Has anyone ever broken a rib?

[susanm]

i fell yesterday.. coming home from one job, rushing to get to the other, carrying lots of stuff and talking on the cell
and as i entered my bldg i tripped over one of those black throw mats they use in stores and stuff...
anyway i landed on my bag i carry for work...a small duffle, right on the ribs.. ouch...
only had about 20min to get to work so rushed to my apt and had to change...took the elbow out of the shirt and knee out of the pants and get to work..

sore sore sore....hurts like you cant imagine when i cough, deep breath, turn or pick up something...

good thing i was due to go to the dr today anyway..i just left him a message to see if he could order an xray before i see him...(they do xrays in his bldg...would be nice...then he would have the results by the time i see him)

so anyway, does anyone know how to tell the difference between just a bruise (no black and blue mark) to the rib cage or a broken bone? trying to decide if i should go to work for 1/2 day

thanks guys

[sydney]

So sorry Susan! I'd go just in case- you won't know unless you get an x-ray. Then the dr can let you know what you can and can't do to speed up recovery. My dad broke one once, but thought it was bruised and went months without going to the dr, in lots of pain. Hope you're better soon!

[ilovdisney]

Sorry to hear that Susan. Hope it's not broken. PD for getting better and it not being broken.

[crispy]

No experience, but definitely get it checked out. Sorry you fell and are in pain!

[susanm]

just got home from the drs... got xrays and he is still not sure... there seems to be some kind of spot on a rib and he cant see a fracture but thinks it can possibly be a hairline... he is sending the xray to a radiologist to read (it was the family dr i saw today) anyway he gave me a cough med and stopped a blood pressure pill due to a cough i cant seem to shake... but he did order codine in the cough syrup that should help the rib pain..... hope it works...just took my first dose... think i will be asleep early tonight... GOOD NIGHT EVERYONE LOL

[McDuck]

Glad you got it checked. Keep us posted what the verdict is and take care! Love ya!