Anti-inflammatories and risk of heart problems

[cjsmith]

I keep hearing news of heart problems related to anti-inflammatories. Vioxx, Bextra, Celebrex, and now naproxen sodium (Aleve) have all been found to carry some risk. [Links plagiarized from sunnydale47 with thanks!]

I've never tried Vioxx and probably now never will, although I have an old outdated prescription for it lying around. It's been taken off the market entirely. Bextra and Celebrex do little or nothing for me. Naproxen works.

I can see getting worried about the dangers. I can understand this news being the reason for changing what one would do, if one's pain isn't all that bad to begin with.

My life without anti-inflammatories wouldn't be worth a mouse's fart. I'm going to keep taking Aleve. Of course, I am also going to hope that I'm lucky enough to escape the heart trouble. My life WITH anti-inflammatories is worth keeping.

I am also going to stock up in case the FDA decides for me what risks I can and cannot take.

Comments

eeks

[lesliepear.livejournal.com]

I'm begining to wonder about the FDA. Seems like every medicine is taking a risk.

I took Celebrex briefly for some ankle pain. Probably not long enough and too long ago to do any harm. I've taken aleve, but usually take ipufrofin or tylenol.

At least the levoxyl I need to take (as I have no thyroid now) is safe. And cheap.

Re: eeks

[cjsmith.livejournal.com]

I'm begining to wonder about the FDA.

I wonder too. We're not alone; some people believe it should be up to the doctor and patient to determine whether a risk is worth taking in that patient's case.

I take Tylenol for the kinds of pain that it helps with. Sadly, that's not much. For the direct nerve pain, Aleve is it. :-/

Re: eeks

[lesliepear.livejournal.com]

I'm sorry you have such pain - did the feet numbing help at all?

Re: eeks

[cjsmith.livejournal.com]

Oh, the bad pain I have isn't the feet. It's the herniated nerves in the belly. The feet were never anywhere near as bad as the abdominal pain -- they were just *fixable*, so I went ahead and got them fixed. :-) My feet are pretty inflamed now, producing a level of pain I'd call an "annoyance". That's expected to subside in the next few weeks. Then I can tell whether the treatment was successful.