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Is Ibuprofen Advisable For Arthritis Pain In Knees, Lower Back And Shoulder?

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Posted on Tue, 2 Feb 2016
Question: Would you recommend ibuprofen for arthritis pain in knees, lower back, shoulders? I am 61 years old. I Have worked outside most of my life as I am a Land Surveyor. My knees are real weak. I retired at age 52 and gained approximately 100 lbs. I decided that this was enough and I decided to come out of retirement in 2014 and get myself going again. I now walk 2-3 miles every other day, swim laps at a health club, and of course working outside is quite challenging. I also have a heart pacemaker for afib and have vertigo for the last 8 years. Do you have any suggestions for strengthening my knees? (exercises?, leg presses?, Etc)

As of this date, I have lost approximately 55 lbs. I also drink water with organic lemon juice in it. I now weigh 275 lbs and am already feeling better. I now have more stamina and breathing isn't as labored. I am just now taking Coreg for high blood pressure; (135-160/75-90) on the direction of my cardiologist. I hate taking pills. I have one cup of coffee in the morning with creamer (lo-fat). I drink 6-8 oz. of prune juice every morning. And one of my doctors' told me to also drink green tea with lemon and a little honey. He is also a believer in turmeric. I have a light breakfast - 2 bagels with cream cheese, 2 bananas and sometimes a couple of pieces of dill Havarti with some salami for protein. I usually don't have a regular lunch. I have some apples along with water and usually have a good dinner. I also take Lamictal (100 mg), Lorazepam (0.5 mg x3 daily), Duloxetine (Cymbalta - 60 mg/day), Eliquis (5 mg/ 2x/day).
doctor
Answered by Dr. Shafi Ullah Khan (31 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Losing weight is the key

Detailed Answer:
Thank you for asking

I read your question and i understand your concern. Knee pain and arthritis can be relieved by NSAIDs and ibuprofen is an NSAID. But i believe the cause for it is the weight your knees are bearing. YOu need toreduce that, that is the best treatment. Its good news that you lost 55 pounds but still you have a long way to go as 275 pounds is still very high. Body weight is beared by kness and it worsens arthritis no matter what you do as age related articular degeneration is accelerated in such cases.

Nutshell, take painkillers like ibuprofen and continue this good diet and lifestyle measures you already adapted and better sign up to an FDA approved weight loss program and let them help. As losing weight alone will help with all your problems of knee pain, heart problem, shortness of breath etc.

I hope it helps. Take good care of yourself and don't forget to close the discussion please.

Regards
Khan
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Shafi Ullah Khan (22 minutes later)
Do you have any suggestions for strengthening my knees? I used to use an elliptical trainer years ago. Do you recommend this? And, do you also have any other exercises that you can suggest? I forgot to tell you that I have had 2 arthroscopic knee surgeries - each knee, back in 1994 and 1996. They are weak and painful after walking/working long distances, accompanied by lower back pain.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Shafi Ullah Khan (14 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Weight loss is the key. Physio trainer will give the exercises

Detailed Answer:
Thank you for getting back to me

Knee strengthening is only possible if the muscle attached to it are strengthened. Knee strengthening exercises are the best. Exercises involving muscles around like thigh muscles, quadriceps, hamstrings etc all should be involved. Knee flexion and extension exercises and jogging walking etc. Talk to a physical therapist and let them give you a set of exercises to helpt he knee strengthened but as i mentioned earlier, getting these pounds off will be the main key.

I hope it helps.
Regards
Khan
Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
Answered by
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Dr. Shafi Ullah Khan

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :2012

Answered : 3613 Questions

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Is Ibuprofen Advisable For Arthritis Pain In Knees, Lower Back And Shoulder?

Brief Answer: Losing weight is the key Detailed Answer: Thank you for asking I read your question and i understand your concern. Knee pain and arthritis can be relieved by NSAIDs and ibuprofen is an NSAID. But i believe the cause for it is the weight your knees are bearing. YOu need toreduce that, that is the best treatment. Its good news that you lost 55 pounds but still you have a long way to go as 275 pounds is still very high. Body weight is beared by kness and it worsens arthritis no matter what you do as age related articular degeneration is accelerated in such cases. Nutshell, take painkillers like ibuprofen and continue this good diet and lifestyle measures you already adapted and better sign up to an FDA approved weight loss program and let them help. As losing weight alone will help with all your problems of knee pain, heart problem, shortness of breath etc. I hope it helps. Take good care of yourself and don't forget to close the discussion please. Regards Khan