Arthritus,NSAID's, and platelets

Hi everyone. Been awhile since I have been on here.My arthritus in my neck has spread to shoulder,and elbow. Yadda yadda. Now that I can no longer lay flat on my back, I went to my latest pcp. Given meds for the pain, and cream for neck. Scared witless cause reading the warnings(voltaren gel), it talks bout side effects like bleeding, and platelet aggregation, and interfering with platelet function. I FINALLY went to my pcp,in the 1st place cuz the salves in the stores have similar warnings, except for Bengay, and I was confused. He was quite confident the meds I was given don't mess around w/ my ITP...But folks I am worried. The info says NSAID's can intefere w/ Platelets.My counts hover around 20,000 right now
So I was wondering is everyone with both ITP, and Arthritus doing/takeing,etc? I want to avoid meds as much as possible. Did my pcp just miss the boat on this, or should I not worry so much. Any help is appreciated.
PS I like the new board
Arnold S.

Arnold - I take many ITP no-no drugs and have not had any problems. My counts have been normal, but I did it even when I had low counts. Everyone is different and has to make their own decisions based on pros and cons.

Maybe you could start slow and see if anything happens.

So I don't have experience with this but I was just wondering - are you set up to be able to go get labs whenever you want?
If so, I would suggest trying the meds and then just going to get a count in a few days. If it's fine and the med is working for you, wait a little longer and go get labs again.
I can understand your paranoia though.

It's not just the count that can be affected, platelet aggregation can also be affected.

Hi Arnold,

Please keep us posted on your decision. If you do use the Voltaren Gel, I'd be most interested in the results. I did a quick search and it doesn't sound as if the gel is really recommended by the pharmaceutical company for either your arthritis (shoulder, neck) or mine (spine).

"Voltaren® Gel is indicated for the relief of the pain of osteoarthritis of joints amenable to topical treatment, such as the knees and those of the hands. • Voltaren® Gel has not been evaluated for use on the spine, hip, or shoulder."

Does anyone know if creams and gels would have less effect on platelets than oral meds?

Even though I know that no one really knows what causes ITP, I can't help but think that mine was triggered by oral Voltaren. This was in 2000, and I had finally found an NSAID that worked for my arthritis (then mostly knees). I had tried other NSAIDs with little good effect (Clinoril, INdocin), and then I tried Voltaren and had almost immediate relief. And then, within a couple of weeks, I was diagnosed with ITP.

Karen R

I don't see issues with occassional use of NSAIDs if I need them. When it's inflammation they just work better than Tylenal for me.

You might want to do a bit of research on the different NSAIDs, specifically COX1 vs COX2 inhibitors. www.medicinenet.com/cox-2_inhibitors/article.htm

If you do decide to go with the cream, then the other thing you may want to do is start reading labels for Salicylic Acid whose various forms include Asprin, Oil of Wintergreen, Astringents & Peels for Acne, and may be hidden it items like sunscreen lotions. It's unlikey that you would have a problem with these items, but you may want to go cautiously with the combinations until you have determined your baselines and re-actions.

Thanks everyone!! I am not going to use em. Just gonna tuff it out till the rainy season is over here. The pain pills scare me too. Info talks bout em being easilly addicting. Since this will be a life long thing, I think I will stick to my Bengay, and Tylenol-arthritus meds.-lol- I miss the old days when the only warning you got at the pharmacy was whether to take on full or empty stomach. They put them papers in the pkg's, and curious critters like me read em!!-lol- I see my latest oncologist in a couple months. Will bring this up to her, and see what she says...Thanks everyone!!
Arnold