Hi, I shall be 88 years of age in a couple of weeks time, and keep well apart from a dull toothache like pain in my hips and lower back. And I find getting on and off buses, and going up and down kerbs, a bit of a problem. Also my balance isn't perfect. If I take over the counter painkillers this helps, but I don't like to do this on a regular basis because they irritate my stomach. I've had a MRI scan and they could not find anything wrong, and I've tried doing exercises on a regular basis but nothing helps. I have followed a healthy diet for many years. Anyone have any suggestions?
Replied by Art (California) on 10/10/2025
Hi Gracie, If over the counter pain relievers are helpful, but the irritate your stomach, you can make Ibuprofen into a topical lotion that will bypass your stomach. Here is how to test it to see if it will help you.
Take a shot glass and fill it three quarters full with your favorite hand and body lotion. Take three Ibuprofen soft gel pills and poke a hole in the end of each pill with a large needle. Squeeze the liquid out of each soft gel into the lotion. If you are unable to get most of the liquid out of the soft gels, use four soft gels. Once you have squeezed the ibuprofen liquid into the shot glass with the lotion, use something like a coffee stir stick to stir the lotion very very well to fully disperse the Ibuprofen into the lotion. Cover the shot glass with a jar cap or small saucer that sits flat on the top of the shot glass between uses. Apply to your painful areas and let us know if it helps you without irritating your stomach!
Art
