Use of NSAID SOONER?

[Gilliancheche]

Pain Relief? How to manage, or try to manage. I have prescriptions for celecoxib and etoricoxib. I usually try to cope without either, then as pain gets worse try regular paracetamol. Only when I am desperate do I start with the NSAID. Is this the right approach? Should I start with the NSAID sooner to try to prevent pain progressing? I am on 20mg MTX injections and waiting for next appointment to discuss further.

[Boxerlady]

My rheumy nurse told me what to do re pain relief while I was waiting for the DMARDS to kick in and was quite specific about taking it regularly (paracetamol and ibuprofen for me) until the swelling decreased as well as any pain.

Could you ring them and ask for guidance?

[helixhelix]

I hope you don’t take both!

I take NSAIDs for osteo rather than RA, For me if I wait too long then it takes several days to calms things down. Painkillers work fairly quickly (or not at all!) but anti-inflammatories need a bit of time to conquer the inflammation. My current pattern is that I take them for about 4 or 5 days basically until things feel as ok as they can be plus one day Then stop for as long as I can until things start to twinge again....normally 3 or 4 days.

[Mmrr]

I take NSAIDs (diclofenac acid) every day and have done for 30 years.Like any medication it is the regularity in taking it that gives the best results, and at a smaller daily dose rather than the seesaw effect. If stopped it takes several days at a higher dose to get on top of things.

It might be best to speak with your rheumatologist or GP.

[Downtime]

I’m on Mxt 15mg only at the moment but even when I was on biologics I still had pain. I’ve taken 1600mg Brufen Retard every day for a very long time. omeprazole if my stomach is complaining. I find that regular dosing keeps me on an even keel as when I decide to drop it for a day it takes me a few days to get back. Absolutely discuss this with your doctor. By the way you can take paracetamol with NSAIDS if necessary.

[Wobbies]

I take 15mgs. Meloxicam daily and cannot manage without. Still have pain but at least I can move. If I leave it off, I quickly cannot bend my knees or hips. Although it is not good for me, could not manage daily tasks without it.

[BoneyC]

I've taken a NSAID every day since diagnosis in 1971, 50 years ago. I don't necessarily take the full prescribed dose and, I have a pill splitter so that I can reduce the dose further if I want to.

[wilbertjellyfish]

Funny recently had this issue too. I was told take the etericoxib all the time until you are on top of the pain and then use paracetamol...or sulphadine Max I find good...for if you are still sore. The n'saids help with reducing the inflammation so help in more ways than just pain but take longer to work. You also need to get a level in your system so taking them regularly helps them work better. The paracetamol etc are more short acting but kick in quicker.

[mickey1]

Hello, If your prescribed something like celecoxib you should take it regularly not stop and start it. I took it for a number of years with no side effects but the drug needs to "build up" within you to fight the pain. I am also on 20MTX oral and now control my pain with paracetamol 2 tabs 3 times a day. Hope this helps.