The three As, aspirin, Advil and Aleve, are mainstays in American medicine chests. Millions rely on such anti-inflammatory medicines to cope with arthritis pain, sports injuries and backaches.
But what happens when you can’t tolerate aspirin or other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen or naproxen? Some people develop severe stomach upset or even ulcers on such medicine. They must avoid over-the-counter products like Advil and Motrin IB as well as prescription pain relievers such as diclofenac (Cataflam, Voltaren), etodolac (Lodine) or nabumetone (Relafen).
Those taking blood thinners like warfarin (Coumadin) are especially vulnerable. A small lesion in the digestive tract can turn into a life-threatening bleeding ulcer with little warning.
New pain relievers like Bextra, Celebrex and Vioxx are supposed to be easier on the digestive tract. But even such COX-2 blockers can be irritating for some people.
Drug allergy is a different problem. One woman shared her experience:
“I have plantar fasciitis which causes severe pain in my feet and makes it hard to walk. I am allergic to aspirin and other pain pills like Advil and Aleve. Aspirin caused severe hives all over my body and made breathing difficult.
“My doctor says I can never take NSAIDs as they could cause a life-threatening reaction. Even Vioxx and Celebrex are off limits. Tylenol doesn’t do a thing.
“What can I do? Last weekend the pain was so bad I was in tears and had to put my feet in buckets of ice water to control the pain.”
People with NSAID allergy are desperate for relief. Some find dietary supplements such as glucosamine and chondroitin helpful. A majority of studies show that glucosamine works better than placebo, and some suggest it relieves arthritis pain as well as NSAIDs.
Those who don’t get benefit sometimes try supplements like curcumin, boswellia, SAM-e or MSM. These are natural compounds, but data are limited and more research is needed.
Some people find home remedies help. A reader recently shared his experience with grape juice and Certo:
“I tried a home remedy expecting nothing. Each morning for the last couple of years, I had been doing bending and flexing exercises in an attempt to stifle increasing arthritis pain and decreasing range of motion. I could move my right arm about four inches, but not without wincing.
“After ‘Purple Pectin,’ my range of motion increased a bit almost immediately. Today, I can move my right arm as far to the left and right as an arthritis-free person can, with very little pain. My other exercises have improved similarly and I am starting to use weights.”
Anyone who would like to know more about such home remedies as grape juice and Certo (pectin), gin-soaked raisins or Sam Houston’s recipe for apple juice, grape juice and vinegar may order our guide: Alternatives for Arthritis. Those who can’t tolerate aspirin or other pain relievers need to experiment to find alternative approaches to control their pain.
