first arnica, now bromelain...anyone take or use this?

[Amby 490]

Bromelain is a mixture of protein-digesting (proteolytic) enzymes found in pineapples (Ananas comosus ). Pineapple has been used for centuries in Central and South America to treat indigestion and reduce inflammation. Bromelain, which is derived from the stem and juice of the pineapple, was first isolated from the pineapple plant in the late 1800s. It is approved by the German Commission E to treat swelling and inflammation following surgery, particularly sinus surgery.

Bromelain can be useful in treating a wide range of conditions, but it is particularly effective in reducing inflammation associated with infection and injuries.

Although studies show mixed results, bromelain may reduce swelling, bruising, healing time, and pain following surgery and physical injuries. It is often used to reduce inflammation associated with tendinitis, sprains and strains, and other minor muscle injuries

http://www.umm.edu/altmed/articles/bromelain-000289.htm

[Peikko 1,575]

No, I haven't even heard of it before. I did hear that the enzyme is good for tenderizing, it breaks down meat tissue. I also heard If you eat too many, it breaks down your teeth too, although I am not sure if that is an old wives tale post world war 2.

I would say if there are no contra indications, then it's worth trying. If there are then I guess weigh the pros and cons and see whether it seems worth it. I would have thought that all these things are so dependent on individual factors that even someone else having a positive or negative experience is not really going to tell you enough about the effectiveness it would have on you.

It's great that you are thinking about all this stuff though, pre surgery. I wish I had thought about the poss of having a cesarean and then working out good strategies to minimise scarring etc. It never occurred to me, and once I was in pain, the idea of long term issues just doesn't occur.

[Amby 490]

I'm not too worried about my scars but they're going to be huge. They will run from my elbow to armpit and then a zigzag into my armpit. I'm trying to find every single thing possible that I can take and/or use, put on or whatever to make them as soft as possible. I really don't want to take pain meds if I don't have to. I have a pretty high tolerance for pain so I hope to find something where I don't have to take narcotics.

People think it's funny I'm worried more about the end of surgery than actually having the surgery. I just want to make sure I do whatever I can to get the best possible outcome in the long run. I'll let everyone else worry about me

Edited February 25, 2009 by Amby