Hi everybody. My husband has many health conditions. Reactive arthrits being one. In your opinion whch one of these anti- inflammatory's drugs (Mobic, Celebrex or Ibuprofen )are most effective, yet having the least side effects.

Due to a couple stomach ulcers his doctors told him to avoid Ibruprofen. Yet after a month he doesnt seem to feel mobic helps.

IS Celebrex much better?

Thank You

I've been waiting for some other responses.... I can't take ibuprofen either, so my doc prescribed meloxicam (Mobic) because it's inexpensive. I'm not pain-free, but I think it helps some, especially on the bad days.

Doc

All three can cause stomach ulceration.

Mobic and Ibuprofen are not Cox-2 specialists.

Celebrex mainly works on Cox-2 (inflammation) but has some weak Cox-1 effects (stomach ulcer potential).

Mobic is chemically related to piroxicam (which was one of the more toxic NSAIDs.) Its brand name was Feldene. It fell into disfavor because of the severe reactions some people had to it.

Some doctors remain confused about Mobic thinking it is like the Cox-2 inhibitors, because it came out at the same time period.
But it is NOT sparing of the stomach potential for ulcers, and it has the same cardiovascular warnings with it.

All the NSAIDs have potential for causing heart attacks, because they block a beneficial Cox-2 cytokine called prostacyclin. The one less dangerous to the heart is naproxen (OTC Aleve). I use the Aleve liquigels now when I need some pain relief, and I have found the liquigel form very fast acting and stronger than the pills. I think you can get by with much less with them. Only one a day will last me all day and work on mild to moderate pain for me.

I use Salonpas patches more often than I take pills. They work on my pain issues locally and are safer.

Using a quality antioxidant like grapeseed extract (200mg a day) can really help with chronic arthritis and allergies I have found.

What are Salonpas patches, please. I used some patches that were a topical anesthetic a few years ago that someone gave me. I can't remember the name-- it's a very common one. Anyway, I got some relief. I would be very interested in the topicals.

Salonpas are over the counter... and one new stronger one has even been approved by the FDA (a rare event for an OTC product)

http://www.salonpas.us/other-products/salonpas

I use the ones with methyl salicylate in them. (they make other types with only menthol)... so read the labels.

I also use Biofreeze gel for my feet, hands and knees. This is over the counter too. My physical therapist when I was in rehab introduced me to it.

Try the Biofreeze spray. Its much stronger than the gel. I have found that it works well for my knee pain.

Best of luck!

I remember! The patch had zylocaine in it so, I guess, I'd need a Rx. It woked well about five years ago. I think I may have one left that I'll try. I go to free clinic, so getting meds isn't quite the way it is with a personal MD. I have had pretty good luck getting the meds I need, though.

Thanks for all the interesting posts. So many of the Sx are ones that I have, but I thought it was just old age and nothing could be done. Thanks, Linda

Thank you for a very timely post for many. Due to an aortic valve replacement, my hubby has had to give up his beloved ibuprophen. He took 10 on an average day but now it's Tylenol and Tramadol. He was a farrier for about 30 yrs. He also used DMSO, with good results, he said. He wants me to use it on my back, etc. It can really burn, though. I may start with a small amt. and go from there. He can get it at the racetrack, rather than a health store, where it is much more expensive. They have used it for years on racehorses. FYI, TENS units have also been used on horses for a long time. I'm using hubby's when I think about it. The unit is expensive. He got his free from the VA, where he gets excllent care. I wish I had his health care! I'm waiting tp get medicare in two years. Free clinic for me till then. It's better than no health care at all and I am grateful for it.

Anyway, I was on Celebrex for a while, but the free clinic gives naprosyn. I have never been able to tolerate aspirin or ibuprogen because of hx of duodenal ulcer and chronic gastritis. The naprosyn seems okay, though.
I've never used Mobic or given it to a pt. I would like to know what it is. Is it new?

I wish I could be more helpful. I'm sure you'll get some good help here, though.

No, it's available generically as meloxicam. 15 mg, once per day.

Naproxen still has side effects (as do all drugs). My stomach can't tolerate it either (IBS), and it gives us both tinnitus worse than aspirin, but I do fine on meloxicam.
Google: naproxen side effects

TENS units are not that expensive anymore (<$100). They can be purchesed without prescription, but a prescription is usually required for insurance reimbursement.

Doc

Try to avoid all of them, as they carry quite considerable health risks, and long term usage is not fully understood as yet. Don't be part of the long-term trial!
I've stopped them entirely, having tried voltaren, feldene, celebrex and mobic.
Always hard to say if there was any benefit as I still had to take pain meds at the same time.
Try to stick with non-addictive pain meds, such as paracetamol.
I'm having great success taking 2x 665mg caps every 8 hours, with an occasional tramadol if I overdo it.

But-----the biggest benefit I've had with my 30 years or so of chronic pain is simply from large daily doses of magnesium oil.
Been on it a year and still improving. Muscle pain virtually stopped, so now just have to treat a few joint pains.

Try to avoid the dosage increasing medication path like I was on. It seems that the actual mediction was causing a lot of the pain, oddly enough.
Once I was off it, the pain lessened dramatically.
Keep an open mind and keep researching!