amitymamaThe Attachment Parenting Community

Bluemoonjo · 05-12-2004, 05:54 PM

Dh has been taking pain meds & something to help the swelling from the doctor for over two months now. We've also tried the rub on creams like Blue-Emu. Nothing is helping so know they are taking about some kind of shot or maybe surgery.

Its caused from his job, the doctor says it would heal/feel better if he didn't work for 6 weeks or so .... yeah

LOL We can't afford for him not to work because his elbow hurts ..yk

Is there anything natural that would help? A vitamin he can take or a cream a mama makes. Anything?

Linda · 05-14-2004, 12:43 AM

http://www.drweil.com/app/cda/drw_cd...stionId=123924

Here is an answer from Dr. Andrew Weil...I have no personal experience with this-but I trust his advice a lot.
I hope your husband gets relief soon. rest is best. i don't know what he does for a living-but is there anything they can do ergonomically for him at work?

I know that ginger and tumeric are excellent for inflammation.

mikifrogspapa · 05-14-2004, 12:55 AM

Wow mama, I don't think 6 weeks of no work is a great idea either. LOL.

Tendonitis can be hard to heal because tendons are not very vascular body parts, so blood flow to them is minimal. Tendons aren't the type of body tissue that is in constant renewal like skin or bone...

I suppose it might help to have him take capsicum or red-pepper suppliments (or just eat a lot of pepper plant spicy food. The more spicy, the more capsaicin there is). Capsaicin is supposed to be the active compound in spicy peppers, but usually, the whole thing, not just capsaicin is more beneficial than just capsaicin in an extracted form. The idea that all the other compounds that make up the plant aren't beneficial is just incorrect. But any way to increase capsaicin will help to promote bloodflow to extremities and less vascular areas, in case he doesn't like spicy foods.

Also, lots and lots of water. The more hydrated his body is, the more blood and other body fluid (like lymph) can make it's way into those less vascular areas. He needs to be drinking enough so that his pee runs clear. Sorry for the graphic. LOL. (And it shouldn't be running clear because he just had a cup of coffee. Coffee just pulls water to itself and into the bladder, actually dehydrating him.)

I would also massage the affected area regularly, since moving the tissue and fluids around it, may stimulate faster healing. In fact, massage the whole arm.

and of course, resting it would make sense. If I were him, I'd see if there was a job he could split with someone else. He'd be able to make half of his day without the action that is causing it, and the other half learning a new area. The other person would learn his job too, maybe that'd be a good thing for the company. Obviously this may be impossible, and I don't know what he does, but hey, just a suggestion.

I want to emphasize that I am not a doctor and have never read these suggestions as therapy for tendonitis. Rather, I just theorized using what I know about the body, tissues and beneficial therapies in general. In theory, it'd be very helpful. In reality... Hey, it can't hurt.

Bluemoonjo · 05-14-2004, 01:03 AM

Thanks I'll see if I can find that stuff he talked about.
I don't know what "ergonomically" is LOL and to lazy to go look it up

But Dh installs/fixes funances and air conditionors. So he has to use his hands. There three of them, besides the boss and his wife (she does the office work) ... So there is nothing else he can do,he has to work yk or get a different job.
It is caused by his job .. but the doctor says since it can't be proved, he can't say it is.

I just don't like that he has been taking pain meds so long and the fact its still hurting so he'll have to keep taking them ..yk

Shifra · 05-14-2004, 11:23 AM

There are therapy bands available that apply pressure, to the affected area. Many sports players use them. They look like tight ace bandages with a small ssquare patch...
I would suggest a physical therapy consult, it might seem expensive, @ $50-60, but should be covered by your insurance providing you have it.
THE cost would give him suggestions on home care and they would prolly set him up with a band. In the long run he might miss less work!
Karen

Bluemoonjo · 05-14-2004, 03:53 PM

Spicy peppers ... huumm Maybe momof2boys1girl's jalapeno pepper jelly will be the cure

The Mexican in him likes spicy, hes been eating banana peppers on everything since I found jars at the dollar tree. But I bet it cooks all the stuff out you said was in them huh.

He could use more water I bet. Most the time he works out side/crawl spaces/attic ect so he gets hot.

The doctor gave him a bandage thing to wear while he works.His arm swells around it...But I think it helps some.

They wanted him to do some kind of physical therapy. But ... It was going to be twice a week and a co-pay of $20 a visit. Which can't be fitted into the budget.
He found this exercise online where you touch each finger to your thumb, its supposed to help by streaching something (lol ok so maybe I should read more so I have a clue what I'm taling about

) But he can't do it very well.

Hes also had a weight gain latley (over the last year) but thats another post I guess. He goes back to the doctor the 24th. So maybe he'll find out more then.

Mom plans on going shopping Saturday. Think I'll go along and check out the health store for some of those things.

phunkymama · 05-15-2004, 04:05 PM

So is it his wrist that's hurting?

Is he taking any meds, such as Relafen?

You could have him go in for one therapy session, learn the exercises, and he could do them on his own. Maybe just have him go in once a week, or even for another session in two weeks?

Tendonitis is very slow to heal. I'm just now getting thru a case of tendonitis in my rotator cuff, and it's been about 9 weeks. I was very debilitated early on, and have very slowly been regaining strength and range of motion.