Anyone know?

I'm kind of curious myself. I took quite a few ibuprofen over the years, and recently have started having stomach pains when I take them. Needless to say I'm taking as few as possible now.

All anti inflammatory medications can have an effect on the lining of the stomach, esophagus, and other GI organs. Stopping the medications is usually the best way to prevent the symptoms. Some patients can take these medications for a long time with no effects, while others are not so lucky. Celebrex is purported to be the least irritating of the NSAIDS, but this certainly does not make it symptom free. If you plan to take these medications for a long period of time, be sure to contact your doctor if you experience any black tarry stols, bloody vomiting, or stomach pain. Many physicians will prescribe medications for the stomach to help protect it like Nexium, Pepcid, etc. If you are not taking the medications any longer, I would doubt that any gastro effects would be caused by previously taking them. However, once a person has had an ulcer or other major irritation caused by these medications, they are cautioned for life not to resume them.

Out of curiosity, what are you taking these medications for? There may be others which would provide grerater assistance to you with fewer side effects.

A number of years back I read an article regarding a scientist that was looking for a cure for the common cold. And while he hasn't found a cure, what he did when he got a cold was to take a lot of ibuprofen, since the symptoms of a cold are basically a lot of inflammation.

I don't get a lot of colds, so I didn't do this often. But about two months ago I got really sick, and was popping them like crazy. It put the symptoms on the back burner, but obviously had an effect.

I stopped taking them about a two weeks ago when I started having some sharp pains in my stomach. Pain went away. Today I had some pain in my back so I popped a couple. Big mistake, right now I've got some sharp pains right at navel level. Next time I'll take Tylenol.

Careful with the Tylenol, too. Too much of that can cause liver problems!

For me, it took about 4 months of taking 4-8 Excedrin Migraine daily (yes, I know it was wrong). Ended up with 4 duodenal ulcers, h. pylori, thickened stomach wall, mysterious (biopsy-negative) mass above duodenum, food retention in stomach and now WBC of 21,000. No appetite, nausea w/no vomiting, 15 pound weight loss. Waiting on appt. w/Doc at Vanderbilt. Also have been having pain under my left arm area last 6 days - probably an inflammatory response of the lymphatic system.

Anyone with a similar situation?