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Misc Chemicals/substances to reduce swelling after surgery.

J

JackieChan

Bluelighter
Joined
Feb 19, 2013
Messages
28
This is definitely a bit off-topic for this forum, but you guys seem to know your pharmacology better than anyone else...

I'm getting a septoplasty revision next week to further straighten my nasal airway. The first surgery produced massive swelling for weeks/months... until my doc finally gave ma a cortisone shot, which reduced it DRASTICALLY basically overnight.
I've read online about using ice, benadryl etc. to help reduce swelling, but wanted to know if there was anything more potent out there. Is is possible to get cortisone, or something like it, without a doctor? Anything other substances that can drastically reduce swelling?

Any recommendations are appreciated,
Thanks.
 
NSAIDs are the first line therapy, corticosteroids also work (as you've noticed) but have a higher incidence of side effects.

Ibuprofen, naproxen etc are your best bet for OTC swelling reduction, as they actively work to stop tissue from getting inflammed.
 
Thanks!
How would you recommend using something like Ibuprofen in this situation to prevent/reduce swelling? Would I take it from the day of the surgery on and basically stay on it, re-dosing every few hours? How many mg would be recommended?
 
Your doctor should discuss this with you. Generally NSAIDs are taken on an as-needed basis, every 4-6 hours, until the swelling is manageable.
 
If your stomach can handle it, NSAIDs are very helpful in these situations. There are also stronger ones that are available via prescription instead of OTC. I find that they're helpful if taken before the swelling gets too bad. Like they'll help keep swelling down better than they can actually reduce swelling once it's happened. That may just be me though.

Definitely talk to your doctor about dosing and whether he reccommends anything prior to surgery - he ma not because they can act as blood thinners. Also, if the shot worked so well last time maybe he'd be willing to do that again.

Be careful with these drugs though. I used to take advil and aleve every day because I worked a job where I had to stand in one spot for 6-10 hours a day and it was murder on my knees and back. Before I knew it I had developed a peptic ulcer, and now I can't take anything in that class of drugs without stomach pain.
 
thesameoldfears said:
If your stomach can handle it, NSAIDs are very helpful in these situations. There are also stronger ones that are available via prescription instead of OTC. I find that they're helpful if taken before the swelling gets too bad. Like they'll help keep swelling down better than they can actually reduce swelling once it's happened. That may just be me though.
Click to expand...
^It's not just you. They work better if taken before the problem (whether inflammation or pain) gets very bad.

Personally I like naproxen out of non-prescription NSAIDs. It lasts way longer than ibuprofen and I have to take less. I like the liqui-gels. Seems easier on the stomach from my subjective experience. Talk to your doctor about what to do and take for swelling, they might prescribe you something (like a stronger Rx NSAID, I'd try to avoid cortisone unless nothing gentler works, since it's a steroid) and they should have good advice since it's a pretty basic and common thing.

Cortisone is only available without a prescription in the form of a topical cream to my knowledge.
 
I just had surgery for throat and sinus cancer Wednesday and have massive swelling in my throat and nasal passage also so I can relate to your dilemma.I was prescribed a mouthwash containing benadryl, decadron and donnatal. It is to help with swelling in the throat. I think the decadron is a steroid. I also have a prescription for nose spray that I haven't gotten filled yet but I think it has a steroid and lidocaine in it. Good luck with your surgery.
 
Thanks a lot everyone!
I will talk to the doctor and see if he can prescribe me something stronger than OTC stuff. He told me I have really thick skin (literally), so I tend to swell a bit more than others and it takes longer to subside.

Also, good luck with your recovery KROD.
 
HC, ouch that sounds painful. I hope you get better soon!

Jackie, I had nasal surgery for deviated septum and the recovery was awful. But your doctor knows about your thick skin and maybe this time prescribe something to prevent that from happening again. It's hard putting ice packs on your face when it's banging with pain.
 
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