Vitamin I - Appalachian Trail

imported
#1

Interesting article. I wonder if this is something younger hikers need to think about.

rowdy

#2

Honestly, not much to worry about… For the lay people out there, the notation that 1 in 1005 of people over age 65 AND taking ibuprofin will have a heart attack (statistically speaking) sticks out. Note this does not adjust for numerous factors, not the least in this particular forum, level of exercise and activity, which has a large effect on health pertaining to cardiovascular fitness. Just don’t take more then 2400mg/day, as recommended by most sources (I quoted from epocates essentials if anybody needs know).

The COX-2 Inhibitor scare was much the same thing, an efficacy study that the press blew up, public got scared, drug companies feared ignorant lay juries and blood sucking lawyers drooling in anticipation and withdrew the medications (not all, a few are still out there, Mobic immediately comes to mind) But for those suffering from arthritis pain, COX-2 Inhibitors, taken correctly, were a lifesaver. The problem lies in the fact that many physicians started prescribing it for ALL PAIN CONTROL reasons. And there-in lies a problem, it wasn’t really meant as a PAIN CONTROL medication, like oxycontin, but more targeted for arthritic and inflammation type pains (and dysmennorhea, and light to moderate pain control secondary to inflammation caused or related pain), etc. It just worked so damn well. Sadly, doctors and pharmacuetical company ads directed to the public are at fault. The ads termed direct to consumer ads put the name in your head, and a study recently published in the Journal of the American Medical Association entitled “Direct to Consumer Advertising: A Haphazard Approach to Health Promotion” (J.Amer Med Assoc. 06/27/2005, pp1999-2005) showed that this not only effects patients requesting certian drugs but also effects physician prescription.

ughhhh… I can go on for awhile on this, so I’ll stop now… sorry for the diatribe… it happens… :smokin

-xtn, going slowly more crazy from studying all this crap :boy

airferret

#3

Airferret…thanks so much for your post. I just heard the same thing from two noted ortho drs; who I saw for severe arthritis problems. I am SO angry re Vioxx being w/drawn; esp after I heard repetitively that most of the concern over it was over done & political. Vioxx was the one thing that helped the most; was able to get & be active again. Celebrex & Bextra (now w/drawn) didn’t help much. Aleve ate holes in my tummy. I was so discouraged. Now I’ve just tried Mobic; & to my surprise, it does seem to help some. Tho I am flushing (red face…maybe blood pressure; not sure) more, it seems to work almost as well as Vioxx. I still have a small supply of Vioxx left; but had to ration them to get them to last. Now I’m all switched over to Mobic; but I’ll keep my stash of Vioxx where I can get it. if Mobic stalls out. All in all a bad scene. My orth dr told me that in his experience, use of aspiren (stomach ulcers) caused more deaths in a yr than Vioxx even came close to causing. Not that aspiren was bad; his point was that any drug can cause probs; if you use it wrong.

Leah

#4

The scary thing about aspirin (ASA, or acetylsalicyclic acid) is that if it were discovered only today, it is doubtful that it would be allowed as an OTC. Same holds true for acetometaphen (Tylenol), to a lesser degree.

Another article that comes to mind for those interested is :

“Oral Analgesics for Acute Nonspecific Pain”, American Family Physician, 3/1/2005 (VOl.71 #5), pp913-918. Very well written article for both lay and medical professionals by Sachs out of UCLA, discusses/compares various modalities of mild-to-moderate pain control drugs.

Leah, obviously I cannot discuss specific drugs here, but speak with your ortho next time you see him/her about alternative OTC NSAIDS for mild arthiritc days, numerous variations of NSAIDs and NSAID-type drugs that may be of help for you when you only need mild relief.

I looked up the normal side-effects for Mobic, you got me on the flushing part… suggest you talk with your doctor about it, appt or phone call. Read http://mobic.drugs.com/ as well for more info.

-xtn

airferret

#5

thanks for the info Airferret! I’m seeing the dr in a couple of days. (I’m doing synvisc; getting shot #3) Its a good thing; because I woke up this am to a very swollen knee. It swelled up overnite; don’t know why. (does rainy weather really cause probs? In the midwest we’re really having some rain) Can’t bend it much; tho it doesn’t hurt per se. Just took my Mobic; hopefully, it’ll help. Sigh…sometimes it all is a bit much…Just gotta keep a positive attitude. Have a good day xtn!!

leah