Hee-hee - this extra spate of posts is just what I needed now. I went climbing again yesterday, and the pain has almost gone away, to the point where I can just feel a slight soreness to the touch and when I breathe very deeply, but it doesn't hurt. So of course... I was going to skip the x-rays...

I promise, I'll order some x-rays today. If nothing else, I'd like to know what happened.

CwB - I think I taught myself to splint the area - found out pretty fast that supporting my ribs with one hand if possible before coughing or laughing helped. Is that what you meant?

Thank you everybody for great ideas!