Celebrex or ibuprofen?

I was thinking both Celebrex and ibuprofen have similar risks of bleeding. Everyone is a bit different on what they can tolerate.

NSAIDs available by prescriptions (US) that I've tried:

Mobic - did absolutely nothing
Voltaren (sp?) - put me in a flare

Those I've tried over-the-counter:

aspirin - colon bleeding, nosebleeds
Aleve - bothers my stomach
ibuprofen - I tolerate it but can't take it at dosage level prescribed for arthritis

I went on sulfasalazine for my arthritis recently, which I know a lot of Crohn's patients can't tolerate, but it's helped my arthritis/muscle pain more than anything else, aside from prednisone. I had avoided it because my childhood records had that I was allergic to sulfa drugs, but it must have been wrong.

I apologize for repeating myself, which I know I do, but can't remember who I've told what.

JaSanne and Stef, thank you so much.
@ JaSanne. Thank you for explaining the risks of each drug. Btw, you didn't repeat yourself.
@ Stef. Agree Celebrex is not that effective as ibuprofen.
The soothing effect of celebrex wore off after 2 hrs and a half. I don't really know what to do. My GI is not available today and pain is unbearable. I can't cope.

CDASINCO, thank you very much. Glad that these meds worked for you.
Well, I don't remember before that the rheumy could find any inflammation manifestations in the autoimmune panels I had to ungergo when my GI sent me to him. I don't know whether it would be the same this time or different.

I'm with Stef--my GI was "ok" with Celebrex but has big issues with ibuprofen. I didn't take Celebrex long enough to see if there were any issues, but I'm pretty confident my extended ibuprofen use over summer 2012 contributed to the flare I've been dealing with since then.

If you're in that much pain, go ahead and take the ibuprofen. A dose or two isn't going to kill you, but long term use is not good. Take it to give yourself relief until you can get in touch with your doctor for a better solution. Hang in there!

Unfortunately for me, every NSAID I've tried, save Asprin, has caused major gastrointestinal upset, often with bloody stools. Typically this results in a full blown Crohn's flare up for me. Asprin doesn't do much for joint and muscle aches, when I have them. And since there are GI risks with it I avoid it as well. I am left with Tylenol as my only OTC option. It's a middling option at best.

I have found, that for me, electrolyte imbalances, and dehydration, due to diarrhea contribute significantly to any general all over body aches. So my first line of defense is to stay well hydrated and to consume "sports drinks" (or home made concoctions of similar nature) to minimize the impact when I'm having a particularly rough day for restroom visits.

When it's that severe deep bone aching in the large joints, I have had to turn to prescription meds to control that pain.

As for prescription options, I've been on vicodin and similar meds in the past. While I don't relish the notion of being on potentially addictive meds, I have found these to be the only viable option for pain management for anything over 4 or 5. (I can be semi-functional up to that point, sometimes attending a full day of work, depending on other symptoms)

I was also tried on Tramadol for bursitis some years ago. All it did was make me dissociate into a foggy headed state and not care that there was pain... or dishes that needed doing ... or work... It didn't actually reduce the pain. Since I need my brain fully operational for work or take care of my house, for that matter, I told the doc it's not a viable option.