Metal Mouth Message Board

Hello again
(thanks Brandy for letting me know about the amount of Bromelain you took to help with swelling) - I've increased from 200mg three times a day (which seemed to do nothing) to 1000mg three times a day - a different formulation - I think I can notice a difference already in reduction of swelling! In one day. (I am four weeks post op, so every little bit is welcome)
mmh xx

Wow, 3000 mg/day... that's way more than I've been taking. I'm at three months post op and I still have some very persistent, noticeable swelling. I've been taking 500 mg twice a day as recommended on the bottle and don't see any benefit but I figured I'd take it anyway. Maybe I'll increase my dose and see how it goes. Thanks for posting the info and glad it's working for you!!

I also haven't been really religious about taking it on an empty stomach since I don't need it to be a digestive aid. I wonder if that reduces its effectiveness. Anyone know?

Actually, I know something about this!

I've been taking a combination of enzymes for the past 2 months to help my back pain/inflammation. My Osteopathic doctor recommended the enzymes instead of Advil or RX NSAIDs (I was taking a ton of Advil but now I don't take any! The enzymes work just as well!)

My enzymes contain a lot of Bromelain. Here are the ingredients in the capsules:

Protease Thera-blendTM 75,000 HUT
Papain 1,500,000 PU
Bromelain (11.25 million FCCPU) 625 GDU
Amylase Thera-blendTM 5,000 DU
Lipase Thera-blendTM 600 FCCFIP
Catalase 50 Baker
Rutin 20 mg
60 and 120 Enteric Coated vegetable capsules per bottle. No excipients or fillers.

For the first month I took 2 capsules 3x/day, every day. Now that I'm getting better, I take 2 capsules 2 or 3 times per day if I am in pain (as needed). That is a total of 1,250 GDU/dose, or up to 3,750 GDU per day. Not sure how that may translate from GDU to Milligrams, or if it's measuring it in the same way.

For continual inflammation (such as your healing from jaw surgery), you should probably take it continually to aid healing. Ask your doctor, of course.

Anyway, regarding taking it on an empty stomach....it is IMPERATIVE! As my doctor explained, if you have food (protein) in your stomach, the enzymes will digest the food instead of helping with your inflammation. I take my enzyme capsules either 20-30 mintues before eating or 2 hours after eating. Yes, it can get inconvenient, but so far I've managed it pretty well.

The stuff I take is called RPR made by Theramedix. Here's a link to the site. RPR probably means "repair," as in repairing damaged tissue. They make a lot of other formulas for other purposes as well, which you can also see on their website:


http://www.theramedix.net/prod_rpr.php

I hope this helps.

Thanks so much, that's really helpful information. I'll be super diligent about the timing of the dose and see if that helps.

A good deal of my swelling is inside my cheeks and I'm constantly biting down on puffy flesh (ouch!) My OS feels that if it doesn't subside soon I could develop scar tissue that will need to be removed. He also mentioned the possibility of a steroid shot to help it along. Not crazy about that idea. Now I'm wondering if that has happened to anyone else.

And thanks again mmh for bringing this up.

Be sure to keep us all updated on this one mmh - It might be worth a trip to the States to pick some up if it realy works that well.

I've continued to take 3000mg a day since Saturday (it's now Wednesday) and I think I've maintained that initial reduction in swelling that I saw after the first 24 hours. Even above my upper lip which was quite firm now feels less solid. I think the tablets (if I continue at this rate) will last 10 days (60 tablets, 500mg each, 2 tablets x 3 times a day), and they cost $28AUS. I think less than $3 a day is good value for less swelling!! Must remember to ring the health food shop and get them to order some more in!!! I'll keep you posted! mmh x

Hi,

Thanks mmh for posting your dosage. I too have increased to 3000mg daily and people at work have commented that my swelling is reducing. I'm 4 weeks and 2 days post surgery and so over looking like a chipmonk/the Godfather! One side is significantly more swollen than the other. I did have a cross bite so I guess one side has seen more movement. Sure does make me look weird though!
I got 90 x 500mg capsules for $16.00CAN - definitely a worthy investment

Sarah

Has anyone had any experience with getting a rash related to Bromellain? In the past 5 days I have developed a rash on my arms and back and was wondering if this could be from the bromelain. The only other medication I am still taking is liquid Tylenol during the day for pain, Ibuprohine for the swelling and at night a shot of demerol to help ease the muscle aches.

I was wondering if any of this, but especially the Bromelain, can build up in your system and cause a rash?

Have you considered that the rash might be caused by demerol? it's one of the listed side effects: http://www.drugs.com/sfx/demerol-side-effects.html

You CAN be allergic to certain enzymes. It sounds like you might be allergic to Bromelain. (Are you allergic to Pineapple or other tropical fruits? It has the same enzyme in it).

You should stop taking it if you are developing a rash. The rash could get worse and lead to a worse allergic reaction that could even be life-threatening if you continue to explose yourself to the allergen. Call your medical doctor or your oral surgeon to discuss this, please.

I developed one while taking 3000mg/day along with Tylonol w/ codeine. It looked like a splotchy belt around my waste. It went away within 3-days of stopping the codeine but continuing the Bromelain. And I am not allergic to pineapples.

EDIT: I think checking in w/ a dermatologist or family doctor is a good idea anyway.

Well I stopped both the Bromelain and the demerol and the rash is still there, although it has not gotten any worse. I have never had any reaction of any sort to plain old tylenol or ibuprophen so I have no idea what it could be. I have a tone of drug allergies, but not to any of the drugs I am or was one. The only food allergy I have is to avacados and have never had any reaction of any kind to pineapple.

At this point I have no idea what this thing could be, but I'm going to start taking the Bromelain again (without any demerol at night as I really don't need it anymore) to see if I can get some of this swelling to go down.

Thanks also for the information on the importance of taking it on an empty stomach. I was not being diligent about that but I will be now.

Hope that rash goes away, zou. I have stopped taking the Bromelein (as I've run out) and to see how the swelling goes wihtout it - as the health food shop has reordered it for me but it's not in yet!! Also, I did notice that I was feeling a bit nauseous when I had it on an empty stomach, and since I've stopped taking it, I have no nausea anymore. On the swelling side, I think it continues to gradually diminish, although still worse in the morning. It's a long process!!

mmh wrote:Also, I did notice that I was feeling a bit nauseous when I had it on an empty stomach, and since I've stopped taking it, I have no nausea anymore.

From what I understand about these enzymes in general, you should eat 30 minutes after taking them on an empty stomach. I've noticed that if I take my stuff first thing in the morning and don't eat breakfast for more than an hour, my stomach doesn't feel so great. But as long as I eat 30 to 45 minutes after taking it, I'm fine. You may want to try that and see if the nausea improves when you start taking it again. My doc told me that the enzymes sorta "prime" your stomach to expect some food after taking them.

Well, the rash is unchanged, howvere. the swelling in my mouth seems to have diminished somewhat. While I can see no difference outwardly, my speech has improved and I can only attribute it to the internal swelling going down. I'll take anything I can get at this point.


The next 25 days cannot pass fast enough for me.

I do believe tht taking the bromalaine on an empty stomach is making a difference.