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cs_carver
Wed, Dec-13-06, 07:18
I've been taking etodolac for about 8 months now. It's a prescription NSAID. Need it for my mangled menisci, which are scheduled for repair in January, so there is an end to it.

For several months, I've been aware that there's a steady chorus of "I'm so tired" coming into my consciousness, although food and sleep and everything appears to be steady. And I'm not even overtly tired. I just keep saying this, almost as the default response to anything.

Consulting nurse told me yesterday that "fatigue" was one of the side effects of the drug.

--Given that crippling depression is the presentation of the pain, I am not willing to give up the pain-killing effect of the meds; could possibly change to a different drug but I'm way past where OTC meds touch it without their own complications.

--Have an appointment with the ortho in January and it would be difficult to get into the office to discuss meds before then; don't know that non-orthos would be very up on the finer points of NSAID side effects.

--Full inflammation-reducing supplement program already in place; got to surgery when it failed to control the pain. Should have gone years ago, so this may be an anti-vote for inflammation control, actually.

My question: Any ideas for treating the fatigue in the face of on-going ingestion of its trigger? I'm thinking CoQ10 just because the ads all say "more energy," but at $40/bottle and the articles suggesting it takes a month to see the full effects, I'm hesitating. Need to dig around to see if I kept the package insert. I know it said that they didn't know how the drug was metabolized in the liver, so I'm doubtful it will have any guidelines for treating the side effects.

thx

Nancy LC
Wed, Dec-13-06, 09:47
CoQ10 is a good thought. There's also a prescription medication that I've heard is somewhat amazing, they give it to people with autoimmune diseases like lupus that helps battle the terrible fatigue. I think it is called Plaquenil. www.rememdyfind.com would have it for sure. If I recall correctly, it didn't have many side effects.

Citruskiss
Sat, Dec-16-06, 09:41
How 'bout some sublingual -B12 lozenges? These might help.

Found some at Walmart for less than $6 - 2500 mcg per lozenge. Sweetened with artificial sweetener so no carbs either.

Hope you're feeling better soon.

Gostrydr
Sat, Dec-16-06, 10:23
I would be worried about being on a pain med for 8 months..you have to consider the possibility of ulcers and other gastrointestinal problems due to the supression of Cox-1.

Plus you will have rebound inflammation, usually systemic.
I definitely feel it is your meds causing your fatigue.

coQ10 should be taken with Carnitine if it is energy you are looking for. But it does take a while and I'm not sure if it would be of a benefit before your surgery.

good luck though, I hope all goes well for you

nawchem
Sat, Dec-16-06, 10:46
I went through a period of intense exhaustion while awaiting surgery, they put me on steroids. It reduced the inflammation totally for me and made me very, very hyper. Basically you take a high dose one day and then taper off over a few days. I'm not sure why but they said it was common to take steriods before surgery, that getting rid of the inflammation actually helps??? I had a very good recovery and didn't need any of the pain pills after surgery.