Anyone Else Injured Themselves by Coughing Hard?

Updated on November 12, 2009
D.B. asks from Grand Prairie, TX
13 answers

I had a very bad cough last week. Friday evening I had a coughing fit so bad, that I actually injured a muscle by coughing so hard. I am guessing that it is a muscle or muscle group that is injured. Hurts worst when I cough. Also hurts if I take a deep breath, sneeze, lift, twist, bend, or raise up my arm. Has anyone else actually injured themselves by coughing? And how long did soreness last? My mother had a similar injury lasting 2 months. My muscle is located right under right breast, so I'm guessing it's some kind of rib related muscle. Been sore for 6 days. Would value opinion of any nurses or doctors out there also!

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So What Happened?

Went to doctor and he said I'd strained the muscle between the ribs. So I have to take it easy and he said to take aleve throughout the day for inflammation and also hot pad twice a day. Thanks everyone for advice and letting me know I'm not the only one that hurt myself through coughing!

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P.W.

answers from Dallas on

my mother also cracked a rib coughing. You may need to be wearing a brace or something until it heals. see a doctor.

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T.S.

answers from Dallas on

Yes, I have done that and it hurts like you have a cracked rib or something! :) The doctor said I had separated the cartiledge from the rib from coughing so hard. Nothing he could do. I took tylenol to help with the pain some, but other than that it just took time to heal. Push firmly against your side when you cough to try and ease the pain. I can't remember how long it took to heal, but I am thinking it was at least a month.

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S.S.

answers from Dallas on

I broke three ribs my last bout with pneumonia. My Doctor found the breaks when she did a chest X-ray for the pneumonia. I knew it hurt, but broken ribs from coughing, I never imagined. The "medicine" for broken ribs is the same as an injured muscle rest and minimal activity. When you do feel the pain lessening, take things slow and easy. DO NOT WRAP!

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K.T.

answers from Dallas on

I would have it checked. You could have cracked a rib or have a rib out of place. If either one of these is the case, it will not go away until you have it treated. I have had my rib out of place several times and it is not fun. I have also had a rib head come out of place and the is even worse. You will feel much better knowing what the issue is, than just guessing at it and letting it go untreated.

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H.M.

answers from Oklahoma City on

I have coughed hard enough to pull a muscle. If you are coughing that hard though, you should probably go to the dr. I am not one to go to the dr. I prefer home remedies....but if nothing was working and I hurt myself coughing, I'd probablt give in and call a dr. 1 tsp. apple cider vinegar really helps with coughs. Also a tsp of honey eases the soarness.

My sister coughed so hard once that the whites of her eyes filled with blood! It took about 10 days to go away. She looked horrible! The dr. said she was coughing too hard...LOL! So helpful!

M.A.

answers from Dallas on

Yes my former boss cracked a rib by coughing too hard too.

I pray you feel better.

Take care and God bless!

M.

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C.M.

answers from Amarillo on

My Grandmother actually cracked a rib from coughing...I second the opinion...get it checked out.

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M.T.

answers from Dallas on

Oh my gosh yes! Ouch!! I was 8 months pregnant and had a rotten cough. I couldn'tget x-rays to check for a crack but I went to my chiropractor, she examined me and popped it right back into place. Immediate relief!

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D.W.

answers from Tyler on

May want to get it checked out... I have known people who have broken ribs when coughing really hard.

You could have also pulled the ligaments in between the ribs...

I would try heating pad and anti-inflammatory meds (ibuprofen or aleve). You can try holding a pillow close to you when you need to cough.

If you are sick you may need some antibiotics or perhaps try mucinex to help loosen up any mucus in your lungs, so that coughing is more productive and helps.

Hope you get to feeling better very soon.

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C.J.

answers from Dallas on

I had a cold in Aug. that lasted about a month. I was coughing so much I must have pulled some muscles. It hurt to cough, laugh, breathe and sometimes move. It went away after a few weeks. It is not uncommon when you are really sick to have this happen. I hope you get to feeling better soon.

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J.S.

answers from Dallas on

D.,

May want to have it checked as you might have actually cracked a rib.

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J.N.

answers from Lubbock on

D.,
It might be pleurisy, an inflammation of the lining of the lung. It feels like your getting stabbed at every deep breath or cough, but is really not harmful. If it is pleurisy, expect the pain to last about 8 weeks. Sorry there are no shortcuts.
Jen

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T.P.

answers from Dallas on

Yes, D., it is possible to have pulled a muscle. But, it is also possible you have a rib out of place. I went to my doctor and told him that and he said it was not possible to have a rib out of place. He put me on pain pills and muscle relaxers. A week later I was still in pain and went to my chiropractor and she said it definitely WAS possible to have a rib out of place. She checked me and showed me exactly where it was. I got an adjustment and I was fine from then on. You might want to take that into consideration.

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