At least that’s what my doctor said when I went in recently.

The context is this: I hurt myself a year and more ago. Significant pain. In fact, it took weeks before it receded enough to realize it was focused on my arm.

In the course of treatment, they prescribed relafen for the pain – kind of a kinder, gentler ibuprofen.

Since then I’ve had times when I forgot to take the relafen, or ran out, or left it home when going on travel. Most recently I went on travel/vacation for several weeks without meds, and I was an achy, sore, irritable person by the end.

I’ve been taking the relafen religiously, night and morning, ever since.

I mentioned this to my doctor, and he was shocked. Apparently he never intended for me to take relafen on a long term basis.

“You’re young!” he exclaimed. “You’re just a baby! Only 46!” He proceeded to explain what long-term use of relafen could do. Oh my.

So I’ve been avoiding pain meds ever since. The doctor did refer me to Capsaicin cream, a remedy based on red hot chili peppers that works better than placebo and won’t destroy my innards.

I guess I’ll just have to start actually taking care of myself.

Tags: health, pain