Alternative anti inflammatory medication and heart

[Worvera]

Hi everyone. I’m told I shouldn’t take ibruprofen with my multiple heart meds. What do you guys use for anti inflammatory meds? Thanks

[RufusScamp]

Best to ask your GP or pharmacist. It probably depends on your condition and what else you are taking.

[Wooodsie]

It's a problem. I was given naproxen, but it caused major issues with my heart. I'm back on paracetamol. I haven't been able to find an alternative.

[Mentdent]

I have severe psoriatic arthritis and have a cardiac stent courtesy of rheumatoid vasculitis it’s thought. Rheumatology want me to take anti inflammatories but cardiology hate them. Rheumatologist says inflammation probably caused my heart attack but cardiology just keep quoting NICE guidelines. I also take a bucket full of immunosuppressants including prednisolone. Final decision is mine.

Without the anti inflammatories, ibuprofen works best for me, I have a poor quality of life so I take them symptomatically. I am fortunate in having a supportive GP who said that part of the problem is that specialists often treat their own specialty and ignore the rest of the patient’s problems.

I believe that you need a doctor who will treat your body as a whole not just the bits they’re interested in.

[devonian186]

When I first started taking medication for my heart I asked what was suitable if pain relief was needed and told paracetamol. I asked again after my bypass and the cardiologist again said paracetamol. I think other pain killers have active ingredients that might react with heart medications. Best to ask your GP or better yet, your pharmacist as I believe GP's are imaginary creatures

[Thanksnhs]

Hi I have psoriasis/athritis fortunately at the moment it's not too bad,I have my first appointment with the reumatologist this afternoon. I have also had a heart transplant so I take immunosuppressants, my GP has prescribed co codamol and amitriptyline as she thinks I have peripheral neuralgia as well, she said I should be fine to take brufen but when I mentioned it to my transplant nurse she said absolutely not they wouldn't recommend it for any heart patients. Unfortunately there doesn't seem to be any alternative to it. It will be interesting to see what the Dr this afternoon says. Char

[Hidden]

Like most other people here I can't take anti inflammatories but when I need them I drink ginger tea. I've been told ginger is a natural inflammatory. Almost everyone in hospital when I had my AVR was drinking it!! So anecdotally it seems to help.

[CyclingTime]

Depends where you need it. My consultant said it was fine to use the gel so arms, legs etc easy to cover.

[Alison_L in reply to CyclingTime]

Yes, my cardiac rehab team said it was fine to use topical gels. So I regularly do

[ParrotLover22]

Hi. You'd be far better off asking a Pharmacist as to what you can or cannot take that will not counteract with any of your Heart Medication! I always do and mine has always been fantastic

[Hidden]

As has been said, check with the Pharmacist and Cardiologist. I'm allowed to take them to aid with daily muscle inflammation. I do try to use other pain killers as a first port of call, but, unfortunately they aren't as successful as Ibuprofen.

[Worvera]

Thank you all for kindly responding to my query. My issue is arthritis which flares up. Following your advice I asked the pharmacist and was told definitely no ibuprofen or anti inflammatory. Also he said not to use ‘heat rubs’ as they also interfere with my heart meds. He said to use ‘freeze rubs or sprays as they are menthol based. I really appreciate that you all took the time to help me. 😊