Cold, Flu and Viral Infections Forum - Pulled Muscle Behind Rib?

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Q: Pulled Muscle Behind Rib?

asked by: lsipes on January 15th, 2006

Experienced User

I have been sick since thanksgiving. It is now the middle of january and still cannot get over the cough.
Two weeks ago I noticed that my rib cage hurt when I took a deep breath. A couple of days later I realized it wasn't my rib cage, but the left side of my ribs, and it's localized. I can press on it and feel exactly where it hurts. It hurts to turn my torso, lay on that side, lay on my stomach, take a deep breath, yawn, run, etc. I have no idea, but a coworker suggested I may have pulled a muscle from coughing. Anyone with experience? Does it sound like this may be the cause of my pain/discomfort? And if so, what can I do to alleviate the pain?

Replies(11)

marissam7

replied on February 18th, 2008

New User

I have the exact same thing! I was sick with a very bad cough for about a week and suddenly i had this pain on the left side of my abdomen and sometimes almost hurts in my back too. At first i thought it was gas because a friend of mine had the same symptoms a while back... but now i'm pretty sure it's a pulled muscle.
It sucks cause i'm not quite over my cough and it kills each time!
I'm not sure if we can do anything for the pain except take some IB profin or something. If it hurts when you dont move, i'd def. go to the doc.

I'm just trying to move my torso as little as possible and hope it heals up!

Anonymous

replied on December 21st, 2008

A few hours ago I pulled this muscle you are talking. I have had a persistant cough since Dec 1st due to asthma. I've had two minor muscle pulls in my side under right under my ribcage, no trouble ever breathing. But the one today was much worse, it was agony - felt like a knife was being inserted and I cried everytime i moved. Its very difficult to sit up, to change positions sleeping...its exhausting since i was almost all better and now I have this senstive muscle pull. I hope it doesnt last long

Anonymous

replied on December 22nd, 2008

yup

I got mine from sneezing. dull constant pain. feel it mostly on expiration.

hooper496

replied on January 20th, 2009

New User

Argh

I was almost over nearly three weeks of bronchitis. Coughed in the night and heard/felt a pop in lower right back/side. So painful almost blacked out. XRays today, nothing broken, probably a torn muscle says MD. 500 MG Naproxin twice a day. I can feel popping/movement, so not sure how that fits diagnosis. Coughing is thankfully nearly done, but is VERY painful. In hell.

rygod1224

replied on March 9th, 2009

New User

Hurts Bad

I have the same thing on my left side. I went to the doctor and had some xrays taken and luckly no broken ribs. Doctor said probably a pulled muscle. Doc gave me some Vicodin and some muscle relaxers. It helps but you cant go to work on the pills. My advice would be take a week off and relax on the couch. Only resting will fix it.

jessiqua7

replied on April 8th, 2009

New User

I have the same thing

I had a cough for about two weeks and all of a sudden I had a localized soft spot on my ribs and everytime i coughed or laughed it hurt and a Dr. told me that I pulled a muscle coughing and that it can take sometimes up to a month or two to actually heal, because we constantly are breathing so they are constantly moving and thus makes it take longer to heal- coughing doesnt make it any easier. sorry ...

thereddragon

replied on April 10th, 2009

New User

In Agony Too

I had a bought of bronchitis for about three weeks which was accompanied with a persistent, hacking cough. Yesterday, I noticed a sharp stabbing pain on the left side of my ribcage; just under the pectoral area. Today I woke up and screamed because the pain was so intense; I couldn't even lift my left arm above my head, or lean back. I used a rub with some camphor (much like A535) and took some Ibuprofen. It has taken the edge off, but the sharp pain is still there. The MD told me it is a pulled muscle, and it will take a while for it to heal because of where the injury is. I hope that those of you that are in pain get better soon. The best of luck.

DrRoscoe

replied on September 10th, 2009

New User

Here's your diagnosis

You're all suffering with the same condition: hypercondritis vulgaris

CrazyGramma

replied on November 8th, 2009

New User

Since my last asthma flare up a few weeks ago, the dry cough and constant, starting hurting in my back. I knew I had pulled something; the pain is a 10 from the constant cough. Use Advair and inhaler. Then last night felt that POP and thought I was being stepped on by an elephant. Pulled the same muscle, more severe. Very immobilized today. Heating pad; hydrocodone; muscle relaxer; cough suppressant. Rest is all I can think to do; do not aggravate the situation. Really painful...hardly able to get dressed. If you have something similar...just rest...that's all that seems to work, for today.

kmeaks

replied on November 15th, 2009

New User

Oh, man. I pulled this muscle on Friday. Mine's under my right rib-cage, though. I was sick for a couple weeks, and was coughing a bit, but it was nothing any more severe than other coughs I've had. I guess I must've aggravated it somehow. I hope it goes away. I'm glad to hear I'm not the only one who's gone/is going through this.

sillygoose

replied on November 28th, 2009

New User

The real deal. I actually had h1n1 and coughed so much I did in fact pull a muscle. It is everything you all explained. It started with a sharp pain in my chest. I thought maybe I cracked a rib and the jagged edge was stabbing me in the heart ( I know that sounds crazy but that is how much it hurt) I went to the doctor and he did some probing in the area and diagnosed me with a pulled muscle. I am now on anti imfammitory pills and sometimes they help and sometimes they don't. I have had this for over 2 weeks and it never seems to subside. Good luck everyone.

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