Arnica to aid healing?

[monicanatura]

Hi Jaybro
I think the pharmacist was looking at Herbal arnica not Homeopathic Arnica.
Arnica traditionally works on internal and external bruising.
Homeopathy works when symptoms are present, it can also work as a preventative.
I used homeopathy throughout chemo, did not use the antisickness meds, I use homeopathy post surgery and will be using homeopathy and herbs during Radiotherapy.

[delly]

Mmmm, yeh , Jaybro. Contradictory. Can only guess it's down to natural therapies/remedies not being strictly monitored as medications are. I always use Arnica cream on bruises, and it clears them within a couple of days. So has to say something.

xxx

[Jaybro]

I swear by arnica and used it before and after surgery. I didn’t need any pain relief in the healing period. However, having read about bruised and battered veins, I asked the oncology team if it was ok to use arnica to prevent this during chemotherapy. The Trust pharmacist had to research it! The conclusion was that, as it thins the blood, it could add to the risks from low blood cell counts etc. I’m happy to go with their advice but I’m struck by the huge irony here: science is adamant that homoeopathic dilutions are so miniscule that they could never have any therapeutic effect (I beg to differ), regarding people who use homoeopathy as gullible at best. Yet I’ve been advised not to use this useless substance because it can adversely affect the blood. Science needs to make its mind up. 

[monicanatura]

Hi
I took arnica post mx, it helped enormously.
I refused to take the codeine, because of the constipation it causes.
I took arnica with Bellis perennial ( English daisy) which helps with soft tissue healing.

[riversidedawn]

Hi Robbo, sorry this is late - you've probably been to the wedding by now! I used Arnica tablets and cream with my surgeons consent. I went to a family wedding 3 weeks after mastectomy with implant reconstruction. 3 years later had a diep and was back at work within 6 weeks. Hope all went well x

[Robbo16]

Apologies for the delay in replying! I didn't take it in the end, although my BCN had said much the same aa yours, in truth, i didn't get round to buying any before my op. Luckily, I've had no problems with healing, my new boob was a bit bruised to start with, but I can honestly say I was never in pain, more just uncomfortable. The blasted spanx have caused me more angst than anything, in the heatwave we've been having, they've been murder!!!
😥

[AlisonNotts]

Hi, I wondered if you had taken the arnica and what you thought about the results if you did.

I asked my breast care nurse about it and she said they weren't allowed to recommend it but agreed it couldn't do any harm. 

[AlisonNotts]

Hi, I wondered if you had taken the arnica and what you thought about the results if you did. I asked my breast care nurse about it and she said they weren't allowed to recommend it but agreed it couldn't do any harm. 

[Anna_BCC]

Ho Robbo16

Sorry that you haven't had a response to your post yet.  In the meantime you may find it helpful to speak to one of our specialists on the free Helpline, 0808 600 8000.  Alternatively you can post a question in the Ask Our Nurses area of the Forum.

There are some great threads if you are going through chemotherapy and also support to be found for when you are having surgery.

Please do reach out on any of these areas, you are sure to receive great support.

All the highlighted areas are links to take you directly to the areas talked about.

Best wishes
Anna
Digital Community Officer

[Robbo16]

Hello all, apologies if I've posted in the wrong place, this is the first time I've posted on any forum ever!! I was diagnosed 2 months ago with stage 1 invasive bc and DCIS and I'm scheduled for a single mx and immediate DIEP reconstruction in 10 days time. I'm getting a bit (!) anxious now and I'm worried about the healing process - I have a family wedding 6 weeks post op!! Has anyone out there taken arnica to help healing and did you find it helped? Thank you for any advice you can give!! 🤔