Hi, I have been having some pretty severe stomach issues and am not keeping much down. Because of this, I have frequent headaches and have lost nearly 20 pounds in 6 weeks. My question is that my doctor, (and I have no history of drug abuse or alcohol abuse) prescribed Etodolac instead of an actual pain medication. I was happy with that, until I got home and read that one of the first side effects is literally death . I am a person who always reads the paperwork, and while the risk may be small. It also says that it may cause stomach bleeding. I have already thrown up blood, and am unsure why my doctor did not just prescribe me Vicodin or Tylenol with Codeine, both of whose side effects are not typically death, stroke or heart attack. I m terrified to take it, and frustrated with my doctor.