Do you take Naproxen?

Fionabee

I have taken Naproxen for about 6 months, 500mgs morning & evening. It was prescribed for my knees and in Jan I had a TKR. The Clinical Nurse Specialist I saw for my 6 week check advised me to keep taking it for a bit and I've halved the dose and should have stopped completely in 5 days, I have 5 tabs left. Within a day and a half I was aware of the reduced dose, its onviously been helping my back as well.
I know the advice on NSAIDs is to only take them for short periods or flare up but wonder what is happening generally, do any of you take it for longer periods? I'm trying to reduce all of my painkillers at the moment.
Thanks.
Fiona

dreamdaisy

I hope you also have a stomach protector - they should always go hand-in-hand with any anti-inflammatory med. I take a daily diclofenac (after my protector which I take before breakfast) to help my OA, I don't notice much difference if I don't (apart from I can wear my wedding ring whne I do and can't when I don't!) but my reasoning is every little helps. If the nap is helping you then why stop it? Doctors are very good at theory - it's us who live with the reality. DD

barbara12

Hello Fiona
I'm afraid I was taken off then due to kidney probs, but they did work...not that I noticed till I stopped them.. GPs were told to replace the diclos with Naproxen..so maybe they are a little safer ..I emphasize a little..

DebbieT

Hi,

I was put on ibuprofen in 07/8 with lansoprazole & got switched to naproxen last year & my omeprazole, which I'd been switched to a while b4, was doubled.

I have PsA & OA & couldn't manage without naproxen!! I'd ask to have a chat with ure gp & see wot they say.

Good luck.

Xx xX

sheenakt

Hi, I was changed to this from Diclofenac, personally I don't think it works as well for me for my OA. However I now have fibromyalgia and costochondritis and my rheumy consultant told me to stop taking the naproxen as neither of these are inflammatory so I did. Got quite a supply of them if I need to restart. One of my nursing colleagues was surprised I was even prescribed Naproxen, apparently it quite an old drug. Sheena, xx

hileena111

Hi
I was on dilofenic for quite a long time then switched to Naproxen because it was safer {well as safe as can be :? }
I take omneprozol before breakfast {stomach protector} then take my naproxen at about 9am.

I notice a difference if I miss one

Love
Hileena

demmilou04

hi ladies i have been taking naproxen for about a month now pretty regular, i wasnt advised by my gp that i would need to protect my stomach and its obviously on the gp system when a repeat is issued
especially when my aches and pains are random and worrying, without the added problems with stomach complaints too.

thanks for this thread xx

celebrationb

I am on naproxen 250 g two times a day. They work for me but unfortunately I took ibuprofen with them by accident and my oa in my knee got worse. Naproxen has not affected my stomach yet, also am on amitriptyline for my trapped fermol nerve too.
Sometimes I forget to reorder them from the doctors and I can tell no diffence .

Fionabee

Oh dear, I did post a reply while at work yesterday, but there is not sign of it. Am having to log in everytime I return to site or want to post at moment, is it an iPhone prob??
I started off on Diclofenac for my back, and it was wonderful, I felt like a new woman! My GP prescribed it fairly continuously for ages, he did mention effects it might have on kidneys but he never got me to wee in a pot, he never suggested anything to protect the stomach, a friend who is an endoscopy nurse aked me if I took one (she told me a big proportion of patients she saw had taken NSAIDs without stomach protectors)When it became less effective I started on Co codamol, altho that gave good relief it played havoc with my bowels. It was round this time I started reading bad stuff about Diclofenac's side effects & one of the local trusts here no longer prescribe it, I'm sure you know DD, you are well informed. Everything comes with its own risks and I think you just have to weigh things up, if it improves quality of life, that's good enough for me. It was only when I reduced my dose occasionally to see how I coped with less, I realised how painful my knees were.
When I eventually started on Nap for my knees, I wasn't sure how effective it was until I ran out on holiday (miscalculated how much to take, goodness knows how, it wasn't a complicated sum) and by the following day I was utterly miserable.
I'll keep reducing it at the same time as the tramadol, seem to be tolerating it ok, but I've been here before & got to a certain point I cant get below.
Thank you for all your replies.
Fiona.

hileena111

Hi
After I had been on diclofenic for a little while {no side effects|} I read on this forum about stomach protectors and I mentioned it to my GP.....{previous GP :roll: } his reply was "Oh well if you want them I'll prescribe them" :shock: Since that I've been on them, new GP etc and everything is fine.
I think I mentioned before that this GP was one that all he wanted to do was write a prescription and get you out or refer you on to someone else and get you out!!!!
Ask and see what the GP says
Love
Hileena

Fionabee

Hello Hilena
My GP was exactly the same, "well I suppose we could do that" was his response to me asking (very cap in hand) if the kind Doctor could prescribe me some Omeprazole. My GP is a miserable {bad word} completely lacking in empathy, interest or good manners. Shall see someone else in the practice next time!
Fionax

dreamdaisy

I occasionally play fast-and-loose with my meds (usually due to temper or frustration) but the omeprazole is one I am very conscientious about. I reckon I have enough troubles and don't want more. My first anti-inflammatory was celebrex (initially prescribed by my rheumatologist and designed not to need a protector) and boy! It worked (but mind you that was back in the halcyon days of one bad knee). After a few months, however, my GP took me off it because apparently his budget wouldn't stretch so he swapped me to nap plus omep. Two sets of pills cheaper than one? That told me something.

Thanks to taking medical drugs since the age of twelve I am not bothered at all by the risk of side-effects; my life expectancy has probably had ten or so years lopped off it thanks to the PsA meds, that's a side-effect and a half! DD

PS If you are off the forum for any length of time it will time you out so have to log on again.

Boomer13

When I started getting inflammatory arthritis I was prescribed Naproxen and high-dose aspirin together twice daily :shock: It worked well but talk about a stomach accident waiting to happen. Now I never take an NSAID, ever.

bridesmum

At my fibromyalgia management group we had a visit from an anaesthetist/pain management consultant. He recommended that you take regular breaks from painkillers and anti-inflamatories as long term use isn't recommended, but gp's tend to just keep issuing repeat prescriptions. I have stopped taking Naproxen as I have had 2 previous ulcers and drastically cut down my Dihydracodeine. That said I'm in such a lot of pain from my OA and fibromyalgia I am tempted to start taking Naproxen again.

hileena111

Hi Fiona
My GP was a one man band so I had no choice but to chage practices
Let me know what happens if you try another one in the practice......is it any better?

Love
Hileena

Docmartin

Fionabee wrote:

Hello Hilena
My GP was exactly the same, "well I suppose we could do that" was his response to me asking (very cap in hand) if the kind Doctor could prescribe me some Omeprazole. My GP is a miserable {bad word} completely lacking in empathy, interest or good manners. Shall see someone else in the practice next time!
Fionax

Default attitude position for GP's I'm afraid. Currently we have to queue outside at 8.30am all weathers and ages accepted to get appointments. The practice in question won't take them by phone anymore. We have 2 GP's here for 8,000 patients.(900 + complaints to the local MP). The previous gang all turned into millionaires courtesy of 'Blairs' give away contract, cashed in at 55 and now 2 of them work as 'locums' for their previous business, charging £1500 a shift. I gave up and don't bother the hard faced female receptionists anymore. Once this 'Spiral pathway' programme, or whatever the latest 'management speak' name for it is reaches it's nauseous conclusion I'll accept the future alone. I buy 'Naproxen' for peanuts whenever I visit the states, over the counter, no questions, but of course they don't have the benefit of the EU to watch over them...

As5567

I have taken many NSAID over the years, and for the last 5 or so I have been taking Arcoxia. Arcoxia doesn't need a stomach protector as its absorbed in a different part of the digestive system and is "unique" in the way its released over x amount of hours.

Docmartin wrote:

Fionabee wrote:

Hello Hilena
My GP was exactly the same, "well I suppose we could do that" was his response to me asking (very cap in hand) if the kind Doctor could prescribe me some Omeprazole. My GP is a miserable {bad word} completely lacking in empathy, interest or good manners. Shall see someone else in the practice next time!
Fionax

Default attitude position for GP's I'm afraid. Currently we have to queue outside at 8.30am all weathers and ages accepted to get appointments. The practice in question won't take them by phone anymore. We have 2 GP's here for 8,000 patients.(900 + complaints to the local MP). The previous gang all turned into millionaires courtesy of 'Blairs' give away contract, cashed in at 55 and now 2 of them work as 'locums' for their previous business, charging £1500 a shift. I gave up and don't bother the hard faced female receptionists anymore. Once this 'Spiral pathway' programme, or whatever the latest 'management speak' name for it is reaches it's nauseous conclusion I'll accept the future alone. I buy 'Naproxen' for peanuts whenever I visit the states, over the counter, no questions, but of course they don't have the benefit of the EU to watch over them...

That's a real shame, but I think that most GP Surgeries are like this these days, I won't even attempt to see mine unless I really need to. If there is ever an emergency I tend to wait for the out of hours because it's a much better service and more accessible. I know that's a bad thing to do but it's the only way in my area to actually get seen on the day most of the times. Like your self they expect us patients to wait outside at 8:30 to fight over 8 appointments, once those are taken we are expected to return at 1pm for afternoon appointments.

dreamdaisy wrote:

I occasionally play fast-and-loose with my meds (usually due to temper or frustration) but the omeprazole is one I am very conscientious about. I reckon I have enough troubles and don't want more. My first anti-inflammatory was celebrex (initially prescribed by my rheumatologist and designed not to need a protector) and boy! It worked (but mind you that was back in the halcyon days of one bad knee). After a few months, however, my GP took me off it because apparently his budget wouldn't stretch so he swapped me to nap plus omep. Two sets of pills cheaper than one? That told me something.

Thanks to taking medical drugs since the age of twelve I am not bothered at all by the risk of side-effects; my life expectancy has probably had ten or so years lopped off it thanks to the PsA meds, that's a side-effect and a half! DD

PS If you are off the forum for any length of time it will time you out so have to log on again.

I currently take arcoxia (The "new" version of celebrex after it got banned in a few countries from the risk it posed to peoples health) I can't count how many times my GP has phoned me telling me they would not be refilling my prescription for Arcoxia, this is usually ever 6 months when I run out of refills on my prescription. They try to lie to me telling me how Naproxen works best but I usually get my consultant to send them a letter justifying the use of Arxocia. It doesn't need to be taken with a stomac protector much like celebrex. What I'm getting at is that it could be something for you to look into, if celebrex worked so good many years ago then it might be worth a shot. I know it costs something like £40 for 30 tablets when Naproxen is something like £1.60 but money really shouldn't be a factor when it comes to medications that have been prescribed by a consultant who's an expert in your condition.

Fionabee wrote:

Hello Hilena
My GP was exactly the same, "well I suppose we could do that" was his response to me asking (very cap in hand) if the kind Doctor could prescribe me some Omeprazole. My GP is a miserable {bad word} completely lacking in empathy, interest or good manners. Shall see someone else in the practice next time!
Fionax

I think part of the problem is that most Gp's are actually lacking in knowledge of how these types of drugs actually work, my gp has time and time again told me that Arcoxia and Naproxen are identical. Yes they are the same class of drug but according to my consultant they work in a totally different way, Naproxen is absorbed in the stomach hence the need for a protectant. Arocixa is absorbed somewhere else down the digestive line thanks to its unique outer coating, it is also absorbed in a different way that means it lasts for a full day, meaning that it's an ideal medication to help people cope with morning stiffness/pain.