tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7385285973919124831.post7230047383386773223..comments2024-03-12T01:33:14.862-04:00Comments on Laughing from my sickbed...: A Great Topical Gel...irene speakshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15306297235592610766noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7385285973919124831.post-22663099033497152972013-04-09T00:32:26.548-04:002013-04-09T00:32:26.548-04:00Hi Rositta! So thrilled the Voltaren works for yo...Hi Rositta! So thrilled the Voltaren works for you. Another example of Europe usually getting meds before we do here in North America! Thanks so much for writing in! xxirene speakshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15306297235592610766noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7385285973919124831.post-84704492864055388332013-04-08T14:19:56.293-04:002013-04-08T14:19:56.293-04:00I discovered Voltaren gel on a trip to Germany abo...I discovered Voltaren gel on a trip to Germany about 6 years ago. At that time it wasn't available in Canada so every year I'd bring home half a suitcase full of the stuff. Now we can buy it here. It works for me, always has. Germans love the stuff. I also take the pills, I know I know, I risk the stomach bleeding but what the heck, they work too...ciaoRosittahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05722304052321553692noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7385285973919124831.post-11365638162004997702013-04-08T08:27:49.466-04:002013-04-08T08:27:49.466-04:00Yes, Maija, Europe often gets medications much ear...Yes, Maija, Europe often gets medications much earlier than we do here in the States. Even the dose recommendations differ at times. I think of it as medical politics where, unfortunately, all too often the patient gets the short end of the stick. xxirene speakshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15306297235592610766noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7385285973919124831.post-78861056405427094452013-04-08T08:22:58.046-04:002013-04-08T08:22:58.046-04:00Hi Maija,
I've used arnica gel on my kids whe...Hi Maija,<br /><br />I've used arnica gel on my kids when they were growing up, having discovered it on a trip to England, so I'm quite familiar with arnica. However, I don't think you appreciate the sort of pain that I, along with many, many others, have to endure. I've had 3 10-pound babies, many emergency surgeries and all too many near-death experiences, so I'm pretty good with pain. (Look up compartment syndrome surgery and get a load of what THAT's like!) But arnica is NOT enough for what I and many others have been going through.<br /><br />I'm all for alternative medicine and have gone that route extensively and have written about it a bit. So, please don't think I'm knocking it down.<br /><br />However, I simply can't allow your statement, "Cortisone injections almost always do more harm than good," stand without a response since it is so outrageous and possibly dangerous. Tell this, regarding the cortisone, to the person with Giant Cell Arteritis whose sight was preserved by taking oral cortisone. Tell this to the arthritic patient who could not walk without cortisone by injection and by mouth. Tell this to the patient with pulmonary fibrosis who could not breathe without the use of cortisone. There's a reason why the Nobel Prize was awarded to the doctor who came up with cortisone treatment.<br /><br />As far as Bromelain is concerned, are you kidding me? Again, it's a great preparation for use for relatively MINOR problems, compared to vasculitis, lupus, etc.<br /><br />I understand your passion, Maija. But you really do have to watch what you say. There is enough junk info out there. You don't want to add to the mess, confusion and misinformation.<br /><br />Thanks for reading my blog and writing. xxirene speakshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15306297235592610766noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7385285973919124831.post-89775482667200048092013-04-08T05:01:06.447-04:002013-04-08T05:01:06.447-04:00Also forgot to say that in many countries there...Also forgot to say that in many countries there's a drug called etoricoxib (Arcoxia), which is much longer-acting and even safer on the stomach than celecoxib, but it's not available in the United States. However, there is contradictory information as to whether it can be used in cases of sulfa allergy.Maija Haavistohttp://www.brokenmarionettebook.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7385285973919124831.post-75301852204932976932013-04-08T04:55:03.432-04:002013-04-08T04:55:03.432-04:00In my experience arnica gel works better, but I gu...In my experience arnica gel works better, but I guess it depends on what you're treating. Cortisone injections almost always do more harm than good. Bromelain is very helpful for bursitis, generally taken orally, but also available as creams.Maija Haavistohttp://www.brokenmarionettebook.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7385285973919124831.post-42630330703584527172013-04-08T01:21:26.017-04:002013-04-08T01:21:26.017-04:00If you're allergic to sulfa, Celebrex is the o...If you're allergic to sulfa, Celebrex is the only NSAID which is counter-indicated in the anti-inflammatory family. But it needs to be a real allergy, not an intolerance. <br /><br />You're talking about Voltaren gel, which is not an issue w/ sulfa. So you may get a break there!<br /><br />This isn't medical advice, this is simply what is out there! Check w/ your rheumy. <br /><br />So sorry to hear that you're going through all these problems, Melissa. I hope your darling Yorkie gets straightened out. Some day I'll tell you about our "million dollar cat," which is not to be confused w/ my son's "9/11" rescue cat w/ the diabetes. I soooo want a cat myself because I get so lonely and our Misty was such great company. However, I know I couldn't handle one at this point.<br /><br />Please feel better!!! xxx<br />irene speakshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15306297235592610766noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7385285973919124831.post-38148701614078155732013-04-08T00:09:51.529-04:002013-04-08T00:09:51.529-04:00I have Voltaren too! It's sitting in my drawer...I have Voltaren too! It's sitting in my drawer. I've been thinking about using it on my upper trapezius muscles; I’m hoping it might provide relief and possibly reduce the severity of the migraines which generate from the back of my neck. I like the concept of a pain killer that I don't have to ingest. <br />I just reread what you wrote above...I've never taken Celebrex-type drugs but, I'm allergic to sulfa...is that true for all meds in that class? My brain is all over the place.<br />It's very frustrating when you hit a wall with pharmacological options for pain management. I asked my rheumatologist if anything new is available - anything since I tried Savella. I wish it didn't cause me high blood pressure and hypoglycemia as it worked absolute wonders for my pain management. The interesting thing about the Savella is that it didn't cause any depression while I was taking it. But, within a few days of discontinuing the medication, I fell into a deep depression - one that was very clearly related to the withdrawal. Most of us living with chronic illnesses are not exactly Mary Sunshine but, the depression from Savella withdrawal was scary.<br />My Yorkie started his insulin yesterday; today was his first day with both doses (AM and PM). It's likely that the dose will have to be increased a bit. I’m so painfully sleep-deprived. For days it was to take him out every hour; since yesterday afternoon, it's been to watch for any ill effects of the insulin and to monitor his water and food intake and his need to go out. The rheumatologist wrote me a script for valium because it can stop muscle spasms. He gave me a low dose but, he's hopeful - as am I - that it might help with the aforementioned upper trapezius muscles. <br />However, I can’t take the valium until my Yorkie is set on the correct insulin dose and until I'm sure he's okay. I can’t risk any possible difficulty in waking up quickly. I had to take Advil during the night last night because the migraine broke through the adrenalin that was keeping it at bay. I try not to take Advil because I'm pretty sure I'm just 1 pill away from bleeding from every orifice (pleasant, I know). But, when the migraine worsens, I wind up very nauseated so it's not worth holding off.<br />I thought I was used to sleep deprivation. I can count on one hand the number of nights I’ve slept more than 4 hours since 6 months after my gallbladder surgery. Between Fibro, RLS, and nerve damage pain, sleeping longer than that is rare.<br />But, starting when my Yorkie first showed symptoms of something not being right (maybe a week and a half ago), I'm down to 2 interrupted hours at night. I nap a bit during the day when I know my mom is watching him. The lack of sleep at this level has more-or-less disconnected whatever connections were working in my brain. I've given up trying to find the word I want to say and I don't even try to think of a synonym - I just stop talking mid-sentence. <br />I feel like what I’m writing has been one giant run-on sentence. I hope you’re doing better! I’m going to attempt to sleep a bit after checking on my dog. People with non-furry babies must get zero sleep when the babies are little and/or sick. It would be nice to have 1 of my own, if someone else would go through the pregnancy, birth, diaper-changing…things that require energy, etc. But, I’m also sure I’d shake like a Chihuahua from anxiety over the baby’s welfare. I give moms a lot of credit!labyorkiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05129616548243589131noreply@blogger.com