HealthCareMagic is now Ask A Doctor - 24x7 | https://www.askadoctor24x7.com

Get your health question answered instantly from our pool of 18000+ doctors from over 80 specialties
159 Doctors Online

By proceeding, I accept the Terms and Conditions

Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

HCM Blog Instant Access to Doctors
HCM BlogQuestions Answered
HCM Blog Satisfaction

How Can Pain In The Rib Cage And Left Arm Be Treated?

I am at the hospital after tripping over a stone outside and landing on my breast my back my right arm and my front I'm in left arm and left front rib cage hurt . This is some of the worst pain I've ever had. I am not drug seeking but I am looking for relief. However the nurse practitioner on call will not authorize anything that will realistically help. I do not take narcotics. But there is a time for Dan and now is the time. This physicians assistant want to give me a 5mg Percocet, lid Oder my patches two one in front one on my back, plus tornadoes iv with pills not to exceed 5 days. I'm sure this is quite normal because of the drug epidemic crossing this country and killing people. But I am not a sacrificial lamb I have real pain and I know it.
Tue, 30 Jan 2018
Report Abuse
Ayurveda Specialist,  's  Response
**
Thanks for contacting with your health concern

1. as there is a history of Injury with pain around the rib cage, thus following should be the symptomwise approach:

i.Think of fractured rib.
ii. Think of costochondritis, very common anteriorly
iii. Think of muscle sprain

. If by adopting
- hot water fomentation
- rest with minimal movements
- chest strapping
- intercostal nerve block
- taking an analgesic, anti-inflammatory enzymes, and muscle relaxant, the pain goes away continue with the same, however, if the pain is not relieved ask for Hb%, WBC, ESR & X-ray Chest

2. pain could be a pleural pathology. [ask for chest X-ray to exclude pleuritis, pleural effusion]

3. Although percocet [oxycodone/paracetamol] is approved by FDA as an over the counter [OTC] drug, make sure to consult a chest specialist who will go for systemic examination and if any chest signs are present will ask for imaging scans of chest with Hb%, WBC, ESR and then will provide proper management [as they can ask more detailed questions on associated symptoms]
I find this answer helpful
Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.
Disclaimer: These answers are for your information only and not intended to replace your relationship with your treating physician.
This is a short, free answer. For a more detailed, immediate answer, try our premium service [Sample answer]
Share on
 
Loading Online Doctors....
How Can Pain In The Rib Cage And Left Arm Be Treated?

** Thanks for contacting with your health concern 1. as there is a history of Injury with pain around the rib cage, thus following should be the symptomwise approach: i.Think of fractured rib. ii. Think of costochondritis, very common anteriorly iii. Think of muscle sprain . If by adopting - hot water fomentation - rest with minimal movements - chest strapping - intercostal nerve block - taking an analgesic, anti-inflammatory enzymes, and muscle relaxant, the pain goes away continue with the same, however, if the pain is not relieved ask for Hb%, WBC, ESR & X-ray Chest 2. pain could be a pleural pathology. [ask for chest X-ray to exclude pleuritis, pleural effusion] 3. Although percocet [oxycodone/paracetamol] is approved by FDA as an over the counter [OTC] drug, make sure to consult a chest specialist who will go for systemic examination and if any chest signs are present will ask for imaging scans of chest with Hb%, WBC, ESR and then will provide proper management [as they can ask more detailed questions on associated symptoms]