Alternatives to taking naproxen/ibuprofen all the time?

[mikeTV]

As I'm getting older. (40s - so not that old!) I'm noticing that I'm really aching in the mornings and struggle to bend/twist until I've either had a shower or been up an hour or so.

If I take naproxen/ibuprofen overnight I don't have this problem.

I'd rather not keep taking pills - is there anything else I can do instead?

Honestly are you overweight?

How about your mattress?

hot bath last thing at night?

Gentle bed stretches?

Tried different mattresses, it doesn't seem to make a difference.

Weight is an ongoing issue, but not going to be a quick fix.

Tried baths etc, help me go to sleep but not when I get up in the morning!

I think the key is to stay flexible, so making yourself do a Pilates based stretch routine at least twice a week. I've had back issues for years and get achey and stiff in the mornings when I've not kept up with strengthening and stretching exercises.

I have arthritis in my hip and am prescribed Naproxen too. I rarely take it as I find paracetamol works better.

Have you tried a TENS machine? I have one for my endometriosis and it is a god send. And it’s natural. Mine was bought for me by a friend when I had a particularly nasty flare up and now I wouldn’t be without it!

Freeze spray is good asnis Voltarol gel. Ialso am a fan of heat packs or ice packs

I have long standing ongoing back issues the best advice I was given (aside from loosing weight but I see you are doing this) is to do some stretching exercises before you get out of bed. Consultant explained to me if you see a cat or a dog when they wake from a nap they have a good stretch before getting up - it sounds mad and frankly was hard to get used to but it works I have about 4 stretches I do before getting out of bed and it makes life a lot easier. YouTube is a good place to look.

Honestly if you're stiff for that long in the morning then I'd see your Gp just so they can see if it's an autoimmune arthritis. When not on my injections I'm super stiff in the morning for hours.

I have arthritis in my wrists and ankles and have been looking for an alternative to painkillers. I've found Avogel which is a type of arnica gel has really helped me.

Lose weight, eat better food, move more during the day.

Avoid processed food/ready meals, sugar, white flour/bread/pasta/rice, fatty meats, cheese, alcohol. Obviously don't cut it all out but it will help if you cut down these things.

Stretching sounds good & thanks also for the other tips.

I don't tend to eat crap - I don't eat meat and get twitchy if I don't have enough veg!

My weight is ongoing, I'm doing what I can but have had a load of injuries in the last 6 months so moving around is more tricky at the moment - but I have a forward plan of Pilates, swimming etc. I don't think I have arthritis as I've seen the gp who's run blood tests etc.

Heat packs as you go to bed, nice to snuggle with

if the pain is for example, coming from your lower back, knees, elbows, hands, neck - Thermacare wraps - they come for all the above - from the bumph on the Boots website

ThermaCare Therapeutic HeatWraps Back are clinically proven as effective as six ibuprofen tablets (2 x 200mg tablets, 3 x daily. When wrap worn for 8 hours) - dont leave on for longer as they can burn into your skin

Ive found tiger balm useful as well, cheapest place to get it is 2 jars in a pack in the poundshop is same size as 1 jar of the same size in my local chemist for 4.99

Deep freeze / heat sprays - also help and can be got in the poundshops as well

Yes to the TENs machine as other PP have suggested

Back nodger self massager,

if your hands are affected Arthritis gloves, I use the fingerless ones with a bit of compression which helps

heat pad that covers your back, put it on for about 10 mins before you get out of bed, it helps loosen you up

Stretches as well, there are plenty of pictures stretches to do from bed / sitting down position on pinterest and lets you stretch while heat pad is on and before you get out of bed