I was walking my very large dog a week ago today. We were walking in nature preserve, and I tripped over a root in the trail. I was on a downhill slope, the dog in front of me, so I fell downhill, hard, and landed right on my left side rib cage. My arm was up because it was holding the leash, so there was nothing to cushion my fall.

Well, it's been a week and it hurts worse than ever. I wake up over and over all night from it. I have to go to work today and I just want to stay home and keep ice on it and suck my thumb.

Has anyone ever had a rib injury? When does it get better. Looking around the internet I get the same info--they can't really do anything for it, so going to the doc makes no sense--it will just be a big bill so they can tell me I hurt my ribs, which I already know.

Anyone been through this? Any good advice?

Thanks in advance.