"Dealing with inflammation" | Arthritis Information

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I trust this link, but don't know anything about the author specifically.  He covers it ALL in this article, though.  Trust me, there is something for everyone here!

http://trusted.md/blog/vreni_gurd/2008/06/07/dealing_with_inflammation_and_inflammatory_conditions

What I found interesting is the paragraph inserted below.   Call me crazy (or stupid), but it's always bothered me more to be on NSAID's long-term than it does my mtx/enbrel.   

 
Many disease states are as a result of chronic inflammation, such as rheumatoid arthritis, atherosclerosis (cardiovascular disease), inflammatory bowel disease including Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, and tuberculosis for example. Chronic inflammation frequently results in chronic pain. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs) are the number 1 over-the-counter drugs sold for inflammation and pain, but they are only a band-aid solution - they do reduce inflammation, but they don’t get at the cause of what is creating the inflammation in the first place. Therefore, rather than resolving the condition, the condition is being "managed". Not only that, but NSAIDs are known to result in many adverse gastrointestinal issues including ulcers, GI bleeding, anemia, renal damage, and impaired wound healing. There are more deaths due to NSAID use than AIDS annually.

CathyMN, are you saying that you were told by a doctor to take OTC NSAIDS instead of figuring out what was really wrong?  I just tuffed through so much of this pain for probably most of my life, that I never used NSAIDS that much.  Two OTC PMs for sleep and night, and that was it.  What kind were you using and your dosage?  This is really interesting ~~ CathyFL :)   

Edited to add a thank you to Suzanne, a great article.  C
justsaynoemore2008-06-07 08:24:25Hi CathyFL   -  No, I wasn't told to take NSAID's instead of figuring out the problem.  I was diagnosed pretty quickly,  but prescribed Relafen at the beginning (1500mg) along with mtx.  Still on 1500 mg Relafen (along with mtx and enbrel) and I'm just bothered to continue it long-term.   I don't fall into the category referenced in the paragraph in taking NSAID's and masking the problem rather than getting to the root of the inflammation.    I just found the referece to deaths due to NSAID's interesting and made me think again as to why I want to skip the relafen.   It's on my list of questions for next week's appt.
 
 
CathyMN, we were told that there was no reason for my daughter to stay on NSAIDS if she was not in pain.  We were told NSAIDS treat pain only and do not alter the course of the disease, and that NSAIDS were more harmful than mtx.

We were happy to stop them.  They tore up her stomach and I had a dear friend who lived much longer than expected with AIDS, but died when his stomach stopped working.  All the meds had that kept him alive for so long destroyed his stomach.

I would ask the question about the Relafen.  Good luck.

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