Question:
A friend told me that anti-inflammatory medication can tear your stomach up.

I have taken only 1 pill. But I certainly don't want to hurt my stomach. I'm 20 months post-op RNY open, down 120 lbs. The meds are for my left shoulder muscle that is in such a knot that no massage therapist can get it relaxed, so I'm having to take anti-inflammatory and a muscle relaxant. Has anyone had to take these pills? Thanks    — Betty Todd (posted on September 15, 2002)

September 15, 2002
Betty, Talk with your surgeon. He is your best source of information on this. My surgeon doesn't like for us to take any anti-inflammatory drugs but when it is absolutely necessary he lets me take Celebrex and Celebrex only. He lets me take them for 5 days and then I have to stop. I have SEVERE arthritis in my knees and am waiting to have knee replacements done and I can only take the meds when it's so bad I can't walk. He does not allow any over-the-counter anti-inflammatories.
   — Patty_Butler

September 15, 2002
It's best to stay away from NSAIDs as much as possible as they can cause a GI bleed. I have myofascial pain syndrome and fibromyalgia and often get those knotted muscles in the neck, shoulders, and back. Something I've found that helps is the Salonpas patches (get at any Walgreen's or Long's Drugs). Slap one on and things do seem to unknot and relax. They're about $5.00 for a box of twenty patches. They really work! Hugs, Joy
   — [Deactivated Member]

September 15, 2002
I've been taking plaquenil for 6 yrs. It has no effect on the stomach. I took Celebrex for a few weeks and it cost me 4 months to repair the damage. Because of the way it works INSIDE The system (not just in the pouch), it can do more damage than a regular NSAID. Wish I'd known that before I took it. The plaquenil has provided me with more mobility in the joints. When the joints are working better, the muscles are a little easier to get along with.
   — vitalady

September 15, 2002
I have arthritis in both knees and was on Cataflam, an NSAID for 5 years pre-op. I switched to Celebrex pre-op and Vioxx, at my surgeon's request. They didn't work for me at all. I was allowed to go back on Cataflam, taking it with a Pepcid AC. Post-op, down 60 lbs, I don't need it often, but when I do, I take the Cataflam & Pepcid without any problems.
   — Karen N.