5 replies to this topic

[EntropyModel]

I am having recurrent tendonitis/achilees soreness from running, and am thinking about giviing DMSO a try[ i've tried all usual treatments], apparently it works well with race horses so what the heck I might not have 4 legs ( or a swishy tail )....but..well...anyway I think its worth a try..but... ..I know its 'controversial' ( ah, but we like that here don't we ) so I would like any comments on its effectivenss, and dangers, any other feedback especially if you have actually used DMSO for anything . I've read all the 'theory' from both pro/against crowds, so would especially like to hear from someone real world experience. Dangers I know about - - can transport whatever is on skin internally i.e. wash hands and skin before use. - can give a rash ( due to dehydration of skin) I welcome any feedback. Also can this only be got in the internet, can't seem to find it in 'health food stores' as many claim. *oh, and what about using it on scars with Vitamine E and/or MSM ? thanks, Mark.

Edited by entropy, 04 May 2007 - 01:26 PM.

[EntropyModel]

I guess no one used this, oh well I am the guinea pig then. I managed to find some in a store and have been using it for 3 days. No question about it, it has helped my tendonitis significantly. I ran today pain free for first time in 6months using it. There is an immediate pain/numbing effect after aplication, but what remains to be seen is whether its 'theraputic' and actually healing tissue, only time will tell. I've also got a long term sport injury which i'm using it on, and its helping that too...I remain skeptical but impressed thus far. As a secondary experiment I'm taking a teaspoon a day in one of my training drink Pre-workout, and I must admit I'm pretty shocked at the effects [ I should add, I've tested virtually every natural suppliement fopr last 20 years and found none of them do diddly squat, hence the shock if something actually has a measurable effect.]. I combined it with MSM as many athlete's are doing ot try to reduce lactic acid in muscles. No question about it, it works. I am very scientific in my training so can easily track changes, and noticed more stamina and lack of lactic with weight training and now running. However, its sort of disconcertering because its hard to guage how hard your pushing yourself since the muscle pain normally tells you. Well, presuming I don't drop dead from it..(I've had no negative side effects so far)...I will update this thread at a future point on results but its promissing so far. Mark.

Edited by entropy, 07 May 2007 - 02:15 PM.

[OEXCHAOS]

Just don't over-do it. That's what I'd worried about because of the lack of body feedback. Good luck! M

[calmcookie]

Entropy, Rushing to work ... no time to read whole post, but DMSO is safe (if used properly). Good book in the University of Texas library about DMSO ... written by an MD, RN team (can't recall title at the moment). Can send you some other info ... if you wish ... pm me. Regards, C.C.

[TTHQ Staff]

Keep us updated, Mark.... sounds intriguing.

[EntropyModel]

OEXCHAOSPosted Yesterday, 03:19 PMJust don't over-do it. That's what I'd worried about because of the lack of body feedback.
Good luck!

Your right about that Mark, and infact I did notice a minor problem later yesterday that could be relaled to this. I often get muscle soreness about 24 hours after weights. I did NOT get it after using DMSO/MSM.. But at about 36-48hours I suddenly got sharp pains in a few muscle's that I know I pushed harder than usual, it only lasted a few hours but I'm sure it is related to muscle damage I did, that was masked. I know that muscle synthesis and repair peaks at 36hours, so that's very coincidental.

I don't see that as a big problem, but as you say, have to be careful not to push too hard. I noticed doing the weight I could have done alot more than I usually do, but I have strict routines so did not.

I hadn't read anything about performance enhacement by DMSO but the results are so clear to me I got researching it yesterday, and indeed I came across on article which said DMSO is banned in some horse competitions due to it performance enhancing properties -

- mostly it talked about how DMSO is used widely by vets for horse treatment

"several shows have banned the use of DMSO because it in conjunction with anti-inflammatories was found to be performance enhancing"

http://www.horses-an.../0200dmso.shtml

I am reducing the dose to try to limit this effect, will track it over a few weeks.

This article mentions the other big drawback, the strong smell you get from it. Actually, I've found I don't get the smell when applying it to the skin, only when drinking it. I've also found if you drink it with milk ( a tip I found) in small amounts its no worse than garlic for a few hours.

calmcookiePosted Yesterday, 08:04 PMEntropy,
Rushing to work ... no time to read whole post, but DMSO is safe (if used properly). Good book in the University of Texas library about DMSO ... written by an MD, RN team (can't recall title at the moment). Can send you some other info ... if you wish ... pm me.
Regards, C.C.

Thanks Calmcookie, when you have time I'd be interested...or if you have any personal experience of it.....I've read a ton on the internet before I decided to try it and my conclusion was it is safe within reason like most things, I mean too much salt will kill - its all about risk reward. The main 'danger' obviously is the ability to take whatever is on the skin into the body, which is easily solved by washing hands and application area.

TTHQ StaffPosted Today, 08:29 AMKeep us updated, Mark.... sounds intriguing.

Will do, infact I have noticed a few pro/cons.
Pro's -
1.Pain killer
Almost instant ability to remove pain, such as my tendonitis, but any pain anywhere I think. This effect is TEMPORARY so like a local pain killer, but very localized and I don't like taking pain killers due to negative side effects so this is better to me.

After about 2-4hours effects starts to wear off.

2. Some theraputic effect
Normally my achilees and tendon are sore the next morning after running, but after using DMSO I did not have pain this morning. So there is definitely some healing there. However, I do still have some pain so its not a miracle, but definitely helping, only time will tell how much, i'm guessing it will take weeks/months to 'cure' something like this.

3. It works to remove rashes and bites really well, better than my tea tree oil which is pretty good too.

4. There is as said a performance enhancing effect for exercise, I take this as a pro but as discussed with Mark above it could be a con if caution isn't applied.

5. Less provable but I am noticing faster recovery from exercise which is very important to me. I could be wrong about that as its hard to measure, or could easily be placebo effect because I know I'm taking something, I will see over time.

Cons
1. The well known smell, but as said it doesn't happen if I just apply to skin, or take small amounts in milk.
2. Have to ve VERY careful what is on your skin. I've had two problems already. I had suncream on and tried to avoid getting it near the DMSO, but must of and I felt really bad for hours after that, until I washed it all off.

Second, and this was REALLY interesting. I tried using hydrocortisone with DMSO, that was a bad idea, I got weird pains everywhere, the same pains I had gone to the doc's about last year and had blood tests which he thought was gout or worse. This has helped me figure out, it was because I had been taking alot of hydrocortisone, because I got the same effect yesterday using it with DMSO. I'm speculating it gets into the blood and can do weired things if you use too much/or for too long, so I won't be using hydrocortisone again except in very small amounts.
* Instead of hydrocotisone I am now mixed DMSO with MSM, vitamin C and vitamin E.

If I notice anything else I will update the thread.

I wouldn't at this point be recommending it to anyone, unless they have a bad pain that they've tried everything else and are desperate, which is my case with the tendonitis - and because it was preventing me exercising at the level I want which is itself negative.

Mark D.

Edited by entropy, 08 May 2007 - 05:35 PM.