Update on my condition...

[csziggy]

10. If you are a woman, get a long line bra

One of those that goes down to your waist. When I separated some ribs in 1985, that's what the doctor recommended. It helped, partly because I simply couldn't move around as much as I normally did.

As for the narcotics, take as instructed but if you can stand it, cut them in half to reduce how much you are getting. I've had them lots of times but anymore just cannot tolerate how stupid they make me - plus for me, they don't really help with the pain, they just make me so groggy I don't care about the pain or anything else.

Ice packs - homemade, have two 1 gallon size ziplocks on hand. Mix 3 cups water, one cup rubbing alcohol, pour into one ziplock, squeeze all the air out as you close it up, place zipper side into the second bag and zip it up. Freeze flat. The bag will stay flexible and can be molded around the sore area. I keep two around so one can be freezing while I use the other. Put a towel or something between you and the cool pack.

Hefty made (may still do) a 2.5 gallon extra large bag, that might be better for ribs. Just figure 1/4 the volume of liquid for the capacity of the bag, then 3 parts water to 1 part alcohol.