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Pain Meds/Anti-Inflammatories and IBS

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Irritable Bowel Syndrome
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Posted 2/15/2006 10:24 AM (GMT -8)
My stomach has been a bit upset the past two days and I've had to take two of my Welchols to keep it inline.  I actually got quite sick feeling yesterday and thought I might have to go home, but luckily the Welchol did kick in.  I'm beginning to think that my daily doses of Ibuprofen may be starting to have an affect on my guts.

Because of the viral arthritis, I have to have an anti-inflammatory.  If I don't take the Ibuprofen, I get back to the point where I can't pick my feet up far enough to put on my pants because of the pain in my knees.  I am supposed to take 6-9 pills (200mg each) a day, but the past week or so I've only been doing 4, and the past couple of days I've only done 2 pills in the morning, and now my joints, which had gotten almost completely better, are starting to get stiff and a bit achy on me again.

Does anyone have any recommendations in terms of anti-inflmmatories that won't upset your stomach?  I am relcutant to try aspirin since it never, ever helps my headaches, no matter how many I take, so I doubt its ability to do anything to the inflammation and pain in my joints.  Is Tylenol any better?  Anything herbal that works?

Posted 2/15/2006 10:32 AM (GMT -8)
Oh gosh Keri... thats a situation. Anti-inflammatory meds are tough on your gut in so many ways. I can't take them for my spinal arthritis because of my UC. Of course I am sure you are aware that the biggest cause of stomach ulcers are anti-inflammatory meds. I take Darvocet which is not in that category but I take that very sparingly since it makes me very lethargic. I was on Relefan which is an anti-inflammatory before my docs sub read my chart that said none of those. Silly me didn't read up on it prior to taking it. It really tore me up. Tylenol is a good choice however its not an anti-inflammatory so it would be better for your stomach but not sure if its an option since you need an anti-inflammatory.
Posted 2/15/2006 10:58 AM (GMT -8)

Hi Keriamon,

not sure if this helps, but i know ibuprofen isn't supposed to be very good for the old guts. When i've taken them in the past they have given me an 'upset' stomach - when i have pain (i get headaches the most) i take paracetomol because they are supposed to be safer

But i guess it just depends on what pain killers work for you, and of course, paracetamol has sideeffects too if you become dependent...

roadtrip

Posted 2/15/2006 12:39 PM (GMT -8)
Well, I have to have an anti-inflammatory because even if I take a pain pill and don't hurt, the inflammation gets it to the point where I have trouble bending my knees, just out of stiffness. The doctor didn't offer to write me any prescription, but I'm betting they're no better on your guts than the Ibuprofen. I guess I'll just up my dose of Welchol to two a day and keep taking 4 Ibuprofens a day and see if I can make it that way. I hate to cycle on and off the ibuprofen because I really seem to need it everyday and my guts work best when I stay consistent with my food, so I assume staying consistent with medicines would be better too.

I guess if my guts can't handle it, I can give up the pills and switch over to topical agents for my knees (although I hurt some in my other joints too, just not nearly as bad). Doctor myself up like a Kentucky Derby winner, lol.
Posted 2/15/2006 12:45 PM (GMT -8)
If you do decide to go topical, you might ask your doctor about biofreeze. Its all I use on my back and works wonders for me at least. You can't buy it in stores though and its a little pricey (but IMO well worth it).
Posted 2/15/2006 3:56 PM (GMT -8)
Hey Keri, good news for you from my orthopedist, who I saw today!  He said that for people with gut problems, Arthritis-strength Tylenol is out.  It's stronger than regular Tylenol and shouldn't upset your stomach so much.  I know I'm going to check it out!

Posted 2/16/2006 6:37 AM (GMT -8)
Thanks, I think I'll try that, Sarita. I'm going to have to lay off the Ibuprofen now for a bit because I keep getting "twinges". You know, when you feel like you're going to have a problem in a little while, maybe.
Posted 2/17/2006 4:46 AM (GMT -8)
vicoden helps me and is less problems for your stomach. try celadrin for joint pain relief or glousamine chondrtion w/ msm in liquid form for joiint pain but these can cause ibs also, supplements  can be harsh also. you have a real connundrum going on like me
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