Osteoarthritis advice.

[SusanS70]

I have been taking on prescription a number of Painkillers including Naproxen. For Sciatica and Osteoarthritis. They have helped so much. However, I had a medication review on Monday and told they will not going to supply the anti inflammatory any more. Since stopping them, which I was always told they would do gradually if I was to come off them . I am worried as they stopped not only straight away but now I am suffering with movement again. Stiffened joints and very sore etc. Can anyone else advise me on what I should do. She just stopped them and now I feel dreadful. I never had any problems with them while taking. I don’t know what to do now. Thank you.

[Wobbies]

Sorry only advice I can offer is go back to the GP. I know that they are very wary of prescribing anti-inflmamatories, the only reason that I can get them is because my consultant recommended them. they will not prescribe them otherwise. However, they should not just leave you in pain. Good luck

[SusanS70]

All they said was is that I had been on them too long. I was stunned when they stopped them.

[Mmrr in reply to SusanS70]

I would ask what they mean by too long, and ask for an explanation of why being immobile through pain is preferable, with all the risks immobility brings ?

Do you have rheumatoid disease too ?

[SusanS70]

Thank you. Yes I will. I always got on okay with them and now I can definitely feel the difference not taking them.

[KittyJ]

Definitely challenge them on this, they can’t just decide to take away something that is working for you and leave you to suffer and with no explanation as to why. Let them know how it’s affected you and keep on at them until they take notice. Let us know how you go 🤗

[Deeb1764]

As others have said you have the right for a reason from them and how they expect you to manage the inflammation and pain. Stopping dead on drugs helps no one.

[AgedCrone]

I don’t know if you realise...but you have come on to the Rheumatoid Arthritis site.....& although we are sometimes prescribed something like Naproxen we are more likely to be prescribed Dmards (disease modifying antirheumatic drugs ) as RA is an autoimmune disease which osteoarthritis is not....so apart from needing pain relief the treatment differs.

Have you been tested to see if you also have RA?

If you haven’t been referred to a Rheumatologist ....that would be my first request of my GP....to see a rheumatology consultant.

Were you prescribed anything like lansoprazole to protect your stomach when you were taking Naproxen? If not.....before you are in too much discomfort I’d get back to your GP & explain how much pain you are in without the Naproxen & ask for a full drug review, & some blood tests to rule out RA.....or you may have some other condition that your GP considers it as unsuitable to continue with the Naproxen....... ..recently many people have been taken off that drug.

Have you been prescribed any physiotherapy ?

That is often quite successful with sciatica but not necessarily unfortunately with osteoarthritis.

I hope you get some relief soon.

[springcross]

Hi Susan. I don't know if you are aware but there is a community for Osteoarthritis on HU. If you are interested, go to the Search HealthUnlocked box top right and type in Osteoarthritis. On the next page click on the heading Communities and it will take you to another page with the Osteoarthritis communities on. Click on whichever one you want and you will then be able to join - that's if you want to of course. x

[happytulip]

Long term NSAIDS such as diclofenac and naproxen can have a negative effect of the kidneys if taken long term. Other people on here have also touched upon the risks to your stomach if you don't have any stomach protection such as omeprozole or lansoprazole.

Saying that, I think it's completely unreasonable for a GP to take effective pain relief away without offering an alternative.

The more mobile you are the better your pain will be.

My advice would be to go back to your GP and ask for an alternative pain relief and an explanation for coming off naproxen and make the point that you need to be mobile to stay fit, active and safe and to avoid risks like osteoporosis as walking is the best lifestyle preventative for osteoporosis.

[Goldsky]

They don’t like you taking them long term Susan, as they are very bad for your stomach and can cause ulcers. There are other things they can give you though. Hope you can get sorted soon.

[Nuttyshirlz]

I used to take fits as a baby until I was about 40yrs on and off. I was given pills took for all them years went to hospital and dr said well think we can stop these now. I was like your joking just like that he said yes. I went from popping 6 of these pills aday too nothing. I was panicking for days when got home and I was fine touch wood not had one since. But if someone tried to take my arthritis pills off me I’d like to think I’d fight a bit more lol

[Neonkittie17]

I was told in 2009 I had to stop Naproxen by one of the GPs and I had only been taking it a few weeks. It had helped a lot. He said they were stopping prescribing it to anyone. No adverse blood results at all from me but my thyroid had been playing up (hyperthyroidism) and I wondered if it was something to do with that. I found other pain relief helped in the form of transdermal patches and once I was on a better RA med that worked for me well, my OA was in a better place too. I don’t think it is acceptable to stop your pain relief and agree with all the other posts re a review of your meds and you letting them know the pain you are in. Also physio (and hydro especially) are good to think of doing. Good luck.

[Flor1rence]

Hi Susan I was taken off Naproxen because of having to have MTX which I was unhappy about. Naproxen was fab for my OA but they didn't offer me an alternative, my legs and back suffer at times but atm i blame it on the covid weight gain but the pain is quite bad especially if i drive any distance. I hope you get something sorted out soon, good luck😉

[Sarmita50]

I cannot take the strong painkillers as I have a pacemaker since 2014. I also felt relief with strong pain killers.Recently I had a flare up and was given a steroid injection. This helped but I know it is only temporary.I take turmeric and glucosamine with chondroitin which I was told may help.During my flare ups Dr, prescribed naproxen which I had to take to ease my flare up. Ask our GP for some painkillers as you may not have heart problem like I have. Please ask his advice as you should not suffer in pain

[Sarmita50]

Forgot to add I have osteopenia, osteoarthritis and have been diagnosed with RA 18 years ago and in addition o steroid they have increased my dose of MTX. I have a feeling my flare up will come back as soon as the effect of steroid will pass. They took me off two drugs hydroxychloroquine and alendronic acid which i took for 10 years for osteopenia.Keeping my fingers crossed. My pain aggravated because I was not seen by a rheumy for the last 18 months.There is a huge backlog due to Covid. Have you had a blood test your RA ? I do hope you don't have it but just to make sure ask your GP what you should do.Sorry I cannot help but hope you can put a pressure on your the NHS and everything checked out properly,God wishes

[SusanS70 in reply to Sarmita50]

Thank you for your message. I have asked the Gp because why take you off something that was working and now I’m suffering. I certainly will keep on. Thank you. Sending love and best wishes x

[Helen-NRAS Moderator]

Good morning. If you would like support, information or just someone to talk to, our NRAS helpline is open every week day from 9.30am to 4.30pm nras.org.uk/helpline/ 0800 298 7650. Or have a look at our website nras.org.uk. Kind regards.

[SusanS70 in reply to Helen-NRAS]

Thank you I will. I was stunned when I had this outcome. Definitely wasn’t expecting it.

[Helen-NRAS Moderator in reply to SusanS70]

Good Luck Susan

[nomoreheels]

Hiya Susan, welcome. It's an odd one. Our GP Practice prescribe naproxen, my h has recently been given it on an acute basis, though he can only take them for a couple of days at a time as they cause big problems for him tum wise. I'm at a bit of a loss if there's no physical reason they think you shouldn’t take them, which would be a reasonable reason for them discontinuing them, from your post it would seem there's not though. Whilst the general info is that naproxen is only taken in short courses it's not applicable with a condition needing continual relief. Do you think it could be that whoever performed the med review isn't aware of this? If that is the case surely they'd have recommended you see your GP for a replacement NSAID.

I wonder, whilst naproxen isn't on the items which should not be routinely prescribed list, could it be that your GP Practice has formulated their own, or extended the NHS list, to include other meds available over the counter at a lower price than the prescription cost? Could that be relatable do you think? Various guises can be purchased otc, Nurofen is one brand & other generics which are usually labelled for period pain, in Boots anyway. The thing that could scupper that though is you'll be taking a regular dose, would you be able to buy enough to cover you daily need given your dose could be up to 2,000mg a day, if you're limited to a couple of pack per transaction in common with ibuprofen.

The only other reason I can think of would be if you're also prescribed another NSAID, or if it's come to light in the med review that naproxen is contraindicated with one of the painkillers you take. But if that's the case surely an alternative would have been discussed.

I don't know if any of this helps? Either way if it was me I’d want answers, NSAIDs along with pain relief are common meds for OA. You need an alternative to keep the inflammation down. I know myself that OA can be really painful if not controlled well. I've tried 4 or 5 in 13 years, currently taking etoricoxib. I hope you resolve this situation & promptly.

[Mmrr]

I have taken diclofenac acid (voltarol) for over 30 years for OA. Several GPs over the timeframe have suggested stopping, several times I did try, only to experience pain and stiffness. Each time I have gone back to the GP and been restarted. Now if anyone suggests stopping I just say a firm, no, explain why not and ask them to read my medical history. I take the minimum amount required and jig the dosage to suit my situation.

Being clear, firm and precise with your Dr may help.