How long will meloxicam stay in your system?

I have the same issue that it only works for a while. I cannot come up with any other medication that I can take so I can make it through the rest of my day. I do have to work an 8 hour day. Unable to do anything once I get home. I need something else for all of my body aches so I can function normally. I have Sleep disorders so I cannot take medications that make me drowsy.

I had to stop taking it after 4 days. It actually did nothing for pain and so my pain was constant. The side effects were severe diarrhea, headaches and my lips chapped up (never had that before) I am at the first stage of controlling pain of RA before seeing a rheumatologist.

That doesn't make any sense. If the half life is 20 hours, then wouldn't it take only 40 hours... maybe 45-50 to be eliminated from the body, and not 80?

Let me try to explain. It takes 15 to 20 hours for half of this med to be out of your system. Then another 15 to 20 hours for half of the remaining half (or one quarter). Then, another 15 to 20 hours for half of that remaining quarter (or one eighth). The remaining sixteenth takes the last of the 15 to 20 hours.

LaurieShay - What an EXCELLENT explanation of how "half-life" is broken down and how to figure it out. As long as one knows the 1/2 life, figuring when it should be out of your system is a simple math equation. I am impressed with your knowledge!!