't the time, so try a warm bath and rest, with a little tylonal and if you have to see your doctor on Monday.
I would recommend Accupuncture and massage, followed by a warm bath with lots of Epsom Salts and still take the Tylenol. The Accupuncturists will know you are pregnant and choose the sites carefully.
You need to go to a chiropractor. You have a rib out of place. I'll get that if I have a coughing cold sometimes and the pain under your breast is the rin out of place. They should be able to move your back even with you being pregnant. I see Dr. Dean Beacham in McKinney. He's great and yes I saw him when I was pregnant! Good luck!
I think that you may have pluerisy. That is the inflamation of the lung's lining. It is not anything serious, but hurts like the dickins. The pain is very sharp. If it is pluerisy, there is not much that can be done. I just had to live with the pain. The worst news is that it takes 6-8 weeks to heal, so you might as well have a broken rib - sorry.
