Anybody know anything about DMSO?

Simple answer: Works for some, doesn't for others. I use it on muscle pulls, strains, ankle sprains, when pf starts, and so forth and get good results. It doesn't do anything positive for my wife when she is injured.

http://www.dmso.org

has lots of, mostly pro, articles about it.

Gives you real strong garlic/cabbage breath and body odor.

Can burn if you use if full strength or too often -- what "too often" is varies with the user.

I get best results with the dmso/aloe mix. It is almost a gel thickness, sort of like hand lotion.

Do not ever put anything like Icy Hot, Bengay, or any other topical analgesic creams on it. DMSO heighten sensitivity and transfer and you can't stop it -- can get bad burns.

I am not a medical professional of any sort. I use it because it works for me.

I use it on occasion with no ill effects ... make sure though that you heed all of the warnings ... don't use it to often or you will develop a burn/rash/irritation. Mostly I use it on inflamaition ... the relief is almost immediate.

I bought mine on-line. I use the ~90% solution rather than full strength.

Wash the area with plain ol' water before and after.

I've heard some sketchy stories about this stuff. I'd do some research before trying anything.

Used extensively by itself or mixed with cortisone on racehorse legs. Causes cataracts in lab rats. Be cautious. Even if you're not a rat.

TRT-you seem to have knowledge in the field of medicine. Do you think topical application of DMSO gel (70% DMSO, 30% h2O) for a week poses a significant health risk?

A few years ago I used DMSO (in liquid form) and actually diluted it myself with distilled water. I applied it to my shin and soon the pain subsided. That said, I was resting at the time and the cessation of pain could have as easily been the result of the rest. However, I happen to think the DMSO played a role. Do you have any more info?

David, I am no doctor but I wouldn't be worried about short term use if it seems to have a significant beneficial effect quickly. It isn't commonly realized that the body uses this compound normally in the related form of MSM(which comes in tablets or powder). It isn't a foreign substance to the body. I doubt that it has any more harmful possiblities than any of the other "normal" drugs that people take in everyday life. There are various grades of it and it makes sense to only use medical grade stuff. I have used it on horse leg injuries and if it works on a particular animal there isn't reason for longterm use anyway. It is very good for rapid swelling relief. It is also used in an IV drip for "dummy foals"(oxygen deprived brain at birth) with some miracle stories attributed to it in the horse world. The tubes of DMSO gel from a vet warn against using it for longer than thirty days. I haven't seen any health drawbacks in horses even when I know it has been overused on an animal. A large part of the danger lies more in the hygroscopic qualities of it. It will carry any toxic substance you may touch right through your skin. Not really a risk but you'd be surprised how many people get toxic substances on their skin without really thinking of the danger. I'm not sure if more of the early tests on the harm it may cause were done with less pure grades. It is a byproduct of the pulp and paper industry and there is a lot of bad stuff in that industry that no doubt contaminated it to a degree. I would look into the more updated tests if any are available. Sorry to ramble.

I used DMSO for years. Heard all the medical stuff but ignored it. It did seem to work. However, years later I learned that one of the side effects is that it takes away the water repellant properties of the skin. And dries out the membranes under the skin. Now every day (especially when it rains) I am reminded of where I used it. There are better options to use than this one. Don't look for short cuts, look for proven cures.

i was thinking about dmso but i found something that solved my knee

i took cortisone rubbing gel(external), they use it for burns and stuff and i put some mineral ice/ ben gay/ icey hot on it too and within like a few days my knee was perfect and never bothered me again

DMSO (not approved by the FDA) and MSM (approved, I think... at least available at GNC) are, for consumer purposes, the same.

DMSO/MSM are natrurally occuring in the body. Their unique properties? They have no cell barriers and they effect oxidation. They either take on or give up O2, depending upon the concentration of the site.

MSM is DMSO plus an O2 molecule. Either one, moving through the body, as they do with out restriction, either bring 02 to low O2 sites (injuries, muscular cells etc.) or take it away (lungs, skin - the reason for the rash or hot spots)

MSM/DMSO are true anti-oxidants fighting low or high O2 concentrations. For inflammation or bruises they infuse the injury with O2 bringing a decrease in inflamation and healthy supply of O2 for healing.

Just plain ol' cortisone? I can't imagine how the hell that would help anything under the skin.

dick, is that you that started this post???

What about using the DMSO to transport the cortisone through the skin? Would that work? Is that kinda risky?

So, does anybody have any specific advice on how to apply this stuff? The gel, for example. How many times per day or week would you put it on. Do you just rub in and then let sit? Do you wipe it off afterwards???

As mentioned above, cortisone is mixed with DMSO by vets for horse injuries/inflammation. It "works" to reduce inflammation. Cortisone is a very dangerous substance however. They have developed types that are 700 times more potent than the cortisol produced naturally by the body. It is very important to rest an injury that is being treated with cortisone. Few people do which is why you have former pro athletes who have no joints left and crippled racehorses.

Here's how I was taught to use it: Wash the area you're going to apply the DMSO to very well. If you use soap, make sure it's rinsed very well. Apply DMSO to the area, then wrap the area with clear plastic wrap (this ensures nothing gets on the surface of the skin with the DMSO and accidently gets absorbed into your skin). I wait about 15 minutes remove the plastic wrap and clean the area very well again.

I don't think you're saying what DMSO is and how it works?? DMSO is simply a universal solvent that penetrates the skin/body. What it carries with it (mixed in) is what does the work to "cure" you. Look at it as DMSO is Yellow Freight Line carrying a truckload of "whatever" to the spot of injury.

Now, what it does to the body along the way as it transfers it's cargo is another matter.

Jeez...you just left the stuff on for 15 mins? I typically rubbed the gel on and then left it on overnight.

15 minutes, found that any longer than that I started to get skin irratation. Had a friend who left it on his back for 6 hours once and it made his skin peel, he still has small scars on it. That scared him enough to never use the stuff again.