Really Need Advice: How to Reduce Swelling?

[christa]

Hi Family!

My face is really swollen from a broken nose. The doctor has me on Tylenol and says to ice it but does anyone have any good remedies to reduce swelling? I've googled and crawled and am not coming up with anything.

I'm going to die

[1stwahine]

Re: Really Need Advice: How to Reduce Swelling?

Awwwww...pua ting. My late husband was a former boxing champion. When his face was swollen after fights ~ ice packs were used. For me, I find comfort in heat. Rub in the Ben Gay and sleep.

Auntie Lynn

[WindwardOahuRN]

Re: Really Need Advice: How to Reduce Swelling?

Hi Family!

My face is really swollen from a broken nose. The doctor has me on Tylenol and says to ice it but does anyone have any good remedies to reduce swelling? I've googled and crawled and am not coming up with anything.

I'm going to die

Ouch. So sorry.

Cold packs are really the way to go. If you can, get the nice moldable soft cold packs---they're a gel and can be nicely molded to the affected area. They're available at Long's.

Ibuprofen (Motrin) is a much more effective anti-inflammatory and much better at reducing swelling than Tylenol but there may be concerns with bleeding.

Give your doc a call and see if it's okay to try ibuprofen.

[christa]

Re: Really Need Advice: How to Reduce Swelling?

thank u so much!!

i've been using peas but would love to see if ibuprofen is allowed. oh man. you have no idea how much i'd like to look normal again. it's been forever!!


thanks again!

[pzarquon]

Re: Really Need Advice: How to Reduce Swelling?

If not the blue gel icepacks, I've frequently found 'frozen peas' to be a very common MacGyver-esque remedy. As for the pain, I'm glad for WindwardOahuRN's note on anti-inflammatory properties... 'cause I just would've asked my doc for something stronger. There are Tylenol variants that make the stuff you get OTC look like jellybeans.

And... I can't be the only person thinking that there's gotta be a heck of a story here...

[tutusue]

Re: Really Need Advice: How to Reduce Swelling?

[...]My face is really swollen from a broken nose. The doctor has me on Tylenol and says to ice it but does anyone have any good remedies to reduce swelling?[...]

Dang, Christa...this seems like a long time for you to still be suffering. Remind me when this happened. Maybe I'm remembering wrong.

[christa]

Re: Really Need Advice: How to Reduce Swelling?

couple days after my birthday (dec 21). you know what's strange... this is the second year in a row that i was tragically hurt a few days after my birthday. what's going on here.

but thanks sue. it's a lot better. cast and stitches gone... just... the... damn... swelling

[christa]

Re: Really Need Advice: How to Reduce Swelling?

And... I can't be the only person thinking that there's gotta be a heck of a story here...

there is.




(maybe one day i'll tell)

[tutusue]

Re: Really Need Advice: How to Reduce Swelling?

couple days after my birthday (dec 21). you know what's strange... this is the second year in a row that i was tragically hurt a few days after my birthday. what's going on here.[...]

Aha...my memory was off. I thought it was longer. Still, one would think the swelling would be down after 12 days. WORN will be the best judge of that, tho'. I certainly hope you're not getting into an annual tradition!

[craigwatanabe]

Re: Really Need Advice: How to Reduce Swelling?

I'm not too sure but isn't it for initial swelling you use ice packs but after the swelling stops and it's all pain, you're supposed to use heat to bring the swelling down.

Something about cold to slow down the swelling and heat to increase blood circulation.

[blueyecicle]

Re: Really Need Advice: How to Reduce Swelling?

My Dr. always said alternate heat and cold, but that was for the back.

I didn't have ice packs so I took some vodka....and took a hammer to some ice...threw it in a ziploc baggy and left it in the freezer...stayed cooler longer than peas but more pliable than some of the ice packs...plus I always keep liquor on hand! j/k....
Stays cold...I made 2 and alternated...I just don't suggest adding a mixer or you might feel the need to drink them!

[Hellbent]

Re: Really Need Advice: How to Reduce Swelling?

The best remedy is preventative. Next time, duck.

[WindwardOahuRN]

Re: Really Need Advice: How to Reduce Swelling?

I'm not too sure but isn't it for initial swelling you use ice packs but after the swelling stops and it's all pain, you're supposed to use heat to bring the swelling down.

Something about cold to slow down the swelling and heat to increase blood circulation.

When Christina wrote about her broken nose I assumed that it was something that happened on New Year's Eve. I didn't realize that this happened almost two weeks ago! Yes, ice packs are good for the first couple of days or so but not after that.

At this point I'd take my nose back to the ENT and have it checked out again. There can be complications---sinus infections, hematomas.

[Ms_Aloha_Nui]

Re: Really Need Advice: How to Reduce Swelling?

For the pain you might also try some AWA. It's found in most Longs Drug stores.

Hope you feel better soon.

[craigwatanabe]

Re: Really Need Advice: How to Reduce Swelling?

I like the vodka remedy