Posted on 03/01/2007 9:05:16 PM PST by neverdem
Much attention has been focused on the cardiovascular risks posed by Vioxx and other so-called cox-2 inhibitors in recent years, so the American Heart Association provided an important service this week by reminding us that many other painkillers have risks associated with them. The association spelled out gradations of cardiovascular risk and recommended a step-by-step approach — starting with nonmedicinal remedies — that doctors should follow when treating joint and ligament pain.
The scientific statement applies specifically to patients who already have or are at risk of heart disease and also need relief from pain — whether caused by short-term sprains or long-term rheumatoid arthritis. But the lead author believes that everyone might benefit from the same cautious approach toward pain relief.
A lot has happened since the heart association issued a similar advisory two years ago. The evidence has gotten even stronger that the cox-2 inhibitors — Celebrex is the only one left on the market in this country — increase the risk of heart attacks and strokes. And new evidence has emerged that some other painkillers also increase the cardiovascular risks.
The most striking recommendation is that pain treatments should start with nonmedicinal approaches, like physical therapy and exercise, weight loss to reduce stress on joints, and hot or cold packs. Only if those don’t provide enough relief should drugs be used, and the doctor should take a step-by-step approach in prescribing medications, from the safest to the riskiest.
The first medication would usually be acetaminophen or aspirin at the lowest effective dose, or certain other low-risk drugs. Only if those fail should doctors progress to riskier drugs, starting with naproxen and then perhaps ibuprofen, both available over the counter. A cox-2 inhibitor should be prescribed only as a last resort.
(Excerpt) Read more at nytimes.com ...
Scientific Statements and Practice Guidelines for 2006-2007
Use of Nonsteroidal Antiinflammatory Drugs. An Update for Clinicians. pdf link
vioxx was a miracle drug for me. I hope whoever bears responsibility for the banning of vioxx has severe arthritis at some point in their lives.
Lawyers.
Now if we could just come up with a non-medicinal cure for migraines . . .
This is starting to sound a bit silly in this age of miracle drugs, diagnostic tests and the promise of growing spare parts in a test tube; now we move forward to hot pads and ice packs and $2,000 per month health insurance policies only to be treated by doctors afraid of malpractice court.
When I had health insurance, my doctor told me that I would need pain meds for the rest of my days (blown disks). He saved all the Ultram pharmaceutical sample packs for me, because insurance wouldn't cover it. 1.25 a pill, 13 yrs ago. This is a great medication for chronic pain, and it is non narcotic. Needless to say, I can't afford it.
Now I stay in bed for days at a time, getting up to use the computer etc, with a heating pad slapped on my back/neck.
Btw, they're right about tylenol blowing your liver to smithereens. Especially when you wash down 3 at a time with a 2 liter bottle of Diet Coke a day:(
My son started getting migraines during puberty. I did my best to elimate aged cheese and meat(pepperoni for one example), chocolate, and caffeinated beverages such as Coca Cola. It helped reduce the occurances. Oh yeah, forgot red wine and alcohol in general.
If you haven't already eliminated such foods from your diet, why not give it a try? Migraines are awful!
That's what they say, but some folks get addicted none the less.
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A bullet through the head usually does the trick.
That's obvious, but do you believe in suicide?
Yeah, I couldn't believe people abused the stuff, until a newspaper article mentioned it. Pain meds are too important to me to abuse. I'm on a county insurance plan(of last resort), and the doc won't prescribe any pain meds until I get a CT scan of my abdomen. I had to junk my car last month, and the only place this insurance will cover is the county hospital, which is impossible to get to without a ride. My bf does have a life, son's car is being held hostage by the local Ford dealership, so if I can ever get hold of a human at MediCal, I'll see if I can get that scan done up where I live. Easier to get a ride.
Since when did common sense become a "striking recommendation"?
It can be done but they have to change their mindset.
Joint pain is caused by inflammation caused by probably leaky gut syndrome which is caused by tiny perforations in the intestines due to drugs, antibiotics, toxins, etc.
It may be necessary to do a detoxification. I never had to do that but my sister did.
I cured my RA with Vitamin C, Pantothentic acid and Vit E. My sister's was far worse.
Vitamin C is a great pain reliever and the only side effect is a healthier body. It relieves inflammation.
Use www.curezone.com or Dr. Walt Stoll's website. Message boards are great.
Actually, for me the cause of migraines has turned out to be gluten (in wheat, barley, rye, etc.) and casein (in milk). Avoiding both of those is a pain, but well worth it to resolve my previous almost daily migraines and other health problems. That's not the cause for everyone, but probably for far more than realize it.
I am better now....did not choose surgery...
I think fish oil has been helpful.....and I use Naprosyn.....my doc's too stingy to order much else...
good luck.....
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