Day 1 - Taking Naproxen for the first time

[sunnydown]

This morning I woke up with the usual joint pains in my fingers, knees and foot.

I swallowed my Lanzoprosole pill (with water) then showered, dressed and headed into work...with great difficulty. Even buttoning up my shirt took forever. I expected this to be another rubbish day.

2pm is my usual work lunch break. I decided to eat a sandwich, alongside a pear, some grapes and Apple Juice. Afterwards, I took Naproxen for the first time and continued on working.

At 6pm my knee joints didn't misbehave like they usually do. The pain threshold was low. For the first time in weeks I could actually walk as before. This made me break down in tears. It was nice to feel myself again. I didn't celebrate too much. Maybe me taking the pill was causing a placebo effect?

However, for the rest of the evening I was able to enter/exit the train carriage, walk 2km at a normal pace and walk up/down stairs without struggling.

Had my dinner at 9pm, and took the second pill.

While the joint pain in my hands remains consistent...my feet and knees felt so much better. Its been a long time since I could walk without pains.

Is it the medication or psychological? I don't know...maybe its a bit of both...but I ended my day with a smile and a tear.

Let us see what tomorrow brings...

[Mandy8175]

Naproxen is helpful, unfortunately I can't take it anymore due to blood thinners I will take for life! I have a clotting problem that's genetic! Some days I would sell my soul for naproxen or ibuprofen! It is probably not a placebo effect, just some relief from inflammation!

Hopefully you will have many good tomorrows!

[Fra22-57]

Ahh I was just thinking...oh great then why aren't I taking it.but then read what Mandy8175 put and realise that I too am on blood thinner so that's reason.

Could you take one in morning n one at night so you start without the pain

[Mandy8175 in reply to Fra22-57]

Why do you take blood thinners? I had a mystery DVT in January 2016, had genetic testing and found I had factor 5 Leiden mutation. Only heterozygous thankfully!

[Fra22-57 in reply to Mandy8175]

Because I have sticky blood...Antiphosphilipid syndrome. So on warfarin for life.😠

[Mandy8175 in reply to Fra22-57]

I am on 2.5mg Eliquis, I was taken off warfarin. Have you tried Eliquis? My doctor says that the low dosage isn't as dangerous as a low dosage of warfarin.

[Fra22-57 in reply to Mandy8175]

No .I asked if I can take something else but I have very rare manifestation so need to be on warfarin

[wishbone]

I find naproxen to be really good. Unfortunately they cause stomach problems for me so I try to limit myself to no more than one a fortnight, which I class as a real treat, but even that gives me trouble. As does just about every other RA med currently known to man.

[nomoreheels]

Hiya sunnydown. That sounds a positive response to me. NSAIDs do work quickly, they're intended to be quick acting. Just one thing though, your lansoprazole, it's best taken at the same time you take your naproxen, the idea being that it protects your tum from any risk it can cause to your stomach lining. So, I'd check with your GP, he'll probably want to prescribe double the dose you're currently on as you're prescribed naproxen twice daily. My GP did this for me when my NSAID (etoricoxib) was reduced in dose & I had to take it twice a day for a short period.

[Sammicat15]

Without Naproxen, I cannot move. Full stop. So make sure you take yours at regular times and keep going with it as you need to keep the dose topped up and in your system.

I take Omeprazole rather than Lanso but may have to change if my reflux gets any worse. It is wonderful when the meds work and pains reduce.

Try and rest your hands as much as possible. You can also try putting warming balm on your knuckles, like tiger balm or Radian B, so long as it's not Voltarol.

Hope things continue to improve for you.

[sunnydown]

I woke up and felt quite bloated, like trapped gas. Might be the second dose of Naproxen I took last night.

Taking Lanzoprosole twice seems way to risky. I think I'll just take it once in the morning. With my second dose of Naproxen I will eat plenty of foods. Will confirm with my GP later on today...if this is ok.

[nomoreheels in reply to sunnydown]

Only me being nosy & yes, I advise you ask your GP before you do, but why do you think taking lansoprazole twice in one day is risky?

There are alternative ppi's your GP can prescribe, I'm on a different one, omeprazole but there are others.

[sunnydown in reply to nomoreheels]

I was already taking Lansoprazole (since February 2017) when I developed joint pains. I assumed that taking Lansoprazole might have contributed to this and given me Arthralgia. Sadly, I won't know until see my rheumatologist - who will confirm what is exactly causing my joint pain.

Also, saw my GP today who said too much Lansoprazole isn't good for me. He advised I should just take 1 Lansoprazole (30mg) a day.

[nomoreheels in reply to sunnydown]

I hope it's not the lansoprazole causing you pain but it can cause hypomagnesia, a side effect of which is joint & muscle pain. Hopefully things will become clearer when you see your Rheumy.

As your GP is aware you're taking 2 naproxen daily do take your second (evening) dose either with your meal or after.

[wishbone in reply to nomoreheels]

I was under the impression that lansaprazole, omeprazole, etc were all pretty much the same thing. At least I'm pretty sure that's what my GP said when I asked him about trying something other than omeprazole to see if it would help with my stomach issues.

I was taking omeprazole for a while in the early days of my RA. That's until my GP asked me if I was having stomach problems at the time. When I told her I wasn't and believe that I was put on it as a matter of routine, she said it's best I stop taking it as omeprazole can cause problems of its own. She didn't say what though.

I heard on the radio the other day that a recent survey, in Germany I think, linked omeprazole type drugs (can't recall the proper name for that family of drugs) to dementia. Something like 40% more chance of getting it if I heard correctly?

[nomoreheels in reply to wishbone]

There are about 10 of the 'prazoles', 6 are more commonly prescribed but are of the same family, ppi's or proton pump inhibitors. As you would expect each works slightly differently & can come with side effects or deficiency-causing problems.

Prescribing of ppi's is a balancing act which should be looked at individually as some need NSAIDs as part of their treatment to keep control of inflammation but that can bring with it tum issues, such as GERD or peptic ulcers, this is when a ppi is usually prescribed either to prevent or control.

I'm not sure about the 40% mentioned but there have been talks about ppi's & dementia for a couple of years. I thought the percentage was quite a lot lower though & the risk tended to be related to increase in age, that it could be influenced by the possibility with the older we become that there's possibly natural age-related progression involvement.

[wishbone in reply to nomoreheels]

I thought 40% was very high, so wouldn't be surprised if I misheard what was said.

Thanks for clarifying things, heelsy. As usual you are a mine full of information.

[nomoreheels in reply to wishbone]

My h has trouble with ppi's, he's tried both omeprazole & lansoprazole daily at different times but they stop him absorbing magnesium & potassium sufficiently enough causing him to be deficient but needs something to keep tum troubles at bay. What he was changed to was an H2 blocker (ranitidine) & an alginate (Gaviscon) but they didn't contol his symptoms well enough. Last time he saw his Endocrinologist he had just done a paper on ppi's & hypomagnesia & hypokalemia so decided, with his OK, he was a good candidate to try his theory, quite simply to continue on ranitidine & Gaviscon but also to take pantoprazole every third day to allow his body to absorb magnesium & potassium. So this is why I've a smattering of knowledge about it.

Hope you're ok wishy?

[wishbone in reply to nomoreheels]

H has a lot more trouble with his stomach than I have with mine that's for sure. Hope the new treatment improves things for him.

I've been having a bit of a flare this past couple of days, could hardly blinking move when I got up this morning. So think a naproxen is on the cards straight after lunch, which I'm not too happy about as I had one just a few days ago

Stomach has noticeably improved since I stared taking gastro-resistant asprin a week or so ago. I'm still scratching my head as to why my GP has only now seen fit to prescribe them when I've been complaining about my stomach on and off for about a year?!

On the whole I'm ok, and though I do get frequent flares am mighty thankful that they are not on the same scale as when I came out of hospital a couple of years back following the septic arthritis in my hip....enuff said about that little episode!!

Yet another long winded reply by yours truly...to think that I used to be such a shy little fella! The kind hearts on this forum are to blame for that....

Thanks for asking and take care,

[nomoreheels in reply to wishbone]

Sorry you're not at your best. Get that naproxen down you & rest up, let it do it's good work.

I don't get why your GP knowing you have tum trouble doesn't automatically select enteric coated tablets when prescribing. H has low dose aspirin & has always been given EC. Maybe next time you need to add to your meds remind him & then you don't risk suffering for the sake of a few pennies more out of his prescribing budget! Actually my GP always prescribes me ET tablets, fortunately I don't have tum troubles but she is a preventative prescriber. She gave me 4 boxes of Macrogol when she first prescribed my pain relief, convinced I'd be constipated... they're still there in the cupboard, unopened.

Yes I remember about your septic arthritis, not a good time & you don't want to go there again.

I hope you feel better soon. Take care. 😊

[wishbone in reply to nomoreheels]

They did try me on clopidogrel, which I had to ask for, a while back but it didn't seem to help any. I had a routine appointment for a tablet review when I told the GP, who I had never seen before, that I'd stopped taking both clopidigrel and ordinary aspirin due to persistent acid reflux. It was then that he prescribed coated aspirin. He was younger than either of the two GPs I usually see, and when he asked me to take my jacket off before I'd sat down, I started to wonder just what the heck was going to happen? He then duly went about taking my temp, pulse and blood pressure, which came as a great shock to my system as I can't remember the last time I was given the once over by any of the other GPs, and with all the trouble I've had!...not a very good show is it! Think I'll do my best to just see that particular GP from now on...........

edit...I took took the naproxen after and feel much better now. Hope my stomach holds out.

[nomoreheels in reply to wishbone]

Seems like the right GP took the med review! I'd be seeing more of him too, though the taking of your temp, bp & pulse may have been because he'd not seen you before? The next time will tell, but it's no bad thing if he does is it?

Please you're feeling better for the naproxen & fingers crossed you don't end up paying for it. Bland food might help possibly.

[wishbone in reply to nomoreheels]

Ah right, I never knew that GPs routinely give you the once over the first time they see you. Think I'll still try to stick with him though.

Stomach still ok...no reaction so far to the big plateful of bacon, sausage, black pudding, egg & chips that I ate a couple of hours ago.....nah, I'm just kidding... I should be so lucky! I have ate, but just a sandwich and a piece of fruit cake. Those coated aspirin do seem to have made quite a difference though. If I carry on like this then hopefully I can get away with taking naproxen a bit more often than I currently do.

[ToffeeMumble]

Hooray and BIG hugs well done that’s a massive hurdle over!!🙂

[sunnydown in reply to ToffeeMumble]

I feel normal again. The joints ache a little...but I can live a normal life (for now). Walking, sitting and moving around isn't a struggle like before. Even my family was happy to see me smile and act like before. I know it will take more hard work and effort to remain like this (as I grow older)...and I am determine to do this.

[Simba1992]

Like with all meds especially meds we are prescribed to take longterm we need to be sure about there effects on us. Not just fixing a symptom today and tomorrow. PPIs are strong meds with side effects that you should be aware of before you start. Unfortunately doctors seldom educate their patients on these side effects. Here is a good link in my opinion, discussing the use of PPIs.

refluxmd.com/alternatives-t...

[Hobbledehoy]

So glad Naproxen helped you! I've been on it for years, now on maximum dose, sometimes think it's not doing anything anymore - until I don't take it for some reason, and then Wham, do I know the difference! It is a real friend to me. I take Omeprazole to protect the tummy, 1 capsule daily in the morning. Then I have my breakfast, and THEN I take my medication - never on an empty stomach as a precaution. Fortunately have never had a problem - unless, as on 2 occasions, I tried on just a banana, and felt really nauseous & burpy as my warning for being so silly. Best wishes x