Anyone used horse poultice on themselves to get swelling to go down?

[Black_Points]

@NancyM

I had an infected cyst on my back, years ago now. I showed it to my doc. He said, “Yup, that needs to come out. But it is too infected right now, so here is a perscription for some antibiotics”. I got the antibiotics, and took them like a good girl. But I also put an epsom salt poultice on it at night, taped into place. When I went back for the thing to be removed, the doc was VERY impressed with how much it had cooled out, looked far better than he thought it would. He removed it with the superficial surgery in his office. I knew this doc for a long time, he was a bit of a family friend. I sent a lot of horse owning people to him as patients with my recommendation. He told me that he loved working on horse people. He said that they came in with the most horrific looking things, injuries etc, which the first thing they told him was that they had been treating it themselves, with horse medication, and it was looking WAY BETTER now that he was seeing it. This doc learned was “vet wrap” was.

PS- OP, you need to take your issue to you doc, it is not something that you should be treating without professional input and guidance.

Thank you to all who responded to my question. I apologize that i wasn’t very clear. hard to type a lot with one hand when other hand is so swollen and painful. I am not wanting to put anything on the wound which is bandaged. today I am only 1 week post surgery. the problem is that i fell and broke the ball off the humerus and displaced the humerus. Due to just having moved and not having a PCP and being 2 hr from any facility able to deal with injury like this,it took 10 days and lots of hassle to be able to schedule surgery. during all the wait time, my forearm and hand are very swollen. I was just trying to explore ways to get swelling down enough to be able to do exercises…Ice packs aren’t helping much.

I see the PA in 3 days.

Mary in western ny

[jawa]

I would still try to do a phone consult. Before I applies any poultice or whatnot, would a compression bandage help to move the fluid? Again, a consult with your PA or doctor first.

[IndysMom]

Mary-sorry to hear that things aren’t going well. Is there any way you can elevate the arm/hand? That might help reduce the swelling. Even if you just lay on the other so that the injured arm is on top? Also, a zip lock with alcohol/water mix will freeze colder than just water and stay softer as well. Sue and I miss you at lunch. Hope you start doing better soon! Linda

[Black_Points]

@candyappy

Call your doctor. I just had a total shoulder replacement and had no arm swelling, but my fingers were swollen for well over a week. I did the ball squeezes, but what helped it most was when I was up and moving around.

Sounds like your shoulder / arm had a lot of trauma and I imagine you will have swelling for a while. Are you in any pain?

because my shoulder was badly broken for 10 days before surgery-ball broken off humerus plus rotator cuff torn up-i’m guessing that’s the origin of the excessive swelling and PAIN
I’m able to get by on one hydrocodone/day now so things are improving

funny thing is that i had consulted with a shoulder surgeon 2 weeks before the accident and he said i needed both shoulders replaced. Scheduled to get the worst one (right) done in November. Now i’ve got a left reverse shoulder replacement instead. Never know what life will bring

[Black_Points]

@IndysMom

Mary-sorry to hear that things aren’t going well. Is there any way you can elevate the arm/hand? That might help reduce the swelling. Even if you just lay on the other so that the injured arm is on top? Also, a zip lock with alcohol/water mix will freeze colder than just water and stay softer as well. Sue and I miss you at lunch. Hope you start doing better soon! Linda

miss you two too. i’m using frozen peas and sometimes they are too cold. i also got an Aircast device that allows me to
'wear" a cold compress over my shoulder.

[candyappy]

@Black Points

because my shoulder was badly broken for 10 days before surgery-ball broken off humerus plus rotator cuff torn up-i’m guessing that’s the origin of the excessive swelling and PAIN
I’m able to get by on one hydrocodone/day now so things are improving

funny thing is that i had consulted with a shoulder surgeon 2 weeks before the accident and he said i needed both shoulders replaced. Scheduled to get the worst one (right) done in November. Now i’ve got a left reverse shoulder replacement instead. Never know what life will bring

You poor thing!! I have some issues with my left shoulder as well but am in no hurry to look at getting anything done until I have to. I can use it normally and reach , lift etc, with just some discomfort that I can endure without meds. I can’t fathom needing both.

Is it doing any better for you swelling wise?

[msj]

Mary, I can’t offer any more help than you’ve already received but know that Linda and I are quite worried about you. Bob can take care of the cats and I know you have help with the horses. Linda came down today to bring some sewing things and said you’d posted so I wanted to offer any and all support I can.

Sue

[walktrot]

@Black Points

I’m using frozen peas and sometimes they are too cold. i also got an Aircast device that allows me to
'wear" a cold compress over my shoulder.

That Aircast device is what I used. I liked it. They told me to make huge ice cubes because it keeps the water colder for much longer because regular ice cubes melt so fast.

Bags of frozen peas were stocked in the freezer at our curling club. We had to make sure to label them. Otherwise one of the dinner leagues would use them for a vegetable, :lol: