I am male 44 years old. About 15 years ago I fractured several ribs in an automobile accident.

Recently on vacation while boogie boarding in the ocean I had a hard landing on my chest against a hard foam board as it dropped a few feet from a wave to the sand/shallow water below. At the time I remember a twing of pain and a wierd feeling as I took a breath but it quickly went away.

3 days later after some vigorous swimming in a pool I went to bed with some pain and difficulty taking a deep breath.

It is a difficult feeling to describe. When I take a deep breath I feel a pain in the upper chest, although I don't seem to have any rib tenderness. I also feel an odd pressure in my chest/neck area that is further aggravated if I bend over or exert myself like walking stairs.

On the 2nd day I swam again and felt fine but went to bed with pain. Sometime overnight last night I remember feeling something shift as I adjusted myself in bed. I woke up with no pain or difficulty breating.

Tonight out of nowhere the pain/pressure/difficulty breathing returned but went away after a hot shower (although a hot tub did not have any effect on I tthe previous night).

My question is what could this be? Fractured ribs or inflamed cartlidge? Pulled muscles? I'd believe either or but the wierd pressure feeling I get when bending over makes me wonder. Also the fact that it comes and goes makes me wonder. Could it be fractured rib pain/pressure that comes and goes as the ribs/cartlidge shifts? Why do I feel no tender spots in my ribs.

I hope i'm over-reacting and it goes away but it is fairly debilitating when it occurs. Any ideas out there??

I've tried ibuprofin