Alternative to brufen

[sospan]

Hi,

I used to take brufen / naproxen for when my joints played up. Now I have been put on Apixaban I clearly have to stop taking these.

So what do people take instead ?

[Hidden]

You will have to switch to paracetamol. I had to when I was put on rivaroxaban. I think you can also use Voltarol gel in moderation, and presumably co-codamol if it is really, really bad (you don't want to use that for every day as it is both constipating and addicitve - if it's that bad, go to your doctor!). For every day, paracetamol is fine.

[sospan in reply to Hidden]

Thanks, but i have been taking Co-Codamol on and off since 2005 with too many injuries and surgeries to list.

The gp this week suggested another course of gabapentin/ amitripaline to boost the co-cocodamol but that doesn't address inflammation,

[SpeedyH in reply to Hidden]

I think Mrsredboots is correct in saying that paracetamol is the only safe option for the majority of people, instead of NSAIDs which increase the risk of bleeding. As you are already taking a combination of much stronger pain meds, I suggest you ask for a referral to a specialist pain consultant who may be able to suggest alternative methods of controlling your inflammation and pain.

[sospan in reply to SpeedyH]

I have been to pain consultants pre-Apixaban, hence the gabapentin/ amitripaline and brufen.

However, getting to see a pain consultant during the current crisis is unlikely to happen and by the time the NHS revisits the current patients and queues, it is going to be 18 months .....

[cheritorrox in reply to sospan]

I got agreement to take celebrex (works in a different way from ibuprofen) and adjust the sintrom dosage when INR too high. Unfortunately nothing seems to help when there's a flare-up.....

[sospan in reply to cheritorrox]

That's perfect.

The GPs in my surgery aren't that good at the best of times and now they have a lot of locums whom aren't going to put themselves out for the patients. I spoke to the last one, he was originally from Africa and still has a poor grasp of English. Trying to explain with my Welsh accent the issues with medication was almost comical.

His solution was to take Gabapentin (mild sedative), alongside the co-codamol and apixaban. At the best of times co-codamol and Apixaban makes me fatigued let alone piling in a sedative on top.

Like yourself, my knees are a problem. I had multiple bits of surgery on both knees over the years and the surgeons are reluctant to do a replacement until I am in my 60's. So a few years to go !

To fit my "BMI" I need to lose a ridiculous 3.5 st partly for the knees and secondly for the AF. So we have to exercise and no matter what we do the knees always suffer. So if I can Celebrex, I can break the cycle and hopefully get to the point where weight loss reduces the load and hence the inflammation.

Keep safe in Spain.

[cheritorrox in reply to sospan]

Suggest you google it before talking to doctor - I can't remember the details but had to explain (at the time) why it was different - try "celebrex vs ibuprofen" as a starter.

Have to say that exercise and losing weight are vital (we're in the wrong bit of the forum for this but it's relevant!) . Until our covid lockdown I walked lots every day (started low but increased to 7km a day as lost weight). It was hard at first but got easier as I lost the weight til I felt I was keeping the pain at bay.

I also made serious effort about eating as part of vital change of lifestyle - not just obvious junk but low carb by cutting potatoes, rice, pasta, bread and substituting lots more veg and fats e.g. cheese, full fat yoghurt, cooking in olive oil. I class anything that says it's "low fat " as junk by the way - just look at the list of ingredients! I lost 4 stone in 7 months and have managed to maintain for another 17 months!

There's a Low Carb High Fat site on HU + also recommend NHS weightloss site - very busy and very supportive.

Sorry if all that comes across as preaching - it just works for me and many others. In case you're interested here's a link to some more stuff about lchf

healthunlocked.com/lchf-die...

Sorry to go off track!

[sospan in reply to cheritorrox]

No problem,

When I stopped work 8 years ago (head injury) if weighed 18st + and have been around 15 -15.5 for the last few years. By coincidence with a Head Injury the best thing to reduce the symptoms and start the "repair" is to eat like your grandma - no processed food, no drinking, smoking etc. plenty of good meat, fish, veg, fruit, nuts etc. Once I cut all that out was how I lost the weight as well

Trying to get down to 12.5 st the upper end of my theoretical BMI seems like wishing to have a unicorn especially when your big built and can barely "pinch an inch" of fat on the side

The Apixaban and lack of brufen is what is killing me (or not killing me !) as I am so tired with pain and swelling.

So hopefully with Celebrex i can get more active again.

All the best

[cheritorrox in reply to sospan]

But check compatibility with apixaban - think it works in different way from warfarin/sintrom (suggest try to find out before ask doctor!)

Other stuff that may help include collagen, glucosamine, condroitin, turmeric, ginger. Plus many people swear by CBD oil .... all take time to kick in (if at all) and are not scientifically acknowledged.

There's a US site called healthline which has lots of info on arthritis and arthrosis - worth a look if you haven't seen it (but won't help with the "incompatibility with blood thinners" problem)

Good luck and here's to warm weather helping!!