Extreme pain in ribs?!
Question: Hi all,
My mother was in a car accident yesterday and got pretty banged up. They suspected she had broken a few ribs and gave her a CT scan but it showed that she was only bruised. She was prescribed Vicodin, but today we found out that it makes her nauseous, so she's just been taking extra-strength Tylenol. A couple of hours ago, she began feeling a lot of pain in the chest/rib area, and she said it felt like something "snapped." I wanted to take her to the ER, but she didn't want to go. I believe her follow-up with her regular doctor is tomorrow, but I'm not sure how she's going to get there when she can hardly move. Is there anything I should do? She is an LPN and I think they tend to be more stubborn about these things.
Thanks for any help.
Answers: Hi all,
My mother was in a car accident yesterday and got pretty banged up. They suspected she had broken a few ribs and gave her a CT scan but it showed that she was only bruised. She was prescribed Vicodin, but today we found out that it makes her nauseous, so she's just been taking extra-strength Tylenol. A couple of hours ago, she began feeling a lot of pain in the chest/rib area, and she said it felt like something "snapped." I wanted to take her to the ER, but she didn't want to go. I believe her follow-up with her regular doctor is tomorrow, but I'm not sure how she's going to get there when she can hardly move. Is there anything I should do? She is an LPN and I think they tend to be more stubborn about these things.
Thanks for any help.
Rib injuries can be very serious because you risk puncturing a lung or other organs. However any breaks would have shown up in the CT scan. I wouldn't worry too much, ribs are very sensitive and even slight bruising can be very painful.
Rib injury is the most painful thing I ever see where I work. She is LPN so is aware of what to do. Don't try to second guess her, this will stress her out even more. Great to see you are so concerned about her. That is so sweet.
If she has had her ribs checked, then they are probably OK, and the pain is more likely due to the associated bruising.
Her inability to tolerate the stronger pain medication may also be affecting her perception of the pain. In other words, she is experiencing breakthrough pain.
If her pain is interfering with her breathing, seek emergency medical help, as there is a small risk that your mother may have sustained an undiagnosed pneumothorax or haemothorax (collapsed lung) from the accident.
Keep an eye on her and return your mum to the hospital if concerned.
Good luck.