[macintologist]

I have this back problem (spinal osteoid osteoma) and I have to take 3 ibuprofen (Advil) pills every day to subside the extreme pain that would come if I didn't take the pills. They are 400mg pills, so that's 1200mg of Brufen every day. I've been taking them since August or so. In fact, before I was taking 3 600mg pills, but I cut it down to 400mg about two months ago.

How long until my inner stomach lining completely erodes?

The reason I ask is because I'm having difficulty with the insurance company paying for an operation in Austria and I need to know if I can delay this operation for later when I'm living in the United States.

[sideus]

What about switching to another pain reliever?

[cjrivera]

Sometimes taking the ibuprofen with food can help prevent erosions/ulcers.

Also, if you are really worried, you can take a proton pump inhibitor (OTC Prilosec. Nexium, Prevacid, etc.) once a day and this can also help prevent stomach problems.

[budster101]

Second the notion of switching pain releivers. Ask your doctor about the ill effects and possible alternatives.

x3 600mg pills is quite a bit! Even 400mg x3 per day is quite a bit. Have you considered Acupuncture for the pain? It really works. Did wonders for my knees. This also depends on your threshold for pain. Mine is very high, so in effect it can work against me when something serious is wrong... I just wait too long.

Good luck, and let us know how it goes.

[Millennium]

Have you been experiencing any stomach problems lately?

I'm asking this, because the standard over-the-counter dose of Advil in the US is one 200-mg caplet, and the warning label says not to go over six caplets in a 24-hour period unless directed by a doctor. Six 200-mg caplets is 1200mg per day, which is what you're taking now, and this dose is considered safe enough to be dispensed over the counter in the US (though it's at the upper limit).

My point here is that in theory, you should be all right, though if you start experiencing stomach problems you should stop immediately. When is it that you're planning to move?

[Millennium]

Originally Posted by budster101

Have you considered Acupuncture for the pain? It really works. Did wonders for my knees. This also depends on your threshold for pain. Mine is very high, so in effect it can work against me when something serious is wrong... I just wait too long.

I've never actually had acupuncture, but I know people who swear by the stuff. There's certainly no harm in trying it.

[ambush]

pop some Oxies

[budster101]

Accupuncture has been around longer than anything, and for a good reason, it works. You have to find someone qualified first. There was a study just recently highlighted in the news, a placebo group, study group, and a third control group. The study group which received the acupuncture did exponentially better than the placebo group. The placebo group had needles placed but not inserted, so as to keep the illusion.

Even if the procedure allows you to reduce your intake of pain killers, it would be worth it. The problem with you taking the pain killers after could be only psychological... you may not need them really, but you may think you do.

[macintologist]

Originally Posted by Millennium

Have you been experiencing any stomach problems lately?

I'm asking this, because the standard over-the-counter dose of Advil in the US is one 200-mg caplet, and the warning label says not to go over six caplets in a 24-hour period unless directed by a doctor. Six 200-mg caplets is 1200mg per day, which is what you're taking now, and this dose is considered safe enough to be dispensed over the counter in the US (though it's at the upper limit).

My point here is that in theory, you should be all right, though if you start experiencing stomach problems you should stop immediately. When is it that you're planning to move?

I'm a big guy, like 100kg/220lbs and 6'2"/186cm tall so I think that's also a factor in determining if 1200 is safe. That's good to know that it's the maximum on the label. I didn't realize.

I haven't been experiencing any stomach problems, no. My pills are not exactly advil. They are called Brufen™ by Abbott. Maybe they are the same pills but with a different company or brand. I can't read the warnings on the packages because it's all Greek to me (literally )

I'm moving to the state of Wisconsin (I'm a US citizen) next fall for university. Maybe health care there is reasonable compared to California which I'm more familiar with. But all I need to know is that if I'm safe to delay this possible surgery this summer in Austria, and do it maybe during the Winter or Spring breaks or something and continue taking these pills at the rate I am.

Thanks for your input.

[wdlove]

Isn't all of Europe under state medical care? Surprised there would be any problem with getting needed surgery. Insurance companies aren't that great either in some cases.

[macintologist]

Originally Posted by wdlove

Isn't all of Europe under state medical care? Surprised there would be any problem with getting needed surgery. Insurance companies aren't that great either in some cases.

I'm not an EU citizen, and I recently switched to a lesser insurance company (right before I realized I had this problem) and I'm having a lot of trouble with them. If it doesn't work out I'm gonna have to come up with 20,000 euros. My family can't afford that at all

[macintologist]

Originally Posted by budster101

Accupuncture has been around longer than anything, and for a good reason, it works. You have to find someone qualified first. There was a study just recently highlighted in the news, a placebo group, study group, and a third control group. The study group which received the acupuncture did exponentially better than the placebo group. The placebo group had needles placed but not inserted, so as to keep the illusion.

Even if the procedure allows you to reduce your intake of pain killers, it would be worth it. The problem with you taking the pain killers after could be only psychological... you may not need them really, but you may think you do.

I don't think acupunture will work, but I do know a qualified person whom I can try it with. The thing is, I have an actual physical benign tumor on my spine, and it's hitting up on some kind of special nerve which wraps around and causes enormous pain in the diaphragm muscle area on the left side only. The only way to get rid of this for good is to operate on my spine and remove the tumor. I don't see how acupuncture could achieve that

[cjrivera]

Originally Posted by Millennium

Have you been experiencing any stomach problems lately?

I'm asking this, because the standard over-the-counter dose of Advil in the US is one 200-mg caplet, and the warning label says not to go over six caplets in a 24-hour period unless directed by a doctor. Six 200-mg caplets is 1200mg per day, which is what you're taking now, and this dose is considered safe enough to be dispensed over the counter in the US (though it's at the upper limit).

My point here is that in theory, you should be all right, though if you start experiencing stomach problems you should stop immediately. When is it that you're planning to move?

The Rx dose is 10mg/kg, so realistically 400mg of ibuprofen is a standard Rx dose for an 80lb. child. (Again this is a Rx dose, so like Millenium mentioned, ask your doctor if it is OK.) Studies have shown that 600mg is the best for pain/inflammation relief (with less risk of side effects, such as GI upset). An 800mg dose may give you slightly better pain relief, but your risk of GI side effects goes up markedly.

And Ibuprofen is not only a pain killer, but an anti-inflammatory medication, which can help skeletal pain (and the inflammation involved) more than a narcotic, without the addictive side effects.

[budster101]

Originally Posted by macintologist

I don't think acupunture will work, but I do know a qualified person whom I can try it with. The thing is, I have an actual physical benign tumor on my spine, and it's hitting up on some kind of special nerve which wraps around and causes enormous pain in the diaphragm muscle area on the left side only. The only way to get rid of this for good is to operate on my spine and remove the tumor. I don't see how acupuncture could achieve that

Accupuncture can aid in the release of endorphins that will help in subsiding the pain as it relates to the pressure.

- http://www.acupuncturetoday.com/arch...ainrelief.html


I hope you can hold out long enough to get the operation in the States.

[ManOfSteal]

Mine is, but for a different reason...I just ate lunch at:

Toxic Hell.®

[budster101]

ManOfSteal: For that pain, I recommend, TUMMS / Pepto-abysmal.

[ghporter]

I've been on 2400mg of ibuprophen for going on two years now. The warning about stomach problems is NOT a universal "everybody's stomach will rot away" thing. SOME PEOPLE AT CERTAIN DOSES-specific to the individual-EXPERIENCE SOME PROBLEMS. Following all the cautionary procedures, like eating when you take the pills, helps a lot. It also helps with absorption, making the meds more effective.

I think the real issue is more what the surgery is and what your doctor says is NECESSARY NOW.

[Sarc]

mine did ... I take something called omeprazol with it, sopposedly counter acts that effect.

[bstone]

Accupuncture can greatly help with the inflammation and pain. While certainly not a cure for the benign tumor, it may help you with the symptoms. There is a lot of clinical and even more emperical evidency to show it is very effective. Give it a try.

[KeriVit]

Originally Posted by ghporter

I've been on 2400mg of ibuprophen for going on two years now. The warning about stomach problems is NOT a universal "everybody's stomach will rot away" thing. SOME PEOPLE AT CERTAIN DOSES-specific to the individual-EXPERIENCE SOME PROBLEMS. Following all the cautionary procedures, like eating when you take the pills, helps a lot. It also helps with absorption, making the meds more effective.

I think the real issue is more what the surgery is and what your doctor says is NECESSARY NOW.

Ditto on glenn's thoughts- unless you're a raging alcoholic and take 3000 mg a day, you should be fine - just don't do it for 10 years.

But do not ignore the doctor's advice if treatment is necessary for the back. Besides. w/o insurance, how can you afford treatment in the U.S. anyway?

[macintologist]

Is omeprazol constitutional?

Err, I mean can it be sold over the counter?

[moonmonkey]

Why don't you try ibuprofen gel, it always worked better than the pills for me.

[OreoCookie]

What will they do in the surgery? And what clinic (if I may ask) in Austria will you go to?

[awaspaas]

I would suggest not wasting your time on acupuncture and concentrate on *real* doctors and medicine, but that's just my opinion. Don't get offended, acupuncture guy.

[Gankdawg]

Your liver will show signs of repeated high doses of ibruprofen. I don't know if it's permanent or not though.

[cjrivera]

Originally Posted by Gankdawg

Your liver will show signs of repeated high doses of ibruprofen. I don't know if it's permanent or not though.

That's tylenol/acetaminophen. Ibuprofen is metabolized through the kidneys.

[Gankdawg]

Originally Posted by cjrivera

That's tylenol/acetaminophen. Ibuprofen is metabolized through the kidneys.

http://my.webmd.com/content/article/4/1680_50448.htm

[Cody Dawg]

You should be more worried about long-term damage to your liver.

Also, if you are really worried, you can take a proton pump inhibitor (OTC Prilosec. Nexium, Prevacid, etc.) once a day and this can also help prevent stomach problems.

Good advice.

Good luck!

[ghporter]

Originally Posted by Cody Dawg

You should be more worried about long-term damage to your liver.

True, true. But as cjrivera said, ibuprophen is mainly metabolized by the kidneys-and is not terrible to them, either.