NSAIDs, antibiotics and reflux

I'm in a bit of a bind here and need some suggestions. I have seen the Dr about a non-LPR related problem which he thinks is most likely some type of arthritis (I'm 28 ffs cant catch a break!). The other possibility is an infection.

The problem with this, apart from it just generally sucking, is that the treatments for either DO NOT sit well with me. Anti-inflamatories (NSAIDs) seem to turbo charge my acid, and antibiotics haven't sat well the last few times I've had them, they make me sick to my stomach and incredibly nauseous. In saying that, those were my reactions before my LPR got ridiculously bad so I shudder to think what they will be like now.

I'm gonna assume I'm not the only one who has similar reactions to either of these meds so I want to know if anyone else has found alternatives or ones more gentle on the stomach? The standard NSAID's which get prescribed here are ibuprofen and voltaren/diclofenac. As for the antibiotics, any ideas there? This would probably more be something to buffer my stomach. Yoghurt is out of the question, my digestive tract still hasn't quite bounced back enough to handle it yet. I'm also already hitting the PPI/H2/antacid/antiemetic combo pretty hard so I don't think there is much I can do in the way of GERD medication to help.

Assume there is no restriction on price, we have government funded healthcare and for the few meds which don't come under that, I have health insurance which covers the rest.

Thanks SharonZ. I did think about cream, the problem is I have been told in the past by physics that because it absorbs through your skin and still gets into your bloodstream and gives you similar side effects albeit not to the same intensity as the pills. The bigger problem though is the skin where it would need to be applied is quite raw so I can't use anything on it until that heals, but I will keep the cream in mind once this has resolved.

Good luck with your finger surgery, hope all goes well. Sounds like you have a very caring surgeon

Oh my gosh Ibuprofen and Antibiotics are so evil. I have times I need them both but can't tolerate either of them.

For Ibuprofen I've been prescribed carafate to sooth the lining of my stomach and it does make it more tolerable but I still take it very very sporadically.

For antibiotics I start taking the OTC probiotic Align even before I start taking the probiotics. If I don't take align with the antibiotics it will wreck my system. Horrible. Align has been a lifesaver for me.

For inflammation I usually take tylenol and or tumeric pills and or upping my curry intake does help with inflammation. I also have a few pieces of yoga equipment like yoga ball and roller etc that I stretch constantly which helps reduce the inflammation as well. You could also get a book about trigger points and find where on your body you can massage to have it release points that will reduce the inflammation as well. Massage is a great help to me and if you can find someone that specializes in cupping, even better.

Good luck I hope you get some relief.

You're right Andy, no my Dr was very insistant on giving me pills. LUCKILY their arthritis theory was wrong (thank god!) and its an infection so I don't have to worry about NSAID's this time, but its good to know that ginger or tumeric can help because I have flare ups from old injuries which could really benefit from an anti-inflamatory when it happens so I'll try those next time it happens.

One thing my dr did though was to look through my medical records and see which antibiotics I had tolerated best in the past, which was good because there are a few in particular which make me sicker than what they are trying to treat! I started having probiotic supplements and I'm making sure I have them with food so hopefully any irritation will be minimised.