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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Pain Around Rib Cage, Difficulty In Breathing. Doctor Finds Crackling Noise In Lungs. Prescribed Amoxicillin

My 82yr old mother is having severe pain around the rib cage which is making her breathing difficult, the pain isn't always present but makes her cry when it is there. this pain seems to be more prominent when she is laying down and moving around in her bed. We took her to the doctor who said there was a slight crackling noise in her lungs and prescribed amoxacilin which she has started a 7 day course. She is now sleeping after taking pain killers. It does sound like shingles but there is no physical marks associated with shingles. Could you enlighten me as to what this could be please.
Fri, 8 Nov 2013
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Pulmonologist 's  Response
There can be many causes for the pain around rib cage arising from various structures present there. In your mother`s case it could be because of lungs if there are crackles but if she has been healthy without any fever, cough or breathing difficulty, it seems unlikely. You may complete the course of antibiotics and also get a x ray chest done.

Has she developed any blister like rash? If it was shingles, a rash would have come up by now.

The pain could be due to costochondritis or a cracked rib which has even with slightest trauma like a movement or a violent cough as bones at this age are very porotic.

Let her take pain killers, rest and local heat and consult yoiur doctor.
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Pain Around Rib Cage, Difficulty In Breathing. Doctor Finds Crackling Noise In Lungs. Prescribed Amoxicillin

There can be many causes for the pain around rib cage arising from various structures present there. In your mother`s case it could be because of lungs if there are crackles but if she has been healthy without any fever, cough or breathing difficulty, it seems unlikely. You may complete the course of antibiotics and also get a x ray chest done. Has she developed any blister like rash? If it was shingles, a rash would have come up by now. The pain could be due to costochondritis or a cracked rib which has even with slightest trauma like a movement or a violent cough as bones at this age are very porotic. Let her take pain killers, rest and local heat and consult yoiur doctor.