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Honored Contributor
Posts: 13,913
Registered: ‎03-10-2010

Re: New rheumatologist wants me to stop NSAIDS


@Deree wrote:

 

"Traditional western docs and particularly specialists such as rheumies, endos, etc., are in the business of prescribing drugs.  They are not interested in finding the root cause of your problem, but merely treating symptoms".  

 

That's your view of what you call" traditional western docs". My view is not even close to yours and I will leave it at that. I have told this story enough times already on different forums here.

 

I suggest working with an holistic or integrative doctor and, if you can afford it, a Functional Medicine Doctor or Functional Medicine Nurse, who will help you get to the root cause of your issue.

 

I assume if @PilatesLover believes as you seem to say, who knows? You believe in alternative/holistic

/integrative/functional Medicine/Doctors/Nurses.

 

I know the definition of all those adjectives/verbs, but words like "functional" for a doctor/nurse? Pretty general term to me, no specificity.

 

Will stay with the doctors that have saved my life several times, those "not interested in finding my root causes", just keeping me alive. That along with their help bringing me back to the health and the physical fitness I now enjoy years later.

 

One can believe in different sources of medical and spiritual health, without putting down the ones that work differently.

 

 

hckynut 


 

hckynut(john)
Respected Contributor
Posts: 3,054
Registered: ‎05-01-2020

Re: New rheumatologist wants me to stop NSAIDS

[ Edited ]

I'm not familiar with these particular drugs but I have heard of doctors getting kickbacks for prescribing certain ones so I'd consider asking about that for 'full disclosure'. That's something I'd want to know before and not learn of it after. Just a thought.

Honored Contributor
Posts: 39,574
Registered: ‎08-23-2010

Re: New rheumatologist wants me to stop NSAIDS

@hckynut 

 

Thank you.  I'm sick of people downplaying the importance of well trained physicians by saying they only want to prescribe drugs That's baloney!   

 

There are a lot of very good specialists out there.  Like anything else, we need to do our research,

Esteemed Contributor
Posts: 7,322
Registered: ‎02-22-2015

Re: New rheumatologist wants me to stop NSAIDS

@ThinkingOutLoud   Where is your proof that physicians receive kickbacks for prescribing medications? It simply isn't the truth. Unless you are able to prove such a statement, don't gossip . . . ever.

 

The FDA would NEVER ALLOW such a thing to happen. Worse yet, any physician and pharmacist would quickly loose their licenses! What are you thinking when spreading such rumors? Consider the repurcussions. Neither of them could afford to do such a stupid thing since they would never have a job again. 

 

 

 

 

Money screams; wealth whispers.
Esteemed Contributor
Posts: 5,764
Registered: ‎07-26-2019

Re: New rheumatologist wants me to stop NSAIDS

[ Edited ]

 There are alot of side effects to NSAIDS . Some develop serious GI problems not only in the stomach but in the bowel.  So, suggest getting all the  info you can . Some may not even know they have damage until severe symptoms  unless you've had an upper & lower endoscopy .

 

"NSAID causes direct mucosal injury by many mechanisms including interfering with the protective effect of prostaglandins. They are reported to cause erosions, ulcers, hemorrhage, perforations, strictures and the complications of diverticulosis, in the small and large intestine."
Trusted Contributor
Posts: 1,517
Registered: ‎08-20-2014

Re: New rheumatologist wants me to stop NSAIDS

Thank you so much everybody for sharing your stories and thoughts.

 

The more I think about this, the more I see she is 100% correct.  For one thing, I took my NSAID, which is Voltarin a/k/a Diclofenac, religiously every morning and every night.  I was told you have to "keep a level" in your bloodstream to control inflammation.  I guess that's the old protocol.

 

It never dawned on me not to take it if I was having a good day.  I did some reading about Voltaren pills and was shocked at how much damage they do to the body.  It is responsible for my elevated liver enzymes, which new doc told me we need to get within normal range.  

 

A couple years ago I developed LPR, larengo-esophageal refux (SP?) and now I understand Volaren is the cause. 

 

I guess now is the time to roll with the punches and simply deal with it and develop a good relationship with my new doc.

Esteemed Contributor
Posts: 5,474
Registered: ‎09-08-2010

Re: New rheumatologist wants me to stop NSAIDS

Voltaren is different than Cymbalta. It has a different chemical mechanism. My father-in-law took it and said it was one of the worst drugs he has taken. It made him dizzy, and spaced out. Maybe your past Dr. was onto something, and you don't need to change medication's. Could always get another opinion.

Respected Contributor
Posts: 4,997
Registered: ‎03-12-2010

Re: New rheumatologist wants me to stop NSAIDS

My husband has RA.  There have been a lot of drugs put out even since he was diagnosed. 

 

He has been on Celebrex since diagnosis, but his dose has been lowered.  He was diagnosed with duodenal ulcers.  He did try Cymbalta, but it didn't help him, but everyone is different.

 

Since there have been many different treatments developed, I would give your new doctor a chance.  You can always hear what he says, and if you would like to think about it and research, say you will let him know.

 

Hyacinth

Highlighted
Respected Contributor
Posts: 4,997
Registered: ‎03-12-2010

Re: New rheumatologist wants me to stop NSAIDS


@BirkiLady wrote:

@ThinkingOutLoud   Where is your proof that physicians receive kickbacks for prescribing medications? It simply isn't the truth. Unless you are able to prove such a statement, don't gossip . . . ever.

 

The FDA would NEVER ALLOW such a thing to happen. Worse yet, any physician and pharmacist would quickly loose their licenses! What are you thinking when spreading such rumors? Consider the repurcussions. Neither of them could afford to do such a stupid thing since they would never have a job again. 

 

 

 

 


@BirkiLady 

 

As an RN, I can tell you there is some truth to the kickback idea.  It may not have been money per se, but drug companies routinely wined and dined doctors, had trips for "conferences," etc.  Today, they are very restricted on even giving out pens and pads of paper.  I worked in a few doctor's offices, and I saw what went on when the drug reps came in.

 

Hyacinth

Super Contributor
Posts: 286
Registered: ‎07-14-2019

Re: New rheumatologist wants me to stop NSAIDS

As a go-getter, she's not in the loop.  Cymbalta is the devil of a drug!  If you're on facebook, join cymbalta hurts worse group, you will swallow your teeth!

I have been on cymbalta since it came on the market, maybe twenty years or so.  I have been weaning off for two years now, taking out a few beads at a time because that's the ONLY way to get off this cr@p without having severe withdrawls.  Elli Lilly put this drug on the market knowing it's near impossible to get off of.

Stick with voltarin (I use this for my RA as well) and love her or not, find another dr if she insists.

good luck!