I have my surgery on 9/11 - getting anxious. Can you tell me more about Arnica gel? What is it used for? I assume it's a topical - where do you apply it and when do you apply it (when there is pain, every 'x' hours...)? Many thanks!

I have my SLAP tear (plus a couple other small items) surgery on 9/11. You noted that Calendula and Ferrum phosphoricum are good post-surgery and that you take a natural systemic enzyme formulation called Zymitol. Can you share with me why you take these products? How do they help post-op? When do you take them? Any help would be appreciated. Take care.

Arnica Gel is a topical gel used to reduce pain, swelling and healing time for trauma, bruises, muscle soreness. There is nothing else on the market like it. It truly works.

I would not put it directly on the incision areas while you have stitches but it would helpful being applied around the area.

My husband practically baths in the stuff after physical therapy for his shoulder. I use weekly myself as I seem to always be bruising myself. If you put it on an area of trauma directly after the event it will almost completely prevent the bruise from appearing.

Here is where you can buy it and gets others opinions as well: http://www.drugstore.com/products/prod.asp?pid=89175&catid=31764

I have tried Calendula gel as well but that tends to be better for scrapes and minor skin irritations.

Arnica Montana

ARNICA MONTANA: Much has already been said about Arnica - its main function is to promote the healing of trauma to the body, whether it be physical, mental, emotional or spiritual. It restores these 4 components to a state of balance so that healing can start. It is always appropriate to give Arnica while you consider other remedies to assist them.
http://www.arnica.com.au/homeopathic/1.php

I've taken it numerous times. I swear by it. Its inexpensive and a little tube of pills. You put 4-5 under your tongue and let them dissolve.

Really does prompt healing. It has helped me recover from a c-section, gallbladder removal, jaw surgery to remove golfball cyst.

I had the surgery yesterday. I feel fine as long as I am on top of my meds, norco in my case. I really trusted my surgeon and I had a great team. They will give you a sedative if you go in with anxiety.

There is also a natural remedy for anxiety, can be used on people or dogs (for example dogs who are afraid of storms) called "Rescue Remedy" good stuff, I use it, I've used it on my dogs and kids! Its has a deep calming effect without making you sleepy.

Go in with the intention that it will be a smooth operation.
Talk about your fears and let them go.

I am sitting here typing with both hands, Im groggy, if I move my am it hurts.

My husband bathed me this morning and my 15 year old has been watching movies and playing xbox in here to keep me company.

It will be ok, keep the ice on 24/7, it will help immensely and think good thoughts.

This so far has been the easiest operation I've had.

Take care, Rose

Hey Dasher, how are you feeling today? When the block wore off I was hurting but the norco, naproxen and neurontin (which I take for anxiety but is also good for nerve pain) helps.

I stayed up most the night, I just couldn't get to sleep in the recliner even though it was in my bedroom.

When the block wore off, I got in bed.

I sleep on my stomach usually so sleeping on my back has been a challenge.

I felt so much better after I took a bath.

How long before you take your dressings off?

My surgeon fixed my rotator cuff, and debrided a bonespur and took out all that tissue that has been inflamed and hurting. I cant remember what he did to my labrum, I have photos but it looks like some undersea world.

Rose

Arnica pills are the ones you want to take not the gel as you cannot apply this directly on your healing incisions. Check out www.homeopathyhome.com under Surgery and Recovery support to see all the remedies that may be of help. The Zymitol is a natural systemic enzyme I use for pain and inflammation. This will not be a substitute for the heavy meds needed in the first few days to be sure, but I will be using this for at least the next month following surgery. I want to minimize unwanted scar tissue and this is what I feel is very important. I am now 11 days post-op and only using Arnica, Zymitol and Tylenol occassionally at night. Stay a head of you pain for the first few days, I was prescribed Percocet and slowly decreased as tollerated. Most prescription meds definitely cause constipation so I you take something soon after surgery along with the meds so you may fare better than I did. Hope this helps. Sharon