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Happy because Ibuprofen has been helping...

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Posted 6/16/2010 5:52 PM (GMT 0)
and then I go and read an article about how more than 400 mgs three times a day of it can significantly increase heart risks... WHAT??!  So today, I can't bring myself to take anything at all. And I hurt. :( 

Anyone else have medication anxiety on top of the fibro? How do you deal?

How do you weigh the risks of your medication against the benefits?

 

Posted 6/16/2010 6:28 PM (GMT 0)
I take up to 2,400 mg of ibuprofen.  My doctor knows about this too.  I stopped ibuprofen a few years back and tried using just Tylenol and I could barely get out of a chair.  I figured quality of life counted for something so I started the ibuprofen again.  My doctor has me take Prilosec to help protect my stomach.

 

As far as heart issues with ibuprofen, I don't know anything about that.  It must be a new study but I've lived through enough medical studies and have seen them change their minds over and over again.  Because I'm watched by my doctor, I'm not worrying about it.  I figure that I'm going to die of something so at least I'm enjoying the life I have.

 

Sherrine

Posted 6/16/2010 6:34 PM (GMT 0)
Glad ibuprofen works for you guys. It was like taking candy for me. I take Relafen as my anti-inflammatory. It works pretty well, and if I forget to take it - Oh My!
Posted 6/16/2010 8:38 PM (GMT 0)
Well...I take 1200 mgs a day.  Let's see...Tylenol destroys your liver, Narcotics are addicting and cause withdrawals if you don't take them regularly, Aleve is notorious for stomach ulcers...I have heard about all NSAID's raising the chance of heart attack but on the news last Sunday, a doctor said Voltren (don't know what that is) is the most likely to cause a heart attack and taking two Advil every six hours is not dangerous.  So...pick your poison, I guess.  I couldn't move without Ibuprofen.  Potato chips and donuts clog your arteries and cause heart attacks too...not gonna stop eating them either...LOL!

Donna

Posted 6/16/2010 8:54 PM (GMT 0)
So no one thus far has stupid medication anxiety. I had in the past taken 800 mg motrin every six hours, and while it worked for me for my neck issues, it bothered my stomach. Just this past week I feel like I need something every day, all day, in order to function. I was taking 600 every 6 hours.

I have also recently had reactions to two different antibiotics, which has really sent the anxiety thru the roof. I'm afraid to take vitamins...supplements... Just my own little abnormality...and I wondered if there was anyone else out there.
Posted 6/16/2010 9:07 PM (GMT 0)
When I'm really bad, I take 600 mg of ibuprofen every six hours.  I take it with food to help protect my stomach.  I also take extra strength Tylenol in between the ibuprofen doses.  This is only when I'm in a flare.  Right now I'm taking 600 mg. every eight hours and rarely have to take Tylenol.

 

Talk with  your doctor or pharmacist.  The pharmacist really knows medications.  I do that when I want to start something new.  They will know about any interactions. 

 

I know I had no problem taking the malic acid/magnesium and the vitamin D3.  These have really helped me BUT the first dose was frightening for me.  I always make sure someone is home with me when starting something new and I keep busy.  When I see I haven't keeled over after about six hours, I'm okay!  LOL I'm the same way with prescription meds that I've never taken.  If I think about it, anxiety kicks in and all the symptoms of anxiety I put off as side effects of the medication.  So, I guess I have a medphobia, too. 

 

Sherrine 

Posted 6/16/2010 10:30 PM (GMT 0)
 Another thing to keep in mind about Ibuprophen, if you take it alot over a long period of time it can damage your kidneys.  I only know this because I took it for many years for back pain, and headaches,  ( Tylenol doesn't work too well for me)   then a routine blood test just 3 months ago showed I had Chronic Kidney Disease, fortunately I'm only in stage 2, there are 5 stages altogether.   

 

Now my doctor says I can't take any kind of nsaids; advil, aleve, etc.  the rest of my life.  She did put me on tramadol for the back pain and it does help some,  that and Flexaril together seem to help a little with all the other aches & pains.  But I hate it because the Ibuprophen helped alot for my osteoarthritis which is gettin pretty bad in my hips, I'm 54 and she said I have it bad, and will need a hip replacement sooner or later!

 

Not wanting to worry anyone, only sharing what happened to me. It's good to know these things. Wish I had known sooner!

Oh well, we live and we learn don't we.

 

Be of good courage,

and He shall strengthen your heart,

all you who hope in the Lord.

Psalm 31:24    

Posted 6/16/2010 10:41 PM (GMT 0)
Any of the meds we take CAN cause a myriad of problems.  My doctor checks my kidney and liver function twice a year and I have no problems.  I'm praying I never do but if I did, we'd catch it in a hurry. 

 

If you read the side affects of most medications, you wouldn't take them.  I don't read it.  I don't want to know!  shocked

 

Thanks for sharing this info though, hisfaithful.  We all should be well informed so we can make the right choices for ourselves.

 

Sherrine

Posted 6/16/2010 10:59 PM (GMT 0)
Yeah Sherrine, you hit the nail on the head. All meds. have side effects. We just have to be careful.

 

I'm glad to hear your doctor is looking out for you.

 

 It's also good for us a to be  pro-active about our own health as well.

 

I wouldn't want to see what happened to me happen to anyone else, just because they were not aware of the risk.

 

 

Posted 6/17/2010 2:51 AM (GMT 0)
I'm someone who does have a lot of medication anxiety! I research the heck out of every new drug I take or might take (my husband thinks this is nuts!) Some things seem to make my heart beat harder, and they are OUT THE DOOR. I hope to be off everything eventually, but the way things are going, that's probably not too realistic. I don't worry too much about Darvocet, because I don't take it that often, but sometimes I think - if the pain gets worse, and I take it all the time, will it quit working, like people say?

Ibuprofen helps me with things like mouth or sinus pain, really well in fact, but never did much for my everyday Fibro pain.

I have 2 elevated liver enzymes, so they did a biopsy when they took out my gallbladder, and the surgeon said, "you've led a clean life." (Huh?!) From what I can gather from my doctor, it's officially liver disease, but not bad enough to worry about, and I guess my med levels are low. (There are advantages to being paranoiid!) Bottom line, you do have to have faith in your doctor, or find one you can have faith in.
Posted 6/17/2010 2:59 PM (GMT 0)
Luvskermit,

Sherrine gave you some good advice. Talking to our doctors and pharmicists about all our meds. may help us to feel safer about what were taking.

I can relate though about how you feel. I have always been one to shy away from taking prescribed meds. Most likely because of family members who abused prescription meds. I seen first-hand what can happen. Alot of it isn't too pretty. However silly me mistakingly thought, like many others I'm sure, that if it's otc it's safe. I encourage you to talk to your doctor about this, he or she may tell you you're fine taking that dosage.
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