Re: Very simple question: Advil

August 15, 2004

Taking medication might be better than surgery, but Advil can cause life

threatening bleeding ulcers if taken long term. You might try taking

glucosamine for a few months to see if it helps. It is a natural, safe

medication, and there is scientific double blind tests that show it works as

good as Advil for inflammation.

Mike

MT

Very simple question: Advil

>

> Hi all,

>

> Just have a very simple question to ask. I am an avid basketball

> player and have been fighting a bout of CM for the past 8 months

> now. If i don't take Advil, I am pretty tender while playing and can

> only have 70% strength in me legs. However, if i take advil, i feel

> much better, around 90%! I've tested this the last couple weeks, one

> day with advil, one day without. The difference in amazing.

>

> I'm wondering, is Advil bad for CM? I keep reading doctors recs on

> treating CM, and they all mention take ibuprofen - but logically, I

> wonder if its just covering up the problem. Could it possibly be

> doing more damage then good? I mean, my body is hurting for a

> reason...

>

> Thanks,

>

August 15, 2004

Re: Very simple question: Advil

> Advil can lead to bleeding ulcers?? I was not aware

> of this. Is this all ibuprofen or just Advil?

Here is a link and quote;

http://familydoctor.org/x1919.xml

-------

Ulcers in people who don't have an H. pylori infection are usually related

to heavy aspirin use, or heavy use of anti-inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen

(some brand names: Advil, Nuprin, Motrin).

-------

>

> I have been taking Glucosamine for a good two months

> now, I do not feel that it alleviates the pain to the

> same extent as ibuprofen. Actually, i don't feel like

> it does anything. I really haven't noticed any change

> in my condition since taking it. However, I keep

> gulping down these huge pills hoping that something

> miraculous happens.

Here is a link and quote;

http://uconnsportsmed.uchc.edu/patientinfo/whathurts/treatment/glucosamine.html

--------

Many researchers and recently major publications recommended the use of

glucosamine orally in the treatment of the pain associated with

osteoarthritis. Glucosamine does appear to have a mild anti-inflammatory

effect which causes a reduction in pain in 80% of individuals who take it.

Several studies have found glucosamine to be better than ibuprofen (e.g.,

Advil) and placebo in the reduction of pain. All studies on glucosamine have

demonstrated fewer side affects than anti-inflammatories.

--------

Mike

MT

August 15, 2004

>I have been taking Glucosamine for a good two months

>now, I do not feel that it alleviates the pain to the

>same extent as ibuprofen. Actually, i don't feel like

>it does anything. I really haven't noticed any change

>in my condition since taking it. However, I keep

>gulping down these huge pills hoping that something

>miraculous happens.

Glucosamine isn't a pain reliever or general anti-inflammatory. It helps keep

arthritis from developing or, if you already have it, getting worse. I wouldn't

stop taking it, because it helops keep your non-damaged cartilage healthy, but

for pain relief, it's not the one. As usual, I ask: Have you tried McConnell

taping?

Ann

August 15, 2004

Re: Very simple question: Advil

> Glucosamine isn't a pain reliever or general anti-inflammatory.

Yes it is. It is as good or better than ibuprofen acording to scientific

review.

Mike

MT

August 15, 2004

Can you give me your sources? We agreed that it's an anti-inflammatory in that

it keeps arthritic inflammation down, but my understanding is that it works only

on cartilage.. I've been taking 2000 mg a day for several years and it has

definitely not acted as an anti-inflammatory for me. It doesn't even touch my

CP.

Ann

Re: Very simple question: Advil

> Glucosamine isn't a pain reliever or general anti-inflammatory.

Yes it is. It is as good or better than ibuprofen acording to scientific

review.

Mike

MT

August 15, 2004

http://uconnsportsmed.uchc.edu/patientinfo/whathurts/treatment/glucosamine.html

http://www.stoneclinic.com/index_glucosamine.htm

http://www.sportsmed.buffalo.edu/info/glucosamine.html

http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/healthnewsfeed/hnf_1646.htm

http://www.drtheo.com/evidence_gluco_research8.html

Re: Very simple question: Advil

>

> > Glucosamine isn't a pain reliever or general anti-inflammatory.

>

> Yes it is. It is as good or better than ibuprofen acording to

scientific

> review.

>

> Mike

> MT

>

August 16, 2004

I can mirror the ulcer comments. Take special care where your

stomach is concerned. After 5-6 years of taking naproxen sodium and

Viox, I started having what I thought were heart attack symptoms.

After a scope I found that I had four bleeding ulcers with a

negative h.p. test. I have missed those meds ever since. I tried

taking them one more time and the heart attack symptoms returned.

Steve

" dnice033 " wrote:

snip

> I'm wondering, is Advil bad for CM?

snip

August 16, 2004

I'd have to agree with some of the other posters.

Be careful about your stomach. Taking the nsaids, advil, etc

can cause stomach probems. I know, my stomach

is all messed up, chronic horrible headaches, and

advil like meds to relieve the pain. Make sure to take the

meds with a meal, thats better than taking them

on an empty stomach. Even taking them with a meal can still

aggrivate some people stomachs.

Keep an eye out for symptoms

with your stomach. Some people have lots of pain and little

damage to their stomach, others have lots of damage and little

pain.

Have you tried the mc connel taping, does it help you

out at all?

Good luck,

Connie

>

> snip

> > I'm wondering, is Advil bad for CM?

> snip

August 16, 2004

That would also be my biggest concern about using the advil. It's

possible that part of why the advil is working so well is that it is

reducing pressure on the joints that is a result of inflammation.

My advice would be to ease of on the basketball for now and work on

finding and attacking the source of the problem. Chondromalacia is

typically results from overuse, biomechanical deficiencies or both.

If it's just overuse, just resting for a while may be enough to let

llet your knees recover (by rest, I mean sticking with non-painful

low-impact exercises, not no exercise at all). If its due to a a

biomechanical problem, find out what it is and fix that. (Yeah,

easier said then done.)

> In my nonmedical opinion, Advil masks the pain and you continue to

wear away the articular cartilage. I can tell you how to tape your

knee. Right now I'm going to bed & will probably forget tomorrow

that I said this.. Please write me directly (ruby2zdy@v...) and I'll

send you directions.

>

> Ann

moved]

August 16, 2004

Definitely not no exercise at all. That'll just make your muscles weak and

lopsided and give you more and different problems!! Be as active as you can be

without it hurting. Sometimes the pain doesn't show up for 2-4 days, so keep an

eye out for that & back off if necessary.