Severe arthritic pain but can't take ibuprofen. What pain relief is an option?

[DizzyD]

Hi all I have severe arthritic pain and cannot take ibuprofen because I take apixiban. Ibuprofen really helps relieve the pain and afib nurse said it would be ok if I occasionally used ibuprofen alongside apixiban. Arthritic pain has got so severe recently I have cut out my evening dose of apixiban so that I can take a dose of ibuprofen to get some pain relief that enables me to get some some sleep at night. Does anyone know of a any suitable pain relief that can help relieve the arthritic pain so that I can request it from my GP?

Thank you...have a rewarding day.

[Jalia]

You have my sympathies. I'm also suffering with severe pain from arthritis and finding nights very difficult. I find that CoCodamol 30/500mg does help to a degree but not always.

Regarding Ibuprofen, I can only reiterate what had been said on here many times and that is that this drug and indeed all NSAIDs have been shown to actually promote arrhythmias and should be avoided in those with AF. This is quite apart from any interaction with anticoagulants.

I'm not medically trained so not in a position to dispute your nurses advice. Personally though I would not be happy to miss taking anticoagulant thereby eliminating my stroke protection.

[DizzyD in reply to Jalia]

Thank you Jalia for your informative reply. I have done some research since I sent my initial post, was flabbergasted to learn that ibuprofen can actually cause AFib. What an eyeopener!!! Also read other posts on this site covering the same subject matter....I have certainly been educated.Really do hope your arthritic pain improves Jalia.

Besides researching ibuprofen, I have also been researching more natural forms of anti inflammatory supplements (not for the physical pain) and found some potential candidates hopefully to help me deal with the brain inflammation, caused by arthritis, that is so debilitating which lasts for days after a arthritis flare up.

Got an appointment with GP for 29 Nov. Will tell him that I stopped one dose of apixiban and took ibuprofen because I needed some pain relief so that I could get some sleep. Will see what he offers me. Have put CoCodamol on list of potential medication.

Thank you most sincerely Jalia.

[Jalia in reply to DizzyD]

Pleased to have been of help. I have just, in the past few hours (!) , been prescribed Buprenorphine patches to try ( potent opioid analgesic)......Will let you know how I get on !!

[DizzyD in reply to Jalia]

Ohhh that's brilliant news Jalia. Really do hope that you find better relief for the severe pain. Looking forward to hear how you get on with new meds. Have to admit took a tramadol earlier today...Really has helped. Just a one off. So pleased for you.Have a rewarding evening. God bless

[cassie46]

I too have bad arthritis and I take Solpadol (30 codiene/500 paracetamol) which I get on monthly prescription, it is not as effective as Ibuprofen but I manage. Agree with all that Jalia has said. You should consult your GP as it is very unwise to not take your Apaxiban you are putting yourself at risk as you will not be protected. Ask your GP if there are any other pain meds he can prescribe, there are a few but I think they tend to knock you out!! I think your nurse meant that you could occasionally take Ibuprofen with Apaxiban, not miss out the dose. I think generally most medics agree no NSAIDS with AF.

[DizzyD]

Thank you cassie for the informative reply. AFib nurse did mean that I take ibuprofen with Apaxiban occasionally. Will put Solpadol on list of potential medication for when I see my GP. Have a wonderful evening.

[PrinzMongo in reply to DizzyD]

When I developed AFib 8 months ago, my cardiologist put me on Eliquis and discontinued the ubiquitous 81 mg aspirin. After my cardioäblation 3 months ago, I started resuming my previous 30-35 mile a week walking routine, my knees got painful and I was concerned about the safety of acetaminophen or ibuprofen.

My cardiologist wrote a Rx for Valsartan gel which is heavily marked in the States so I had my reservations. I applied the gel and damned if the pain wasn't gone in 10 min, literally. That said, my sister has tried Valsartan too, and she said it wasn't terribly effective for her.

So, there's a possible resource for you to try, but no guarantees.

Oh, I also have had good success with topical salicylic acid (aka aspirin) which goes by the name Aspercreme over here. Icy-Hot or evergreen based creme should work as well though one'll have the wintergreen smell to deal with.

Best of luck dealing with your joint pain...

[hausjac]

I have similar problems and posted about that recently. Spoke to my cardiologist on Thursday and he is happy for me to take one or two Nurofen a week but no more than that. Incidently I also queried the use of turmeric an anti-inflammatory and fish oil with Apixaban and he says absolutely no problem just pharma covering their backsides so if he says it's alright then fine

[DizzyD in reply to hausjac]

Thank you hausjac, I have started taking fish oil and turmeric and I am looking into Lions Mane Mushroom supplement also to help with inflammation in my brain which is horrendous when I get arthritic flare up. Honestly the brain inflammation issue and symptoms feels like dementia which is why I am so desperate to sort this issue out.Unfortunately, I am unable to converse with a cardiologist concerning suitable supplements to take while dosing with apixaban, bisoprolol and amlodipine.......because I have been waiting for a cardio appointment since end of 2019. AFib was diagnosed after admission to A+E 2020. Had numerous admissions to A+E...but still no cardio appointment.

Get so desperate at times, end up taking anti inflammatory medication, playing Russian roulette really.

Great to hear turmeric and fish oil is ok to take with apixaban. Next time you see your cardiologist ask if it's ok to use Lions Mane supplement with apixaban because I am going to have a long wait to see a cardiologist.

Have a rewarding day

[Rosiemycat]

I have Rheumatoid Arthritis and I find Tramadol helps in flare ups and enables me to sleep but can only be got by GP and of course whether you can take it with your other meds.

[DizzyD in reply to Rosiemycat]

Hi Rosiemycat a few days ago I did take tramadol (just a one off) it really did help with the physical pain in body but I could not sleep that night. Thing is, when I get arthritic flare up besides the physical pain, I also get terrible pressure in my head and i cannot think, read, sleep etc or focus my mind on anything...feel like I'm in gaga land. I suspect this is brain inflammation, (which lasts for days) during and after the arthritic flare up. Of course, anti inflammatory medication does help with the brain inflammation issue unlike tramadol which only masks what's going on. Hence I got no sleep after taking the tramadol because the brain inflammation was left unmedicated despite not being aware of the pressure in my head due to the inflammation. I sleep quite well during a arthritic flare up when I take ibuprofen (now a no no but still tempting) but sadly I am still seeking other solutions.

Thank you for your helpful reply.