As a nurse, I knew about the dangers of bleeding from taking Ibuprofen. What I did not know was there are other side effects. 5 years ago I had surgery on my knee after a fall. My surgeon said do not take Ibuprofen for pain because it interferes with the bone healing.
I take no medications and stay away from the medical system but I developed an inguinal hernia several years ago and finally had to have it surgically repaired. They provided me with opioids afterward, which I didn't take, but I found the most effective pain remedy was actually turmeric oil applied to the wound.
Good for you! Generally, I just need an examination and a diagnosis. Once what I suspected has been confirmed. I'm of the attitude that I'll take it from here. The last time I was in the doctor's office. I told them what was wrong with my feet before they took x-rays. Too much excessive standing on concrete at work which contributed to tendonitis, and every other type of feet pain I've experienced these past 20 years.
Your comment reminds me of what my homeopathic practitioner once told me: doctors are good for getting a diagnosis, so go if you want to know what's going on with you, but don't use them for anything else. (and as part of the exam I got after that, the doc said, "well, you're doing fine really; your blood pressure's a little high but we can get you on Lipitor for that." And I laughed in my head: no way, dude!
Have you tried The Good Feet store for your feet? (assuming there's one where you are). The testimonies from there are pretty persuasive. Just a thought. Thanks, Mary
Hadn't been to good feet yet. I did buy a pair of the Hoka Bondi SR leather shoes, wide width. Still some minor discomfort here and there. But if I hadn't bought those shoes. I would have had to leave my job. So if I wanna keep working. 1/2 inch to 1 or 2 inch sole shoes are my best bet. At least while I'm on the job. I barely have a pain when I don't go to work. The essential oils, apple cider vinegar and Epsom salt foot soaks do wonders for my feet too. Sometimes I'll throw some baking soda in the mix too. No side effects. No regrets.
I took turmeric orally post hip replacement. I often take turmeric alone or with ginger root for inflammation and/or pain. (be sure to use a formulation with bioperine for absorption and bioavailability)
When ibuprofen first came out in the 70s, my gynecologist prescribed it for menstrual cramps. It was a prescription, and the pills were 800 mg. 800. He said I could take it as much as I needed, could take more than one at a time, and didn't warn me to take it with food. I am certain he had no idea of the side effects. Fortunately, it didn't work for me, so I quit without messing myself up. But it has always been a warning to me that doctors are not totally up on the drugs they prescribe; they just parrot what the drug salesmen tell them. There is no such thing as a drug without side effects, as the TV commercials show. Thanks for this enlightening article.
Advil got me. Clearly the cause of the last ER visit. Cardiologist blamed it on beer. Which is way down the list of possibles. Never mentioned painkillers or sitting. Cha ching, luckily all insured. Guess I became a cash register for a while, but I have fought back, learning one things at a time, this being the last, unfortunately. Finally figured it out before this article. I'm doing well now.
Thank you for listing all of these effective alternatives to OTC pain meds. As I cannot take any opioids due to anaphylaxis, I’m always researching alternatives. Pycnogenol was one of which I was unaware – will definitely try it! One of the best things I’ve ever used for pain due to 2 broken bones in my foot and a cracked rib is a certified organic full spectrum water soluble CBD elixir by Ojai Energetics. It tastes awful to me, but 1 dropperful held under my tongue for a minute works within 15 minutes to relieve the pain for 6 to 8 hours.
Thank you for posting this. I have a brother in law that took Advil - he ended up in the hospital with a gastric bleed. His brothers take ibuprophen. My husband is going to try some of your recommendations.
Now at 71, I intuitively always had a healthy mistrust towards NSAIDS. We can't thank modern day hero Sayer Ji enough for his courageous work in bringing some very uncomfortable truths to the table. You're brilliant sir!
Another side effect that has been tied to Nsaid use is blood clots. My husband had two blood clots(a year apart) in his early 40s after moderate chronic ibuprofen use for his ankylosing spondylitis.
Ann Marie, I just recommended an article from A Midwestern Doctor of Substack fame on the many benefits of DMSO to Harry who suffers from migraines. In this same article, towards the end, there's plenty of information on the effects of DMSO in treating ankylosing spondylitis. It's a long article, well worth in its entirety:
When we look at natural healing, we also must see how Big Pharma is buying up the companies manufacturing these nutrients. There is a 20 way tie for which multi-national corporations are the most evil and deadly. Nestles must be in the top ten; knowingly debilitating and killing babies with putrid “formula”, child slave labor in their cacoa fields and so much more. Nestles bought Garden of Life; a brand I trusted but would not buy now.
We cannot trust what is on the label. Their sources cannot be trusted. We would need to take it to a lab to find out if there is any actual nutrient in it all or just capsules loaded with fillers or harmful synthetics. We, my husband and I have almost stopped taking nutritional supplements.
D3 as Cholecalciferol, is the identical ingredient exactly as D-Con uses for killing small animals. The lethal dose for them is very high, of course, but do we want (much less need) a small dose of poison every day?
The medical industry “test” for determining vitamin D levels is a fraud.
Therefore, hearing about the studies supporting natural healing, I wonder where we can find these? Who can we trust? Not many….
Here we go. Many years ago I used to frequent hospitals due to my AFib. I realized that Ibuprofen, I was taking to suppress my back pain, was the culprit for my cardiac problems but, when I did dare to tell doctors and nurses my suspicions, I was requested to shut up. Not nice. After all with a Ph.D. in Industrial Chemistry and a specialization in Fine Chemicals (namely Pharmaceuticals in my case) I did not deserved to be insulted.
I switched to Curcumine and that was the beginning of improvement for my health. I would like to meet again with those arrogant incompetent doctors and nurses just to have a chat.
Harry, there are many factors that may be causing your migraines. Painkillers will never address the cause or causes. I suggest you find a reputable acupuncturist. Results may not show up in a few weeks, it may take a few months, or maybe not, but sure it will address the causes, not the effects.
Another thing I'd suggest is DMSO. Are you familiar with the work of A Midwestern Doctor? He has become quite famous on substack, doing an amazing work bringing to light the many uses of this incredible substance. Here's an article you might benefit from: https://www.midwesterndoctor.com/p/how-dmso-heals-nerves-and-eliminates
Imagine the amount of hours those migraines are robbing you of the life you deserve (unless you're truly evil! 😂). Good luck!
i tried acupuncture/chinese medicine for migraines. for a while the daily drinking of the herbs seemed to help, at least keep them less frequent. but they eventually proliferated like rabbits.
dmso only works for certain kinds of migraines—not mine, which start with a sensation of a knife stab in the inner corner of my right eye, which always makes me think of frances farmer being lobotomized!
i have been on daily gabapentin to keep my nervous system underwhelmed (@Tom), which has its own negative side effects, & advil + a tryptan when i do get a migraine (3-4 times a month rather than 10-12).
i've experimented with COQ10 + L-carnitine, which worked for a new york minute, to get off the gaba, & have been wanting to try other natural remedies. curious about honey + ACV--thanks for that @Tom!
Hi Jaimie, when I recommended an acupuncturist, I explicitly used the word reputable. Like in any healing art form, we can find stellar or real bad professionals. From 1997 through 2001 we lived in an apt below an raving mad acupuncturist who displayed abnormal behaviors akin to a psychopath! It was a relief when we moved out of there. And if treatment is not producing results within the few first months then I'd try to find another practitioner. I always had tremendous success with acupuncture over the last 4 decades, always under the care of amazing professionals so, I urge you to try and find someone else. The beauty of it is that it will always look for the causes and once found, the symptoms disappear. Good luck!
thanks for your response, @Pedro. this acupuncturist is quite reputable & i have always left her table feeling, nervous system wise, amazing. unfortunately my health insurance doesn't cover her, & i'm beyond being able to pay out of pocket to keep diving into the mystery. ... i have used acupuncture (when i lived in nyc) successfully for other issues, especially carpal tunnel syndrome, which got cured in a new york minute! ... ~.~
Jaimie, I feel the pain as I'm in the same situation; now a retiree I can no longer afford any of my world class acupuncturists. In many cities one can find a community acupuncture clinic that offer group sessions on a sliding scale, where fees often range from $15 to $40 per visit compared to $100+ for private care. That could turn out as a great option for you. Good luck!
You may not be surprised to hear that Traditional Chinese Medicine is integrated into the healthcare system in a number of East Asian countries. Perhaps this is something the west could learn from the east, although I suspect your medico/pharma mafia are much stronger particularly in the US. I kind of always knew that, but it was doubly reinforced when I realised how much you in the west were propagandised about covid and the covid vaccines. Not once with anyone, neither friends nor family, faced any judgement for choosing not to get vaccinated. It was inconvenient as there were certain venues I couldn't access (though there were some ways around even that), but I didn't have any hatred, criticism, judgement.
Try Infrared Mat. Infrared recharges mitochondria lessening nerve pain. Also get infrared from Sun away from noon hours. Cold Winters adjust hours outside and infrared goes thru clothes.
That's what I used to say, Harry, but over time it gradually caught up to me in a big way.
DC Jarvis, MD, in Folk Medicine, links migraines to high emotions, fears, anxieties, and so forth. The blood may be alkaline, so at first sign, take a spoonful of honey, follow up with two tsp of apple cider vinegar (ACV). Daliy intake of ACV with honey at meals may reduce or eliminate them. Vaporizing ACV with water 50/50 inhaled can also work. And, Evil, I suppose, learn to relax!
Hi Harry , I resolve mist of the migraine with massaging the neck , deep tissue , immidiat releave , and stress is mist of the time the cause , greetings from Belgium
I learned by accident one day that one good sneeze can make my headache go away. I know from experience that nasal congestion has contributed to my headaches.
Could be a magnesium deficiency Evil Harry. Two people I know eliminated their migrane issues when they started getting more magnesium into their bodies.
I just try to avoid pharmaceuticals as much as I can , I have to take chemo daily and never really took any pharmaceuticals and I try to take as less what I can but daily painkillers is also needed for the moment. Regards Heike
When I was in ED with severe abdominal pain, I was offered toradol for pain. I was in a lot of pain, and also content to use my homeopathics and to investigate toradol's adverse effect profile.
What I found astonished me. I can't believe they would use it for a potentially surgical condition, as it causes bleeding and clotting. And all manner of other awful effects.
I declined.
I declined again when anesthesia wanted to use it as part of their routine meds for pain relief. "You're already giving me decadron for inflammation. I don't need toradol."
You cite taking Vitamin C as part of good alternatives, but a lot of what’s sold in stores as ascorbic acid is junk or worse - so which kind do you recommend, much thanks.
As a nurse, I knew about the dangers of bleeding from taking Ibuprofen. What I did not know was there are other side effects. 5 years ago I had surgery on my knee after a fall. My surgeon said do not take Ibuprofen for pain because it interferes with the bone healing.
Yes absolutely does …and I was also completely off NSAIDs when I had a knee injury due to a car accident.
I take no medications and stay away from the medical system but I developed an inguinal hernia several years ago and finally had to have it surgically repaired. They provided me with opioids afterward, which I didn't take, but I found the most effective pain remedy was actually turmeric oil applied to the wound.
Good for you! Generally, I just need an examination and a diagnosis. Once what I suspected has been confirmed. I'm of the attitude that I'll take it from here. The last time I was in the doctor's office. I told them what was wrong with my feet before they took x-rays. Too much excessive standing on concrete at work which contributed to tendonitis, and every other type of feet pain I've experienced these past 20 years.
Your comment reminds me of what my homeopathic practitioner once told me: doctors are good for getting a diagnosis, so go if you want to know what's going on with you, but don't use them for anything else. (and as part of the exam I got after that, the doc said, "well, you're doing fine really; your blood pressure's a little high but we can get you on Lipitor for that." And I laughed in my head: no way, dude!
Have you tried The Good Feet store for your feet? (assuming there's one where you are). The testimonies from there are pretty persuasive. Just a thought. Thanks, Mary
Hadn't been to good feet yet. I did buy a pair of the Hoka Bondi SR leather shoes, wide width. Still some minor discomfort here and there. But if I hadn't bought those shoes. I would have had to leave my job. So if I wanna keep working. 1/2 inch to 1 or 2 inch sole shoes are my best bet. At least while I'm on the job. I barely have a pain when I don't go to work. The essential oils, apple cider vinegar and Epsom salt foot soaks do wonders for my feet too. Sometimes I'll throw some baking soda in the mix too. No side effects. No regrets.
I took turmeric orally post hip replacement. I often take turmeric alone or with ginger root for inflammation and/or pain. (be sure to use a formulation with bioperine for absorption and bioavailability)
When ibuprofen first came out in the 70s, my gynecologist prescribed it for menstrual cramps. It was a prescription, and the pills were 800 mg. 800. He said I could take it as much as I needed, could take more than one at a time, and didn't warn me to take it with food. I am certain he had no idea of the side effects. Fortunately, it didn't work for me, so I quit without messing myself up. But it has always been a warning to me that doctors are not totally up on the drugs they prescribe; they just parrot what the drug salesmen tell them. There is no such thing as a drug without side effects, as the TV commercials show. Thanks for this enlightening article.
Advil got me. Clearly the cause of the last ER visit. Cardiologist blamed it on beer. Which is way down the list of possibles. Never mentioned painkillers or sitting. Cha ching, luckily all insured. Guess I became a cash register for a while, but I have fought back, learning one things at a time, this being the last, unfortunately. Finally figured it out before this article. I'm doing well now.
Thank you for listing all of these effective alternatives to OTC pain meds. As I cannot take any opioids due to anaphylaxis, I’m always researching alternatives. Pycnogenol was one of which I was unaware – will definitely try it! One of the best things I’ve ever used for pain due to 2 broken bones in my foot and a cracked rib is a certified organic full spectrum water soluble CBD elixir by Ojai Energetics. It tastes awful to me, but 1 dropperful held under my tongue for a minute works within 15 minutes to relieve the pain for 6 to 8 hours.
Thank you for posting this. I have a brother in law that took Advil - he ended up in the hospital with a gastric bleed. His brothers take ibuprophen. My husband is going to try some of your recommendations.
Sayer Ji, you are awesome. Excellent article. Thank you!
Now at 71, I intuitively always had a healthy mistrust towards NSAIDS. We can't thank modern day hero Sayer Ji enough for his courageous work in bringing some very uncomfortable truths to the table. You're brilliant sir!
Another side effect that has been tied to Nsaid use is blood clots. My husband had two blood clots(a year apart) in his early 40s after moderate chronic ibuprofen use for his ankylosing spondylitis.
Ann Marie, I just recommended an article from A Midwestern Doctor of Substack fame on the many benefits of DMSO to Harry who suffers from migraines. In this same article, towards the end, there's plenty of information on the effects of DMSO in treating ankylosing spondylitis. It's a long article, well worth in its entirety:
https://www.midwesterndoctor.com/p/how-dmso-heals-nerves-and-eliminates
All the best to you and hubby! Pedro
Thank you!
No wonder my friend can't get off the blood thinners. I think they could if they would get help to come off the NSAIDS.
When we look at natural healing, we also must see how Big Pharma is buying up the companies manufacturing these nutrients. There is a 20 way tie for which multi-national corporations are the most evil and deadly. Nestles must be in the top ten; knowingly debilitating and killing babies with putrid “formula”, child slave labor in their cacoa fields and so much more. Nestles bought Garden of Life; a brand I trusted but would not buy now.
We cannot trust what is on the label. Their sources cannot be trusted. We would need to take it to a lab to find out if there is any actual nutrient in it all or just capsules loaded with fillers or harmful synthetics. We, my husband and I have almost stopped taking nutritional supplements.
D3 as Cholecalciferol, is the identical ingredient exactly as D-Con uses for killing small animals. The lethal dose for them is very high, of course, but do we want (much less need) a small dose of poison every day?
The medical industry “test” for determining vitamin D levels is a fraud.
Therefore, hearing about the studies supporting natural healing, I wonder where we can find these? Who can we trust? Not many….
Here we go. Many years ago I used to frequent hospitals due to my AFib. I realized that Ibuprofen, I was taking to suppress my back pain, was the culprit for my cardiac problems but, when I did dare to tell doctors and nurses my suspicions, I was requested to shut up. Not nice. After all with a Ph.D. in Industrial Chemistry and a specialization in Fine Chemicals (namely Pharmaceuticals in my case) I did not deserved to be insulted.
I switched to Curcumine and that was the beginning of improvement for my health. I would like to meet again with those arrogant incompetent doctors and nurses just to have a chat.
I must try these natural alternatives, but despite the issues, Ibuprofen just works for me.
The pain relieving effect of a natural product would have to be as rapid and effective for me to switch.
I occasionally get migraines and Ibuprofen reduces the pain to a point where I can rest, if not actually function.
Having a migraine without access to Ibuprofen is an experience I have been tempted to solve in a seriously harmful / permanent way.
Harry, there are many factors that may be causing your migraines. Painkillers will never address the cause or causes. I suggest you find a reputable acupuncturist. Results may not show up in a few weeks, it may take a few months, or maybe not, but sure it will address the causes, not the effects.
Another thing I'd suggest is DMSO. Are you familiar with the work of A Midwestern Doctor? He has become quite famous on substack, doing an amazing work bringing to light the many uses of this incredible substance. Here's an article you might benefit from: https://www.midwesterndoctor.com/p/how-dmso-heals-nerves-and-eliminates
Imagine the amount of hours those migraines are robbing you of the life you deserve (unless you're truly evil! 😂). Good luck!
i tried acupuncture/chinese medicine for migraines. for a while the daily drinking of the herbs seemed to help, at least keep them less frequent. but they eventually proliferated like rabbits.
dmso only works for certain kinds of migraines—not mine, which start with a sensation of a knife stab in the inner corner of my right eye, which always makes me think of frances farmer being lobotomized!
i have been on daily gabapentin to keep my nervous system underwhelmed (@Tom), which has its own negative side effects, & advil + a tryptan when i do get a migraine (3-4 times a month rather than 10-12).
i've experimented with COQ10 + L-carnitine, which worked for a new york minute, to get off the gaba, & have been wanting to try other natural remedies. curious about honey + ACV--thanks for that @Tom!
Hi Jaimie, when I recommended an acupuncturist, I explicitly used the word reputable. Like in any healing art form, we can find stellar or real bad professionals. From 1997 through 2001 we lived in an apt below an raving mad acupuncturist who displayed abnormal behaviors akin to a psychopath! It was a relief when we moved out of there. And if treatment is not producing results within the few first months then I'd try to find another practitioner. I always had tremendous success with acupuncture over the last 4 decades, always under the care of amazing professionals so, I urge you to try and find someone else. The beauty of it is that it will always look for the causes and once found, the symptoms disappear. Good luck!
thanks for your response, @Pedro. this acupuncturist is quite reputable & i have always left her table feeling, nervous system wise, amazing. unfortunately my health insurance doesn't cover her, & i'm beyond being able to pay out of pocket to keep diving into the mystery. ... i have used acupuncture (when i lived in nyc) successfully for other issues, especially carpal tunnel syndrome, which got cured in a new york minute! ... ~.~
Jaimie, I feel the pain as I'm in the same situation; now a retiree I can no longer afford any of my world class acupuncturists. In many cities one can find a community acupuncture clinic that offer group sessions on a sliding scale, where fees often range from $15 to $40 per visit compared to $100+ for private care. That could turn out as a great option for you. Good luck!
You may not be surprised to hear that Traditional Chinese Medicine is integrated into the healthcare system in a number of East Asian countries. Perhaps this is something the west could learn from the east, although I suspect your medico/pharma mafia are much stronger particularly in the US. I kind of always knew that, but it was doubly reinforced when I realised how much you in the west were propagandised about covid and the covid vaccines. Not once with anyone, neither friends nor family, faced any judgement for choosing not to get vaccinated. It was inconvenient as there were certain venues I couldn't access (though there were some ways around even that), but I didn't have any hatred, criticism, judgement.
Try Infrared Mat. Infrared recharges mitochondria lessening nerve pain. Also get infrared from Sun away from noon hours. Cold Winters adjust hours outside and infrared goes thru clothes.
That's what I used to say, Harry, but over time it gradually caught up to me in a big way.
DC Jarvis, MD, in Folk Medicine, links migraines to high emotions, fears, anxieties, and so forth. The blood may be alkaline, so at first sign, take a spoonful of honey, follow up with two tsp of apple cider vinegar (ACV). Daliy intake of ACV with honey at meals may reduce or eliminate them. Vaporizing ACV with water 50/50 inhaled can also work. And, Evil, I suppose, learn to relax!
Hi Harry , I resolve mist of the migraine with massaging the neck , deep tissue , immidiat releave , and stress is mist of the time the cause , greetings from Belgium
I learned by accident one day that one good sneeze can make my headache go away. I know from experience that nasal congestion has contributed to my headaches.
Could be a magnesium deficiency Evil Harry. Two people I know eliminated their migrane issues when they started getting more magnesium into their bodies.
Great article thanks 🙏
I just try to avoid pharmaceuticals as much as I can , I have to take chemo daily and never really took any pharmaceuticals and I try to take as less what I can but daily painkillers is also needed for the moment. Regards Heike
When I was in ED with severe abdominal pain, I was offered toradol for pain. I was in a lot of pain, and also content to use my homeopathics and to investigate toradol's adverse effect profile.
What I found astonished me. I can't believe they would use it for a potentially surgical condition, as it causes bleeding and clotting. And all manner of other awful effects.
I declined.
I declined again when anesthesia wanted to use it as part of their routine meds for pain relief. "You're already giving me decadron for inflammation. I don't need toradol."
Crazy.
You cite taking Vitamin C as part of good alternatives, but a lot of what’s sold in stores as ascorbic acid is junk or worse - so which kind do you recommend, much thanks.
Try Vimergy Micro C