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Children's health

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Original poster

DS1 has pulled a muscle in his shoulder. I can't give him a rub of Ibuprofen gel,

25 replies

Saltire · 02/04/2009 18:53

I was going to rub a small amount of ibuprofen gel in but it says not suitable for under 12s. (Ds1 is 11 and 5ft 3 already), so any suggestions what I can use. have tried an ice pack it doesn't seem to ahve helped much

OP posts:

gemmummy · 02/04/2009 18:54

i'd give him the gel personally. he's nearly as tall as me!

Original poster

Saltire · 02/04/2009 18:56

It did cross my mind, he's taller than some adults I know!

OP posts:

pushki · 02/04/2009 18:56

If the ice didn't help - maybe try a hot water bottle, warm bath etc. I wouldn't worry about using the ibuprofen gel in view of his age and size. Hope it goes soon.

EdwardCullensWife · 02/04/2009 18:57

Use the gel. The age limits are just a guideline.

nevergoogledragonbutter · 02/04/2009 18:58

anti-inflammatories are baaaaad.

give him some paracetamol.
and carry on with the ice pack for 10 minute periods maximum.

pushki · 02/04/2009 19:01

hey nevergoogle.... anti-inflams are sometimes goooooood if used correctly

a little bit of topical gel is not a problem - don't lets panic!!

EdwardCullensWife · 02/04/2009 19:03

Why are anti-inflams bad?

Original poster

Saltire · 02/04/2009 19:04

If I did, it wouldn't be a lot. I gave him some Calprufen and Calpol at breakfast, and gave him a couple of sachets of calpol to take at lunchtime, but he says it's still sore

OP posts:

EdwardCullensWife · 02/04/2009 19:05

Honestly, if it's ok for a 12-year-old it's ok for a big 11-year-old.

pushki · 02/04/2009 19:06

Saltire - if it is a muscle strain, will be sore for a couple of days. Can he move his neck ok - sometimes pain into the shoulder from his neck? Which bit of his arm is sore?

Original poster

Saltire · 02/04/2009 19:07

It actually nearer to his neck, and goes across to the right shoulder bone. He can move his neck, although he does say it's sore when he moves it

OP posts:

chocolepew · 02/04/2009 19:09

If it's a muscle strain you should use ice and then heat. I'd use the gel, myself.

PlumBumMum · 02/04/2009 19:09

You can give him a rub my dd is 7, and has arthritis, she has been allowed it from she was 2

PlumBumMum · 02/04/2009 19:10

shes 8 now, so a one off won't hurt

herbietea · 02/04/2009 19:11

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

BCNS · 02/04/2009 19:11

it will be sore for a good few day if my ds's experiences are anything to go by.
okay this is how I treat the boys ( always sports aghhhhh)
ice pack (ontop of a t-shirt) for ten mins, will get the swelling down.
then massage gently, and into a nice hot bath and submerge the shoulder.

keep warm from then on..

get him to make sure he's moving it about.. or it'll go stiff and that hurts more.

next time you pop to the shops freeze spray is very good stuff"!

HTH

PlumBumMum · 02/04/2009 19:12

Anti inflams are not good over long periods but unfortunately some people have no choice, ie my little girl who has to take votoral twice a day

BCNS · 02/04/2009 19:12

oh and keep up with the pain killers.

pushki · 02/04/2009 19:13

sounds like it may be the upper trapezius muscle which comes from the neck down to the shoulder - sure it will ease in a day or so. Encourage him to gently stretch it by slowly taking his head down to the opposite side.

nevergoogledragonbutter · 02/04/2009 19:16

sorry, i went on a course at the weekend so i'm on a bit of a AI's are baaaaaad roll.

the theory being that inflammation is an important part of the healing process. the inflammation part is required to kickstart the rest of the healing.
AI's are therefore likely to cause a poorer quality of heal.

i heart inflammation

and yes, i did spend my entire saturday being lectured to. so sad.

pushki · 02/04/2009 19:23

nevergoogle.... you've got that well known condition - "course-itis"

nevergoogledragonbutter · 02/04/2009 19:25

yes, i do.
symptoms likely to last about 6 weeks before i move on to my next topic.

volunteered to do a presentation to a Clinical Interest Group in October. eek. october is aaaaages away though isn't it.

nevergoogledragonbutter · 02/04/2009 19:35

fwiw saltire, as your DS is likely to heal well with no problems it may not make any difference really. i'm sure he'll recover quickly.

Original poster

Saltire · 02/04/2009 22:37

I gave him a tiny bit, after he had sat with ice on it for a while, and some calpol.

OP posts:

Original poster

Saltire · 03/04/2009 23:22

I asked the pharmacist at work and she said
"saltire, I can't tell you to give him it because we have to go age. What I will say though, based on my knowledge of you and how you do your job and the fact that I have seen your son is this - you wouldn't do anything to harm your child. You know that rubbing a little bit in is not going to hurt him in anyway, or kill him. You are sensible enough to know that if you did, as his parent make the decision to give him some, you would know not to give him any junior nurofen or calprofen. You are his parent, he is 5ft 3, he is taller than I am. It's your decision"

That could be intrerpedt in different ways I suppose

OP posts:

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