Any ideas on how to

[auntAgonist]

relieve pain from a serious bruising? Darvocet just isn't doing it.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=105&topic_id=4906742&mesg_id=4906909

Not looking for medical advice .. just maybe a home remedy?

[Ron Mexico]

1. How serious is this bruising? Maybe you should see a doctor.

If it's just a small-but-painful bruising, you can do what my grandmother taught me when I was a kid: cover it in Colgate (seriously). I don't know why it works, but it does - at least for me. If it's softball-sized or bigger, that remedy didn't work for me.

[auntAgonist]

2. I am bruised

from my just below the knee, to my ankle and 3/4 of the way around the leg. It's really a deep bruise. I can walk on it, so nothing's broken I guess. Some of the bruise is a really really dark purple and the rest is black and blue.

[Ron Mexico]

3. You should have a doctor look at that. Seriously.

Not only will you get better ideas than I'll be able to give you, but you can eliminate the possibility of long-term damage, no matter how remote that may be.

How the hell did you do that, BTW?

I hope you feel better soon. I've been there (thigh, not shin, but still) and know it sucks.

[auntAgonist]

4. I went head first down our newly

renovated staircase. I had heels on and I guess I caught a heel on the top step. Fortunately for me I only fell down 5 stairs to a landing and not the 13 that used to be there.

I guess I thought that if nothing was broken then a Dr couldn't do much?

aA

[Ron Mexico]

6. I have to ask

how sure you are that nothing's broken or fractured. Second, doctors can prescribe much better painkillers than you can buy at Rite Aid. See a doctor, seriously.

[LeftyMom]

5. You should see a dr about that

if for no other reason than to get some pain meds to help with that. Probably get an xray to be on the safe side and be sure there's no hairline fracture or anything.

[auntAgonist]

7. I think I WILL go

to the walk in clinic. I have a very high pain threshold but this is hurting.

thanks everyone.

aA

[ForrestGump]

8. I'd be more concerned about the swelling than the pain

(not that I follow my own advice here, that advice being that a visit to a good doctor would be a good idea...especially so if the swelling significantly impairs mobility or hurts beyond all reason)

That kind of bruising can be a problem, or symptomatic of one. If I was me, and I most definitely am, I'd at least do the following:

* slap on some dit da jow (a Chinese remedy used by martial artists...similar stuff's available from Chinese herbalists, etc). Not everyone has dit da jow just lying around, of course, but Vitamin K cream (they sell it at Vitamin World, for one) will also get in there and help break up the bruise...

* put ice on it as soon as it happens, as soon as you think you're going to have a severe bruise. A bruise is simply broken blood vessels leaking blood into surrounding tissue, so constricting blood flow can help lessen the bruise's severity

* after the bruise is fully developed (may take a day, at least), heat's a good idea to increase circulation to the area and get some of that pooled blood out of there -- don't do this straight away, because it'll only increase leakage of blood

* if you can, keep your leg elevated for as much as you can, especially while it's still bleeding inside

Leg bruises tend to be worse and more persistent (last longer) than others, maybe because of blood flow to the area. With a bruise that severe, it'll be a while before it fades significantly...in the meantime, if you don't go see a doctor, at least apply heat and try to get your feet up now and then. If you can get hold of dit da jow (or similar) or Vitamin K cream, so much the better.

This input's the result of my bruised experience, especially so in martial arts training, though I readily admit to ignoring most bruises. Yours is not something to ignore, though. :hug:

And no more of this stuntwoman stuff, you hear!

[auntAgonist]

10. thanks Forrest

I'm still really HURTING today, the vicodin helps but elevating it makes it hurt worse when I go to get up. go figger.
RICE is what the Dr recommended. Compression might help I guess.

[auntAgonist]

9. update:

There is nothing broken. The Dr did x-ray, he thought by the look of it that I probably had broken a small bone in the front of the shin. The film showed no fractures and he's prescribed vicodin for pain. Hopefully that will help.

thank you all for your care and concern. The Dr did chew me out for not coming in sooner!

aA.

[Floogeldy]

11. A friend of mine swears that drinking lots of orange juice . . .

. . . will help bruises heal much faster.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

12. My dear Floog.....

That is correct!

This is due to the fact that orange juice contains HUGE quantities of Vitamin C.....

And that is critical for healing!

Good to see you today.....How are you?

:loveya: :hug:

[Floogeldy]

14. Hi CPeg!

I'm feeling fine. How R U?

:hi:

[CaliforniaPeggy]

15. I'm good, sweetie!

It's a beautiful day here, and I think later I'll get out in my back yard, and take some pictures.....

Maybe I'll have a picture thread later! :bounce: :bounce:

[auntAgonist]

17. hi Peggy

:hi:

[auntAgonist]

13. that is great advice...

Vitamin C is an antioxidant and is depleted when the body is trying to rid itself of pollutants, allergens or drugs. Take 2 grams the first day, adding one gram daily until 12 grams daily is reached. Using unbuffered vitamin C sometimes causes stomach upset at large doses. Bioflavonoids, such as rutin and hesperidin, facilitate the functions of vitamin C. Take 200-1,000 mg of rutin daily with the vitamin C. Vitamin C helps protect against bruising by strengthening capillary walls.


The bruise has pretty much taken over my entire leg and ankle from the knee down. The pain is what bothers me the most. I guess I have to learn to NOT be so clumsy from now on. AND NOT wear high heels when going down stairs. :(

[LaurenG]

16. Arnica cream (over the counter)

and cool compresses.:thumbsup:

[auntAgonist]

18. thanks I'll look for some of that ..

such a klutz I am .. and now I'm paying for it.