>>>I would think it would be better to be on a RX NSAID and take less than to tear your stomach up like that, but thats just my opinion.>>>
Prescription nsaids are not safer for your stomach. The way the NSAID works is what causes problems.
>>>>>>>>NSAIDs stop your stops Cox enzymes in your body to stop working. COX enzymes speed up your body's production of hormone-like substances called prostaglandins. Prostaglandins cause the feeling of pain by irritating your nerve endings. They are also part of the system that helps your body control its temperature.
By reducing the level of prostaglandins in your body, NSAIDs help relieve pain from conditions like arthritis. They also help reduce inflammation (swelling), lower fevers and prevent blood from clotting.
COX-1 and COX-2. Researchers believe that one of the jobs of COX-1 enzymes is to help protect your stomach lining. The COX-2 enzyme doesn't play a role in protecting your stomach.
Traditional NSAIDs stop both COX-1 and COX- 2 enzymes from doing their jobs. When COX-1 enzymes are blocked, pain and inflammation is reduced, but the protective lining of your stomach is also reduced. This can cause problems such as upset stomach, ulcers and bleeding in your stomach and intestines.
COX-2 inhibitors only stop COX-2 enzymes from working. Since the COX-2 enzyme doesn't help to protect your stomach, COX-2 inhibitors may be less likely to irritate your stomach or intestines.>>>>>>
Celebrex, a cox 2 inhibitor, is safer on your stomach since only cox 1 is affected.
Why are NSAIDs hard on the stomach?
The drugs cause ulcers by interfering with the stomach's ability to protect itself from stomach acids, according to the National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse. "Normally the stomach has three defenses against digestive juices: mucus that coats the stomach lining and shields it from stomach acid, the chemical bicarbonate that neutralizes stomach acid, and blood circulation to the stomach lining that aids in cell renewal and repair," the clearinghouse explains. "NSAIDs hinder all of these protective mechanisms, and with the stomach's defenses down, digestive juices can damage the sensitive stomach lining and cause ulcers."
How do NSAIDS undermine the stomach's defenses? All block an enzyme called cyclooxygenase 1, or COX-1. This enzyme helps prevent ulcers by enhancing blood flow to the stomach and increasing the production of protective mucous. If there's a shortage of COX-1, your stomach may not develop its usual protective lining, making it more vulnerable to attack by stomach acid.
How to protect your stomach
The drug misoprostol (Cytotec) has been shown to slightly reduce the rate of ulcers in long-term NSAID users. However, the minor benefit is coupled with a high incidence of diarrhea and other side effects. Some proton-pump inhibitors, such as Prevacid (lansoprazole) have been approved by the FDA to heal and help prevent stomach (gastric) ulcers due to NSAIDs from coming back.
I use Zantac 150mg/bid and Protonix or Nexium (both a proton pump inhibitor)
I can't stress this enough: Every patient needs to be his/her own advocate. By not educating yourself about the medications prescribed, your disease, etc you're doing yourself a disservice.
Most doctors will prescribe the nsaid and not saying too much until you come back with an aching, burning pain in your back. "Oh Yeah, you should've been taking something to help protect your stomach".
When you have a chronic illness, you need to know what it is, what it does, the potential problems, medications used, etc. And if you do educate yourself, it's very likely that you'll know more about your disease than your doctor.
