Why does bedrest help?

[Guest guest]

Dear Group,

It's great to see so many have gotten good results from simple bedrest

and leg elevation along with ace bandages and TEDS or other

progressive support stockings. I appreciate others verifying that this

low tech treatment works.

What bedrest and the other mentioned treatments do is help to reduce

swelling or edema. For me the swelling is the most painful part of EN.

When you feel exhausted and your legs hurt, it is your body telling

you to get rest and put the legs up. As I have often said this was the

only treatment for EN before SSKI and prednisone were used. Doctors

didn't have the modern drugs to treat EN, but they knew what worked.

Bedrest was used for many ills back then.

Fever is an ancient body response to invading pathogens. Raising the

body temperature does in fact kill off many germs.

Malaise is a sick feeling that tells you to stop activity and rest.

So if you are having pain, fever and malaise, you know the body wants

and needs to rest in order to work on whatever is causing the EN. The

fever is probably not high enough to kill off all of the " bad germs "

but it also is making you feel sick enough to lie down and let your

body regain strength and fight off whatever is the EN cause.

For those who can afford the time, bedrest is time well spent. And for

those who can't afford to get much bedrest, some please try to rest as

much as you can and elevate the legs. Try the bandages or

anti-embolism stockings. It is cheaper than a doctor visit and no one

has ever reported a problem with bedrest.

I can't begin to tell you how often I have " slept it off " . A couple

days of bedrest for me is indeed the " wonder drug " . It may take you

longer, but a good start is a weekend in bed. :-)

Wishing Everyone a Painfree and Happy Day!

Love,