What can you take when you cant take NSAIDS?

She (my pcp) doesn't want me taking nsaids at all.   Im diabetic and she's worried they'll ruin my kidneys and raise my blood pressure.    I didn't realize how much they were helping me until i stopped them.   I was taking celebrex, naprosyn and ibuprophen, kind of alternating, to not get too much of one, but she wants me off all of them.   Tylenol does absolutely nothing.   Ultram takes it down to about half.   Lately, I've been feeling it in my hands, feet, back, knees, back of my knees and back of my thighs.   I don't know what's wrong with me yet.   My RF came back negative today.  I've got a feeling something is still brewing but hasn't gotten bad enough to diagnose.   All I know is Im in lots of pain and I don't want to get on the narcotics train because that one is too hard to get off. I guess I just have to bite the bullet as long as the pain is  bearable.  But it does drain me something awful. 

Wow, that's quite a line up.  Usually one can't get Celebrex (Cox-2 inhibitor) unless you have a problem with the ones that are both Cox1 and Cox2 (aspirin, ibuprofen).  Naprosyn (same as Aleve) is supposed to be the hardest on the stomach.  But I guess you were rotating, as you say.  Did you try and taper off?  I find the 4th day after going off Celebrex is kind of a hump.  Your body has to get rid of the residual NSAIDS in your body before it will start producing its own brand of - not sure if it's endorphins or steroids - and the transition is hard.  This time, I got to the 10th day, and was feeling worse and worse. Finally last night I gave in.  It helped after a couple of hours, but the stomach pain did come back with it.  So I've just made an appt with my doctor - maybe I will try diclofenac, or something else.  I know I need both some antiinflammatory and some straight painkiller (anti-inflam does NOT help my wrist much, but the rest of my body needs it a LOT!)

    I agree with you about narcotics, that's for the unbearable stuff, and by the way, I get nauseous if I take even a small dose if I don't REALLY need it! Automatic safety feature, I guess.  (I also get a major hot flash when it's wearing off, even if i've just taken it once.  Good to know...)

Well I am not sure about the pain meds, If can you take herbels, there are plenty out there that can ease the symptoms.  Have you ever been tested for Celiacs disease?  It is a glueten intolorance, digestive tract disease. It's syptoms mimic RA and the disease itself can cause RA. It also causes vit D defiecentcy.  I tested negative for the disease , but decided to go wheat free anyway, and my stomach problems have all but gone and my vit d level is returning.  Try a muscle relaxer like flexeril also, that might help.

 I drink pineapple juice it works well. Also i used ginger i eat it raw. I also  eat a ginger candy you will find this at Trader Joes.  I do  execrise three to four times a week also.

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Yes, I find that a can of pinapple chunks at least every other day eases my inflammation/pain also. I've found relief in tumeric too but I can't always think of foods to use this seasoning on/with that tastes 'right'. Usually not so bad with whole grain rice dishes.

A spoonful is how of the question ..yukkO.

*gonna try your ginger...

I've heard through the grapevine that zyflamend really works for inflammation.   Its all herbal.  Bought a bottle today.  

I've never heard of that one....

There was also a recent post about something with 3 initials, like DNP or DLP, that is used for something else (like alcohol withdrawal or something) that is being researched for pain or fibro or something, and it's working really well.  If someone remembers, let me know...

Ellen

Ibuprofen (can be OTC or prescription strength NSAID)

Celebrex (non-OTC, Cox-2 inhibitor, NSAID)

Lodine /Etodolac

Ketoprofen

Meloxicam / Mobic

Meclofenamate /

Naprosyn/Aleve/Naproxen

Diclofenac / Arthrotec

and a whole bunch of similar ones that are NSAIDS are NOT narcotic.

But they can and do present risks to the stomach and sometimes heart or liver.

You can google to get a list of NSAIDS - here's one.

Whereas Percocet is a combo of acetaminophen (i.e., tylenol) and codeine (that's the narcotic part).  By Rx only, of course.

I've heard that Vitamin C may not be good for RA because it revs up the immune system - and we already have too much of that.  I haven't taken it for years because of the acidity (I tried sodium ascorbate but it was too darn salty).

I don't know if fish oil and/or omega 3's have been mentioned.  I can't stand taking fish oil but I take a combination of omega 3-6-9 oil capsules (just one although they recommend 3) and i find it helps.  I also take one of the joint health supplements and it REALLY does help.  On the other hand, I only got relief from Therapain for a very short time, and no real relief now.

Well, what helps one may not help someone else but it is great to be able to share info and get some new ideas to try!

Thanks all for your suggestions.   As far as the NSAIDS, its not my stomach; that is made of iron.  It affects the blood pressure, kidneys and heart and Im a diabetic so my risk is higher of damage from them.   I am looking into the herbals.  I do use glucosamine with MSM.  Tylenol does absolutely nothing.   I have some ultram, but I only use it when I am in severe pain, and it doesn't really help very much, anyway.   I'm afraid to abuse anything because I'm afraid it won't work for me when I really need it.  

I think Im going to invest in a shower massage to loosen up the stiff joints in the morning and wait for a diagnosis.   It really gets tough at work, though.  Im on my feet ten hours and moving at a good clip the whole time.   By the end of the day, my knees are practically locked up.   I thought movement was good for arthritis.  After a couple days off work, I start to feel a bit better.  Then I go to work and feel like crap again.  

I guess not having a diagnosis is making things more confusing at the moment.  I think once you know exactly what you're up against, you can have a plan.

I never heard of Limbrel.  I googled it and it looks very interesting.  I will ask about it. Thanks.

You're welcome. It's really changed my life and the company is really wonderful too. They arranged to drop off free samples to my doctor for me to try when I ask and provided lower cost options for me when my insurance wouldn't cover it. I highly recommend getting in touch with someone via their website to get some info / samples, etc. I have Primary Biliary Cirrhosis in addition to RA and it's the only safe anti-inflammatory I can take.  Good luck!