Long-term use of NSAIDs is bad for the kidneys, the docs are supposed to be doing blood checks to keep an eye on your kidney function numbers, the problem is once the numbers get to the point where the doctor says you need to stop, that also means you cannot ever use NSAIDs again unless it's a one-time use event that had years between uses.
When I had lower back fusion done, I stopped taking the strong stuff about 3 or 4 days after the surgery, though my doctor thought I was nuts, so I got off the powerful stuff and went to ibuprofen for about a month then stopped that as well, but did take it when it flared up too much and I couldn't sleep, but only one dose. I've taken Ibuprofen over the years prior to the back surgery due to other injuries, but always kept it limited, my numbers are slightly elevated from what normal would be, but the doc said there was nothing to worry about and that they were well within the safe region.
My wife on the other hand has high numbers, and they told her she can't take any NSAID type of product for the rest of her life, but for pain that's all they have! She has taken it despite the warnings because they won't give her anything else, so she gets to a point where she gets tired of her pain and takes it. Opioids have been virtually banned due to addiction problems, and the rest of the OTC stuff is useless. There needs to be a new painkiller and swelling reduction medicine that won't damage the kidneys or some other organ.
