Nothing serious...................

[richard]

I'm still seeing my GP about my finger pain problems. Blood tests showed nothing conclusive. Now been prescribed Ibuprofen and if they don't work I may have an injection into the joint.

The information leaflet for the Ibuprofen describes some 'serious side effects' that include indigestion and heartburn. It goes on to say ' These other effects are less serious. If they bother you talk to a pharmacist '. The first ' less serious ' side effect states: ' Kidney problems which may lead to kidney failure '. Less serious than indigestion ? Talk to your pharmacist about it but only if it bothers you ? Some people's kidneys fail but they aren't bothered about it ?

[Philly Q]

Great, isn't it?

But if those leaflets are to be believed, it seems nearly all medications can cause just about any side effect you can imagine - including whatever it is you're taking them as a treatment for!  :|

Incidentally, are you having to pay prescription charges for that Ibuprofen?  It would be cheaper to buy it.

[dave_mc]

i think (i'm no pharmacist) ibuprofen is in the same family as (similar structure to) aspirin, and as such can be sore on your stomach- ulcers and the like. i stopped taking aspirin (for headaches) as it always upset my stomach, and switched to paracetamol. though, i don't think paracetamol is any good for inflammation, i think aspirin/ibuprofen are anti-inflammatory too, which is presumably more along the lines of what you want.

i'm guessing what they mean by "less serious" is that it afflicts fewer people. but again, don't quote me.

[Fourth Feline]

Philly is right ( of course !  8) )

They are legally obliged to name every condition, that could be caused or exacerbated by almost any dosage range. in any age group e.t.c   They statistically have to also record any cause of serious illness observed within the test group(s).  If we extended the logic only one step further , they would also warn " Could cause being hit by a late night bus " - and  "Can be dangerous combined with the wrath of jealous husbands".

I have to take some pretty major league stuff on a daily basis - and if I had not been 'put straight' by my G.P. would have not dare even take them out of the packet, in case they attacked me.

On a lesser note, I find ibuprofen kicks the heck out of my stomach, but a Paracetamol / Asprin / Caffiene combination ( often sold in supermarkets as 'Pain relief Plus' ) is more accomodating.  I know a guy who has the injections and they work BIG TIME - but if you can resume ' guitar bothering'  on less - then dive in !  :)

[Frank]

Injections into joints aren't as terrible as you'd think. I've had them in both shoulders, bit of discomfort but grin and bear it because they really do work.

[dave_mc]

Philly is right ( of course !  8) )

They are legally obliged to name every condition, that could be caused or exacerbated by almost any dosage range. in any age group e.t.c   They statistically have to also record any cause of serious illness observed within the test group(s).  If we extended the logic only one step further , they would also warn " Could cause being hit by a late night bus " - and  "Can be dangerous combined with the wrath of jealous husbands".

I have to take some pretty major league stuff on a daily basis - and if I had not been 'put straight' by my G.P. would have not dare even take them out of the packet, in case they attacked me.

On a lesser note, I find ibuprofen kicks the heck out of my stomach, but a Paracetamol / Asprin / Caffiene combination ( often sold in supermarkets as 'Pain relief Plus' ) is more accomodating.  I know a guy who has the injections and they work BIG TIME - but if you can resume ' guitar bothering'  on less - then dive in !  :)

that's funny that ibuprofen annoys your stomach but not aspirin (then again i've never tried ibuprofen as i figured if aspirin upset my stomach, ibuprofen would too :lol: ). i guess everyone is different. :)

[Fourth Feline]

.. that's funny that ibuprofen annoys your stomach but not aspirin (then again i've never tried ibuprofen as i figured if aspirin upset my stomach, ibuprofen would too :lol: ). i guess everyone is different. :)

Good point Dave, I should have explained further.

A full dose of Asprin each time would indeed be uncomfortable ,  albeit taking 2- 3 doses to upset the stomach quite as much as Ibuprofen could on 1-2 doses.   Fortunately,  I found that as the Asprin /Paracetamol /caffienne 'stack' was essentially giving me a half dose of asprin each time - and yet gave enough symptomatic relief for me to also take fewer overall doses ;  the amount of Asprin I was having to ingest during the day - was kept low enough to 'fly under the radar'.  I was not taking it for inflamed joints / serious inflamation however, only Musculoskeletal pain.

[dave_mc]

ah ok, that makes sense, thanks for the explanation :)

[Dmoney]

Ibuprofen, paracetamol, and asprin are all different as far as I know.

[MDV]

NOT A DOCTOR
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I wouldnt worry too much, Ibuprofen is a pretty weak drug: like basically every over the couter drug, the dosages you get are hard to do yourself any harm with, and long scary side effect lists are there for general arse-covering if sued. Most of the responses are unlikely, especially the more severe ones. Its a  numbers game. The vast majority of people get no side effects, those few that do dont get to sue anyone.

And, yes, ibuprofen, paracetamol and asprin are indeed all different. For that reason, you can stack em up for pain relief. Not sure if the same applies to asprin and ibuprofens anti-inflamatory properties.

---------------------
NOT A DOCTOR.