Need Info About Anti-Inflammatory Drugs

[Hypochlorite]

I've got serious elbow pain that won't go away.  Since there is
no obvious swelling my doctor gave me a prescription for
Naproxen.  When she wrote the prescription I didn't know that
this drug is sold everywhere under the brand name Aleve.

I took the drug with food.  After pill number four I developed
really bad adominal pain.  I tried using antacids with the
Naproxen.  It helped a little, but not enough.

Before I visited my doctor I was using 8-hour "arthritis pain"
acetaminophen for several weeks.  My elbows hurt more,
not less.

This morning I went for blood work.  This coming Monday my
elbows are going to be x-rayed.  Whatever the results of
these tests, I'd like to try another anti-inflammatory that might
work as well as the Naproxen, without the belly pain.

I could research this category of drugs for hours online.  If you've
tried several of these drugs I would be grateful for any suggestions.

[Hypochlorite]

Thank you KellyA74 and JainMD.

Several months ago I started having occasional elbow pain.  It was not
continuous.  At that time I started taking glucosamine - chondrointin.

Many years ago my Standard Schnauzer developed arthritis in his rear
legs.  The veterinarian recommended glucosamine - chondrointin.  It
worked like a charm!  He regained 90% of his mobility.  Until the end
of his life, he was an active and happy dog.

Maybe without glucosamine - chondrointin this serious elbow pain would
have hit me a lot sooner.  I'll never know.

The idea of taking two or three different analgesics sounds a little scary
to me.  I've never experienced chronic pain like this before, so I'm a
complete newbie regarding methods of treatment.  Anything that works
without awful side effects is ok with me.

I may be mistaken about this, but I think the FDA recently stopped the
sale of several drugs that were aimed at arthritis sufferers.  Something
about dangerous heart erythemas.

The thought of having a chronic disease kept me from going to the doctor
for months.  I almost don't want to know the results of the blood work
and x-rays.  I've been a strong and physically fit person all my life.  
Many folks live with chronic pain for decades.  I don't know if I have
that kind of courage.

Thanks again, KellyA74 and JainMD.

[JainMD]

Hi,
How are you feeling?
I have a feeling that whatever NSAID's or other pain killers you take you are bound to have GIT side effects.
Firstly I think you should be taking 2-3 different class of analgesics during the same period.
Secondly you should be taking those medications at minimum possible dose.
Thirdly you should be planning to take these medication spaced out over a period of 24 hours evenly.
Fourthly you should be evaluating the side effects of each drug periodically and upon notice of any such side effects you can consult the surgeon back and also reduce the dosages.
Fifthly you should be doing active physiotherapy along with this.
Keep me informed if you have any queries.
Bye.

[KellyA74]

It may be arthritis....in which case many people have luck with Celebrex...however, you'd need a Rx for that......I've had multiple knee surgeries and my Ortho surgeon suggested that I try Osteo BiFlex (glucosamine and chondrointin) which seems to have helped immensely with arthritis pain (yes, I'm only 34 but have had problems with my knee since I was 21 due to a bad surgery the 1st time around)....You can get that at Walmart.....it takes a week or so to start noticing a difference though...Good luck.