First Crash

[Brandi]

I second that. I had some tendon soreness for a long time a friend suggested arnica. Love it! you can take it internally?

[RoadRaven]

Yes, you can Brandi...

If I could have only one thing in our first aid kit it would be arnica...

Arnica externally...
(but never on broken skin)

Arnica cream... to rub gently on bruises, sprains and aching joints/ligaments/tendons.

Arnica oil... to massage into tired sore leg muscles and backs.


Arnica internally...
(every few hours initially to work on internal bruising, hard to get at bruising or tired sore muscles - even after a vomiting bug to help those retching abs recover)

Arnica pillues... (they're tiny pills a bit bigger than a pin head) cause they seem sweet and young children will eat them easily, or will dissolve quickly under the tongue if someone doesn't want to eat/swallow

Arnica pills... small chewable tablets

Arnica drops... 15 virtually tasteless drops in a some water (though I have dropped straight on my tongue when no water was available)


Road (wishing I had shares in some arnica company cause I'd make a fortune from my advocacy ) Raven

[Melody]

RoadRaven, I'm healing up ok. I've stayed off the bike this past week to help with healing. I've been using betadine on any surfaces that have been cut/scraped and then applying bacitracin (a combination topical antibiotic) afterwards.

For the bruished/sore ribs where there is no skin breakage I've been using Tiger Balm, which I personally love the smell of (though the DH hates it. heh).

I am still sore but I think I'm ok enough to get on the bike. I'll be trying later when I put Silver on the trainer.

Mel

[RoadRaven]

Great to hear you are doing ok Melody... betadine is most excellent and not as stingy as iodine...

I like the smell of both Tiger Balm and Deep Heat too... but no-one else in the house seems to!

Have fun on Silver

[DirtDiva]

Tiger Balm being massaged into shoulders that have been carrying a tramping pack all day is heaven. (I love the smell of it as well.)

[Melody]

I just think "Mmmmmmmm tigerbalm" whenever I open it up.

Anyway, went out for a short ride today (~9 miles or so) to one of the local LBS' and back. I still have some pain in the ribs but it's pretty minor except when I stand to sprint, which wasn't happening too often. I was, however, bonking fast. My legs felt like wet noodles.

So I rode through that (and I was going slow because, well, I felt I had no energy) and at the LBS, I finally sat on a bench at took my sugar (I'm diabetic). My glucose was 75. So I ate a banana and a packet of Gu and rested a little bit. Needless to say I had quite a bit more energy on the way back. I guess a carton of yogurt for breakfast just wasn't enough. It's just hard to guage what my sugar levels are going to do some days. :/

But! I was well enough to get on the bike so that made me happy Even if I do feel like an idiot.

Mel

[Jo-n-NY]

Good for you Melody. I guess with little steps at a time, you will be back to your good ole self in no time. With the sugar, I would imagine it is a day by day learning experience.

I am wishing you improvement with every ride.

~ JoAnn