Homespun pain relief for broken elbow?

[Paul_B]

I've broken my elbow, actually radius at the head. In pain and taking paracetamol and ibuprofen staggered to reduce the peaks and troughs of pain. I've tried a Wheaty bag for warmth as that helps with bad backs, aches, etc.

I just wonder if anyone had any suggestions for pain management or relief. Anything other than those over the counter drugs?

 

[TeeDee]

Is your arm in plaster?

 

[Broch]

There are loads of painkillers but if you're already taking modern drugs you will need to be very careful about mixing them.

Externally, a poultice of ragwort (for pain) and comfrey (for bone knitting) would be a traditional treatment.

 

[Toddy]

Sorry to hear of the breakage, that's an awkward one indeed. Hard not to be in pain or discomfort with it too.

Be careful with your stomach if you're taking those pills for more than a day or so.
Make sure you eat with the ibuprofen, and joking aside, eat roughage too !

Tbh, it's not really a good idea to mix the potions of the pharmacist with home herbal cures. Too easy to get too much of something or to dilute the value of what you're taking.

That said, and you're a practical sort and not likely to go and do something daft....
Broch's advice on the comfrey is good
Meadowsweet is also good, but it's only just in leaf just now. Flourish comes later, and if you haven't sussed out where it grows it's hard to find the roots. Willow bark was traditionally used too. Find the goat willow though, it's an awful lot nicer to chew than the bitter/bitter of the other varieties.
Turmeric is supposedly good for inflammation and pain as well. Vitamin C and if you're a meat eater, make bone broth and drink it like soup daily.

 

[Paul_B]

Is your arm in plaster?

No just a neoprene sling. It's stable apparently.

 

[Paul_B]

Definitely eat with ibuprofen. I don't like taking that. Paracetamol too is easy to overdose so I'm cautious with that. Under dose for the day with each. Had a few medical friends including a guy who's mate was a pain medication specialist. He told me that most pain relief, even over the counter ones, the recommended dose can be very close to the point negative issues come infor some ppl. Apparently some bodies deal differ with some drugs causing potential hazards if going slightly over on the dose.

 

[TeeDee]

Definitely eat with ibuprofen. I don't like taking that. Paracetamol too is easy to overdose so I'm cautious with that. Under dose for the day with each. Had a few medical friends including a guy who's mate was a pain medication specialist. He told me that most pain relief, even over the counter ones, the recommended dose can be very close to the point negative issues come infor some ppl. Apparently some bodies deal differ with some drugs causing potential hazards if going slightly over on the dose.

So , I want to clarify , you've been prescribed OTC conventional Pain Medications but you're not keen on taking them and will intentionally under dose based upon your own beliefs.

Is that right?

 

[dwardo]

Ouch! No fun a broken elbow.

Try Ice as well as heat. I have several gel ice-packs in circulation. Cheap amazon ones but work wonders. Failing that you can either suck willow park (being facetious here as it does work) with unknown quantities or get some Co-Codamol prescribed. Yes there are side affects with all drugs just keep to the dosage. Co-Codamol is brilliant stuff.

 

[Broch]

Ouch! No fun a broken elbow.

Try Ice as well as heat. I have several gel ice-packs in circulation. Cheap amazon ones but work wonders. Failing that you can either suck willow park (being facetious here as it does work) with unknown quantities or get some Co-Codamol prescribed. Yes there are side affects with all drugs just keep to the dosage. Co-Codamol is brilliant stuff.

Agreed; Co-Codamol is probably the best painkiller you can legally get in the UK in my experience. Unfortunately, it's not wise to carry it in your FAK abroad because codeine is banned in some countries. Although, be aware that it can block you up a bit.

I should have added in my reply to Paul, I have been studying natural medicines for a long time now but, if I had a broken elbow, I'd be using modern, measured out, prescribed, painkillers. Things like Ibuprofen are fine as long as you're not taking it for months on end. At the same time, I think it's best to tolerate some level of pain and not try to mask it all together so I tend to only take painkillers if it's stopping me sleep.

 

[dwardo]

Agreed; Co-Codamol is probably the best painkiller you can legally get in the UK in my experience. Unfortunately, it's not wise to carry it in your FAK abroad because codeine is banned in some countries. Although, be aware that it can block you up a bit.

I should have added in my replay to Paul, I have been studying natural medicines for a long time now but, if I had a broken elbow, I'd be using modern, measured out, prescribed, painkillers. Things like Ibuprofen are fine as long as you're not taking it for months on end. At the same time, I think it's best to tolerate some level of pain and not try to mask it all together so I tend to only take painkillers if it's stopping me sleep.

I have a slap-tear and a partial rotator-cuff tear and on bad days Co-Codamol can help me get some resemblance of a nights sleep. But as you say you need to be careful as they slow the digestive system...

I was reading somewhere recently that studies are finding NSAID`s may do more harm than good if you have a tendon or small muscle injury. Basically preventing swelling and the increased blood-flow the injury needs.

 

[Paul_B]

So , I want to clarify , you've been prescribed OTC conventional Pain Medications but you're not keen on taking them and will intentionally under dose based upon your own beliefs.

Is that right?

No that isn't right. I was not prescribed anything. In the treatment centre they gave me a dose of paracetamol and ibuprofen for the pain while they assessed me. They then said I could take those two drugs as needed according to instructions on the packets.

Instructions on the packets prescribe a certain number of tablets per day and minimum time between doses. However, basic maths means you will end up with a long gap if you take them exactly at the minimum time between doses. My view is that it is better to even them or through the 24 hours. I also try to split the mid point of the dose of one drug by taking the other. Smoothing out the peaks and troughs of pain relief. That's based on advice from a pharmacist.

The other factor is the one or two tablets option the box instructions give. I'm 87kg so I make the assumption my body mass is better able to take two tablets. That may not be true but aiui there's a good chance it is.

I do know someone of slight build who got paracetamol poisoning and was seriously ill in hospital as a result. She took a couple more than the maximum dose. I think she took 2 at a time and got confused over when she took the last dose. She had severe back pain and wasn't thinking straight. It took only one dose being taken early that put her in hospital. She also probably should only have taken 1 not 2 tablets each dose due to her size.

 

[henchy3rd]

Willow bark from from the willow tree species, doesn’t matter which one, has less side effect than Asprin.
The root of the Teasel plant is most effective for aching bones, weil,s disease & arthritis amongst other ailments.
My friend who’s a trained homeopathy/Acupuncturist makes mine as I’m not one for putting man made chemicals in my body if I can help it. Its very easy to make by yourself (’ve had some hands on training personally & it’s very rewarding).
These things aren’t new world medicine as we are lead to believe, they are ancient remedies/potions made by witches/shamans the world over for thousands of years.

 

[Billy-o]

I always thought of co-codamol as more of a recreational thing ... makes you too dopey and, because you can't feel so much, you'll end up exercising and damaging the hurt parts. And there's the roughage requirement that Toddy mentions, of course

Still, my bet is you will have legalized cannabis pretty soon ... everyone else seems to have. That's pretty good for the dull throbbing pains. Are you able to get CBD yet?

Anyway, more sensibly. Deep breathing and anti-inflammatories are the better way, appropriate physio. Lots of water for a while, lots of vitamins in your diet.

 

[Bishop]

A lot of the old texts will recommend Comfrey [Lat: Symphytum] for most aches & pains. Tried it some years ago with good results, downside it has some nasty toxic properties. Prolonged or excessive consumption is not recommended. Julie had some relief from arthritic inflammation with Nettle tea but was not keen on the flavour.

As for Dwardo's torn rotator cuff, nothing short of surgery is going to sort that out. Cortisol injections, Gabapentin, Oromorph Julies went through hell with hers.

 

[dwardo]

As for Dwardo's torn rotator cuff, nothing short of surgery is going to sort that out. Cortisol injections, Gabapentin, Oromorph Julies went through hell with hers.

The waiting list was bad before covid, now I cant even see the waiting list lol. Also I have heard horror stories about surgery and the long lasting results are poor at best. Hope Julies is better. Thread hijack over!

 

[Trencakey]

Had both rotator cuffs done now,amazing.Took my time and did what physio told me to do.

 

[TLM]

Wife broke her wrists by falling on it on a slippery morning. After some googling it looks like a pure amino acid L-Arginine is a substance that helps in healing. I does not do any bad for us males either.