So one of the big news stories out there right now is all about the painkillers that increase your risks of heart attacks (cox 2 inhibitors). They're usually described as drugs for arthritis. The press seems just shocked and appalled that they ever got on the market and that they aren't going to be pulled.

But here's the thing. Cox2 inhibitors aren't just used for old people who wake up a little stiff in the morning. I don't have arthritis, but I've been trying to treat pain for years. I've tried every drug now making the list as potentially dangerous. The one that worked best for me was Bextra. I took it every day for about a year. The others - just a few months usually.

So yeah - I'm one of the people "at risk." So I had a long conversation with my doctor about it. His attitude is pretty much, eh - you're not taking it anymore, don't worry about it. Nobody really knows what's going on with these drugs.

But here's the thing. If my pain relapses, I'm going to demand somebody give me Bextra. I'd fight tooth and nail for it, if it were taken off the market. It was the only thing that put a dent in incapacitating pain. The slightly increased risk of heart problems is definitely a risk I would be willing to take. Don't get between me and my Bextra.

Anyway, as usual - news reports are all about the fear. Don't take it at face value. Cox 2 inhibitors should definitely stay on the market.

Books: Working on finishing up a comic script I thought I'd already finished.