could coughing cause broken ribs?

[southernbelle_187]

About 3 months ago, I developed a terrible cough. I am a smoker so I cut the smoking out & began breathing treatments with some albuterol I got from a friend. The cough eased though it never went away. then, about a month and a half after it began, I got really ill. Not having health insurance I didn't want to go to a doctor because I couldn't afford to pay up front. After about a week of feeling really rotten I took myself to the emergency room. The doctor told me I had walking pneumonia. After taking the 6 different prescription meds completely, I felt better but the cough & wheezing never went away. The cough is non productive and very deep. Thanksgiving night, I noticed a soreness in my mid to lower back. By noon the next day the pain was excruciating. With much reluctance, I went back to the ER. The doc told me after x rays, that I was over pneumonia but have bronchitis and pleurisy. He gave me anti inflamitories and something for pain. After spending 5 whole days in bed, I felt ok enough to return to work. Well, last night I was visiting a friend and had a coughing spell. I coughed very deeply and felt a hard pop in my back. It was so audible that 3 people in the room heard it. I hit the floor and almost blacked out from the pain. After calming down I coughed again and felt another snap in the same area. My friend who is a nurse tried to feel my ribs for any abnormalities, however, I am a larger woman and feeling my bones proved difficult. The pain is unbearable and trying to supress a cough is horrible. I am in such pain. Because my ER bills are stacking up, I hate to go back because I know there's not much they can do for a broken rib. But when I cough even lightly I feel like I am being stabbed! Should I suck it up and go, or is there anything I can do at home? Is it even possible to break a rib from coughing? I am really in terrible pain.

[SarahRico]

I'm going through something very similar.  Almost exactly, actually.  I was living in a studio apartment (moved in, june) that I kept the windows open all summer in.  Come September I closed the windows because it was getting chilly.  Due to poor ventilation, the shower in my studio would fog up the place completely, eventually condensing on the ceiling and walls, which I would mop to keep it from raining on me.  I told the landlord, but there was already rapid growing mold everywhere.  I developed an ear infection in both ears, a sinus infection, severe bronchitis, pleurisy, and eventually a broken rib.  It's now March.  I moved out in December and am JUST NOW beginning to feel "okay."
This sickness has brought me so down.  I quit my job of 6 years to recover.  Bought some ****** insurance, and decided to get free counseling.  It's so eye opening and humbling.  I'm 24, was in my prime, had a good(ish) job, got sick, snapped a rib, and damn! I guess it's just been a lot. :(

[JJforAU]

I have broken ribs from sneezing attacks, and recently coughing. But when they popped, I wasn't doing anything, just leaning on the counter, very strange! Now I have Osteoporosis, so that makes them weaker.
They got better quickly, but now worse, almost 5 weeks, popping all the time, from front to side to back. Very annoying, can feel them with my hand, especially when in bed & sitting in car. Will this ever go away?

[emz_09]

can you break ribs from coughing? ive had a cough for over two months and developed very bad chest pain. im just out of hospital (2nights) with possible blood clots in my chest. they couldn't x-ray me as i am 3 months pregnant. they took blood tests and are convinced that i do not have a blood clot it may just be bad muscle pain.
when i got home i took a coughing fit and heard and felt a huge popping noise in my chest and severe pain after it.. it is very painfull to move certain ways, breath and cough.

have i got broken ribs?

[Zenyatta]

Yes,coughing can break ribs! I have also gotten horrible spasms along my shoulder blade on the left side from coughing,this was worse than the broken rib. I could not keep from screaming.  I have chronic bronchitis and my lungs fill up all the time. Actually, you can get a binder with velcro closing at a medical supply store.  It really helps to have a tight binding on your ribs. check it out.  Good Luck!