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From: Derek Lawler on 5 Feb 2007 09:46
Due to phlegm or mucus buildup recently I had to do a lot of coughing. I
had muscle pain on both sides of my back but it went away two weeks ago.
Then, with more mucus being produced this last week (allergies?) I began
coughing up thick, tenacious mucus, with very intense coughing. These mucus
plugs about the size of a thumb took a lot of huffing to get them up but in
the process I think I have torn a muscle on the right side in the middle of
my rib cage. The pain is extreme so I have tried using cough inhibitors,
which helps some but it only takes one bout of coughing to cause more
tearing. This is a dilemna I see no solution to, since as long as I
continue to cough the muscles will not heal. I might try buying a rib
compression belt to hold back the intercostal muscles. Is there any other
method I might use. Any suggestions would be appreciated.
Derek

From: QX on 7 Feb 2007 09:20
On Mon, 05 Feb 2007 09:46:48 -0500, "Derek Lawler"
<dereksl2(a)bellsouth.net> wrote:

>Due to phlegm or mucus buildup recently I had to do a lot of coughing. I
>had muscle pain on both sides of my back but it went away two weeks ago.
>Then, with more mucus being produced this last week (allergies?) I began
>coughing up thick, tenacious mucus, with very intense coughing. These mucus
>plugs about the size of a thumb took a lot of huffing to get them up but in
>the process I think I have torn a muscle on the right side in the middle of
>my rib cage. The pain is extreme so I have tried using cough inhibitors,
>which helps some but it only takes one bout of coughing to cause more
>tearing. This is a dilemna I see no solution to, since as long as I
>continue to cough the muscles will not heal. I might try buying a rib
>compression belt to hold back the intercostal muscles. Is there any other
>method I might use. Any suggestions would be appreciated.
>Derek
Climbers at very high altitudes sometimes experience extreme coughing
spells (their condition is called HAPE or High Altitude Pulmonary
Edema). They are frequently then diagnosed with fractured ribs from
the extreme coughing. Generally there is not much that can be done for
them, but it's best to see your orthopaedist and get a rib
series/chest xray to find out what you did, and be sure that if there
is a fx it's not going to damage anything else (based on where it is).

From: Mike Berkowitz on 5 Mar 2007 20:11
On Mon, 05 Feb 2007 09:46:48 -0500, "Derek Lawler"
<dereksl2(a)bellsouth.net> wrote:

>Due to phlegm or mucus buildup recently I had to do a lot of coughing. I
>had muscle pain on both sides of my back but it went away two weeks ago.
>Then, with more mucus being produced this last week (allergies?) I began
>coughing up thick, tenacious mucus, with very intense coughing. These mucus
>plugs about the size of a thumb took a lot of huffing to get them up but in
>the process I think I have torn a muscle on the right side in the middle of
>my rib cage. The pain is extreme so I have tried using cough inhibitors,
>which helps some but it only takes one bout of coughing to cause more
>tearing. This is a dilemna I see no solution to, since as long as I
>continue to cough the muscles will not heal. I might try buying a rib
>compression belt to hold back the intercostal muscles. Is there any other
>method I might use. Any suggestions would be appreciated.
>Derek

I have Asthma and there are medications that help you cough up phlegm.
Albuterol is the one I use. Other medications can help keep phlegm
buildup if it is due to Asthma.

I suggest you see a pulminologist or allergy doctor. Whatever causes
your phlegm and cough problem might be easily treated.

Mike

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