Melanie Reber
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posted
This morning I woke up feeling like I lost a sparring match with Tyson. I have no clue why, but am guessing it has to do with my constant coughing over the last 6 days do to poor air quality (wildfires and repaving asphalt fumes)and too much exertion(asthma issues).
Most aches usually subside w/in an hour or two, but this is getting progressively more annoying.
Anyway, I have a few hours of computer time left to do before I can zone out completely, so need something to ease the pain w/out causing mental fog.
I've read what I can on-line re: OTC pain relievers. It seems opting for Ibuprofen over Aspirin, is the choice... but is it also the choice over Acetaminophen? Fortunately, there is no headache involved.
I can't find any med interactions, but know that they are sometimes hidden. Currently on Doxy, Zith, Lunesta, Benadryl, Albuterol, and supps of L-glut and Seriphos. I think that's it.
I'm already queasy...
Thanks so much in advance! M
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merrygirl
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posted
I find 800mg Ibuprophen better than tylenol.
I think you will find it mostly opinion.
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Melanie Reber
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posted
Thank you Miss Merry... hope you are doing well?
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merrygirl
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posted
your welcome! I am doing ok! Miss our talks
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Melanie Reber
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Me too sweetheart, you know where to find me, if needed, right? Posts: 7052 | From Colorado | Registered: Mar 2003
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Melanie Reber
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posted
Here's another question... why is it that our chest discomfort always manifests on the left side?
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lymebytes
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posted
Ibuprofen..I have had excruciating pain and of all the rx's ibuprofen helps the most.
The chest pain thing in the beginning for me had doctors scrambling that I had a heart problem because it was so deep and so intense on the left side it radiated deep right through to my left shoulder blade, numbness in fingers and hands,etc., mimicked heart attack. Then all that pain spread throughout my body after cortisone shots and things haven't been the same since.
It is odd how LD chooses a side - mostly the left side - in me too.
posted
Aspirin and Acetaminophen have never worked for me, since I was little kid.
It's gotta be Ibuprofen.
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disturbedme
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posted
I always take Ibuprofen.
-------------------- One can never consent to creep when one feels an impulse to soar. ~ Helen Keller
My Lyme Story Posts: 2965 | From Land of Confusion (bitten in KS, moved to PA, now living in MD) | Registered: Jun 2007
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Melanie Reber
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posted
Thanks guys! I ran out of Ibuprofen, so am adding in some Acetaminophen PM tonight. I've been laying on the heating pad most of the day as well.
Hopefully, by morning, it will disappear as quickly as it appeared. Much appreciated and sweet dreams!
Posts: 7052 | From Colorado | Registered: Mar 2003
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posted
Ibuprofen worked well for me, too, but one thing I ask you to be wary of: NSAID induced peptic ulcer.
Because of one, I now have to be very careful about taking ibuprofen or any NSAIDs. Last time I took an NSAID, I was rewarded with severe upper abdominal pain for two days, and internal bleeding for several days from NSAIDs worsening the ulcer.
I think ibuprofen is find and perfectly safe in most cases, but I made the mistake of using the liqui-gel capsules in fairly high numbers in years past.
I now have an NSAID induced peptic ulcer, and I'm fairly sure it began with all that ibuprofen.
That is just my experience, maybe others would not have had this problem. Just in case, I suggest you avoid the quick release liqui-gels, and take the ibuprofen with food.
My intent is not to scare people away from using ibuprofen, as I do believe it can be very helpful with pain and inflammation, but use it wisely and with caution.
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Melanie Reber
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posted
Goodness, MM... so sorry for your unexpected outcome. Thanks for the warning and sound advice.
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Melanie Reber
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posted
Good evening Grandmother,
Do you know if Aleve has any effect on fevers as well?
Posts: 7052 | From Colorado | Registered: Mar 2003
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posted
Hi Melanie - ibuprofen up to 800mg has always worked for me, not acetaminophen.
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Melanie Reber
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posted
That is really good to know Grandmother. I'll have to pick some up today. Thanks so much for the alternative choice!
Hey there Miss Robin, thanks to you as well!
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treepatrol
Honored Contributor (10K+ posts)
Member # 4117
posted
Melanie Reber dear ibuprophen has acerametaphen in it see the bold ibuprophen
I know when i was taking it> its also in vicodin has acetametaphen in it. When I would stop taking acetametaphen only after being on it 15 and 30 days I would get the creepy crawleys and restless leg syndrom so I swithched to perodan instead of percocet
That restless leg thing lasts about three or four days so be carefull or you wont be sleeping much after stopping. Just forwaring
-------------------- Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. Remember Iam not a Doctor Just someone struggling like you with Tick Borne Diseases.
lightfoot
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posted
Hi Melanie!!
Besides whatever pain reliever you decide on.....high doses of TAURINE can be helpful for reactions and keeping the brain clear.
Take care, dear friend.....
-------------------- Healing Smiles.....lightfoot Posts: 7228 | From CO | Registered: May 2002
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Melanie Reber
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Good morning Tree-hugger! How ARE you, my love? I'm afraid you have me all confused now... not too awfully difficult to accomplish at times. I looked at my now empty bottle of Ibuprofen, and the only ingredient is Ibuprofen, right?
Anyway... I do think I will try some Aleve for a change when needed. It seems like each drug has its side effects, or cautions... this is why I simply hate to add anything in addition to what I already take unless absolutely necessary.
The last thing is need is something else to keep me awake. I do that very well already on my own! Posts: 7052 | From Colorado | Registered: Mar 2003
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Melanie Reber
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posted
Lightfoot! Is that really you?! I just read your thought for today, and smiled as usual. I sure miss you my friend... and pray that things with you and Miss L are going splendidly.
Hmmm, taurine? That sounds familiar for some reason. Could you have possibly given me some of that many moons ago to try? I'll have to dig through my cupboard and see if I can find it.
Thanks so much for the added input and for stopping by to say hello!
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AliG
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posted
I don't believe that Ibuprofen has acetaminophen in it. It's fen not phen and in cases of persistent high fever, it can be taken together alternately as long as both are following their own dosing schedule.
Tylenol is much easier on the stomach than the NAIDs.
You can try taking some Tylenol & see if it provides enough relief. If not, then you would still be able to take either Ibuprofen(Motrin) of Naproxyn Sodium(Aleve), though either would be hard on your stomach.
If you take an NSAID, make sure to take it with food, drink a full glass of water & don't recline more than 45 degrees for an hour.
Hope you feel better. Ali
-------------------- Note: I'm NOT a medical professional. The information I share is from my own personal research and experience. Please do not construe anything I share as medical advice, which should only be obtained from a licensed medical practitioner. Posts: 4881 | From Middlesex County, NJ | Registered: Jul 2006
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randibear
Honored Contributor (10K+ posts)
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posted
Even my ratty gp says alleve. He no longer recommends tylenol or aspirin.
SO that's all i take.
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AliG
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posted
Did you try magnesium?
Calcium-Magnesium is usually easier on the stomach. If you take Magnesium, take with food.
Magnesium helps relax muscle spasms. Espom Salts (magnesium) baths are good too.
-------------------- Note: I'm NOT a medical professional. The information I share is from my own personal research and experience. Please do not construe anything I share as medical advice, which should only be obtained from a licensed medical practitioner. Posts: 4881 | From Middlesex County, NJ | Registered: Jul 2006
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JRWagner
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posted
Motrin, et. al. (Ibu.), is an antinflamatory...Tylenol is not. If you have inflammation issues, Tylenol is worthless...besides, it can harm your liver.
Yes, watch your stomach with NSAIDS...tale with substantial food in your stomach.
Feel better...BTW...one can take UP TO 800Mg of Ibu. which is equal to one prescription Motrin...however, these dosages should not be long term or rebound headaches can manifest...nasty!!!
Feel better!
Peace, Love and Wellness, JRW
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Melanie Reber
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posted
Hey Miss AliG, Thanks for your input. I am afraid that Mag and I don't quite agree with one another. I simply can not tolerate it in any form... and I have tried them all. I also tried doing a couple of months of 800mg Ibuprofen to help with fevers and inflammation and did not see any change when starting or stopping, so now I reserve it for when really needed. And yes, I have finally learned my lesson and take everything with food now.
Hey Randi, well... if it is good enough for your ratty GP, then why not?
Wow MFT, that is pretty frightening. Fortunately the pain has subsided for the most part, so thank Goodness, that is not the case here. But I do appreciate the link and warning. I sometimes have difficulty knowing where everything lives... and this is definitely something we should be aware of!
Hey JR, Good to see you and thank you. Yes, after years of non-stop headaches, I am just so thrilled that this is not a constant symptom any longer. I sure have taken my fair share of meds for that. So yes, as I said above... even though I have taken Rx Motrin in the past and 800mg Ibuprofen recently... it just doesn't seem to work on fevers or inflammation for me. (isn't it nice to be so special?) Posts: 7052 | From Colorado | Registered: Mar 2003
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AliG
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posted
I don't know if you can do the alternating trick with Aleve, but if it doesn't work on it's own it might be worth looking into.
Seriously, if you can't take the Mag internally, try the baths. Your body WILL absorb it if it's needed. I posted a study on it a while ago.
-------------------- Note: I'm NOT a medical professional. The information I share is from my own personal research and experience. Please do not construe anything I share as medical advice, which should only be obtained from a licensed medical practitioner. Posts: 4881 | From Middlesex County, NJ | Registered: Jul 2006
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Melanie Reber
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posted
I have tried Mag powders, pills, liquids, sprays... and baths. It always ends with the same adverse reaction, and is not pleasant I'm afraid. The only thing I have not tried are the shots.
Actually, what I have heard recently is that once a TBD patient is in treatment, Cal, D and trace minerals are preferred to Mag supplementation.
This does work better for me as far as cramping goes, so that is what I have been doing instead. (thanks for the reminder to pick up more)
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AliG
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posted
Hmmm.......even baths.......
That one's got me baffled. I thought the study said you would only absorb what you need and that lovely side effect was your body's way of getting rid of excess.
I wonder if there's any significance to that hypersensitivity. Have you had your Magnesium levels checked?
I'd heard, not too long ago, that the Magnesium should only be taken after ABX were already at therapeutic levels in the system, otherwise it's thought to contribute to biofilm production.
Did I miss an update on Magnesium supplementation?
Oh well , glad to have been helpful in SOME way! (even if it was just as a shopping list reminder)
-------------------- Note: I'm NOT a medical professional. The information I share is from my own personal research and experience. Please do not construe anything I share as medical advice, which should only be obtained from a licensed medical practitioner. Posts: 4881 | From Middlesex County, NJ | Registered: Jul 2006
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AliG
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Symptoms of hypermagnesemia usually are not apparent unless the serum magnesium level is greater than 2 mmol/L. Concomitant hypocalcemia, hyperkalemia, or uremia exaggerate the symptoms of hypermagnesemia at any given level.
Neuromuscular symptoms
These are the most common presenting problems. Hypermagnesemia causes blockage of neuromuscular transmission by preventing presynaptic acetylcholine release and by competitively inhibiting calcium influx into the presynaptic nerve channels via the voltage-dependent calcium channel.21
One of the earliest symptoms of hypermagnesemia is deep-tendon reflex attenuation. Facial paresthesias also may occur at moderate serum levels.
Muscle weakness is a more severe manifestation, occurring at levels greater than 5 mmol/L. This manifestation can result in flaccid muscle paralysis and depressed respiration and can eventually progress to apnea.
Conduction system symptoms
Hypermagnesemia depresses the conduction system of the heart and sympathetic ganglia.21 A moderate increase in serum magnesium can lead to a mild decrease in blood pressure, and a greater concentration may cause severe symptomatic hypotension. Magnesium is also cardiotoxic and, in high concentrations, can cause bradycardia. Occasionally, complete heart block and cardiac arrest may occur at levels greater than 7 mmol/L.
Hypocalcemia
Apparently, hypocalcemia results from a decrease in the secretion of parathyroid hormone (PTH) or from end-organ resistance to PTH.22 Paralytic ileus develops from smooth-muscle paralysis,10 and mothers being treated with magnesium for preterm labor suppression are at risk.23
Hypermagnesemia may interfere with blood clotting through interference with platelet adhesiveness, thrombin generation time, and clotting time.
Nonspecific symptoms
These symptoms include nausea, vomiting, and cutaneous flushing.
-------------------- Note: I'm NOT a medical professional. The information I share is from my own personal research and experience. Please do not construe anything I share as medical advice, which should only be obtained from a licensed medical practitioner. Posts: 4881 | From Middlesex County, NJ | Registered: Jul 2006
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Melanie Reber
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posted
"That one's got me baffled. I thought the study said you would only absorb what you need and that lovely side effect was your body's way of getting rid of excess."
Perhaps my body failed to read and understand the study carefully enough?
I don't know if my Mag levels have been checked specifically. If it hasn't been in the basic CBC, then no, if yes, then they read just fine.
I honestly feel that the main reason I react strongly to so many seemingly benign things at this point, is that my body is just tired of all this, ya know? It has turned hypersensitive to almost everything.
The list of symptoms above for Mag issues fit of course, but I'm not certain that too much Mag is the cause, I think instead it is more likely based on years of fighting with so many meds that haven't really taken the diseases out yet. So I am now experiencing multi-system issues.
So, it is more a matter of putting band-aids on the new symptoms while still trying to eradicate the underlying diseases.
Thank you so much Miss Ali for searching for me, I really do appreciate your help and input! M
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Melanie Reber
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posted
Just for the record... Aleve really stinks at headache control.
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AliG
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posted
Your welcome.
"Perhaps my body failed to read and understand the study carefully enough? "
I believe it's a separate test, not standard in CBC. I had mine checked before my first round of Levaquin.
NOW you've added a headache?!!!! Sorry about the Aleve not working.
Try applying a cold compress or some mineral ice to your neck for a while. Sometimes I find that helpful.
Maybe you should ask to have your Mag level checked next time you're due for labs.
Oh & the reason chest pain is in the left is so that we'll never be able to tell if we're having a heart attack.
Coughing, left-sided chest pain, trouble breathing, head pain....? When WAS the last time you had your heart checked out?
hugs & prayers, Ali
-------------------- Note: I'm NOT a medical professional. The information I share is from my own personal research and experience. Please do not construe anything I share as medical advice, which should only be obtained from a licensed medical practitioner. Posts: 4881 | From Middlesex County, NJ | Registered: Jul 2006
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springshowers
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Member # 19863
posted
When NOTHING else works. I take just Plain ASPRIN and am so suprised each time how well it works!! My mother reminds me that as a child that was what happened often and I try to remember it.
Worth trying. IF it was tried I did not read every post here.. so.. I apologize if it is redundant
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sizzled
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Member # 1357
posted
If unable to handle more meds or don't want to risk interactions, I drink ginger ale to help bring down fever and it also helps stomach issues.
Tumeric(found in curry) in Indian food aids inflammation. Alot of other mild spices also aid in inflammation.
Hope, by the time you read this Miss Melanie, you are feeling better!
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Melanie Reber
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posted
Good morning Miss Ali, Thank you for the continued input- you are a love. Yes, HA and the return of the swollen glands thing. But... I'm refusing to let this take me down... too much to do around here! Hahah, about the chest discomfort It is a tricky bugger isn't it?
I had a full cardio work up early on. Some abnormalities on the EKG, but the Echo only revealed arrhythmia, so I was given the all clear. Since then over the years, I've had to go back into the ER a few more times with suspected heart stuff, but the ticker seems just fine. It runs a tad tacky now, but other than that, I do think it is OK.
(I take this seriously as many on my Father's side died early of CHF. This was what ultimately took my Borzoi out too with TBDs. Plus my husband developed a few cardio related issues as well... so I know it can become a very severe problem for many)
Hey Spring, Actually, even though I have aspirin, I never take it. So, thanks for the suggestion.
Mizz Sizz! How are YOU my friend? I adore Ginger ale, but have not purchased any for months now. It DOES help so much with nausea for me... but I had no idea that it would also help a fever. Thank you!
Yum, I do like curry and cayenne. I'll have to set both out where I can see them and remember to actually use them. Thank you for everything!
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