OT - cramped and sore . . . aches and pains . . .

15 years ago

It's Garden Clean-up Time!!

A mention of Advil was made on another thread as a remedy for the pains that come with gardening. You just don't know how envious I am of those individuals who can take anti-inflammatories.

The Winter before last, I showed up in my MD's office with a little more-than-usual back and leg pain. He put me on a steroid - why, I don't know. I'd told him that I was having some problems with nausea and he'd taken me off every anti-inflammatory he'd ever prescribed for me over the years. Strangely, he sent me to a stomach specialist about the nausea so I was all set to take advantage of that guy after the steroids had completely wrecked my stomach!

Needless to say, the LAST in a long line of anti-inflammatories went out the window and its place on the medicine shelf was taken by stomach meds. Finally (finally!), after nearly 18 months of those drugs - I finally went on an as-needed status for the least high-tech of the stomach meds.

Sooooo, no more anti-inflammatories, probably for here on out - - and a steroid - fuggettaboudit!

The gardeners here on this forum, really helped me with my allegy problems in the Summer of 'o7. I take loratadine now to get me thru the difficult days. What about aches and pains?

I'll tell you about Asian remedies at the Oriental market that really help but you gotta be able to deal with heat, heat, heat!! Any other ideas?

digitS' (cramped and sore)

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Comments (7)

dafygardennut
15 years ago
Were they steroid-based anti-inflammatories (prednisone) or nonsteroidals (like Advil/Aleve/Tylenol)?

Hot bath with epsom salts.

Arnica is good for bruising-type of aches and they also have an ointment (at most health food stores)
jclepine
15 years ago
I have to second the arnica--it actually works.

If you use any of those "camphor" things, apply it with gloves or your hands will tingle!

I'm a light-weight when it comes to taking anything so I can get away with using calming tea as a beverage and it relaxes my muscles. I like Sweet Dreams by...oh, I think Bigelow. I prefer it to SleepyTime and I also like the one from Trader Joes.

I like epsom salt baths too. I also use, even though it is expensive, a bath salt called Bath Therapy. It contains lythium crystals!!! Oh, no aches after that kind of soak.

Oh, and two things I learned working for Chiropractors for so many years:

1. Drink more water than usual as it helps keep the muscles from tightening up.

2. Take your calcium and magnesium. They help keep muscles relaxed.

Feel better!!!

J.
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digit
Original Author
15 years ago
Taking various nonsteroidals, forever. The rapid-taper predisone wasn't new either - just wrong, wrong, wrong timing!

Probably won't have to worry about taking either ever again.

Epsom salts baths . . . not since I was a kid. Very nice! (I love baths. :o)

Lythium? I used to live a few miles from Lithia Park in Ashland, OR. Always had to try a sip of the water - yeetch!

Arnica? Knew nothing about it.

S'
david52 Zone 6
15 years ago
I find 20 minutes of stretching, before you even think about going outside, really helps. But then you have to remember to do it.

If you let it all dry out, it's a whole lot lighter. I find that a strong, drying wind really helps blow stuff over the fence and become your neighbor's problem. Just wave merrily, they don't mind.
digit
Original Author
15 years ago
My wife has been talking about setting me out to dry . . .

Yeah, I've got to find Miranda Esmonde White on PBS and start doing the Classical Stretch again with her. I was leaving the house too early in the morning until recently for her 6:30 AM show. Only need 15 minutes there - the 2nd half is too, too difficult . . .

d'S'
billie_ladybug
15 years ago
Not only does a hot bath help, it lets me catch up on all my garden mags. Sleepytime, love that tea. Ever try the tension tamer, good for when you don't want to go sleepy.

I still have tomatoes to bring in. I have not dared to lift their skirts today, to dang cold and windy. I figure if I lift the covers, I might not get them back down, or even catch them.

Billie
aliceg8
15 years ago
Digit - try Traumeel. Another herbal remedy, it has arnica in it. This is consumed, rather than rubbed on. Get it at a health food store.

Alice

OT - cramped and sore . . . aches and pains . . .

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