I am just getting over pneumonia and coughing a lot. Last night I felt something pop in my back left, upper rib. Very sharp pain. I can breathe okay and taking ibuprofen every 4 hours. I m afraid to cough again because it hurts. I m also doing hot and cold packs. How long will this take to feel okay?
Thanks for your question on Chat Doctor. In my opinion you are having muscular pain only due to excessive coughing. Since you had pneumonia, better to rule out recurrence of pneumonia as this can also cause similar pain. So get done chest x-ray and compare this with previous one. If improving than no need to worry much, this is muscular only. Due to excessive coughing ribs and intercostal muscles are contracting very forcefully. When coughing is repeated, it becomes painful. So try to follow these steps for better symptomatic relief.1. Avoid heavy weight lifting and strenuous exercise. 2. Avoid bad postures in sleep. 3.  Along with ibuprofen take muscle relaxant also.4. Continue warm water pad application. 5. Wear chest belt to avoid mobilization of affected area.