Strained chest muscle - Can the doctor do anything?

euronorris

Hi All,

I caught a bout of the flu the other week, which brought along with it a nasty cough.

Although I was mostly feeling better last week, the cough lingered, and so on Wednesday I strained a chest muscle whilst coughing. I haven't had that confirmed, just going by past experience.

The pain that day, and evening (in particular) was so bad that I was in tears, grumpy, and even 2 X 500mg paracetemol and 1 X 400mg Ibuprofen wasn't much help (just took the edge off). Particularly bad when I still had the cough, and try as I might, couldn't stop myself from coughing completely.

Anyway, fast forward a few days and it was still sore, but seemed to be improving. Yesterday, I coughed a few times again (still trying to get rid of it, but cough is much, much better), felt a pop and then a searing pain again. Putting me right back to square 1

I treated it the same as before. Ice, rest (as much as possible) and painkillers. But the muscles in my back (at the same height) are now tensing up and getting sore, I still have to cough every now and then, and sneezing is torture! Really, sneezing is just awful, awful pain!

So, I'm wondering, can the doctor do anything to help? Or do I just have to 'ride it out'?

Most concerned about the coughing and sneezing as I can't control them, and they hurt like hell!

Thanks in advance.

podperson

Not a medical expert in any way so please be aware this is based purely on personal experience but doctors don't seem to be able to do much for things like that. My mum had a really nasty cough a few years ago and ended up actually cracking a rib, all the doctor could do was offer stronger painkillers. Although it does sound like you've had the cough a bit now so might be worth getting it checked in case it's gone into your chest and you need antibiotics to clear it up. Hope you feel better soon x

peachyprice

Are you sure it's a chest muscle and not pleurisy? The first time I had it I went to A&E believing I'd broken a rib

euronorris

Thanks for the responses.

Podperson - This is what I was thinking. Although, I was wondering if they would prescribe a muscle relaxant to help stop the other muscles from seizing up and causing further pain.

Peachy - I was wondering if it could be a cracked rib. I've looked at the symptoms for pleurisy too (it seems to come up as suggestions for cause of the pain). But, I don't have a fever, so I thought it couldn't be that.

The cough is getting better, slowly, and I do think it was on my chest, just viral and not bacterial. It creeps up on me though, as I think I'm fine, and then breathe in and suddenly find I have to cough again (I don't wanna be anymore detailed/graphic than that as it's a bit gross).

I've had the cough for 2 weeks and 3 days now. Have been using an over the counter cough mixture to help. I wouldn't usually bother, but the pain from this muscle means I am determined to cough as little as possible.

The symptoms do seem to fit pleurisy though, other than the fever. And er, it's orangey/brown stuff that I'm coughing up. Sorry for TMI.

I should just make an appt, shouldn't I?

(PS, I should add that I did see the doctor in the first week I was ill, and he said it was viral, prescribed something to help lessen the mucus (sorry for TMI) and told me to come back if I had a fever over 38.5C)

peachyprice

euronorris wrote: »

.

Peachy - I was wondering if it could be a cracked rib. I've looked at the symptoms for pleurisy too (it seems to come up as suggestions for cause of the pain). But, I don't have a fever, so I thought it couldn't be that.

I've had it without a fever. Yes madam, you should make an appointment pronto!

euronorris

peachyprice wrote: »

I've had it without a fever. Yes madam, you should make an appointment pronto!

I tried. Been told I have to call back tomorrow, before 11am, to make the appointment. They won't make appoinments after 11am, as they are busy with other things! Great!

So, I'll call tomorrow, or pop in on my way to the station.

How do they even treat Pleurisy(if it is that)? Is it antibiotics? I can't get the NHS page to load! Very annoying!

peachyprice

IIRC, anti inflamatories and anti biotics if it's bacterial, and rest!

j.e.j.

euronorris wrote: »

I should just make an appt, shouldn't I?

yes, or try nhs direct? They may at least be able to tell you if it's cause for concern or not.

euronorris

j.e.j. wrote: »

yes, or try nhs direct? They may at least be able to tell you if it's cause for concern or not.

I live outside of the UK now, so I don't think it's fair for me to use resources I no longer pay for.

I will make an appointment with the doctor tomorrow morning, and see what they say.

Every site suggests that if the pain hasn't improved, or it gets worse, after 5 days then I should consult a doctor. So, as it is now Day 6 of this pain, I think it is a good idea for me to see the doctor and let him/her (depends who I get to see) deal with it/tell me how to treat it.

Skymist

If I were you euronorris, I'd get myself down to the A&E department of your nearest hospital...after Doctors surgery hours are fininshed..which is something I've done in the past.

They have all the equipment to do proper scans, to work out a proper diagnosis, on the spot, even if it involves a long waiting period! Just say that you can't bare the pain any longer, and that the condition is affecting you day to day life...you're not sleeping/eating etc..... and tell them how long it's been going on!!

Good luck honey...wish you better real soon!

S

euronorris

Thanks.

This is one of those things though, where I will feel pretty silly going to A&E if it turns out just to be a strained muscle.

Another thing bothering me is time away from work. I had 7 days off in January to recover from a small operation. Was back at work for 4 days, then had another 5 days off for flu. And now this.

Really trying to minimise my time off. Scared I'll lose my job if it carries on like this.

Plus I'm hormonal right now.