You most likely have taken nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) – either prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) – perhaps even before you developed arthritis. At low doses, these drugs help a wide range of problems, from muscle aches and headaches to minor pain and fever. At higher prescription doses, NSAIDs help reduce joint inflammation. NSAIDs fall into three basic categories: traditional NSAIDs, COX-2 inhibitors and salicylates. All NSAIDs work by blocking prostaglandins – hormone-like substances that contribute to pain, inflammation, fever and muscle cramps. However, there are subtle differences between the three types.
Traditional NSAIDs
With 20 prescription medications in the group – three of which are available in lower-strength, non-prescription doses – traditional NSAIDs are the largest subset of the NSAID class. Like all medications, even non-prescription versions of NSAIDs carry a risk of side effects, including stomach upset and gastrointestinal bleeding, especially in people over 60. For this reason, consult your doctor before taking any medication you buy without a prescription.
COX-2 inhibitors
Like traditional NSAIDs, COX-2 inhibitors help reduce pain and inflammation but are designed to be safer for the stomach. Digestive tract studies have shown less stomach damage from COX-2 inhibitors compared to traditional NSAIDs; however, COX-2s have not been used as long as other NSAIDs.
Salicylates
The original category of NSAIDs – the salicylates (suh-LIS-uh-lates) – includes aspirin and is still preferred by many patients and doctors. If you plan to take aspirin for more than occasional aches and pains, consult your doctor. Frequent large doses, which can cause some serious side effects, usually are needed to control arthritis pain and inflammation. Your doctor can work with you to determine the best dosage and help you prevent or manage side effects, including kidney problems or gastrointestinal bleeding.
Your doctor may prescribe a chemical variation referred to as a nonacetylated salicylate, which is specially formulated to have fewer side effects, if aspirin is too risky for you. Unfortunately, nonacetylated salicylates lack aspirin’s beneficial protection against cardiovascular disease. Therefore, if you’ve been advised to take low-dose (“baby”) aspirin to prevent a heart attack or stroke and your doctor prescribes a nonacetylated salicylate – or any other NSAID, for that matter – ask about continuing your low-dose aspirin along with it.
I have no choice but to start treating this disease. My life was changed and I hope it can help someone else too.
Taking OTC (Asprin etc.) drugs may aleaviate the pain in some cases of RA but does not stop the destruction of cartilage in the joints which can lead to joint deformity and eventual joint replacement.
With a correct diagnosis the Dr. can make an educated guess as to which drugs MAY prevent this. The Dr. doesn't know which one will work for YOU!!
The normal course of action to find the correct drug for YOU is: Pick a drug and try it. Many times two or more drugs are tried concurrently.
If you & your Dr. are satisfied with the results, (your arthritis gets better) stick with that drug or drug combination. If not satisfied (arthritis doesn't improve enough, stays the same or gets worse), try another drug or drug combination. Repeat until both you & your Dr. are satisfied.
Even with expert care, the right drugs for you and the best DRs. you may still have joint destruction. BUT- you CAN slow it down, enabling you to delay that finger, knee or hip replacement, if ever, for 10-15-20 or more yrs.
The key is finding the right drug/s for YOU. Every person is different and will require their own, unique treatment.
I d worry about the long term effects since I have taken it for many years.
look into it, all of you that don't know what to try next,o r aren't happy with what you are taking.
Next time it starts up I will only go on medication for a month or so, then I will stop to see if the pain has passed.
Wiser Now
.......ENOUGH IS ENOUGH AND IT WILL SHUT DOWN
TO THE POINT WHERE YOU WILL HAVE TO GO ON A DIALSYSIS MACHINE OR......JUST DIE! Sorry but it is...what it is! they (doctors) have not cure just a means to make sure you pay that deductable!
I also tale Deseryl in combination with klonopin for sleep and it works like a dream. I have been on this combo for at least 10 years and works better than any sleeping pill.
This medicine helps take the edge off for me.
I have now been diagnosed 16 months on with Osteoarthritis Grade IV. I have to have orthotic arches, splints and a crutch to walk.
I already take Tramadol 4 times daily and Dicolfenac 3 times daily, plus Paracetamol.
I have constant pain and the meds i am currently taking make no difference at all.
Does anyone have any suggestions of anything else I could try? I am seeing my orthopaedic consultant again in 2 weeks.
I have had arthritis since my 30,s I am 63 now and it just gets worse over the years. I had knee rplacment surgery this past Oct. and for the pain I took Norco it is a drug I had to take before PT. after awhile when the PT got better I notice that the Norco hepled with my arthritis pain. I take Aleve but Norco on really bad days. I have adjusted my air number bed and sleep flatter on my back and sides this has also helpd releve the hip and back pain. This morning I got up feeling great but other mornings I feel like someone tied my joints together with wire. I feel fortunate not to suffer from RA. Mega Red sounds like something I might try.
Thank you.
Ibuprofen is a prescription drug that can cause kidney damage. If you are continually taking this on a regular basis, I suggest that consider trying something else. I had been prescribed this medicine and had taken it over a period of several years and the doctors just discovered some kidney damage in my left kideny. They believe that it could have been caused by the medication ibuprofen! I have to admit that the drug helped the pain But now, unfortunately I have more issues to deal with - more than you can imagine. Get off the ibuprofen!!
I'd like to take the ibuprofen right then because it works better than any other medication I have. But I have no food in my stomach. What constitutes "food" as in "take with food"? I don't eat breakfast until 10:00 a.m. and walk my dog before then. That's really painful.
'86 with R.A. Have never found a drug to help with my ability to function, short of cortizone injections.
MSM pure, without anything xtra (glucosomene, etc) has been my only salvation.
Also,though illegal now and harder to find is,
DMSO in it's liquid form has been miraculous!
Now, 20 some years later I also must take oxycontin for pain.
Parafin Treatments, Hosp. Whirlpool Care, and Hot Packs are wonderful and can bring about remissions, more than the pharma. wants us to know.
In hopes of weaning myself off of the NSAIDs I am incorporating a couple of nutritional supplements:
1- Caigua - a product made from a specific Andean cucumber plant . It works as an anti-inflammator. Since starting it a month ago I have been able to regularly skip doses of my NSAIDs.
2. Vitamin D3 - available over the counter (be sure it is D#, not D@)
3. Krill Oil Capsules, Schiff MegaRed. More effective than fish oil, without some of the side effects (fish burps, diarhhea and nosebleeds). In addition to being antiinflammatory it is supposed to be good for heart health (reduces Cholesterol counts and C-Reactive protein)
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It has helped take the edge off my knees, etc.
Now I have developed a bad case of arthritis in my left shoulder.
I noticed that Meloxicam is included in the group including Celebrex and aspirin to possibly cause stroke, heart attacks or even death.
I have had a left knee total replacement recently...and plan on having my right knee replaced in the near future.
and..have plans for a shoulder replacement in the Spring.
Is this the solution to getting rid of arthritis?
What medicine is good for arthritis?
Prior to starting Celebrex I went to the emergency room on two different occasions with irregular heart beat. I also have had a heart murmur since birth. This has nothing to do with taking the drug, but it does give me cause to be concerned about after effects.
Long story short, Celebrex has been a great source of relief for me and I have experienced no side effects in those two years. Celebrex gave me my life back.
Is there something better I should consider? Or, is the fact that it has been around so long and that I tolerate it well reason enough to keep taking it?
thanks!
saw a Rheumatologist on the 11th of this month and he seems to feel that my grandson has arthritis-type has yet to be determined.
He has ordered some labs to be repeated and started him on Naprosyn. Now after a week of NSAID therapy he appears to have developed a rash on his forehead,cheeks, nose and ears.If this does appear to be a reaction what would be the next drug of choice for my 3 y/o grandson?
Thank you taking this e-mail.
Sincerely,
A concerned grandmother
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