Rheumatoid Arthritis

[Firefighter1962]

Just diagnosed, lucky second Doctor spot on. Had appointment with PhysioJo , only gave me exercises to do. Doctor has now prescribed 30mg Naproxen which has given me pain relief and helped with sleep

[piglette]

It is worth reading the data sheet on Naproxen so you are aware of the side effects. webmd.com/drugs/2/drug-5173...

[Firefighter1962 in reply to piglette]

Hi piglette thanks for reply always read these 👍

[piglette in reply to Firefighter1962]

I remember after coming out of hospital I was given some tablets to take and my sister and I were reading the data sheet to see if I could drink alcohol while taking them. On the side effects, no. 1 was death, then on reading the other side effects death seemed to be preferable! I could drink alcohol with them though.

[Lolabridge]

Hello Firefighter.

I see you are taking Naproxen 500g which will help relieve your pain - do get your GP to prescribe a PPI like Omeprazole to protect your stomach as Naproxen can wreck your gut!

If RA is suspected you need to see a Rheumatologist to get a confirmed diagnosis and be prescribed appropriate medication to control the RA so you avoid further joint damage. The sooner the better! Naproxen will not limit or arrest joint damage. If you have not already been referred contact your GP and request that is done immediately!!

You may want to also join many more of us who have RA on the NRAS Health Unlocked site too.

[Firefighter1962 in reply to Lolabridge]

HiThings have moved on seen Rheumatology Consultant, blood tests taken , x-rays done. RA confirmed DMARD issued, and steroids with omeprazole and folic acid.

Can you send link to NRAS to [e-mail]

[Lolabridge in reply to Firefighter1962]

So glad you got your diagnosis confirmed and have started on treatment. The steroids should help you whilst the RA medication gets to work for you.

There is an NRAS site on Health Unlocked that you may wish to join and it's where I, and many others with RA, usually hang out! Lots of helpful support there for you. healthunlocked.com/nras

But yes do look look at the NRAS website, especially the new SMILE-RA modules which are very informative. Here's the link: nras.org.uk/

Good luck with your RA journey.

[Soreallover]

That's great! 😀 My doc doesn't want me to take naproxen or ibuprofen.Paracetamol is it for me 😩

[Blackknight1989]

Just be careful and aware of the huge downside of both NSAIDS and PPIs. I’ll post the link to a study (conducted in the UK) about the risks of both but suffice it to say my initial diagnosis of stage 4 kidney failure was caused (in-part) by the huge NSAIDS revolution in the late ‘80s and early 1990. As a member of the US Army from ‘85-92 and being an M-1 tanker, jumping out of airplanes, running on concrete in combat boots etc the “go to” for any and all sprains, strains and aches was MOTRIN 800mg up to 8 tablets a day…I won’t bore y’all with the details but that is a RX for multiple metabolic conditions like T2D, CVD, and AKI.

As a sufferer of OSTEOARTHRITIS (I know it’s a different beast but the NSAIDS still cause the same damage) with 20 plus orthopedic surgeries since ‘99 including bilateral knee replacements, bilateral hip replacements and bilateral ankle fusions I get the need to treat the issue BUT you must be aware of the issues the drugs may cause because (unfortunately) most physicians are not. I wish you the best in your journey to better health!!

Link:

ajkd.org/article/S0272-6386...