(& Cori & )

[Guest guest]

,

I'm sorry to hear about your polyps. I am pretty sure you cannot take

ibuprofen as a substitute for the aspirin in desensitization. Yes, we are

all allergic to NSAIDS, which is why Cori is reacting to the diclofenac,

which is also a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug. Cori, you basically

cannot take ANYTHING that is called as a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory.

The list of these is very long but your pharmacist and doctor should know

all of the drugs that are on it. It includes both over the counter and

prescription medications.

Some of us are even allergic to Tylenol (acetaminophen). I am.

If I were you I would call Scripps and ask them over the phone if ibuprofen

can be taken instead of hte aspirin after desensitization. I am pretty sure

they will tell you no. Besides, I don't know how the milligrams compare, so

I don't know if the ibuprofen dosage you are taking is way too much or not

enough if you could subsitute it for aspirin.

I have said it before and I will say it many many times again ... Singulair

or Accolate (or Zyflo) is probably needed for many people after surgery to

help prevent the polyps from coming back. In addition you probably need a

nose spray (I use Nasonex). I have had surgery four times in ten years,

this time I know it has been more effective because Singulair and Nasonex

were not available the last time I had surgery.

for christine and others -- most doctors do not know what Samters is and

certainly do not understand it and they do not know that Singulair (Accolate

or Zyflo, too) is effective against polyps, too!!!!! Just because your

asthma is mild does not mean it will not help you. I don't even take it for

my asthma. I take it for the polyps and believe me it is like a miracle

drug. It has even been shown to shrink polyps on CT scan. This is not

randomized, placebo controlled trials, it is anecodtal.

But Singulair works for me with the polyps and that along with the other

evidence is of great promise. Maybe the current leukotriene inhibitors are

not perfect, they cause side effects for some, are expensive and not covered

by all insurance, and probably not selective enough in the leukotriene chain

(except for Zyflo) to completely " cure " the chemical pathways affected but

they can make a big difference from before we had them until now.

I have had Samters for 15 years and this is the first time I have had so

much hope and promise about the disorder. I wish more people would try the

leukotriene inhibitors, but taking Singulair at a higher dose is more likely

to work than the 10 milligrams which as you know I've said many times is for

moderate asthma, it's not the dose for nasal polyps and not the dose for

severe asthma.

Good luck

Lori