Ibuprofen

[Colleen H]

Hi all !!

Just curious because I am reading opposite information when I try to research. I'm fairly new.  I have all the strange symptoms including horrible jaw pain 

Are we " allowed"  to take ibuprofen for jaw and back pain ?  If not any suggestions?

I noticed with this pain also comes the nausea.  I find myself eating unsweetened applesauce.  Then having to take something for pain.😞.

However, im wondering if I'm just creating a larger mess for myself if I should not be taking ibuprofen.

I am open to suggestions and thank you so much !! 

[trents]

Welcome to the forum, @Colleen H! NSAIDs can damage small bowel villi like celiac disease does and can also cause peptic ulcers. It would be safer to use a prescription COX 2 inhibitor like celecoxcib which are easier on the gut. But even they should be used as sparingly as possible. 

[knitty kitty]

For back pain, I take a combination of Cobalamine B12, Pyridoxine B 6, and Thiamine B 1 (in the form Benfotiamine), which have an analgesic effect.  These three B vitamins together work way better than those over the counter pain relievers.  Theses are water soluble B vitamins that are easily excreted via the kidneys if not needed.  Thiamine will also help the nausea.

Interesting Reading...

Mechanisms of action of vitamin B1 (thiamine), B6 (pyridoxine), and B12 (cobalamin) in pain: a narrative review

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35156556/#:~:text=Some of these processes include,Analgesics

[cristiana]

I cannot tolerate it at all - triggers burning and nausea, ditto aspirin.  Here in the UK I take Paracetamol.

[Rogol72]

I also take Paracetamol. I haven't taken an NSAID in years since being diagnosed with UC. The can cause UC flares.

[cristiana]

I seem to recall that my digestive issues actually started when I was taking NSAIDs c. February 2013 for some unrelated condition.  My stomach got so sore during that time I went to see my GP and she thought it might be an ulcer or gastritis so prescribed me Omeprazole. 

That appeared to trigger diarrhea which, once I came off the Omeprazole, did not stop.  I went back to the doctors after a few weeks, and that finally led to my coeliac diagnosis, after months of unexplained neurological symptoms, low ferritin and anxiety,which did not seem to have a cause but of course we later realised was all down to coeliac disease.

I occasionally take a very small aspirin for a sick migraine which sometimes only responds to aspirin, but it usually leaves me with sore stomach a few days later.

I've been told co-codamol is another medication I could take with a sensitive stomach. I was once prescribed it, to use for just a few days. It is not an NSAID, but it contains codeine, which I understand can be addictive so should be used with care.  It can also cause constipation.  

 

 

 

[trents]

Paracetamol, aka, acetaminophen (Tylenol) just does not do anything for me as far as pain relief. It does help with fevers, though.

[Colleen H]

Ok thank you.  Me either 

[Colleen H]

On 10/14/2025 at 9:33 PM, trents said:

Welcome to the forum, @Colleen H! NSAIDs can damage small bowel villi like celiac disease does and can also cause peptic ulcers. It would be safer to use a prescription COX 2 inhibitor like celecoxcib which are easier on the gut. But even they should be used as sparingly as possible. 

 

[Colleen H]

Do you or anyone know alot about ibuprofen 

I wasn't sure if I was eating too much apple sauce.  

Something is making my pain so much worse 

I'm referring to the intense pins and needles in my feet and lower legs.  Jaw actually has tardive dystonia and muscle spasms throughout my back

Almost like an opposite effect that a pain reliever would do.

I'm fairly new to this. Whatever is going on seems to be worsening 

Do people get a withdrawal effect from gluten?  It's extremely painful 😖 

I'll post that question or research on the site 

Thank you everyone for responding 

[trents]

Yes, some people do get withdrawal from gluten but gluten withdrawal doesn't usually cause gut pain. Maybe more like general body aches and discomfort. We have articles on gluten withdrawal on this forum. You might do a search for them.

Applesauce is very acidic and some brands have added vitamin C (ascorbic acid) which makes them more acidic. This can damage the stomach lining if you eat it too often. Especially if your stomach lining is already compromised.

Ibuprofen inhibits the body's ability to rebuild the stomach's protective mucosal lining. That's why it can cause peptic ulcers. As strange as it may sound, low level irritation/inflammation stimulates the body to rebuild the stomach lining. There are two steps in this rebuilding process known as COX 1 and COX 2. Ibuprofen represses both COX 1 and COX 2. Celecoxcib, a prescription anti inflammatory, inhibits only COX 2, making it less likely to cause damage to the gut lining.

Edited October 20, 2025 by trents

[cristiana]

@Colleen H   I am just curious,  when you were tested for coeliac disease, did the doctors find out if you had any deficiencies?

Sometimes muscle pain can be caused by certain deficiencies, for example, magnesium, vitamin D, calcium, and potassium.   Might be worth looking into having some more tests.  Pins and needles can be neuropathy, again caused by deficiencies, such as iron and B12,  which can be reversed if these deficiencies are addressed.

In the UK where I live we are usually only tested for iron, B12 and vitamin D deficiencies at diagnosis.   I was very iron anemic and supplementation made a big difference.  B12 was low normal, but in other countries the UK's low normal would be considered a deficiency.  My vitamin D was low normal, and I've been supplementing ever since (when I remember to take it!)

My pins and needles definitely started to improve when my known deficiencies were addressed.  My nutritionist also gave me a broad spectrum supplement which really helped, because I suspect I wasn't just deficient in what I mention above but in many other vitamins and minerals. 

But a word of warning, don't take iron unless blood tests reveal you actually need it, and if you are taking it your levels must be regularly monitored because too much can make you ill.  (And if you are currently taking iron, that might actually be making your stomach sore - it did mine, so my GP changed my iron supplementation to a gentler form, ferrous gluconate).

Lastly, have you been trying to take anything to lessen the pain in your gut?  I get a sore stomach periodically, usually when I've had too much rich food, or when I have had to take an aspirin or certain antibiotics, or after glutening.  When this happens, I take for just a few days a small daily dose of OTC omeprazole.  I also follow a reflux or gastritis diet. There are lots online but the common denominators to these diets is you need to cut out caffeine, alcohol, rich, spicy, acidic food etc and eat small regularly spaced meals.  

When I get a sore stomach, I also find it helpful to drink lots of water.  I also find hot water with a few slices of ginger very soothing to sip, or camomile tea.  A wedge pillow at night is good for reflux. Also,  best not to eat a meal 2-3 hours before going to bed.

If the stomach pain is getting worse, though, it would be wise to see the doctor again.

I hope some of this helps.

Cristiana

 

 

Edited October 20, 2025 by cristiana

[Rogol72]

Some interesting articles regarding the use of Zinc Carnosine to help heal gastric ulcers, gastritis and intestinal permeability. I would consult a medical professional about it's use.

https://www.nature.com/articles/ncpgasthep0778

https://www.rupahealth.com/post/clinical-applications-of-zinc-carnosine---evidence-review

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7146259/

https://www.fallbrookmedicalcenter.com/zinc-l-carnosine-benefits-dosage-and-safety/

[Colleen H]

22 hours ago, cristiana said:

@Colleen H   I am just curious,  when you were tested for coeliac disease, did the doctors find out if you had any deficiencies?

Sometimes muscle pain can be caused by certain deficiencies, for example, magnesium, vitamin D, calcium, and potassium.   Might be worth looking into having some more tests.  Pins and needles can be neuropathy, again caused by deficiencies, such as iron and B12,  which can be reversed if these deficiencies are addressed.

In the UK where I live we are usually only tested for iron, B12 and vitamin D deficiencies at diagnosis.   I was very iron anemic and supplementation made a big difference.  B12 was low normal, but in other countries the UK's low normal would be considered a deficiency.  My vitamin D was low normal, and I've been supplementing ever since (when I remember to take it!)

My pins and needles definitely started to improve when my known deficiencies were addressed.  My nutritionist also gave me a broad spectrum supplement which really helped, because I suspect I wasn't just deficient in what I mention above but in many other vitamins and minerals. 

But a word of warning, don't take iron unless blood tests reveal you actually need it, and if you are taking it your levels must be regularly monitored because too much can make you ill.  (And if you are currently taking iron, that might actually be making your stomach sore - it did mine, so my GP changed my iron supplementation to a gentler form, ferrous gluconate).

Lastly, have you been trying to take anything to lessen the pain in your gut?  I get a sore stomach periodically, usually when I've had too much rich food, or when I have had to take an aspirin or certain antibiotics, or after glutening.  When this happens, I take for just a few days a small daily dose of OTC omeprazole.  I also follow a reflux or gastritis diet. There are lots online but the common denominators to these diets is you need to cut out caffeine, alcohol, rich, spicy, acidic food etc and eat small regularly spaced meals.  

When I get a sore stomach, I also find it helpful to drink lots of water.  I also find hot water with a few slices of ginger very soothing to sip, or camomile tea.  A wedge pillow at night is good for reflux. Also,  best not to eat a meal 2-3 hours before going to bed.

If the stomach pain is getting worse, though, it would be wise to see the doctor again.

I hope some of this helps.

Cristiana

 

 

Thank you.. Christina

My anxiety is through the roof.  I think it was from eggs.  I really don't know because my eyes feel sore. Like I'm allergic to them.  I was defient in B12.  

My heart is pounding and it won't stop.  Not sure what to do.  

I don't have much support other than this forum. 

 

Colleen 

[cristiana]

Hi Colleen

Are you supplementing B12/having injections?

I have learned recently that sometimes when you start addressing a B12 deficiency, it can temporarily make your symptoms worse.  But it is important not to stop the treatment. 

Regarding your problems with anxiety, again that is another symptom of a B12 deficiency.  

I didn't know what anxiety was until it hit me like a train several months before gastrointestinal issues began, so I can certainly relate.   Two books which helped me hugely were At Last A Life by Paul David (there is a website you can look up) and The Depression Cure: The Six-Step Programme to Beat Depression Without Drugs by Dr Steve Llardi.  Although his book is aimed at people who have depression, following the principals he sets out was so helpful in lessening my anxiety.  Llardi suggests we need to focus on getting enough:

- physical exercise
- omega-3 fatty acids
- natural sunlight exposure
- restorative sleep
- social connectedness
- meaningful, engaging activity
 

... and we should feel a lot better.

That is not to stay you must stop taking medication for depression or anxiety if you have been prescribed it, but adopting the changes Dr Llardi sets out in the book should really help.

Can I just ask two more questions:  1) you say that you are B12 deficient, did they test your iron levels too?  If not, you really ought to be checked for deficiency and, 2) did they check your thyroid function, as an overactive thyroid can be cause rapid heartbeat and a lot of coeliacs have thyroid issues?

Cristiana

 

 

 

 

Edited October 21, 2025 by cristiana

[Colleen H]

Yes thyroid was tested.. negative 

Iron ...I'm. Not sure ... Would that fall under red blood count?  If so I was ok 

Thank you for the detailed response..☺️

[cristiana]

Ferritin levels.  And see what your hemoglobin looks like too, that will tell you if you are anemic?  You can have 'low normal' levels that will not be flagged by blood tests.  I had 'low normal' levels, my lab reading was. c12, just over what was considered normal, but I had small benign lesion on my tongue, and sometimes a sore mouth, and a consultant maxillofacial ordered an iron infusion for me as he felt my levels were too low and if he  raised them to 40, it would help.   Because you are not feeling 100% it might be worth looking at your levels, then discussing with your doctor if they are low normal.  But I stress, don't supplement iron without your levels being monitored, too much is dangerous.