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What Causes Pain Around Right Ribcage On Coughing?

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Posted on Wed, 23 Jul 2014
Question: I have been suffering for three weeks now with a sinus infection and bronchitis. I seem to be doing better after two rounds of antibiotics and steroids. I still have an occasional productive cough but very sore muscles bilaterally intercostally and especially around the right margin of my rib cage (liver). The last Dr. I saw said it was muscular, due to coughing. If that were true it should be getting better, not worse, as I am hardly coughing. I have not had any blood work nor x-rays. I am scheduled to see an ENT specialist (for a feared left inclusion cyst) in a week. Should I return for more treatment/diagnoses or should I just wait it out? I am a retired Nurse which sometimes presents a problem with me over-thinking things.

The intercostal pain/soreness is always there and does increase when I take a deep breath.

I take lipitor at bedtime but have not been consistent with that due to the discomfort around my liver.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Shashi Dangwal (31 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
The pain is of musculoskeletal origin due to cough

Detailed Answer:
Hello XXXX

The pain in your right subcoastal margin has resulted due to your coughing. Some times due to severe bouts of cough, there is overstretching of tissues in the muscles, cartilage or ribs in the chest wall. At times there may be a crack fracture of a rib which is called a cough fracture.. This pain increases with coughing, deep breathing and movements.

The pain will subside gradually over a period of time. However you may take a pain killer for symptomatic relief and support the area with your palm while coughing.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Shashi Dangwal (4 hours later)
Thank you and I will see how it progresses. You don't think it is pleurisy?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Shashi Dangwal (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
Pleurisy is another possibility

Detailed Answer:
Yes, pleurisy is another possibility. You said you are already recovering from sinus/bronchitis. Are you still running fever and have cough?

If the pain persists for a while, it is advisable to get a chest x ray done or consult a pulmonologist.

Take care.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Shashi Dangwal (27 hours later)
Productive cough moderate and no fever. Less muscular discomfort today. Thank you!
doctor
Answered by Dr. Shashi Dangwal (14 hours later)
Brief Answer:
You should recover soon

Detailed Answer:


You should recover soon. If required, consult your PCP.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Shashi Dangwal

Pulmonologist

Practicing since :1979

Answered : 1157 Questions

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What Causes Pain Around Right Ribcage On Coughing?

Brief Answer: The pain is of musculoskeletal origin due to cough Detailed Answer: Hello XXXX The pain in your right subcoastal margin has resulted due to your coughing. Some times due to severe bouts of cough, there is overstretching of tissues in the muscles, cartilage or ribs in the chest wall. At times there may be a crack fracture of a rib which is called a cough fracture.. This pain increases with coughing, deep breathing and movements. The pain will subside gradually over a period of time. However you may take a pain killer for symptomatic relief and support the area with your palm while coughing.