NSAIDS

[Richard.N]

A swiss study has reinforced the case for testing for h. pylori in people starting NSAIDS. The research published in 'Gut', said that if infection was eradicated before NSAID treatment began the risk of ulcers was reduced to almost zero.

I was also amazed to read that if you are predisposed to ulcers, the risk is not diminished by taking NSAIDS in suppository form![/i]

[webslave]

I was tested for h pylori --> negative. But NSAIDS give me dreadful stomach pain, incl. COX2 "wonder drugs" like Celebrex and Vioxx. So I may not get an ulcer, but the stomach pain was completely unacceptable.

And how old is that study? I have seen recent research saying that ulcers are much more subtle than just h pylori infection, and that people without h pylori get ulcers.

H. pylori infection is common in the United States: About 20 percent of people under 40 years old and half of those over 60 have it. Most infected people, however, do not develop ulcers. Why H. pylori does not cause ulcers in every infected person is not known. Most likely, infection depends on characteristics of the infected person, the type of H. pylori, and other factors yet to be discovered.

[Mike]

I use NSAIDS regularly for my pain and have *no* stomach problems relating to the use of them (yet). Sure I am aware of it but the risk is acceptable due to the relief they offer my symptoms.

[gunde]

I was on Naproxen (NSAID) for a month last spring and it didn't help me at all.
Now in retrospect I probably shouldn't have taken it since I maybe had an
inflammation in my intestines, due to my food allergies which I was not aware of at the time.
I didn't get any ulcers though as I can imagine that they result in pain in the stomach?

[Richard.N]

I saw the article in an Arthritis magazine dated December 2002 and it said the Swiss study 'reinforces' the h. pylori theory - so I presume it's pretty new. I must apologise that I don't know what the source material is.

I just thought it was of interest. I haven't yet had any probs with NSAIDS and I prefer Voltarol to Vioxx - which isn't the received wisdom.

I find Vioxx tails off miserably toward the end of the 24 hours whereas the twice a day time released Voltarol is more consistent.

I am aware that theoretically you can tolerate Vioxx in much higher doses though...

[Mike]

Voltarol I find better also.

[Ralph]

Thank goodness I tolerate Vioxx well. It works wonders for me, but it has to be taken with food. On an empty stomach, look out. You're asking for an ulcer. Just because the H. pylori may be neg doesn't mean you won't get an ulcer. I asked this question to a Gastroenterologist friend of mine. He said the most common cauise of ulcer disease in his practice is the use an NSAIDS. He loves them.

[faceinthecrowd]

Is a drug called Arthrotec one of the NSAIDs? This drug did wonders for my mother who had a chronically inflamed knee which would blow up to the size of a balloon - seems to have very potent anti-inflammatory properties. Has anyone tried this or had any success with it?

[gunde]

"Arthrotec is designed to relieve the symptoms of arthritis in people who are also prone to ulcers. It contains diclofenac, a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) for control of the inflammation, swelling, stiffness, and joint pain associated with rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. However, since NSAIDs can cause stomach ulcers in susceptible people, Arthrotec also contains misoprostol, a synthetic prostaglandin that serves to reduce the production of stomach acid, protect the stomach lining, and thus prevent ulcers."

http://www.gettingwell.com/drug_info/rx ... 1031.shtml

[webslave]

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