I broke just one rid snowboarding two years ago and man did it hurt. I felt short of breath for about two weeks and I wasn't able to sleep normally until about 6 week after the incident. Having broken a rib on my left side, i would lay on my stomach with my left arm tight to my body, my left hand being down by my ass. Sleep in the beginning was rough but because there is so much blood flow to the area, healing is fairly quick. Hurts like a ***** but 8 weeks is a good estimate. Hope you get better soon man.
Amen to getting worked on little waves!! I just recently bought the Beater Board. I finally had to do with how little surf we have had and how messed up the sand is making it always ****ty shore break. Let me tell you pulling into the little macking close outs on the beach on the beater are epic but injury increases Ten Fold! It's amazing what you'll try and surf after months of being surfed deprived! I do recommend the beater great little addition to the quiver, not to mention it improves your surfing once you get back up on a real board.
I was in a boating accident back in the 90's where I broke my femur, ankle and 4 ribs and ribs where definitely the worst but they heal fast; for me it was only about 5 weeks. If you can tolerate the pain stay off the meds because not only will it back you up but they kill your apatite as well. Rest up and get well soon
True dat,This is actually one of my biggest fears.So far so good.Right before one of my xrays I felt a little nauseous and I was about to throw up and the pain was unbearable.From that point on I haven't taken to many pain meds because I would rather put up with that pain instead.
Tore my LcL the other month in waist high beachbreak trying to stand up on a boogie board. Still not all together and will have to wear a brace when I surf for a while. Yes, playing around in beachbreak slop can be very hazardous to your health.
Rest is about all you can do for broken ribs, they can take longer than 8 weeks to heal depending on which ribs you break (floating or attached to your sternum). Also, it sucks, but you need to try and breath as deeply as possible or they will heal too tight and prolong the pain. As far as painkillers go, doctors overprescribe the narcotics. Tell your doc to prescribe Tylenol 3 or Darvocett at the most. They are non-opiate, don't get you high and will not back you up. You DO need to take them because being in constant pain will actually make the healing process longer. Pain can be a vicious cycle ie: pain from broken ribs will cause your muscles to tense around the ribs, causing more pain, more pain will raise your blood pressure and make you run a fever, causing a reduction to your immune system and causing more pain, etc..... Obviously breaking ribs is something I have done somewhat frequently. And if your doc insists on prescribing you opiates, go to another doc.
Try holding your nose tightly if you feel a sneeze coming on. Makes the sneeze go away. Not sure if it works for everyone, but it works for me.
damn man, I feel for you...hope the healing process goes well. Don't worry, there's always winter! Stay stoked!
You're right pain pills are nice. At about week 3 I reached over for the pills and my wife says, "are you in pain" to which I replied, No just ready for bed. Yeah, she took them from me and said, let's try advil for now.
