hi everyone. thanks again for your informative and comforting words.
my stomach is mostly better but is still very short-tempered. i seem to be able to eat anything now, (ate curry today and passed the test) but i still need to eat really slowly or i get bouts of pain. spaceface i am taking your advice. tonight i won't be taking any more painkillers. sadly the tylenol does nothing for this type of pain (tightness/inflammation)
i am still struggling though with this left shoulder pain a lot; it's the worst it's been in a really long time and i can barely move my arm in certain ways without severe pain. i got another cortisone injection yesterday, and it seemed to help but today it is really bad again. maybe it will take more time to take full effect. my job involves physical labor (cleaner) which i know is adding to the physical stress but i am just going to have to try and move/work more mindfully.
does anyone know of any effective herbal anti inflammatories? i can't take pharmaceuticals right now because of my stomach. i hope the cortisone works more over time.. but i am just feeling desperate i need to sleep and it's very hard when my shoulder pain wakes me up a lot. tiger balm works well, but it only lasts about 2 hours. i am also using heating pads but this is also short-term relief. if anyone knows of an herbal capsule or pill with anti inflammatory properties that could last overnight, or anything that would help overnight without side effects, that would be so helpful. someone suggested arnica to me, and i was also considering trying to take one of the active ingredients in tiger balm orally. camphor is apparently toxic orally, but i wonder if a 'mint capsule' would help (the second active ingredient.) open to any suggestions.
I have a recommendation for a natural anti-inflammatory - fresh ginger. Do a quick google on it, it's honestly one of natures wonders.
I used it to help with pain and swelling of my feet, post op, and I also have a friend who "juices" and uses ginger as one of the ingredients, to help treat her fibroid myalgia symptoms. She used it through chemo as well. She swears by it.
Easy way to prep: make a batch of ginger water.
Measure out your water into a pot. I store mine in a plastic 2 liter pitcher, so I measure with that, and I add an extra cup of water since you will have evaporation.
Chunk off about 2-3 inches of fresh ginger, and cut into smaller chunks. Add to the water, cover, bring to a boil, and simmer on LOW for 20-30 minutes.
Cool, scoop out or strain out ginger, and store in the refrigerator.
I like to microwave a cup, add sweetener, and drink it like tea.
It's pretty spicy and strong, I hated it at first, but now I find it very soothing.
Have a cup 2-3 times a day. More if you like it, it's just ginger.
This will be great for your tummy, too....
If you try it, let me know how it works for you! Hope it helps!