Recently Answered Questions
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How long should I take Ibuprofen to relieve rib pain?
Query: Hi doctor, I am a 65 year old female, and I fell 10 days back and broke one or two ribs. The only thing that brings any relief is Ibuprofen 800 mg. I need to know how often and for how long can I take Ibuprofen? I tried Oxycodone 10 mg, but it does not work that well. Thank you. Read Full »
Answer: Hi, Welcome to icliniq.com. Yes, Ibuprofen is a strong painkiller, it should not often be taken, as it has many side effects like gastritis, liver and kidney damage. But in initial days of pain following rib fracture, pain is actually very severe. I suggest you try doing the following: Tram... Read Full »
I have chest discomfort and pain with deep breaths. Why?
Query: Hello doctor, I am a 36 year old, otherwise healthy (as far as I know) female. I was a smoker earlier. No history of heart disease. My mother has COPD, but has been a long time smoker. Two and a half weeks ago, I went on a hayride with my sons. I have a short stature. To get on and off the hayrid... Read Full »
Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. You are right, muscular pain will not last so long. Pleurisy: It is an inflammation of the outer covering of lungs.It is most commonly caused by infections in which condition there will be fever which is not present in your case.Rarely it can also be caused by chest tr... Read Full »
My MRI shows enhancement on a rib. What is the cause?
Query: Hi, I had a routine MRI for the history of treated breast cancer, and that showed enhancement on a rib. What would cause this? I had rib pain following a bad cough and cold. Read Full »
Answer: Hi, Welcome to icliniq.com. Yes, it is possible that you might have mild fractures of ribs due to excessive coughing. Can you please upload the images. I will look at the pictures and then give a detailed opinion. Revert with the images to a radiologist online --> https://www.icliniq.co... Read Full »
Can cancer that has spread to the bones be cured?
Query: Hi doctor, I wondered if someone could help me interpret the following recent CAT (computerized axial tomography) scan. My husband has stage 4 unknown primary cancer in bones and lymph nodes. Is this report saying he now has cancer in the lungs, and how will this disease progress? He is not doing c... Read Full »
Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. It is a stage 4 cancer with bone metastasis (attachment removed to protect the patient's identity). He should get a biopsy done to confirm the type of cancer and then plan chemotherapy protocol along with Zoledronic acid (zoledronate). It is stage 4 cancer, and it ca... Read Full »
I am having back pain due to rib fractures. Please help.
Query: Hello doctor, I have been experiencing terrible back pain for three years. It started after a car accident. It was discovered that I fractured my posterior ribs 2 to 6 on the left side and 4 on the right side. It hurts during breathing and physical activities like bending, twisting, and stretching. ... Read Full »
Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. I read your query and understand your concern. The MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) images (attachments removed to protect the patient's identity) you have uploaded do not show significant abnormalities that might be causing you pain in the chest wall. There is no s... Read Full »
Does constant coughing cause rib injury?
Query: Hi doctor, I have annual breast MRI for a history of breast cancer. I had one last week, and the breasts looked normal. But, there was some linear enhancement on two ribs. I had rib x-rays after and they were normal. I am having a bone scan next week. My question is that prior to this MRI I had a ho... Read Full »
Answer: Hi, Welcome to icliniq.com. It is possible that you might have had a slight injury to your ribs due to coughing. It is not a complete fracture, though. The MRI scan picked up these lines of bone edema and therefore, linear areas of enhancement showing acute stress fracture are possible fr... Read Full »
What does a sclerotic lesion in a rib scan indicate?
Query: Hi doctor, What is the significance of a sclerotic lesion in rib found on CT scan? What does sclerotic mean? Read Full »
Answer: Hi, Welcome to icliniq.com. A sclerotic area in the bone is a part where there is increased deposition of calcium and therefore the bone mineralization in higher in this area. The exact nature of the lesion varies with age and other existing conditions. It is usually a harmless benign fin... Read Full »
I am having severe pain in the lower chest while coughing. Why?
Query: Hello doctor, I recently fell off a roof. After ER visit w/ct scans and X-rays I received 7 staples in my head and was discharged. Prescribed Cephalexin and Percocet I went home for recovery. Two days ago while coughing I felt an excruciating pain what seemed to be under and behind my lowest rib o... Read Full »
Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. Have you undergone any chest X-ray? While coughing is there any sputum? Have you feeling any pain in the abdomen? Is there any blood in urine? Did you land on head or abdomen during fall? If possible, answer above questions please. Read Full »