I am take one pill about 2 hours before I go to bed. Each time on a full stomach. Today I received my spinal xray results and I do have scleroisis. I have 2 curves. One is at the upper part of my spine and bends to the right; the other curves to the left lower down. I find the Arthrotec provides tremendous pain relief and allows me to do more. When I took Extra Strength Tylenol before it did not last long and I often felt breakthrough pain and had very vivid dreams with it.

Can Arthrotec be taken a long, long time??

Hi Magic,
Ive just looked it up and from what I read I would say yes its an NSAID its worth you looking it up.

Kevin

looks like its a NSAID with a stomach protector built in.

as for how long can you take it? i think that depends on the individual. some people take NSAIDs for years, no problems with their stomachs. others almost die from bleeding ulcers with or without the stomach protector, sorry to be so graphic, but it is true. i have gastritis, even on a stomach protector, even without taking NSAIDs, for me its a genetic thing, mostly controlled most of the time, but does negate me from being able to even think about taking NSAIDs.

so the short answer to your question, think its highly variable from person to person.

Hi Magician,... if you tolerate it well, then yes.

I've been taking Voltaren (Diclofenac) daily for somewhere in the neighbourhood of 26-27 years straight. Practically without fail, I've always taken it on a full stomach and still pay careful attention for any hint of trouble but have been fortunate in that respect.

Glad you are enjoying some decent pain relief!
Take care,
mig

Hi, Magician

I've been taking Arthrotec for 8-10 years (brains gone to mush, can't remember exact length of time ), but I've found them hard on my stomach. I take Lansoprazole to help with the stomach pains.

If you're getting relief with the Arthrotec, a little stomach upset isn't hard to bear.

Hugs

I had such stomach pain for three days last week. Gas beyond belief and a swollen stomach. Stopped taking the athrotec for a day and drank milk which only added to my gas issue. lol Now I am back to taking it regularly. sleeping 9 hrs and waking up with minor stiffness/pain.

thank you for your reply! sorry they are hard on your stomach.

wow, mig! ur my athrotec hero, girl! In an hour I take my Celexa to begin lifting up my spirits.

I had a really idiotic cab driver drive me home from my orthotics apptment and then from the chiropractor appt. He basically accused me of taking advantage of my illness and 'milking' the system. Then asked me if I would 'sell' him a pain pill!

This is a great resource site for both my spinal issue and also for AS:
http://arthritis-symptom.com/siteindex.htm

yep it does have a built in stomach protector. Otherwise it would shred my stomach for sure. Upon recommendation by my pharmacist I have begun taking it an hr before bed so I can 'take advantage' of its pain relief and sleep better. This works for me.

thank you, Kevin.

they used to prescribe milk for ulcers (since milk is alkaline) but later discovered that the calcium (in dairy) causes the stomach to produce even more acid, resulting in rebound acidity and pain. must say from my own experience that i did find this to be true as well.

I very seldom drink milk even tho I just love it! milk, cheese, etc make me gassy. I take a single chelated Cal.Mag 2:1 pill with Zinc, Vitamin D & C for my bones. I also add in a single pill of Digest More with each meal. This pill is an Advanced Plant Enzyme formula which helps my intestines and digestion. When I take them all gas stops and I feel 100%. When I stop taking them the gas comes back. Both are gluton free.

sounds like your gas from the milk could simply be lactose intolerance? just saying if stomach is acidic/inflamed/ulcers/gastritic, milk is not the right thing to use, like they used to think it was, since it seemed like you were making the connection between the drug and the stomach. for me, it seems to be the calcium causing the problem, as even calcium supplements cause my gastritis to flare, however, i can get my calcium from Total cereal no problem, thank goodness i'm not sensitive to gluten as far as i can tell.

You only take it once a day? I'm confused, I take it twice a day - haven't noticed much relief.

yes for the 1st month I was told to take it just once a day as it is supposed to last 12 hours. Now I am to take it twice a day plus take Extra Strength Tylenol as needed. Swear they are gonna turn my into a serious druggie! lol

I know what you mean, Magician. Every time I get a new tablet I need another one to counteract one or more side-effects.

But, I guess, if the tablets work then we're just gonna have to keep taking them.

I hope the Arthrotec keeps working for you.