I am 60 years of age and in generally good health but have the usual
arthritic aches and pains probably exacerbated by my exercise routine.

I had my yearly physical exam in December and asked my Internist if he
could prescribe something for these arthritic complaints. I told him
that sufficient dosages of Ibuprofen (600 mg. twice a day) are quite
helpful but it messes up my stomach as does Naprosyn.

My Internist is aware that my brother has psoriatic arthritis and said
he would subscribe a painkiller based upon the results of my blood
tests. Something about seeing if I had any protein or enzyme or
whatever which would give him some basis for what to prescribe.

After the blood tests came back he prescribed DAYPRO, 2-600 mg. tabs
daily. It seems somewhat effective but no more so than the Ibuprofen
or Naprosyn and it also cause some stomach upset.

I haven't had a chance to speak with my M.D. but was wondering if
anyone might know why he based his prescribing of the DAYPRO on my
blood tests?

Thanks,

Jim

jim

can only speculate that doc was checking gen'l blood workup to try to
determine if you were in the rheumatoid category of arthritis indicating
a need for an immuno suppressant type of drug -

if not, then you are [apparently] the osteo - wear and tear type only
needing the nsaid - non steroidal anti inflammatory - type of drug

since you had discomfort with one, he switched you from the naproxen
sodium [proprionic acid]

to a potassium salt of oxaprozin [daypro] in the hope that it wouldn't
cause as much irritation.

you are on a standard dosage with the 2X600 [total 1200] but having
discomfort - so the normal thing would be to now try [with doc
concurrence] a divided dose 1X600 twice a day and see if that gives
relief

Sy wrote:

Good point.

Thanks for your feedback.

Jim


In article <47EAC852.DD52D8A0@bellatlantic.net>, Paul T. Holland
<pholland@bellatlantic.net> wrote: