naproxen

rosie159
rosie159 Member Posts: 40
edited 16. Jan 2025, 12:33 in Living with arthritis

After finally getting my GP to put me on naproxen. which is great for my pain...I seem to be getting a lot of side effects...ie breathlessness, swollen stomach to the point its so stretched it hurts also pins and needles pains in pegs at night....has anyone else had this? I have only been taking them a week.

Comments

  • stickywicket
    stickywicket Member Posts: 27,764

    Go back to your GP. Don't try to sit it out. Naproxen can have serious side effects and there are other options you can take. https://www.nhs.uk/medicines/naproxen/

    Did your GP prescribe a stomach protecting med with it? Omeprazole or lansoprazole? They should have done.

    If at first you don't succeed, then skydiving definitely isn't for you.
    Steven Wright
  • Ellen
    Ellen Moderator Posts: 1,887

    @rosie159

    I hope you have taken some medical advice now regarding your naproxen?

    If you can't get hold of a GP you can usually speak to your pharmacist or even contact 111 for advice.

    Do let us know the outcome if you can.

    best wishes

    Ellen.

  • frogmorton
    frogmorton Member Posts: 30,159

    A lot of people can't take nsaids for various reasons some because they have asthma and my own mum couldn't take them due to a heart condition.

    I personally don't like the sound of that at all and would want to check it was normal. I usually try my pharmacist first because I can get hold of him really easily. Gp not so easy!

    @stickywicket is right about taking a PPI with it proton pump inhibitor like lansoprazole.

    Take care

    Toni xx

  • Fran54
    Fran54 Member Posts: 282

    Hi rosie159

    I take Naproxen for my knee pain and my Doctor gave me Omeprazole to take as well to protect the stomach lining.

    I tend to only take the meds for no more than 2 or 3 days at the most at one time, as I find they can give me constipation, but apart from that no other side effects like you are experiencing. I hope that you have been able to talk to your GP and/or Pharmacist by now as it does seem rather worrying.

    Take care.

    Frances.

  • Loggiemod
    Loggiemod Member Posts: 240

    Hi @rosie159 I agree that if you are having side-effects you should go back to your GP. Luckily the only side effect I have is mouth ulcers.

    I always have the same convesation with the dentist

    "You have mouth ulcers"

    "yes I always have them"

    "Have you seen a specialist?"

    "Yes, you refered me a few years ago"

    Still passes the time in the dentist's chair😁

  • rosie159
    rosie159 Member Posts: 40

    Thanks guys

    I have been taking 2 omeprazole a day for yrs as my stomach is that bad...just think it is me. Weeks later and I am still bloated. Researched other meds but all side effects outway pain relief. Maybe going to try a TENS machine again and trying to find a reflexologist as I lost my last one before COVID.

  • stickywicket
    stickywicket Member Posts: 27,764

    I'm still nattered about that naproxen. Try asking your pharmacist for advice.

    Remember, side effects aren't compulsory. Just because they have to be listed doesn't mean to say everyone will get them. Again, pharmacists are a great source of advice.

    TENS and reflexology do sound harmless. This site might (or might not) be useful for finding a reflexologist. https://www.aor.org.uk/custom/far-search/

    If at first you don't succeed, then skydiving definitely isn't for you.
    Steven Wright
  • Manningj
    Manningj Member Posts: 13

    Definitely take the Omeprazole. I have been taking Naproxen almost daily for past six months. Just can’t manage without it. It can cause stomach cramps though.

  • rosie159
    rosie159 Member Posts: 40

    i take the omeprazole anyway have done for years. I am still suffering side effects from naproxen weeks on must just be it did not agree with me.

    I am back to the drawing board.

  • DeborahR
    DeborahR Member Posts: 5

    Hi @rosie159 , I'm new on here so please tell me to shutup if someone has already suggested it, but you mention you've been taking Omeprazole for years? I took Omeprazole for 2 years but it stopped having the desired effect so my doctor changed it to Esomeprazole and that works far better for me. Perhaps changing the PPI might help with the side effects of Naproxen? I believe there are several other types on the market.

  • frogmorton
    frogmorton Member Posts: 30,159

    @rosie159 are you still bloated weeks after stopping taking it?

    If so i would be seeing my Dr in your shoes. That can't be right🤨

    Take care

    @DeborahR I take lansoprazole never 'shut up' all of our inputs are valuable it's great you are trying to help that's what this is all about here.

    Toni xx

  • rosie159
    rosie159 Member Posts: 40

    restarting this thread..a while down the line I am taking esmeprazole now an slightly better..but having a hiatus hernia and now bowel desease on top I cannot take any anti inflams so good old paracetamol which last me about an hour is all I can take.

    I have been trying to research natural painkillers..have tried turmeric..good for pain but not stomach. will be trying vit B3 shortly. anyone have any more ideas??

  • OscarLali
    OscarLali Member Posts: 14

    Hi @rosie159 i had a terrible couple of months last year whilst the gp’s tried me on an array of different anti-inflammatories, even trying different PPI’s, all resulting in severe and chronic diarrhoea. Long story short, now I can even take an ibuprofen OTC tablet without an adverse reaction to my tummy, and I think it may have a lasting effect on me too (having colonoscopy next month to determine!) so in my opinion, do not continue with them if for any chance you think something isn’t right!! Annoyingly though, for me, they really helped the pain but I just had to settle on paracetamol & codeine in the end, which unfortunately didn’t give the same relief. We’re all different and it does seem to be trial and error for the best part, but don’t be afraid to speak to your gp if something isn’t right, you know your body better than anyone else, but I do hope you find something that works xx

  • Trish9556
    Trish9556 Member Posts: 773

    Hi all

    I have had to stop taking PPIs due to chronic diarrhoea gastric reflux and bloated stomach. Had been on omeprazole for just over two years when it was changed to lansoprazole which made me even worse so stopped taking them and was then told to not take PPIs again. Dr gave gaviscon extra, another changed it to Femotidine, both of which have worked miracles on my hernia reflux which was causing flares with my asthma which I turn gave me flares of bronchiecstasis. If you're getting side effects from PPIs I would read up about their side effects.

    Trish xx

  • Trish9556
    Trish9556 Member Posts: 773
    edited 11. Jan 2025, 13:53

    I would also recommend nefopam for pain relief. Had it for about two years but present gp won't prescribe it now. It does work though.

    Trish xx

  • Zimmer
    Zimmer Member Posts: 53

    I've also been trying to find an alternative to naproxen since learning how bad ibuprofen is for your stomach. It has already given me tinnitus, which I really didn't need, on top of everything else, you know.

    There are a number of supplements that have anti inflammatory properties, but I would suggest that you do some research and check with your GP, before taking anything. I use Web md or medicinenet, to check the properties of any supplements, before making an informed decision; and then get them through British Supplements as shop bought supplements just make expensive urine 😁.

    Here are some anti inflammatory supplements to get you started: Turmeric, Boswellia, Devils Claw and MSM.

    Acid reflux (heartburn): Slippery elm, Marshmallow, Milk Thistle (helps digest food and get rid of bloating).

    Hope you find something 🫂

  • rosie159
    rosie159 Member Posts: 40

    i am about to try Boswellia and MSM so il let you know how I get on...fingers crossed!!