No Naproxen and struggling

Slosh

Until last Wednesday amongst my daily meds I was on 500mg of Naproxen twice a day but unfortunately had to stop it due to damage to my stomach lining. I saw my second favourite GP who felt that as I am on Meptazinol (same type of drug as Tramidol which I can't have as it is contraindicated with one of my other meds, duloxetine), this should be sufficient to manage my pain as if not the only other option was morphine which I found really scary.

Unfortunately it's not sufficient, really struggling, not just with my neck pain but also my shoulders and upper arms and only managed about 3 hours sleep last night. Just getting so fed up now, especially as I had such a boost when I visited my school on Thursday. Go back to see my favourite GP next Wednesday, officially so he can look at my shoulders to see if I have arthritis there as well but think pain relief will be top of my agenda.

Just wish I could fast forward to Wednesday, just seems to be one thing after another at the moment.

Just feel all I seem to do at the moment is moan, even cried last night which is really unlike me.

villier

Sorry to hear you are struggling slosh(love the user name) I am afraid I don't know what to advise as you are probably doing all you can as it is ie heat and rest. Morphine is ok if you control it I get prescribed them for Neuropathic pain but only take them when the climbing gear has got to come out. The forums here are for getting your frustrations out to people that understand we all like a wee moan now and again (((()))) to you keep thinking Wednesday is not to far away, take care ..................Marie xx

Slosh

Thanks. Yes doing the rest and warmth thing and using my neck collar as well to try and rest my neck a bit.

Boomer13

Poor Slosh, sorry to hear this as neck pain is beastly to deal with. But, you do have to save your stomach. Awful trade though, since Naproxen was working.

Best wishes,
Anna

Slosh

Thank you. Feeling a bit better so far today, I had a better nights sleep which helped as after three very bad nights I think exhaustion took over. Going to have a pottering about kind of day and try not to do too much.

dreamdaisy

Oh dear, I am sorry to read this. I am no expert on these matters - does it mean you cannot have any kind of anti-inflammatory? I hope things are at least a little better for you today, I really do. DD

Pansy4

Oh gosh how do we cope with the pain? I am struggling too. Physiotherapist at hospital has not helped, or an osteopath. Hate taking strong pain killers, but take co-codamol on doctor's prescription. Using anything I can, like TENS, gels, heat wraps, but pain still very bad. What do we do??

Slosh

DD , been told I can't have any kind of anti inflammatory meds due to tbe damage, glad it was diagnosed before it got any worse but a real shock as I had no symptoms at all and was hoping to find out more about my throat problem.

I am going to ask about gels on Wednesday and also whether I need to move back to Amytriptiline as then I have the option of Tramadol as a back up to the meptazinol if needed.

When I next see the physio I will ask about tens machine, I'm quite happy to buy one but not sure if I can use one due to my neck fusion.

Just think a year ago apart from when I had my daughter I'd never had anything stronger than paracetamol or ibuprofen. How things change!

After a better morning things are starting to slid again and I'm back to counting the hours until my next dose.

stickywicket

Neck pain is horrible, Slosh, and all-pervasive. When I've had it - thankfully not since I started to use a shaped memory foam pillow - I'd wake with migraine-types headaches and was sick. However, Boomer is right. Arthritic pain, however bad, isn't as dangerous as a stomach bleed.

I hope your doc can sort you out with a change of meds. Often little tweaks can make big differences. Or maybe a Pain Clinic might help? There are lots of techniques for dealing with it. I tend to go for distraction myself. Cricket or computer games mostly, in my case.

Good luck.

Slosh

Thanks Sticky. I have a shaped pillow which helps. Glad you're starting to feel better today.
I've had a pottering about day, better than yesterday, fingers crossed for tomorrow.

celebrationb

I hope things change for you soon
I am on Naproxen but the doc never told me about the stomach problems, I found out when i was online. I was told not to worry about it .

As5567

I hope you find something that can replace the Naproxen soon. It's a good job I read this as I just took a Naproxen 500mg (I usually take Arocixa) and don't have any stomac protecting drug to hand. I guess it's something I should ask for from my GP Tuesday if these tablets bring me any joy.

Slosh

Think I did a bit too much yesterday, still GP on Wednesday so will see what he has to say, at least I didn't have any plans for today. Shame GP surgery's don't offer nectar points, I'd have plenty!