Pain Relievers MAY CAUSE DEATH!

Joe and Terry's Blog April 20, 2007

Remember when you were a kid and you told your mother that everybody else was doing something you wanted to do too? For most moms that excuse never worked!

That’s why we’re so surprised to see the latest Celebrex ads. The first paragraph says it all:

“When it comes to relieving arthritis pain, you may think some prescription NSAID pain relievers, like ibuprofen and naproxen, don’t have any cardiovascular risks. But based on the available research, that’s not clear. And if you look closer, the FDA requires all these NSAID pain relievers, including Celebrex, to have the same cardiovascular warning.”

Read between the lines and what they’re saying is that all these anti-inflammatory drugs have the same risks. Gee, what a great excuse! How about it, mom? Why not take Celebrex since all these drugs may increase the risk for heart attacks and strokes?

In some respects, Pfizer’s candor is refreshing. The ad states unequivocally that “Any prescription NSAID, including Celebrex, may increase the chance of heart attack or stroke, which can lead to death.” The next paragraph reinforces the message, “All NSAIDs, including Celebrex, also increase the chance of stomach and intestine problems, such as bleeding and ulcers, which can occur without warning and may cause death.”

Such clear warnings should give people pause. Most of us would prefer to avoid things that “may cause death.” On the other hand, drug companies have figured out that many people ignore such dire messages. (Take a look at a pack of cigarettes if you need verification.) And if someone were to experience a stroke or heart attack, the drug company is likely off the hook. After all, they told you so! It’s your own damn fault if you die prematurely.

There may be a place for Celebrex and other NSAIDs. But the research shows that such drugs are not miracles against arthritis pain. Given the risks that Pfizer lays out so clearly, we’re sticking with home remedies, fish oil and aspirin.

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Comments

I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF ANYTHING ELSE CAN BE DONE. I
HAVE HEEL SPURSUNDER BOTH HEELS. I`VE HAD ALL THE CORTISONE SHOTS ALLOWED..I`VE HAD SHOCK WAVES ON BOTH FEET..I AM NOW DOING EXERCISES
THE DOC GAVE ME, BUT I AM STILL IN PAIN DAILY..SOMETIMES
IT`S SO BAD I HAVE A HARD TIME TO WALK. DO YOU HAVE A
GOOD REMEDY FOR HEEL SPURS?
YOU HELP WOULD GREATLY BE
APPRECIATED...PLEASE ADVISE... THANK YOU IN ADVANCE,
ROLANDE DUMOND

Posted by: Rolande | April 20, 2007 5:19 PM

Re:Medical Update, Saturday's Bradenton Herald Yes, Ambien CR also caused me to have an upset stomach; however, Ambien 5/10 does not. I take Ambien 10 with a full glass of milk just before going to bed and I get a good night's sleep and I have a good next day without being drowsy.

Posted by: Mary Hale | April 21, 2007 10:03 AM

I will never buy petfood again. I cook for my two little italian greyhounds now. Both of them have been sick from the food i bought.
As far as generic drugs go, i have to take them because they are cheaper.

And tell me why are the drug companies advertising on TV? Their ads are never ending. We have so many hypochondriacs in this country, and this makes it even worse. I wish the FDA would do the job they are getting paid for.

Thank you.

Posted by: Annemarie Simmons | April 24, 2007 9:00 AM

I have two Boston terriers and have been making their doggie dinners since the pet food wihdrawal, but I have a back-log of jerkey treats by Think.Treats. The web site is listed on the package, but when I went in, the web site had been closed down.

My older dog uses a Purina product that I buy at the veterinarian's so I think it should be ok, but I have even refrained from using it all the time. These treats are basically lamb and rice, and the box the dogs just finished had been purchased a long time before the scare. My question is where can I really find out if this new batch (I have several plastic containers that my husband bought at Costco (or maybe Albertson's)is ok?

Luckily I do not take any drugs myself--only Vitamin C and aspirin.

Any info will be appreciated.

Posted by: Susan C. Dawson | April 29, 2007 5:51 PM

Hello Susan,

It is strange that the ThinkTreats website is offline. Their parent company, Del Monte, has a page about the recall here: http://www.delmonte.com/petfoodrecall.html

The contaminated ingredients known so far include wheat gluten and rice meal.

If you are concerned about these treats, call your vet or take the package to them. They should have a definitive list of recalled pet foods.

Posted by: Sarah (webmaster) | April 29, 2007 10:39 PM

I wish that I saw your article on heel spurs beore I went to the doctor. He said it was not a steroid injection that he put in both of my feet, but I found out later that it was dexamethosone, and the internet revealed that it was a steroid. I had the worst throbbing pain not only in the heel from the spurs but from the injection itself. Also I was wide awake for hours...could not sleep. Living on Advil right now. But will take fish oil and aspirin as you suggest in your article. Have been doing the stretches and exercises for years. Was desperate for relief. Thanks.

Posted by: mary marinello | August 21, 2007 5:29 PM

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