apop, the big problem with ASA is it’s narrow therapeutic window: It’s a lot easier to overdose on, just while trying to hit decent therapeutic levels. That’s less of an issue for the other NSAIDS on the market.
Wow. This thread initially dropped off the first page without any responses; thanks to all of you for your responses.
I’d wanted to keep my OP brief, but here’s my history.
–Diagnosed with migraines at seven years old. Migraines roughly monthly through highschool; rarely since then (I’m 40; been years since a true migraine).
–Lifelong, nearly daily low-level headache of some kind: usually above the eyes; usually similar anatomic “footprint,” as it were, to a migraine, but much much milder. Still interferes with work and concentration. Not neurological; tension/depression or blood-sugar related for the most part
–Aspirin knocks these headaches out cleanly and instantly. Tylenol is to laugh: like throwing BBs at an oncoming tank; acetaminophen is about as effective as corn chex on my headaches. Ditto naproxen. Ibuprofen works if I take prescription-level dosages, but not as quickly as aspirin. And since I go through so much of it—a handful a day for over 30 years—cost is a factor: generic aspirin all the way.
–Plus I have GERD, and have had two bleeding ulcers. So I need to stay away from aspirin anymore.
–Midrin does not work for me.
–The heavy duty one, prescription, starts with a D, forget what it’s called, works, plus makes me feel good all over. Don’t get it very often; probably a good thing. Ditto Vicodin.
So, post-recent-second-ulcer, nowadays I mostly just suffer, and take 3 extra-strength Tylenols at a time, hoping the placebo effect will do me some good.
Thoughts?
Have you tried the coated asprin? I belive they are as effective as the regular stuff, but much easier on your stomach.
Perhaps you should speak to your Dr/Pharmacist (assuming you haven’t already. :))
Yeah, I have, on both counts. Coated aspirin is expensive, and still frowned upon by my doctor.
Doctor’s advice: live through it, take Tylenol, take Midrin if it gets really bad. None of these is ideal. Just wanted to gather some details about the whole issue while I’m figuring out what to do.
My fiance recently experienced a bleeding ulcer and coated aspirin was one of the things he has been told not to take under any circumstances (I can’t remember why, though).
lissener, my fiance has been working with his doctor to get his migraine medication worked out satisfactorily since his bleeding ulcer occurred. He was using Maxalt before the ulcer (along with LOTS of aspirin). Now he’s on a narcotic (one every 12 hours) and Relpax (when a headache occurs). Seems to be working very well for him and he hasn’t had an aspirin or ibuprofen in over 2 months.
Keep working with your doctor. From the small amount of research I’ve done, it’s seems it’s not uncommon to have to try several different things to get your medication just right.
On reading your most recent post, might I suggest you find another doctor? Any doctor who would advise someone in pain to “live through it” can’t be very concerned about his patient.
Personally, I find that naproxen (a NSAID) made me very ill (gatro side effects) after one dose.
It’s odd that you say ibu. doesn’t help with swelling, since I would take 300 mg before and after running after my broken foot healed to reduce pain that I was told was due to swelling. This was on doc’s advice.
lissener, have you been tried on the triptans or at least the ergot preparations for your migraines? They’d be something posibly far more useful for treating a true vascular headache than all the pain-killers in the world.
Aleve (naproxen sodium) is also supposed to last for 12 hours before requiring another dose. YMMV.
Personally, I rejoiced upon finding several years ago that Anaprox had gone OTC so that I could buy it without a prescription; I was on the DS version of it for dysmenorrhea and none of the traditional OTC medications at the time had worked.
I never knew if this was a coincidence, but the last time I took naproxin I vomited a couple quarts of blood about six hours later.
Um, I would recommend you avoid ALL NSAIDS, and discuss that particular phenomenon with your physician.
QtM, MD
THanks; done. Well, with the ER doc and the staff GI doc who scoped me; inconclusive if the naproxen did it, or chronic aspirin use and coincidental naproxen the day of.