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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 8/15/2007 5:09 AM (GMT -6)
Hi all:

Does anyone know how damaging these meds are to the colon?  I used to take them for years before I knew I had UC.  Now I'm really afraid of them.

Thanks all.

Nancy

Posted 8/15/2007 5:33 AM (GMT -6)
I used to take them frequently too before my Uc diagnosis. Now I won't touch them at all because it makes me flare. But Nsaids promote bleeding in our intestines. If you think about it, most docs will tell you to stop all Nsaids a week or so before surgery because it can cause bleeding complications during surgery. Any sort of med that can do this will also increase the risk for us since our colons bleed so easily anyway. Also you should avoid all prescription anti inflammatories as well as anything that can thin the blood.
Posted 8/15/2007 6:38 AM (GMT -6)

When I get a chance I'll look for it but there are articles contending that the studies linking NSAIDs to UC troubles are flawed.  Basically, the main study that "shows" this link asked hospitalized UC sufferers if they had used NSAIDs in the previous ___ weeks.  People eat these things like candy, so of course there's a link.  It's a tenuous connection.

The same MD who tells you not to take NSAIDs will swear that antibiotics aren't going to cause you any undue GI stress.  I know better than that.

I've found the best rule of thumb is to use what you've alwyas used and keep an eye on it.  I like and still use aspirin.

Posted 8/15/2007 7:12 AM (GMT -6)
My husband's VA doctor told him a month or so ago to absolutely stop taking the ibuprofen and the indomethacyn that he would take off an on that seemed to help him due to their anti inflammatory properties. He takes an 81 mg baby aspirin each day that was not eliminated as part of his medicine routine. NSAID's are a no no I guess due to what is posted above.
Posted 8/15/2007 9:48 AM (GMT -6)
I take aspirin for headaches (since I was a kid) and have the "OK" from my GI reluctantly...but he drew the line at ibuprophen.

I do bruise more when I take too much aspirin. I need to see the chiro more often methinks.

quincy
Posted 8/16/2007 3:19 AM (GMT -6)

Thanks for replies.  I now take tylenol and only hope they're OK. 

Posted 8/16/2007 4:42 AM (GMT -6)
Tylenol is recommended, but I've found it doesn't do much for me. As with all OTC pain killers, I'd caution against using too much, especially Tylenol. It's kind of mindboggling how many people overdose on acetominophen every year and they often don't know it until they need a liver transplant.
Posted 8/16/2007 10:17 AM (GMT -6)
The liver/tylenol connection is definitely something for us to be aware of....definitely.....but if we are taking much more than we need, maybe it's time to seek other meds/methods to supplement the regimen to help keep the pain in check.

q
Posted 8/16/2007 10:29 AM (GMT -6)

quincy said...
The liver/tylenol connection is definitely something for us to be aware of....definitely.....but if we are taking much more than we need, maybe it's time to seek other meds/methods to supplement the regimen to help keep the pain in check.

q

Absolutely.  For intense, chronic pain, I'd say one is better off with an opioid than Tylenol.  (Although, yes, you have to worry about having your bowel stall on those.)
Posted 8/16/2007 11:20 AM (GMT -6)
It's been proven that NSAIDS do promote bowel bleeding and that's why any good GI will warn their patients to avoid them.


:)
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