anti inflammation (tendons / muscle) medicine

[robblok]

Since Thursday i feel a light pain in my right shoulder. I think I worked out too hard so i skipped working out to give it time to heal. Its minor but I want it gone. I don't think its a good idea to exercise hard until its gone. There is almost no pain and its barely noticeable unless i make certain movements. Now id like some medicine against inflammation but without painkillers. So no ibuprofen.

Any ideas what i could buy OTC at a pharmacy that would help a bit and makes sure that next week i can train again.

I am sure I could exercise and stuff, just from experience its better to let something heal no matter how minor unless you want it to get worse.

[wow64]

I get bad tennis elbow from working out which comes and goes.. Just using generic Ibuprofen works for me.

Go to any pharmacy and tell them u want an anti inflammatory and they will sort u out. Very easy

[robblok]

I get bad tennis elbow from working out which comes and goes.. Just using generic Ibuprofen works for me.

Go to any pharmacy and tell them u want an anti inflammatory and they will sort u out. Very easy

The thing is I just don't want the painkiller (getting sleepy / tired) just anti inflammatory stuff.

And you are right was just waiting for Sheryll who has great knowledge of what they have in Thailand. I will hop on the motobrike and get some later on.

[Evilbaz]

Try "Counterpain" cream by Squibb - OTC any good pharmacy here.

In 40 years of physical rehab this is one of very few that work for superficial soft tissue inflammation (good for "RSI/Tennis elbow" too.)

You are wise to decrease load in the presence of pain ...

[robblok]

Try "Counterpain" cream by Squibb - OTC any good pharmacy here.

In 40 years of physical rehab this is one of very few that work for superficial soft tissue inflammation (good for "RSI/Tennis elbow" too.)

You are wise to decrease load in the presence of pain ...

Thanks for the information, I will get some later.

Pain is a signal and if ignored it could get worse. That would prevent me from training for a long time so it makes sense to not train for a while now instead of having a long drawn out problem. I am lucky to in general injury free (with a few exceptions) but learned from people who did not stop training when in pain. Some of them cam to a point where it was too late and too much damage.

[FBN]

How quickly it will heal depends on the structures involved; if it is at the back of the shoulder, it may be a rotator cuff or if in front, biceps tendon. Rotator cuff takes perhaps longer but both can be stubborn.

Ibuprofen is freely available as well as Voltaren if you can tolerate the possible stomach irritation.

Boots and higher end pharmacies, especially those with Japanese products have also a range of local "stick-on pads" that heats up when applied; used overnight, the heat helps a lot.

[robblok]

It is the front top of the shoulder that is why i thought tendon.

So what you are saying you can take ibuprofen I can accept the sides just worried about getting tired from it sleepy not focused. Otherwise I have no problem with it. I will be going to a higher end pharmacy (fascino) later today. As I said its a minor thing that I just don't want to see get worse and spoil it for a long time.

[FBN]

Heat packs may help more than anti-inflammatories sometimes but a combination is good. Start training with just non-weight bearing movements.

[kurnell]

Celebrex

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[Evilbaz]

Ideally you could attend a specialized sports injuries clinic to get a differential diagnosis between Biceps or Supraspinatus tendon attachment, anterior capsule strain/tear, anterior portion of Deltoid strain, A/C joint sprain etc etc - all presenting with anterior or superior shoulder pain.

But unfortunately I know of none here and they wont let me start one.

So home remedies it is.

Edited July 27, 2014 by Evilbaz

[animatic]

There are topical ibuprofen gels that never enter your stomach but work fine on the area applied to.

My preference is Flamic.

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[JDGRUEN]

Try Naproxen Sodium around 250 mg tablets. It is primarily an anti-inflammatory. Known as Aleve in the USA. It can be a little hard on the stomach ... so after meals.

For the long term - try the natural remedy - Turmeric (Curcumin) the primary ingredient in curry powder. It is a great general anti-inflammatory. It is virtually harmless - so take much more than the recommended dosage. Also try Omega 3 oils in Fish oil preparations... Same advice for Omega 3 oils - take more than the recommended dosage as it is quite harmless. For these remedies It takes a week or two to build up enough in the system to have an effect... but work quite well. I have recommend friends used these for inflamed disc problems - sciatica and they were very helpful. A stronger form of the Omega 3 oils is the Krill oils...

OP - some people will poo poo natural remedies - but study up and make your own decision. After initially calming down the immediate flare up with OTC meds like Naproxen Sodium - the natural remedies are good for the long term. Both Omega 3 fish oils and Turmeric are available in Thailand at most any pharmacy. Just use Google and Bing and read about my recommendations.

[JDGRUEN]

In many cases of inflammation cold packs are much better than heat pads. Heating pads seem to give immediate relief in these situation but can have a rebound effect by adding to the inflammation. Example: in lower back disc inflammation - sciatica - cold packs work much better than hot packs in my opinion (from direct long term experience)... Trial and error is the best way to see for yourself ... alternate one day - then another with heat and cold and see what works best for you.

[CobraSnakeNecktie]

DMSO

Legal to buy in Thailand, US etc.

http://www.dailymile.com/blog/health/dmso-the-best-injury-treatment-youve-never-heard-of

just get the 99% quality as it doesn't smell at all.

Some of the lower quality products have a sulphur/garlic smell

[cooked]

In many cases of inflammation cold packs are much better than heat pads. Heating pads seem to give immediate relief in these situation but can have a rebound effect by adding to the inflammation. Example: in lower back disc inflammation - sciatica - cold packs work much better than hot packs in my opinion (from direct long term experience)... Trial and error is the best way to see for yourself ... alternate one day - then another with heat and cold and see what works best for you.

I'm not saying that you are wrong but my doctor told me that cold packs were only good immediately after the injury, thereafter I should use warming packs (or Tiger Balm). I have had years of intermittent joint pains and usually it was Voltaren, to be taken as soon as possible to prevent the need for a more prolonged treatment. Anyway unless you know the exact cause of your pain, a visit to the doctor is advisable. Aspirin is an anti-inflammatory also.

[BAYBOY]

I started getting pain in my shoulder some weeks ago. Tried "counter pain" and some slight relief.

Amongst the heart medicines I take daily is one for ease of angina, read the leaflet in the pack and found it can cause Frozen Shoulder. Checked on Google and it seems that is my problem.

Have some pain lowering my right arm from above my head to my side, have trouble tucking my shirt in at the back, and putting my belt through the loops at the back of my trousers, or throwing a ball.

Never heard of frozen shoulder before..........check it out on Google.

BAYBOY.

[losworld]

DMSO is a good suggestion but the smell has nothing do do with quality. Any time it is applied in sufficient quantity it will absorb and you will taste a garlic like smell in your mouth.

A better solution is MSM which is very similar to DMSO only an extra oxygen molecule and also contains the healing suphur the body needs. Just take it on a regular basis for a few months than periodically therafter. Best thing I have ever used for my knee and joints and no aftertaste or odor.

[CobraSnakeNecktie]

^^ not my experience at all. I can't get any smell or taste with the 99%+ stuff I buy from Union Science.

And I have used a lot of it full strength at one time and even taken significant amounts orally.

I have asked other people to sniff me after large applications and they report nothing.

I haven't tried lower quality versions to compare however. Maybe some people produce the metabolites and others don't.

I am just glad I don't reek from using it.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dimethyl_sulfoxide

A clever use of DMSO is as a solvent and carrier.

I will dissolve various compounds like Ascorbic Acid or Magnesium into DMSO then apply to skin to carry into cells.

Very helpful for targeted delivery and not wasting sometimes expensive supplements.

Edited July 27, 2014 by CobraSnakeNecktie

[inbangkok]

Have you ever taken Ibuprofen? Did it make you drowsy? I have never heard of anyone having this side effect from this medication.

[AnotherOneAmerican]

Muay cream, same formula as counterpain, but more of the active ingredient and 1/4 the price.

Sold everywhere, but they won't offer it to you cos it's cheap (less profit per sale).

Works a treat, about 40bht for 100gm tube.

The pharmacy counter in all the big Tesco have it.

(I use it all the time)

Edited July 27, 2014 by AnotherOneAmerican

[Langsuan Man]

Rest and ice on the effected area

You can make a simple ice pad by using a large zip lock type of plastic bag, with a solution of Isopropyl alcohol and water, which will not hard freeze but will be soft enough to cover the entire shoulder area. Ice it down three or four times a day and within a week you can start to slowly resume your work out regimen

Here are some isometric exercises recommended by my physical therapist to strengthen the should muscles

Edited July 27, 2014 by Langsuan Man

[JDGRUEN]

In many cases of inflammation cold packs are much better than heat pads. Heating pads seem to give immediate relief in these situation but can have a rebound effect by adding to the inflammation. Example: in lower back disc inflammation - sciatica - cold packs work much better than hot packs in my opinion (from direct long term experience)... Trial and error is the best way to see for yourself ... alternate one day - then another with heat and cold and see what works best for you.

y

I'm not saying that you are wrong but my doctor told me that cold packs were only good immediately after the injury, thereafter I should use warming packs (or Tiger Balm). I have had years of intermittent joint pains and usually it was Voltaren, to be taken as soon as possible to prevent the need for a more prolonged treatment. Anyway unless you know the exact cause of your pain, a visit to the doctor is advisable. Aspirin is an anti-inflammatory also.

If the affected area is mainly muscle then the old adage - ice then later heat is just fine .., If the affected areas is nerve related as in sciatica - it is all together another situation - it is always ice therapy in my opinion. Inflammation of a nerve should be treated with ice - never heat. OP's situation is likely tendons, ligaments and some muscle as stated... which may require some trial and error of heat and cold as I previously described... A good example of 'Ice - then Heat' treatment would be a 'pulled hamstring' muscle ... overly stretched strap or even torn muscle on the rear side of the thigh... often resulting in a contracted knot of muscle and/or a torn muscle. In my opinion - any inflamed nerve should be treated with cold and never heat.

[h90]

First of all the various balms in Thailand seem to work. I always put them somewhere between homeopathy, thai massage, etc.. Between useless and can't hurt. But recent experience shows some may really help.

What helps for me, more warm up on that specific exercises. Do it very light first. Try different exercises and use these that don't hurt (actually less than hurt, feel if it feels right or wrong). If you have to do your shoulder exercises with half the weight for 2 month and half the exercises, you won't loose any muscle (can do it slow and more repetitions), but if it get worse and you have to complete stop for 6 month (it can be longer) than you loose something, so don't make a big problem out of a small one.....reduce before it get big.

[bofhman]

Use DMSO according to protocols and for daily use MSM (sulphur). Inflammation gone!

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[uptheos]

Try "Counterpain" cream by Squibb - OTC any good pharmacy here.

In 40 years of physical rehab this is one of very few that work for superficial soft tissue inflammation (good for "RSI/Tennis elbow" too.)

You are wise to decrease load in the presence of pain ...

Counterpain contain Menthol and methyl salicylate which are known as counterirritants. They work by causing the skin to feel cool and then warm. These feelings on the skin distract you from feeling the aches/pains deeper in your muscles, joints, and tendons. It's just a distraction, basically does nothing for inflammation. and if you want an anti inflammatory gel, get Diclofenec or Piroxicam, both quite inexpensive.

[CBR250]

For soft tissue injuries the current mnemonic for immediate treatment is R.I.C.E. Stands for Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation. With a shoulder injury, only the first two are really applicable. The ice is used in the immediate aftermath of an injury to prevent bleeding into the tissues, so reduces subsequent swelling & pain, and speeds up recovery. Once the initial period is over (about 24-48 hours), use warmth - as JDGRUEN notes. I like JDs other suggestions too - use an anti-inflammatory such as Naproxen (a bit milder on the stomach than ibuprofen). You can top that up with natural remedies like turmeric and krill oil if you like, it won't do you any harm other than cost a few dollars, and it may help a little.

A word on aspirin. A wonder drug in its rightful place. The original NSAID. But be cautious using in Thailand if Dengue fever is around, as you really do not want the anti-clotting effect of aspirin if the dengue virus happens to be destroying all of your platelets as well.

[JDGRUEN]

I think CBR250 has inadvertently answered a question I had concerning aspirin availability in Thailand. I choose to take 81mg. aspirin to deliberately 'thin' my blood in an effort to prevent clots in my lower legs, a possible stroke or pulmonary embolism or perhaps a heart attack. I have doing this for many years. When I went to buy some common 81mg. aspirin the pharmacists would tell me I have to go to a hospital pharmacy - then it turned out they 'said' they didn't have it. I have since found it in a number of places (different cities) but in each case this form of aspirin was in a locked cabinet... seemingly treating it the same as a controlled drug. This is where they usually keep the Viagra too . Perhaps this control of aspirin is a cautionary measure to restrict the use of aspirin when Dengue is occurring in the local population.

Aspirin as an anti-inflammatory - an old standby. I would use it if other drugs such as Naproxen Sodium were not available.

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

Not sure if it is available in Thailand but in the U.S. one can get 2.5 percent topical corticosteroid cream preparations. One time I used this cream on my lower back in the area of my old sciatic problem when a flare up arose when I did what I shouldn't do... that is - fulcrum lifting - bending over at a 90 degree angle and picking things up, The objects do not have to be very heavy .. just the fulcrum approach is enough to do it especially if one is also turning a bit to one side.

I was doubtful that the even the 2.5 percent corticosteroid cream would be of benefit - but it was. The active agent must have penetrated just deep enough to circulate in the area of the inflamed nerve.

[konying]

Not sure if anyone mentioned but voltaren slow release tabs, and/or voltaren gel.

If damage is more serious, arcoxia, but be warned it's very strong with a number of side effects.

Was prescribed by specialist for torn rotator cuff.

Edited July 28, 2014 by konying

[uptheos]

Not sure if anyone mentioned but voltaren slow release tabs, and/or voltaren gel.

If damage is more serious, arcoxia, but be warned it's very strong with a number of side effects.

Was prescribed by specialist for torn rotator cuff.

Yes, votraren is a brand name.

Diclofenec is the generic name, widely available and much less expensive/

[robblok]

I got some of those packs and went on with ibuprofen and been taking it since Friday. So today I don't feel a thing. I had one of those balms applied yesterday and last night. Its seemed to do its work. I said it was minor to start with, just did not want to have it get out of hand. I will probably give it a few more days and start off light.

My question was mainly because I always saw ibuprofen as a painkiller and that was not needed, but it seems hard to get something for only inflammation. Anyway I will see how it goes. I listen to my body and stuff like this in my view is better treated early then waiting and acting tough going on and damaging it more.