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The Sorehand Chronicles: The best RSI
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------------------------------ Date: Fri, 1 Dec 2000 10:44:30 EST Subject: Re: Tendonitis Here is what has gotten my forearm tendonitis in remission.... -Physical therapy and more PT -very gentle massage -stretching exercises -stopping any at risk activity that can create symptoms So far, those have been the only things that have helped. My tendonitis was the easiest of my many maladies to control. At times, it was often the most painful, too. Tendonitis was the first thing I was diagnosed with. Frequently, as ya'll know, there are other things going on besides the tendonitis. I did take Naprosyn for a few weeks. I saw no worthwhile result. It is an anti-inflammatory so it could help with pain a little. It did give me one heck of a stomach problem, though. I did hear, I think in this forum, that one person ended up with a bleeding ulcer as a direct result of prolonged NSAID use. My Dad was on it, too, for his tendonitis and it wrecked his tummy. Soon the ulcer was worse than the tendonitis! Hope this helps, Anne ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 1 Dec 2000 09:48:55 -0800 Subject: Re: Tendonitis Hi Anne et al, Since this issue of stomach problems is quite real, when anti-inflammatory medications are being taken (steroidal as well as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, or NSAID's) it behooves us to share some of the reasons why, and what one can do to mitigate this effect. These anti-inflammatory chemicals cause the stomach to reduce its production of protective mucus, making the stomach lining more susceptible to its own acid, the production of which is also reduced, but to a lesser extent than the mucus. The net effect is to increase the likelihood of stomach irritation, then damage, and then ulceration, if the damage is allowed to continue and progress. What to do, short of stopping the anti-inflammatory med? I'm glad you asked! Liquid antacids may seem old fashioned, but they immediately coat the stomach, helping the mucus protect the lining from the acid. (This acid, btw, is much, much more powerful than any food or drink that you'll ever consume. It's amazing that the thin layer of mucus can protect our stomach lining against it.) One problem is that the liquid antacid is "washed" away by the continual excretion of mucus, acid and other things from the stomach lining, plus whatever one eats and drinks, so that one needs to take doses of liquid antacid every couple of hours to maintain the full effect. Probably the best regimen is to take a two-tablespoon dose of a regular potency liquid antacid at least half an hour after meals, and then, again, about three hours after meals, plus a dose at bedtime. The more potent antacids do have greater buffering power per teaspoon, but you want to take enough to coat the whole stomach lining, and the regular ones are potent enough, so it's usually recommended to use two tablespoons of the regular potency ones. We all, apparently, produce lots of stomach acid for a brief period, about two to three hours after we fall asleep, so that bedtime dose of antacid is particularly helpful and effective. For this reason, too, it is a good idea to have the liquid antacid near the bed. Tables antacids can counteract acid, but the chewing that is required to use them stimulates the digestive system, causing the stomach to produce a goodly amount of acid, so the liquid is preferable for that reason. Its use does not stimulate stomach acid production. This may sound complicated, but it isn't so bad, once you've gotten a bottle or two of some good liquid antacid (something like Maalox or Mylanta, and something like Amphogel, which can counteract the mild tendency toward diarrhea that the former ones may cause in some people; one can alternate these different types), and tried it. This kind of protection can typically make it possible to take potent NSAID's, without stomach problems. As you can understand, it isn't that the NSAID's are that irritating, themselves; they just allow our own acid to do more damage. I hope this helps. Roger ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 1 Dec 2000 14:32:46 -0800 Subject: Re: Tendonitis Dan, NSAID work or give temporary relief for some people and for others they don't work at all. They do have side effects and you can go into the FDA and find out the scoop on any drug prescribed by your doctor. There now warnings on Celebrix (super aspirin) that wasn't known six months ago. Any of these taken over a long period of time can effect other vital organs. I believe liver or kidneys; since you know your own medical history it is best to contact FDA directly. NIOSH 1997 summary report on MSD by researcer Vern-Putz Anderson, said NSAID have little effect on these injuries, that they are no more effective than over the counter aspirin or tylenol. You can contact NIOSH direct for that data also. I have taken NSAID for over twenty years, they no longer work for me, if they ever did. Certainly didn't help on my tendenitis; but doctors want to prescribe it anyway. It is a personal decision based on how it works for you. PSH. ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 1 Dec 2000 23:31:36 -0800 Subject: Re: Tendonitis Roger, Thank you for the fine explanation re antiacids to counteract the side effects of NSAID, no physician explained that to me in over 20 years. I don't have stomach problems, I get lower bowel problems (gas, etc). Had a colon eval five years ago and it was fine, couple polups. I stopped taking the NSAID because dosages were constantly increased until it reached 825 mg and caused blood in urine. After a year, no more severe bowel problems. No antiacid touches the lower bowel....does it?, since all doctors I see want to use the drug, what to do about the bowel. I rather liked being able to eat food that wasn't "bland." What about the effects on the kidneys or liver? Thanks again for your fine explanation. ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 23 Jan 2001 09:50:18 -0800 Subject: Re: Meds question- Elavil Hi Anne, Although I don't know anything about Elavil, I had seizures after a week of taking Ultram for pain. Very scary to experience, isn't it! Now, I'm on Paxil, also to help me sleep. I finished the first 7 days of the 10 mg dose, and am now on the 20 mg dose, so far with now problems. It has helped improve my sleep tremendously, so I hope there will be no incidences of seizures. I hope you have good luck with Elavil. ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 8 Mar 2001 21:34:18 -0500 Subject: Re: Neurontin Jennifer, My doctor told me that Neurontin works best when used to enhance the effects of another pain reliever. I take it with Hydrocodone for TOS. I ran out of the Neurontin once for a week, and the Hydrocodone did not work as well. Hope this helps. Joanne "I saw that Darlene made a post regarding Neurontin. I was curious if that has helped anyone out there? My rehab doc. just started me on it about 4 weeks ago or so. I see no benefit yet, am taking 2-300mg. capsules 3x day but am still in alot of pain, with no relief yet. i am also on paxil and amitriptyline (for night time to help me sleep)." ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 10 Mar 2001 05:57:56 -0800 Subject: Re: Neurontin I started at 300mg too and he upped me to 800 for about 4 months. Now it's not working as well and he's upping it again to 1200. I'm up to 1000 now, but haven't seen any difference in pain. I'm not taking any other pain meds. Debbie ---------------------- Sent: Friday, March 09, 2001 5:22 PM Subject: Re: Neurontin Hi I actually went painfree on the neurontin but it didn't last. That was on 300mg three times a day. My doctor has increased the prescription to 2700mg total and I don't have to take the pain medication as much but I am not painfree. :-( My neurologist suggested combining it with trazodone but I haven't gone there yet. Take care. Darlene ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 10 Mar 2001 14:14:54 -0500 Subject: Re: Neurontin I was on 3600 a day, which did nothing. -John D pre