you're definitely not a wimp! at least not as much as i am! as you know today i'm feeling the same way for different reasons. it sucks being sick and hurting all over.
not sure if any of this will help, but here's a suggestion or two.
when my nose gets raw and sore, putting plain chapstick on it is the only thing that helps it. everything else that might help stings too badly that i've tried; that would include blistex, aloe, handcreams. plain shea butter might also do the trick. well, i know that helps on the outside and sometimes i stick it up into my nose as well. don't know if it could help you.
when my lips get all cracked, the only thing that seems to heal that is blistex, the original white creamy stuff in the little tube.
mouth ulcers, right now i seem to be having a terrible time with tongue Papillae inflammation right now. all i've discovered is when i have them, drinking a lot water seems helpful and anything acidic is out. if you find anything that really helps, let me know; i've tried a few OTC things but none are really that great.
as for the whole ribs and breathing thing, maybe be insistent on the steroid inhaler if that really is the only thing that works.
feel better soon
