Are there any anti-inflammatories that are safe with afib?

[DaveT81]

Hi all,

Hope you're having a pleasant Sunday.

Quick question: after my ablation, I was told - absolutely DO NOT take ibuprofen or any other anti-inflammatories; is this true?

I'd not thought about it since, just taken paracetamol instead but I have other serious health issues that are getting a bit much for me to manage and NSAIDS may help to take the edge off.

[BobD Volunteer]

NSAIDS are know to CAUSE AF so a complete NO. Paracetamol is fine. In extremis maybe codeine. I have this on prescription from doctors for occasional use but occasional is the point when my arthritis gets too bad and I can't sleep.

[DaveT81 in reply to BobD]

Thanks! Just wanted to confirm before I gave in in my desperation.

[Jalia]

NSAIDS are an absolute no as you have been told ! I take CoCodamol for arthritic pain , on prescription, either 15/500mg or 30/500mg when really severe and find this quite effective.

[DaveT81 in reply to Jalia]

Thanks, I'll consider co-codamol instead!

[Hidden in reply to Jalia]

30/500 Cocodomol - totally agree 🙂

[CDreamer]

I take herbal remedies very successfully - in particular Reserveratrol. Do you have your inflammatory markers tested?

If you need pain relief for muscle/joint etc I use Arnica gel which has some evidence that it is as efficacious as Ibuprofen gel which could also be an option?

[Auriculaire in reply to CDreamer]

I find Arnica gel good too . I have just got some Boswellia to try as well. The big gun Tramadol works well to quell my hip pain but plays havoc with my guts so I am limiting it to going on the bike. I cannot lift my left leg sufficiently to get it on the pedal without it!

[Diddyd]

I have also tried PEA which was very successful at relieving joint pain, neuropathic pain and pelvic pain

webmd.com/vitamins/ai/ingre...

It was prescribed by my functional medicine doctor who is also a GP so was cleared for use with other medications such as apixaban and heart medications.

[meadfoot]

I was asked if i took them on the day i was diagnosed with AF. Yes was my reply, recently i have been taking them regularly every day for pain from my neck injury. Never take another NSAID again, ever, i was told and i have followed that advice. Good luck with your pain management generally.

[millie-becca-187]

I have osteoarthritis, neck pain from previous surgery and various other joint pains and for me, it depends on which GP I speak to, as I'm constantly given conflicting advice.Some say never, others only for a short space of time, as in for a couple of days.

I've been told recently I can use ibuprofen gel, as that's ok, because it's on your skin.

It's a forever ending minefield of information right or wrong. I just don't know, so I just avoid taking it.

[Morzine]

No! I’ve Asked doc a few times about this. Co codamol is good for worse pain.......

[Physalis]

Isn't it a case of you mustn't take ibuprofen when you are taking apixaban? It's not you mustn't take it if you've got AFib.

[jedimasterlincoln in reply to Physalis]

It's true but there's also evidence of them causing arrhythmia. The last study I saw was short term use being more risky than anything long term. Of the three on the ibuprofen ladder.... Ibuprofen and Diclofenac were worse in those who were studied but Naproxen (the next one up) had significantly less chance of causing AF than the other 2 when on it for more than 12 weeks.

If you can possibly avoid it at all I would.

[Hidden]

No. It is a b-mmer. I use Cocodamol but I and my arthritis miss NSAID very much

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

And told ibuleve and Voltarol gel fine, but they don’t reach the deep aches

[Pitterpat]

I've been using Flexiseq recently for joint pain and found it effective. It says it is 'drug free' so doesn't have any interactions with other meds you may be on.