Breastbone injury?

[spiritofdragonfly]

Well I'm in a situation for sure. I was jogging with my 80 lb puppy yesterday when she suddenly darted in front of me, which left me tripping over her and falling straight to the ground. I remember wanting to protect my face from hitting the pavement, so I put my elbows in front of me and landed with my entire body laying flat. When I got up - I felt like I actually stretch my throat area too far and it felt really weird. It's the very first thing I noticed actually. My knees (for some reason) weren't used to protect me in my fall. Probably because my dog was there, then gone. She took off running alone.

Very quickly, I felt like my sternum hurt and I was unable to take deep breaths. I had to go chase my dog down so I was still running and having a hard time breathing. I thought I maybe just bruised something, but I do have a very high pain tolerance, so I need to check myself in sometimes. Today though, has been tough on me. I had a hard time sleeping last night, and still can't take a deep breath etc. Coughing is out of the question and there is no way to laugh other than gently. I am walking and talking with caution to say the least.

I took a warm bath this morning hoping a hot soak would help, but now I lay here with a cold pack on me at night still seeking relief. My breastplate is not bruised, but it is swollen - the entire area between my breasts and a good six inches up. I never thought a person could swell there!

Any suggestions? I dread sleeping tonight so am looking for relief. Maybe this will just take time. I have had shooting pain to my upper back though that made me get up and walk around to get relief. I've never had upper back pain in my entire life.

If I don't sleep well or can't breath properly soon, I will be going to the doctor for some help. Hopefully this is just a bruise. Thank you very much for any advice you may have. Julia

[spiritofdragonfly]

It's a bruised sternum - very painful. Apparently, it takes longer to heal because I have to (duh), breathe. In two weeks I should feel 25 % better he said, and in 6 wks., 50% better. Then in a few months I should be fine!!!

Too bad it takes so long to heal. If thinks get worse I need to get back to the doctor, but I am not a doctor kind of person, so I better just hurry up and heal fast!!! Haha I still love my dog!

[spiritofdragonfly]

Heading to the doctor - I have no choice. Breathing is feeling heavy and I feel "crooked". Went to take a shower and looked in the mirror to check on breastplate swelling, only to immediately notice my shoulders are slanted. My left is much lower than my right. Wow - I never even noticed that after I fell. Then again, I didn't look in the mirror until now. No answers yet on here - kind of a bummer.