Laurie, I am so glad you asked this question - I didn't ask my GP and here's what happened.

I have chronic pain in my back and neck. Constant pain, every day. I've had surgeries...but I'm in constant pain. (Surgeries were successfu and were performed many years ago,l but I have many bulging disks and degenerative disease; I had two herniated discs removed and had titanium total disc replacement.)

I took Advil daily for many years, wanting to avoid opiates. Last year, I stopped digesting food. I thought I was having a severe IBS flare up. Visited my GP.

He ordered a colonoscopy and an endoscopy. Results were abnormal in my abdominal area. I had tears in my stomach so food was "going right through me." It was due to daily Advil use. Not abuse, but every day for a long time. I'm lucky in the sense that I barely escaped having holes, "only" tears.

My GP said I can never take Advil/Ibuprofen again. Never. He said he needed to put me on a pain management protocol. I take Flexerill (muscle relaxer) and a small dose of Percocet with Tylenol in it. I'm vigilant about using only as directed. It's PRN every 4-6 hours.

Advil didn't control my pain, just helped a small bit. The quality of my life has dramatically improved physically and mentally since being put on pain meds. I see my GP every three months and I've only had one 5 milligram increase in two years. No cravings or urge to take more than I am directed...I don't get "high," I'm fortunate.

My GP is conservative with his prescription pad, but I've been seeing him since I was 18. We have a long history with trust. I didn't ask for pain meds, he decided I needed the meds and he will handle my care. My pain still exists, but it has dramatically decreased.

My psychiatrist is aware of exactly what meds my GP prescribes me and vice-versa as to my GP...we update any psych med adjustments during my three month check up. I call monthly to pick up my Percocet Rx and he calls in my Flexerill.

I drink no alcohol whatsoever. I do take Klonopin and have had no safety issues. I have occasion dizziness, but I have very low blood pressure and some of my psych meds cause dizziness. So, I have to be cautious and I have a shower chair that I use (a little but stable stool for shower safety use.)

My stomach has healed, fortunately and the pain meds do not affect my bipolar disorder or anxiety. I'm not attempting to scare you off Advil nor am I promoting pain meds - I wanted to share my experience having used Advil daily for years.

Take care and PM me anytime.