[Beautiful_Pain]

I had been taking the generic IB800s for over 3 years, they were covered by tribal health and while things were tight financially, I didn't have a choice. I also didn't know they would be any different from the OTC kind. Ok, well in September (I was going to post earlier and never got around to it) right after my husband and I got a car, we were going to go for a short drive as I hadn't been in it yet. I didn't have a set or two of pills in the glove box yet and didn't take some from the house, as we were only going for a short drive (30 minutes or so at most) and I had taken my pills 3 hours before, so I would be due to take soon after we got back. Well, about 10 minutes into the drive, he comes up with the idea of driving to a larger town about an hour away. I told him I didn't have my IB, even. I told him we'd have to stop and buy some, that they'd have to do (thinking rx ones were better) until we got back. So, he stopped at a small gas station and they had those little blister/foil packs of ibuprofen. They were name brand OTC Motrin. He got us something to drink and we drove on. Now, when the time came to take my IB I kept the 800mg dose, taking 4 Motrins. It was as we were almost to the town. We went to a store and started looking around. At first I was kind of shuffling the way I usually do, slightly bent over and using the cart like a walker. We got a couple things and I went to sit on the benches while my husband stood in line to check out. It took quite awhile, the store was crowded and there were only a few lanes open. It was probably 30 minutes, and it was about 30-40 minutes we were in the store shopping. When he got checked out and I stood up to go to the parking lot, I didn't struggle--he didn't have to help me up even. (and he had to help me out of the car when we arrived at the store) I thought maybe it was walking some, but I hadn't overdone for once. We went to a couple other places and then went to eat before heading home. It was almost 4 hours (like Very close 10-15 mins?) when we went into the restaurant. I was stiff and in alot of pain, again. I took the Motrin after I ate, and had to be helped into the car. In the hour it took us to get home, I was feeling alot better again. It was the Motrin. I have started taking it instead of the prescription kind and in the mornings it doesn't take as long for me to loosen up. The RA is still very bad, and is lately going into my elbows significantly, but the Motrin helps more. Exception is if I do too much, like I did cooking for Thanksgiving, I was laid up for 4 days afterwards. x] But, in general, OTC Motrin helps me more and isn't as hard on my stomach.

I don't know if anyone else who takes IB knows this already, but I thought I'd share my experience. Maybe someone else can benefit too

[bebop]

(((BP)))) honey that is wonderful! I am so glad you found at least some relief! woo hoo! doing the happy dance for you my friend!

[Beautiful_Pain]

{{{Bebop}}} I'm glad too, thank you Now to just get into a new rheumatologist, or referred to one correctly, and maybe in 6 months I may be able to do something

[Taonuviel]

actually, i hadn't noticed it's the same as the prescription pills, but my doctor told me to take the same thing - 4 200mg ibuprofen. it does work pretty well.