Ouch!!

[Emily65Roses]

Okay so somewhere within the last 4 or 5 days, I pulled a muscle in my very lower abdomen (low enough to be about where my underwear waistband sits) from coughing. Now, obviously, I keep coughing, so it hasn't had a chance to chill out. It keeps hurting, and I can't very well let it rest. It's not like a muscle in the leg, where you can just stop playing soccer for a few days. I'm kinda screwed. Any advice??? Please help, it really kinda sucks. *whine* <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-blush.gif" border="0">

 

[EnergyGal]

Use a pillow to cough so you can brace your cough. I would put some ice on it or if you like heat. Massaging helps. I hope you feel better.

Next time you cough when you are healed try to squeeze your butt so you can brace your stomach when coughing. When coughing your stomach muscles pull inward so by squeezing your butt you can take some pressure off your stomach muscles.

I hope you feel Better soon. I say in two days you will be like new.

 

[MOME2RT]

I was gonna say get a heating pad as well. That usually helps with cramps! They are the same muscle...Hope you start to feeling better soon!

 

[Scarlett81]

I'd alternate between ice and heat-that can help that to heal. And motrin or aleve.

 

[CowTown]

I know some people are against this, but I would take some kind of antihistamine or Theraflu if I really needed a coughing break. Sometimes enough is enough for a day or two. Or like Risa said, press a towel in on your stomach right when you cough. That helps the pain a little sometimes. I did that right after getting the port b/c it hurt to use my chest muscles and the towel technique was nice. Not as nice as Theraflu though. <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-shocked.gif" border="0">

I mean that in taking a break from coughing sort of way. <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif" border="0">

 

[JazzysMom]

I recommend the pillow while coughing. You dont necessarily want to stop coughing until you are healed because we all know that can lead to a different set of problems. After having my c section & having to still do my treatments......I was never far from my pillow. We became good buddies!

 

[julie]

No new recommendations other that what has been mentioned but I wanted to tell you I hope that it feels better soon!!!!

 

[Giggles]

The pillow idea always works well for me. Hold it tight and low to your stomach when you cough!!!

Feel better!!!!


Jennifer 34 years old with CF and CFRD

 

[EnergyGal]

What is healthy and helps to relax me are Magnesium and Calcium pills. They relax your joints and muscles and if you are lacking any of these minerals your body can get cramps and muscles aches. Especially having CF we can at times be lacking our minerals.

edited to add: I know your pain came from coughing the wrong way but mentioned the above to possible help speed your healing.

 

[Emily65Roses]

Thanks guys! As it turns out, my 9 hours or so of sleep last night allowed it to loosen up a bit. It's still kind of not-right, but much better than it was yesterday. And I have been putting pressure on it when I know I'm going to cough. Hahaha. Thanks again for the advice.

 

[JennifersHope]

Glad you are starting to feel better. My advice..(of course not professionally because that is a no no) , just as a Cfer who as a lot of pain is I take tylenol and advil mixed together. It is safe to do because Tylenol works on the liver and Advil through the Kidneys.