Is anyone allergic to non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs eg. Ibuprofen etc? Any GP's help?

[getmeouttahere]

I am currently suffering badly with costo-chondritis (inflammation of the rib joints) and really need to take some NSAID's.

However, I have previously had a reaction to mefenamic acid and am nervous I might be sensitized to them and end up with a severe reaction this time.

Paracetamol is hardly toughing the nagging pain in my chest.

** touching

When you say reaction, what do you mean?

You can take cocodamol which is a bit stronger than paracetamol, and not a NSAID.

have you tried asprin?

asprin is a NSAID, it might not be NSADs in general that you are reacting too, and again it does depend what you mean by reaction. You can take co codamol and you can get this over the counter, however, see your doctor as you cant get the real strong ones. Maybe phone NHS direct. Dont take the mefenamic acid again though

Thanks for reply LEM.

The 1st time I took Mefenamic Acid I was fine. The 2nd time (after the first dose) I was kept awake most of the night with an intensely itchy and blotchy rash, a scratchy throat and itching inside my ears (trust me on that! LOL). didn't take another dose and it faded after 48hrs.

I have never had reactions to meds before and have comfortably taken Ibuprofen in the past before this.

TBH, I am scared of getting an even stronger reaction if I take any NSAID again (I am a bit of a wuss and my body, which used to be pretty indestructible, seems to be going a bit haywire as I get older.)

My GP gave me Co-codamol. Will try that tonight just to get a bit of shut-eye.

That definately sounds like an allergic reaction, and funnily enough i know exactly what you mean about itchy ears as i suffer from hayfever. You wont ever have an allergic reaction on first exposure, but it is common for subsequent reactions to be more severe - so as well to steer clear of the mefanamic acid. Allergies are a very specific reaction to a very specific allergen (substance that causes an allergic reaction) I would have guessed that you reacted to something in the MA and it may well, in fact is not likely to be present in other NSAIDS, BUT, if it were me, i would be like you, and not take the chance as i have been hospitalised with anaphylactic shock and it was very scary. I always keep antihistimine in the house just in case (piriton or zirtec), my reaction was not that severe, but enough to scare me. The fact that you have taken ibruprofen in the past also suggests that you are not allergic to it. Maybe have a chat with your doctor or pharmacist to see if they have any thoughts.

I did speak to my GP about whether I should take ANY NSAID this week when I was consulting her about the persistent nagging pain in my ribs. I am desperate to get some relief as it is affecting my sleep and my job.

Long story short, she recommended I try a low dose of Ibuprofen and see what happens. Errr, no thanks, I don't want to be hospitalised in anaphylactic shock thank you. That sounds really scary and like a horrible experience for you. Don't worry, you didn't place that idea in my head, it was already there (thanks to the www). She is a very good GP in other ways, I'm just not sure she is taking me seriously on this.

I gave up on the mefenamic acid a long time ago. Would rather have bad period pains than be awake all night with 999 on speed dial!

Thanks for your insight LEM.

GP's can prescribe a low dose of anytryptiline (sp) for pain, maybe you should consider this. It's a low dose antidepressant but it has other uses aswell and has been noted as good for chronic pain.

thanks avenanap