Bad bruises: please help

[brioche]

Hey,
Don't know where to post this because I don't usually create threads.
Okay, here's the situation. My mum was in a car accident today. Some one ran a red light and hit her. She's okay, but she's badly bruised, especially on one leg. We think she banged the front of her calf on the area under the dash, and the repairs are in the high thousands.
Two firemen stopped by and examined her. They wanted to know if she wanted an ambulance, but she said she didn't need any more stress. They told her to see her doctor right away, then went to my dad and told him to make sure she went.
Okay, I think most of y'all have experience with bruising. This goes beyond peanut oil ( though it was the first thing I thought of, but didn't suggest).
She's not planning on going to the doc until Monday. Does anyone have any suggestions on how to deal with them? How can we tell when med attention is needed? Finally, we're going on vacation on Monday - should she not be walking around and working out like we usually do?

Once again, apologies if this is in the wrong place.
I'd appreciate any help.
brioche

 

[Noor]

Hey,
Don't know where to post this because I don't usually create threads.
Okay, here's the situation. My mum was in a car accident today. Some one ran a red light and hit her. She's okay, but she's badly bruised, especially on one leg. We think she banged the front of her calf on the area under the dash, and the repairs are in the high thousands.
Two firemen stopped by and examined her. They wanted to know if she wanted an ambulance, but she said she didn't need any more stress. They told her to see her doctor right away, then went to my dad and told him to make sure she went.
Okay, I think most of y'all have experience with bruising. This goes beyond peanut oil ( though it was the first thing I thought of, but didn't suggest).
She's not planning on going to the doc until Monday. Does anyone have any suggestions on how to deal with them? How can we tell when med attention is needed? Finally, we're going on vacation on Monday - should she not be walking around and working out like we usually do?

Once again, apologies if this is in the wrong place.
I'd appreciate any help.
brioche

If you get quick bad looking bruises, it often can be a break, or at least that is what I found. I was in a car accident that broke my neck, a bunch of rubs bruised my shoulder, and gave me internal inhjuries, but I did not see any leg bruising until the next morning.
If it were me I would get an xray just to make sure there isn't a fracture. Then I would do ice, 10 minutes every hour. the less painfully way to do it is moisten a hand towel in warm water, put that on the bruise and the ice pack on top of that so the skin cools down slowly. then put a plastic bag on top of that.
I would also take ibuprophen or some other NSAID, NOT tylenol, it does nothing for swelling. swelling can cause serious problems if it gets too bad. I would take the nsaids religiously for the next day or two.
I don't think she should not be walking around or working out, maybe she should keep her leg up. Mainly I think she needs to see a doctor, esp as someone else hit her and the insurance will be responsible for the bill, also incase there are other injuries its better to have medical documentation of it right away. Drs also have much strong antiinflaminatories that you can get over the counter. If she has soft tissue damage, she may need physical therapy, which is another reason to see a dr, maybe even an urgent care or er.

I hope that helps.

Noor

ps- arnica gel can help the bruises.

 

[graceanne]

I think probably you should do peanut oil, too. Ice and peanut oil. And keeping it up.

 

[DVS]

they say ice the first 24 hours then moist heat. Ice is to limit the bruising, if possible, so it can hurt less and heal faster. Moist heat is to help the bruising to flow away from the injury quicker. It must be moist heat, though. Maybe a wet washcloth on top of a heating pad.

you can alternate cold and hot, if you want, maybe 15 minutes, every hour, then switch. Never put heating pad or ice pad directly on skin. Always have a towel inbetween.

In an accident, you should ALWAYS get X rays. You never know what really happens in an accident. Your body wrenches around so quickly, and in such unusual directions, she could have injurys that won't manifest until later on. Sometimes, several days after.

Just because she doesn't hurt in some places doesn't mean she wasn't injured there. She should see a doctor and explain the direction of impact, so he can decide what might need looking at. Whiplash is common. I was in an accident once, and I saw the car coming. I braced myself, and didn't think I moved very much with the impact. Only hours later did I realize I moved forward enough to hit my head on the rear view mirror and cut my scalp. I had no idea I moved much at all, let alone, that far.

If she saw the car coming, she probably braced for it. That's not uncommon, although not really a smart thing to do. It's best to just let your body recoil, not tensing up more than necessary.

If you're tense, you are more likely to get hurt. They say drunk drivers can survive a very bad accident, mainly because they are so drunk, they don't tense up at all.

And, if insurance is paying for this, she should be sure to get checked out. There will be a time when the insurance company will ask her to sign something saying she's OK. After that time, if she finds a pain caused by the accident, it will be very difficult to get the insurance to cover it.


Vacation? She's going to be pretty sore on her vacation. As for working out and walking around, I wouldn't do that much until she sees a doctor. A wamr relaxing bath might feel good. But, there could be injuries that aren't visible that might be made worse by too much strenuous moving around.

But, after she sees the doctor and he says she's OK, I'd think the more she walks around, the quicker her sore muscles are going to get better. Ask him if working out is going to hurt any.

 

[raven2]

I think NOOR and DVS have just about covered it. But one more reason to be checked out, esp. if there is a leg injury involved is the possible formation of a DVT (deep vein thrombosis). Basically, a clot forms in the veins in the injured leg and it can move to the lungs and cause alot of problems up to death. You should also be aware of it as your mother is healing. Any unexplained pain (esp in the lower leg and behind the knee) should be check out by as doctor

 

[Ms_Lilith]

first, I wouldn't treat the bruises until she sees a doctor. Bruising indicates the injuries that are going on under the surface. A doc needs to see all of that without it being messed with. She should have gone to the hospital.

Secondly, don't mess with the bruises, again. It could affect the insurance claim for being hit.

If, after you go through the proper channels with your mom, you still want to lighten the bruises, try rubbing lavendar oil over them. Lavendar stimulates blood flow to the area, which will aid in increasing the healing of the bruises.

 

[Red Sonja]

Pineapple juice! Drink lots. It is a great bruise healing natural remedy. People I know who do martial arts training swear by the stuff. And so do I, but not for the same reasons.

Obviously also use the usual rest, ice, compression, elevation. And, ibuprofen, acetaminophen.

Hope she feels better.

 

[brioche]

Wtf?

Thanks so much to all of you. Fortunately, since we live in Canada, the insurance won't be paying for the medical side, OHIP will. I've been arguing with her all weekend, but she refuses to go to the doc until Monday. She's a feisty little Irishwoman she is! They also haven't concluded who's at fault yet , because the guy lied, but it's pretty obvious.

She refuses to take Advil or aspirin, because she takes aspirin for her heart. AARGGGGGGGH! Sorry, she drives me crazy when I'm worried about her.

So, last night I went out and bought arnica tincture and it says:

"Avoid inhalation or contact with eyes or skin. If contact [sic], wash skin or eyes with water for 15 minutes. If inhaled, remove to fresh air. If not breathing, give artificial respiration. Get immediate medical attention."

This from something I got in a pharmacy? Am I supposed to dilute it?

As for our vacation, I bought $80 worth of books. Maybe she'll help me plan for the year (I'm a new teacher). The vacation is our "together time" because we both teach and don't have a lot of time during the year.

Now, I have to go do my laundry, but if anyone knows about the arnica that would be appreciated.

brioche.

 

[CutieMouse]

*****

 

[brioche]

She really should see a doctor.

However- I was going to suggest arnica.

The tincture is in an alcohol base usually, so you put it in a carrier oil like almond or even olive oil in a pinch. Just a bit of tincture to a bit of oil, and rub it on the bruise. You can also get arnica tablets which have instructions for their use (obviously you take X number of tablets over the course of the day sort of thing- they are teensy little things and melt on your tounge). Arnica rocks. It's what midwives tend to give women to help with the swelling and bruising from birth- fabulous stuff.

But she REALLY ought to see a doctor before using anything to minimise the bruising- bruises give us clues to where our body is suffering and how it's healing.

Thanks, cutiemouse.

I'll bring it with me on vacation, and not let her have it until she's seen the doc.

 

[DVS]

However- I was going to suggest arnica.

I was going to suggest it too, but I knew the next question would have been...where do I get it, and I wouldn't have a clue what to say.

All I know is I had a sub once who had it in gel form. She bruised very easily. She just rubbed it on her bruise and that was that.

Incidentally, she was worried about getting bruises on her ass, from my fierce spanking. She was quite impressed that I could create such a burn and red ass without causing any bruises.

She was a newbie at the time and thought her ass would be black and blue all the time. I said I knew what I was doing, but she said she was skeptical until I proved myself. Damn subbies. They don't believe a Dom when he says he can do something. What's this world coming to. I don't need to lie. All I need is someone who believes me when I say something. That's the difficult part.

But, she said her ass would burn and sting and ache for days after...all without any buises. Damn, I'm good.

 

[brioche]

I was going to suggest it, too, but the next question would have been...where do I get it. I would have no idea what to say.

All I know is I had a sub once who had it in gel form. She bruised very easily. She just rubbed it on her bruise and that was that.

Incidentally, she was worried about getting bruises on her ass, from my fierce spanking. She was quite impressed that I could create such a burn and red ass without causing any bruises.

She was a newbie at the time and thought her ass would be black and blue all the time. I said I knew what I was doing, but she said she was skeptical until I proved myself. Damn subbies. They don't believe a Dom when he says he can do something. What's this world coming to. I don't need to lie. All I need is someone who believes me when I say something. That's the difficult part.

But, she said her ass would burn and sting and ache for days after...all without any buises. Damn, I'm good.

I believe you, DVS.

 

[graceanne]

I believe you, DVS.

Me, too!

 

[DVS]

I believe you, DVS.

Me, too!

Well, what I meant to say was all I need is someone who will believe me when I say I can do something and then allow me to prove it.

Who's first?

 

[brioche]

Well, what I meant to say was all I need is someone who will believe me when I say I can do something and then allow me to prove it.

Who's first?

Ummmm. i say graceanne!

by the way, my mum went to the doc today, and not only is she fine but working out and walking will help the blood flow which will speed healing, but i'm bringing the books anyway.

brioche

 

[DVS]

So, last night I went out and bought arnica tincture and it says:

"Avoid inhalation or contact with eyes or skin. If contact [sic], wash skin or eyes with water for 15 minutes. If inhaled, remove to fresh air. If not breathing, give artificial respiration. Get immediate medical attention."

Well, if you lived in the U.S., that might be more normal for you to see. I bet that stuff is made in the U.S., because that seems to be a default disclaimer for a lot of products, these days.

Another one is "It is a violation of federal law to use this product in any manner other than the one the manufacturer intended and if mis-used in some way, physical unjury up to and includind death could occur."

Big brother keeps pretty good tabs on us, down here. Everything is taken down to the lowest common denominator, meaning we are all seen as stupid people who don't know how to read directions.

Of course, some really don't read directions, or in some cases, some kids get a cheap high by inhaling cleansers and such. we get regulations on top of regulations and precautions on top of cautions, on some products.

Just look at a step ladder that's made in the U.S. All of those caution stickers...usually, somebody did something stupid and then sued the company for not telling them they can't do that. That's how we got all of those stickers on a ladder. I really like the one that says..."this is not a step".

 

[brioche]

Well, if you lived in the U.S., that might be more normal for you to see. I bet that stuff is made in the U.S., because that seems to be a default disclaimer for a lot of products, these days.

Another one is "It is a violation of federal law to use this product in any manner other than the one the manufacturer intended and if mis-used in some way, physical unjury up to and includind death could occur."

Big brother keeps pretty good tabs on us, down here. Everything is taken down to the lowest common denominator, meaning we are all seen as stupid people who don't know how to read directions.

Of course, some really don't read directions, or in some cases, some kids get a cheap high by inhaling cleansers and such. we get regulations on top of regulations and precautions on top of cautions, on some products.

Just look at a step ladder that's made in the U.S. All of those caution stickers...usually, somebody did something stupid and then sued the company for not telling them they can't do that. That's how we got all of those stickers on a ladder. I really like the one that says..."this is not a step".

My personal favourite is "Do not use for the other use." Or the hairdryer: "Do not use in bath. Do not place in ear."

It was actually made in BC. I went on the internet and found a MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheet) on it - the thing WHMIS (Workplace Health and Safety) requires on hazardous chemicals. Yikes!

 

[graceanne]

On lawn mowers it says "Do not pick up the lawnmower and use it to cut anything but grass." Know why? Cause some idiot decided to trim his hedge with it and cut off his hand. Then he sewed and WON!

They put these labels on things for the stupid idiots who will inevitabely hurt themselves and then sue.

 

[DVS]

My personal favourite is "Do not use for the other use." Or the hairdryer: "Do not use in bath. Do not place in ear."

It was actually made in BC. I went on the internet and found a MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheet) on it - the thing WHMIS (Workplace Health and Safety) requires on hazardous chemicals. Yikes!

I know all about MSDS info shieets. That sounds like some powerful stuff. And this is for bruising?

 

[DVS]

On lawn mowers it says "Do not pick up the lawnmower and use it to cut anything but grass." Know why? Cause some idiot decided to trim his hedge with it and cut off his hand. Then he sewed and WON!

They put these labels on things for the stupid idiots who will inevitabely hurt themselves and then sue.

Yep, that's true. That's how all of those warnings got on a step ladder.

What I don't like is all of the safety devices we now have to live with just BECAUSE of those idiot types. Can't you see the furture when dildos and strap-ons have such warnings?

"WARNING! DO NOT insert into ear. Doing so could be harmful and might result in loss of hearing." What did you say?

"WARNING!! DO NOT force this device into small orfices." OOPS.

"WARNING! DO NOT use this for anything other than it's intended use." Now, what self respecting Dom/Domme is going to listen to that?


But, that's probably for another thread.

 

[graceanne]

Yep, that's true. That's how all of those warnings got on a step ladder.

What I don't like is all of the safety devices we now have to live with just BECAUSE of those idiot types. But, that's probably for another thread.

You're preaching to the choir.

 

[DVS]

You're breaching to the choir.

OK, is breaching a combination of bitching and preaching? Or, did you just miss the p and hit the b?

 

[Kajira Callista]

Thanks so much to all of you. Fortunately, since we live in Canada, the insurance won't be paying for the medical side, OHIP will. I've been arguing with her all weekend, but she refuses to go to the doc until Monday. She's a feisty little Irishwoman she is! They also haven't concluded who's at fault yet , because the guy lied, but it's pretty obvious.

She refuses to take Advil or aspirin, because she takes aspirin for her heart. AARGGGGGGGH! Sorry, she drives me crazy when I'm worried about her.

So, last night I went out and bought arnica tincture and it says:

"Avoid inhalation or contact with eyes or skin. If contact [sic], wash skin or eyes with water for 15 minutes. If inhaled, remove to fresh air. If not breathing, give artificial respiration. Get immediate medical attention."

This from something I got in a pharmacy? Am I supposed to dilute it?

As for our vacation, I bought $80 worth of books. Maybe she'll help me plan for the year (I'm a new teacher). The vacation is our "together time" because we both teach and don't have a lot of time during the year.

Now, I have to go do my laundry, but if anyone knows about the arnica that would be appreciated.

brioche.

buy arinca cream, its neater, easier, and safer then the tincture. you can find tablets and the cream in a health food store.

 

[graceanne]

OK, is breaching a combination of bitching and preaching? Or, did you just miss the p and hit the b?

I'm not really sure. I'd like to think I missed the p and hit the b, but they're no where near eachother. Maybe I've got some weird form of dyslexia?

 

[Kajira Callista]

I'm not really sure. I'd like to think I missed the p and hit the b, but they're no where near eachother. Maybe I've got some weird form of dyslexia?

typlexia...when your fingers move faster then your brain. i get that a lot.