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What Causes Soreness In The Upper Right Back?
Question: Hello,
I had a cold about two weeks ago and developed a bad cough. The cold passed after 2 weeks and I had a slight lingering cough after. I am now going on week 3 and half and about 4 days ago i developed some slight back soreness. I thought it was due to a workout i did but since then the pain has gotten worse. The pain began in my right upper back (near my should blade) and has now wrapped around to my front upper ribs (right below my breast). The pain is really bad when i cough, sneeze or breathe really deep. If i am sitting still the pain is a slight throbbing presence. I went to an urgent care last night and he heard my lungs. He said they sounded clear and ruled out a collasped lung or pneumonia. He said i most likey pulled a muscle from all my coughing. He also took a urine sample to rule out a kidney infection. He prescribed a pain reliever and a cough medicine as well as antibiotics for preventative measures. Today i have only taken 600mg of motrin and that has reduced then pain by half. I am reluctant to take all those medications when I am unsure what is causing the pain. Could i have some sort of chest/lung infection? Should i go to my regular doctor? Other than the pain i do not have a fever or feel sick. I do not feel too much pain when i am moving around regularly. And my cough has seem to come back with little clear mucus. Any advice would be helpful. Thank you.
I had a cold about two weeks ago and developed a bad cough. The cold passed after 2 weeks and I had a slight lingering cough after. I am now going on week 3 and half and about 4 days ago i developed some slight back soreness. I thought it was due to a workout i did but since then the pain has gotten worse. The pain began in my right upper back (near my should blade) and has now wrapped around to my front upper ribs (right below my breast). The pain is really bad when i cough, sneeze or breathe really deep. If i am sitting still the pain is a slight throbbing presence. I went to an urgent care last night and he heard my lungs. He said they sounded clear and ruled out a collasped lung or pneumonia. He said i most likey pulled a muscle from all my coughing. He also took a urine sample to rule out a kidney infection. He prescribed a pain reliever and a cough medicine as well as antibiotics for preventative measures. Today i have only taken 600mg of motrin and that has reduced then pain by half. I am reluctant to take all those medications when I am unsure what is causing the pain. Could i have some sort of chest/lung infection? Should i go to my regular doctor? Other than the pain i do not have a fever or feel sick. I do not feel too much pain when i am moving around regularly. And my cough has seem to come back with little clear mucus. Any advice would be helpful. Thank you.
Brief Answer:
Thoughts on this
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
It does sound as though the pain is muscular rather than perhaps from gall bladder, liver, or pancreas, which can cause pain in the same place you described, but would be worse after eating or drinking alcohol.
I am wondering about a fractured rib due to coughing, but I would expect that to have come on during your worst coughing episodes, not weeks later.
I think the motrin is reasonable (take after you have food in your stomach to prevent stomach irritation) and the cough medicine also. But if the secretions are clear, or at least clear most of the day (doesn't matter if discolored when you first get up) then I would hold off on the antibiotic.
I hope this information helps.
Thoughts on this
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
It does sound as though the pain is muscular rather than perhaps from gall bladder, liver, or pancreas, which can cause pain in the same place you described, but would be worse after eating or drinking alcohol.
I am wondering about a fractured rib due to coughing, but I would expect that to have come on during your worst coughing episodes, not weeks later.
I think the motrin is reasonable (take after you have food in your stomach to prevent stomach irritation) and the cough medicine also. But if the secretions are clear, or at least clear most of the day (doesn't matter if discolored when you first get up) then I would hold off on the antibiotic.
I hope this information helps.
Note: Consult an experienced Otolaryngologist / ENT Specialist online for further follow up on ear, nose, and throat issues - Book a Call now.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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