Anti inflammatory meds

[Nomad]

I?ve  had many autoimmune issues for 40 plus years. I took too many steroids and it caused retina damage. My eye doc said it was more or less ok for me to take steroids, but there is more risk for me re eyesight. He said to try to keep the dosages low. And not take them unless they are absolutely needed. Long story, but I?m currently on one mg of prednisone.

Because I have low platelets, I can?t take aspirin. Sadly, ibuprofen etc also can lower platelets. So, I can only take this type of OTC anti inflammatory in a pinch. Once in awhile seems ok. If I take it more than even once a month, my count might drop.

So, to recap...I?m limited with steroids due to eye issues. And I?m limited with traditional otc anti inflammatories due to low platelets.

What other anti inflammatories are out there both RX and OTC? Thank you.

[SunshineDaydream]

Curcumin. I like NatureWise brand.

[Linda196]

Curcumin or turmeric also have and effect on the platelet formation, although are apparently safer than NSAIDS for conditions that effect the clotting effect of platelets when formation isn't an issue. That means that if your platelet count is low due to decreased production of platelets, Curcumin isn't for you, but if counts are off because they don't "aggregate" normally, or cause the proper clotting cascade, then it may be a safer choice. Simply put, curcumin might effect the production, but once the platelets are in circulation it has less effect on their function.

[Sooki]

My rheumy prescribed meloxicam (Mobic) for me.  It's still an NSAID and inhibits platelet formation, but works by a different mechanism than naproxen, etc. and may have less of an effect for occasional use.  I don't know if this would help, but here's the nih study on it: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12162470

[jazzlover]

I use NOW brand curcumin. It's the only thing I can take for inflammation.

[irish]

Tylenol has a mild anti inflammatory effect if you are able to take it.  You have to make sure that you watch the dosage as we shouldn't take any more than 4000 mgm a day. However, Tylenol has been known to cause bleeding at times. This med stuff is a challenege isn't it. Have you checked with your doctor or pharmacist. Good luck. Irish

[bluegardenia]

thanks irish, neuro suggested aulin that is a medicine that i can take. i do not think we have tylenol here anyway aulin works usually for me. i so would like to understand what is this pain that i never had,, started when i changed shoes to walk.  yesterday the neuro who visited me for one hour was quite convinced that its  reumatological but my pcr is 0 and so my sed. but i respond to ketoprofene cream that is like ibuprofene. anybody started their pain in legs and feet like that? just from change of shoes?

[jazzlover]

I could barely walk for two years because I got new sneakers and they sold me some insoles that weren't right for me.

Two years later and many shots in my feet, 8 different pairs of orthotics .. it was a nightmare.

I THINK part of it was from being hypothyroid and not knowing it.....so once I got that fixed and got custom orthotics, I fought my way back to walking again.

[irish]

I had bad pain in feet many years ago. I worked as a registered nurse and did a lot of walking so it really caused me a lot of distress. I ended up going to a foot doctor and he wanted to do surgery on all of my toes and balls of my feet. He made it sound so important and necessary. I had huge doubts ad never rush into things like this. I held off and had to see my regular doctor and he told me it was inflammatory and put me on Indocin for 5 or 7 days. This is a strong anti inflammatory given in short duration and it works well. It is also used for gout at times.

Well my toes and balls of feet inproved. I had an epiphany one day when I remembered that I had bought new white work shoes. They were a kind I had bought several other times with no problem. I went out and bought new shoes and low and behold my feet recovered. I must have gained weight or changed the weight I did weight bearing but never wore that type of troublesome shoes again. I am very careful when I buy shoes now as I learned how bad my feet got and in such a short period of time. We just can't afford to have our feet "get sick". Irish

[bluegardenia]

ciao irish, as i said everything started for me changing my adidas with  another adidas more or less the same. i also changed my plantars, i do not know the exact name in english, that thing that you put inside the shoes that are made for  people with something going on in feet and i have metatarsus that is falling. they made it for me but as soon as i put them i  had pain so they modified them and it was better but worsened again  even if they told me to wear them ten minutes  every day. i left them but the pain  started to be continuous and almost unbearable. went to neuro,  who visited me saying that for him its not neurologic because  i dont have signs of neurological but inflamation. may be reumatism? but my blood exams have not worsened and my sed and pcr are low and exactly like when i had no pain. this night just my ankles hurted and  swarmed. now nothing, just very tired legs as if i walked hours and i just made a quick walk with the dog. lets see today, thanks for your opinion

[jazzlover]

Yes, gardenia... same thing I was referring to "insoles" or "orthotics."

[Linda196]

Bluegardenia, I think Tylenol(generic name acetaminophen) is available in Italy under the trade name Tachipirina. Another name for it in Europe is paracematol

[cccourt1942]

Blue:  I cannot imagine the feet of ANY European not hurting.  You guys walk about 100 times more (and further) than almost every American.  I cannot imagine the fear of walking when living in Italy.  There have to be foot masseuses in Milan.  Back when I walked (and still MUCH less than you do any given hour) I would have a foot massage about once a month....for circulation alone.  After I quit working, I kept walking, but am now foundered (that means I don't move!!)  I do go to physical therapy, and I do exercises twice daily for spondylolethesis (low back) and I throw in a few for blood circulation in my feet and ankles.  In the last 18 months, I've been thru physical therapy twice.  I have just started again for what is called "Pre-Hab"  which is strengthening of leg and arm muscles to aid me in recovering from hip replacement in July.  Two to three weeks after that surgery, I will begin physical therapy again to make sure I am walking, sitting, etc properly after the surgery.  I am having anterior (from the front) which is much easier from which to recover.  If I weren't so old, it would be day surgery. Due to my age, I will be kept overnight in order to monitor my vitals.  I cannot say enough about physical therapy.  It is imperative for you to keep that blood circulating properly in your feet and ankles.  Consider PT. 

ccc

[bluegardenia]

thanks ccc and everybody for opinions and suggestions.
ccc, i do not walk so much!!!

[Nomad]

Thank you every one.

Tylenol is fine for me to take. Sometimes, Tylenol with a heating pad works fairly well.

I have nerve pain in my face. I have a compounded cream that works very well. In the cream is Gabapentin, Lidocaine and Capsaicin. Sometimes, I rub this on various aches and pains in my legs and it is helpful.