Hi,
Does any one know if there are ANY anti inflamatories you can take after having had a heart attack???? I have a chronic back condition and was on naproxin, but now I am not allowed to take it due to the side effect of heart attack or stroke. I am now left in agony each time my back goes in to spasm or has a flare up!!! I had m,y HA last year and apart from my back, I am in good health
I was given Volterol gel, ask GP/pharmacist if it would be suitable for you.
With the caveat that I’m not remotely medically qualified. My understanding is that the current stance is generally no, NSAIDs should ideally not be used by those that have had heart attacks. However, have you been told by a medic that you need to stop taking the naproxen? If not, have you asked one involved in your care if they feel you need to stop it? If you’ve made the decision it’s unsafe yourself, I would speak to a doctor and ask them to be sure, but failing that, the alternative options depend on the nature of your problem. Some of the possibilities include topical drugs like diclofenac (voltarol) or lidocaine based gels/patches, as these don’t enter the bloodstream the way oral meds do. Diclofenac patches also exist. Tens machines are still considered unproven, but widely used, although the effect tends to be limited to the period the machine is being used. If the issue is joint related rather than muscular, steroid injections may be an option, or injected nerve blocks. Have you gone down the physiotherapy route or been referred to a consultant? What about trying the use of heat alongside pain relief like paracetamol as opposed to anti-inflammatories? The other issue to consider is your weight, lifestyle, and level of activity, and whether there are any extra benefits that might be found in addressing any of those if they’re relevant. I say all this as someone with inflammatory arthritis, osteoarthritis, and chronic back problems that can no longer take NSAIDS due to gastric problems, so do very much empathise with your situation.
My husband has had osteoporosis for 15 years (nine vertebral fractures so far) and is prescribed lidocaine patches, Ralvo. He had a heart attack two years ago, and the cardiologist was happy for him to continue with the patches.
They are prescription-only, so you would need to discuss with your GP, as others have said.
I had a HA last year and angioplasty, in January I herniated a disc in my my back.....I phoned the GP and asked for Naproxen which in the past had always worked well for me.In no uncertain terms he would not prescribe it following my HA.
Over a few months while the pain in my back subsided I was on various painkillers....the best being Tramadol.
I have rheumatoid arthritis. I had a stent 13 months ago. My GP put it quite well I believe. He said that without anti inflammatories that I have no quality of life. When I said this to the cardiologist he said to take the anti inflammatories.
You are very very lucky to have a Gp and cardiologist that will prescribe these.
I'm not a doctor, but I read that it's not completely black and white about NSAIDs. It depends on each case, and the trade offs between pain and risk partly.I would see a cardiologist, and have him assess your situation.
But don't just take them without reference to a cardiologist
Of course I would not consider taking them without first consulting my GP or cardiologist!!! That would be very reckless!!! I don't have any to take!!! They are prescription only meds
Nobody here can give you advice. Speak to your GP or cardiologist.
Of course I completely agree and understand that no one here can give advice. i SAY EXACTLY THE SAME TO PAOPLE!!! I just wondered if anyone else was able to take naproxin, e.g.
I had a HA and angioplasty August 20. I was taken off Naproxen which I was taking for arthritis pain. Last week I was put back on it for a week. When I queried it, Doc said it was ok short term. So it seems it's not completely 'banned' but only allowed short term. Even short term, it might give you a break? Best wishes.
8 have a consultation with a cardiologist soon so I will definitely ask if zi can take them if I have a flare up or my back goes I'm to Spasm. It would be good to know that I can use them as needed. I am a responsible person so would not abuse their use
My gp.does not want me taking them either after 4 h.a. but I have excruciating back pain 24/7 and she said naproxen were better than ibuprofen and she could reluctantly agree but not to ibuprofen. I still take about 4 or 5 ibuprofen a day out of sheer necessity, as they help better than codeine or paracetemol.. oh how I wish there was a cure for pain. I have tried almost everything possible without success. I am so close to a complete breakdown. I hope very much that you do find a solution soon. All the best.
Tramadol is a good strong painkiller. It isn't an anti inflammatory.
Hi Dollcollector,
I was on tramadol for quite some time and found it to be about the same as the co codamol I am on just now.
O.K. I don't think there is anything stronger. Tramadol is equivalent to morphine l believe.
Hi,Tramadol is virtually the same as co codamol. It's quite weak. It's definitely morrphine!! Or anything like it. I was on it for quite some time.
When my back went into spasms last my GP came to the house.She saw the pain I was in and promptly said take one of these.She also gave me another two to take later.It did the trick,but I was like a rag doll for three days.It was diazepam.x
diazepam did nothing for me!!! mind you I was only on 2mg 3 times a day!!!
My GP wanted to prescribe me brufen even when I told her I can't take it, I then spoke to my transplant nurse and she said it's a definite no due to the effect it can have on the kidneys due to my other meds, I am so glad I checked with my cardiac team, although I wish I could take something like that to alleviate the aches in my hands and feet char
Hi Momander, sorry to hear about your back pain, I know from experience it's bloody awful. Like you, due to my heart health I cannot take anti-inflammatories.
Last year I had a very bad bout of sciatica that was horrendously painful and I ended up having to visit the hospital for it. They gave me (along with my GP) diazapam and morphine initially then put my on a course of Naproxin, amitriptyline and gabapentin. I was away with the fairies on all that lot but it took the edge off the pain along with a course of physio.
Whatever your GP and cardiologist recommend I hope it works.
Thank you Judge_Dredd
Its no laughing matter is it?. Some years ago I was sailing through life quite happily, not giving much thought to my health or mortality.
I was very fit and walked everywhere. Went to the gym and loved to swim. I was in no pain at all!!! Then a few years later, I started to feel the odd twinge and niggle in my back, groin and left hip??? After numerous x rays and an MRI it was discovered that I had a few herniated discs and sciatica. Since then I have been on gabapentin, co codamol and naproxin if my back is really bad
Out of the blue, last year, I had a heart attack and everything changed from that day!!!
I am now on heart medication as well, so have to make sure that I don't take anything that could react with the medication I am on!!! Even some natural remedies like fish oils and tumeric are a no no because they might interact with my blood thinners or beta blockers!!
Both the medical consultant and my cardiologist said that they did not see any harm in taking naproxin short term. I have a face to face appointment in the next 2 weeks so will ask if this is possible?
When I had a flare up recently I was given 2mg of diazepam, 3 times a day for 5 days!!!. I had to ask for a repeat prescription as I was in pain for nearly 3 weeks.
It worries me to think that if this happens again, this is the strongest medication I will get!!??
I speak to other paople who are given naproxin or even a morphine patch!! I guess it very m uch depends on your GP doesn't it??? the minute I had a heart attack I was taken off naproxin, yet they were happy to prescribe it when they knew my family history and the side effects of it!!??
I am very lucky that I have no side effects taking co codamol and gabapentin. I tried pre gablin last year and was very unwell on it. Ive been on tramadol years ago and felt it wasn't as strong as the co codamol?? we are all different are'nt we!!!
You have my full sympathy. No, it's not a laughing matter. Given the choice between a bad bout of sciatica or undergoing open heart surgery again I would be sorely tempted by the surgery option! Even with all the meds I was on it was still agony. Plus its even worse when it stops you exercising. I was like you and out walking, jogging etc but sciatica stops all that when it plays up.
Hopefully Diazapam isn't the strongest medication you can take . Press your GP and cardiologist for other options. Mrohpine was the only thing that really took the edge off sciatica pain for me and even then it hurt but at least I managed to get some decent sleep. Sadly, I suspect I'm on a similar heart medication drug regime to you as I also have to juggle meds that are incompatible which makes back pain, or any other joint pain, a real juggling act for meds.
You're right about us all being different, I can't get on with co-codamol, I find it makes me really depressed and gives me horrific mood swings.
Really hope the docs figure out a solution for you.
Thank.you so much!!! It's hard speaking to people who can't understand because they don't have the condition so have no idea what 24/7 pain is a actually like!!! I just don't talk about it really because I just get that glazed look where you know people are just not interested!!! I mourn my past life!!! My herniated discs and sciatica is no bloody joke I look.at people walking about freely and think " I used to do that" I'm lucky I'm still here though so should be grateful
.there are people millions worse than me!!! I feel quite selfish when I become too self indulgent. X
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