Why I ain't wrote and a question

[Guest guest]

Wish I could say I'm better, but I was busy moving from CA to WA. With a torn

rotator cuff. Packing with a torn rotator cuff. All by myself. <whine>

I lived in CA for 40 1/2 years. (How did I get so old to be able to live

somewhere for 40 1/2 years????) In the Central Valley. Which is a desert. I

finally had it with too much sun. Anyway my son lives up here. So far (one

month) I LIKE the rain/grey skies/colder weather. Only problem is the

hibernating instinct makes me sleep till 11:00, and I feel guilty about that.

Now that I'm near a real city (Seattle), I'm going to try to find a real knee

specialist and am thinking about just getting a new knee, since I'm 62. I like

the idea of all my knee parts being replaced by something that doesn't have

nerves.

There's a maze of hiking trails only two blocks from my new house!! I put tape

on & trekked around for a while, but did have a reaction from my CP. Ice did

seem to help that.

I have a question. I think it was here, or maybe it was on the ITBS group, a

year or so ago someone posted info about a medical product that surgeons could

put in the incision to prevent scarring. They had a Web site, and I went to it,

but since then I've gone through several hard drives so lost the link. I can't

find anything on it now using search terms. Do any of you remember this, or

know anything about such a thing?

Ann

Hi Everyone:

The Posts have been slowing down a bit lately... does that mean

everyone is getting better?

If anyone has any topics for discussion, feel free to Post them. You

never know what may get a good debate going.

Anyway... I thought I'd paste this article from the Bottom Line for

anyone planning on having a surgery. Of course (as always) consult

your doctor before trying any of this stuff.

Take care,

Doug

P.S. - I know alot of people think that natural medicine is

associated with quackery, but, IMHO, if you can find a good

naturopath, I think it can be very beneficial.

**********************************************

Healthy Healing

I recently wrote about ways to help heal skin injuries from the

inside out. (See Daily Health News, December 16, 2004). In my

conversation with Dr. Capsey, a naturopathic physician in Oak

Harbor, Washington, the subject of surgical wounds arose. Dr. Capsey

had some specific suggestions for faster and better healing after

surgery.

Two Weeks Before Surgery

Avoid all blood thinners, including aspirin, garlic, ginseng (in

excess) and large doses of vitamin E. Taking 100 international units

(IU) to 200 IU of vitamin E or one capsule of ginseng is okay.

Typically, physicians will advise stopping or cutting back on blood-

thinning medications, such as warfarin (Coumadin), before surgery.

If you are not already taking a good-quality multivitamin, start

taking one now. That will provide the basic building blocks for

healthy skin production and wound healing. Check to make sure that

the following supplements, in these dosages -- or close to these

dosages -- are included in your multivitamin (they probably are). If

not, you will need to purchase additional supplements.

Vitamin A: 20,000 IU a day. However, Dr. Capsey warns that pregnant

women should not take more than 10,000 IU, because the higher dosages

can cause birth defects.

Zinc: 30 mg to 50 mg a day, but take with food to avoid upset

stomach.

Vitamin E: 400 IU a day.

Copper: 2 mg to 3 mg a day.

Vitamin C with citrus flavonoids: 1 to 2 grams daily (to bowel

tolerance) with 25 mg to 50 mg of citrus flavonoids.

Alternatively, take an antioxidant blend that includes vitamins A, C,

E, selenium and zinc as your presurgery protocol to reduce

inflammation. Example: Carlson's Plus Zinc, two soft gels per day.

Two Days Before Surgery

Start taking bromelain. This enzyme helps reduce inflammation.

Pineapples are an excellent source of bromelain as a regular part of

good nutrition, but for serious wound healing from surgery, you will

need to take very high doses, so a bromelain supplement is the way to

go. Take three capsules of 250 mg, three times a day in between

meals. Note: Be sure to stop the day before surgery, as bromelain can

interfere with fibrin deposition, which is necessary to form clotting

around the surgical site -- and avoid for three days after surgery.

The Night Before Surgery

The night before surgery, Dr. Capsey recommends two homeopathic

treatments to minimize bruising and bleeding. Start five days before

surgery and alternate one night of arnica with one night of

phosphorus. Both treatments come as tiny pellets that you swallow.

Follow directions on the packages for dosing.

Arnica: Take the homeopathic treatment arnica to minimize bruising.

Phosphorus: To minimize bleeding, Dr. Capsey recommends phosphorus,

especially if you tend to be a heavy bleeder.

After Surgery

After surgery, take arnica and phosphorus again, using the same

dosing schedule as above, until bleeding and bruising are improved.

To help alleviate pain in the incision itself, take bellis perennis,

another homeopathic remedy. The Boiron company is a good source for

bellis perennis.

Also continue your multivitamin or antioxidant formula for a week or

two following surgery, though ideally, these should become a part of

your daily health-care routine.

Note: Review homeopathic dosing and protocol for both pre- and post-

surgery with a professional specifically trained in it. You can find

someone in your area at http://www.homeopathic.org. Also, be sure to

discuss Dr. Capsey's recommendations with your surgeon before

embarking on them so that he/she is aware of them.

Be well,

Carole

Bottom Line's Daily Health News