Medication query - newly diagnosed RA

LilyC

Hi There,

I was diagnosed with RA recently and have just joined the forum. After a visit to my GP with questions I had after picking up new medications I have been prescribed he suggested trying to stop the anti inflammatories (naproxen) while I take methotrexate. He did go on to say that lots of people do take both medications and are ok on them. I have noticed that pain and stiffness is increasing since stoping the anti inflammatories and I think I'm going to have to go back on them but I'm concerned about why there needs to be caution about taking the two together. I wondered if you might know at all?

Thanks Lily.

valval

they will be along in a bit i just a forum member i took naproxen for couple of years did help but some of the side affects made me stop not tried meth as yet as meds i am on helping will be looking in to see for future reference good luck you can always phone gp to find out why?? val

LilyC

Hi Val, thanks for that.
I didn't think about phoning GP, just the appt side of it..to be honest it feels like I've been there more times over the last few months I have for the last 10 years! I thought I'd try a different info source....but I like the idea of a phone call...

Cheers Lily x

tillytop

Hi Lily and welcome to the forum.

I'm a forum member not a member of the helpline but I thought I would just say "hello". Meth and anti-inflamms are often prescribed together but I think my meth information leaflet says that anti-inflamms can increase the toxicity of meth - hence the caution. That said, if you have only recently started the meth it won't have had time to take effect yet (I think they say it can take up to 12 weeks - and whether that is 12 weeks on the full dose, I don't know). I think you do need to check with the GP - or the rheumatology clinic for advice but I would have thought that the time to see if you can manage without the Naproxen would be once the meth has had chance to start working. Does your rheumatology clinic have an advice line you can ring? Mine does and you just leave an answerphone message and one of the rheumatology nurses gets back to you within a couple of days.

You might like to re-post your message on the Living with Arthritis (LWA) forum too Lily - cos more people look there and you will, I'm sure get some more replies.

Love Tillyxx

helpline_team

Hi Lilly,

Thanks for your enquiry to Helplines. Using anti inflammatories sparingly is often worth discussing with the rheumatology nurse and the specialists. They do more of these discussions about RA.

There is some research showing that trying 3 x 1000mg capsules of omega 3 a day can reduce the need for anti inflammatories in people with RA. And they have a good safety rating. (see the information booklet on complimentary and alternative treatments on the Arthritis Research UK website.) http://www.arthritisresearchuk.org/arthritis_information/complementary_therapies.aspx

There are some long term possible side effects of anti inflammatories that are minimised by using the lowest possible dose needed to help with people's arthritis - but doctors monitor for stomach problems, blood pressure (and cardiovascular risk), and good kidney function.

I hope that is helpful

Guy

valval

guy that interesting about the omega 3 did not know that thanks val

LilyC

Hi Tilly,
Thanks for the welcome! Your comments were also helpful - I will definitely look into it.
Lily x.

LilyC

Hi Guy.

that's great, thanks for looking into it it is helpful - the info about the omega is really useful too.

Thanks Lily x