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Anyone taking Naproxen for Arthritis?

7 replies

sparklystar · 24/03/2010 19:57

Hi

As the title says really i am for painful hands and wrists atm.

Just wondering how long the tablets took to kick in ?

Also waiting for blood tests (3 weeks).

What treatment can i expect if it is confirmed ?

OP posts:
sparklystar · 26/03/2010 21:47

Sly bump :-)

OP posts:
ItsNotMyName · 05/04/2010 21:13

Sorry - didn't see this earlier. I take Naproxen for RA.

Where specifically is the pain in your hands? Have they also prescribed PPIs whilst you are on the Naproxen? And what blood tests are they running?

Sorry for the questions, but will help me give you more meaningful information.

DinahRod · 05/04/2010 21:27

Took it for a about 3 months, with another tablet to protect against stomach ulcers. It certainly helped the joint pain but the side effects (of one or both tablets) outstripped the benefits for me so stopped taking it, but was warned it might be a bit trial and error.

sparklystar · 06/04/2010 12:57

Sorry only just seen reply's

INMN - My pain is in my wrists, finger joints , Not sure what PPI's are ???

Said would do blood tests for RA and a few other things but wouldn't say what

OP posts:
ItsNotMyName · 06/04/2010 13:46

Finger joint pain is typical of RA which is why they will be testing for it. The tablets should provide some benefit pretty quickly (a few hours) with, I think, a slight cumulative effect as well. If they aren't providing you with any relief go back to the Doctors and ask either to adjust the dose or try a different anti-inflammatory. What dose are you on BTW?

PPIs are Proton Pump Inhibitors. Naproxen is an NSAID (Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug), which puts it in the same family as Ibuprofen (albeit atronger). NSAIDs are effective, but associated with stomach upsets and potentially ulcers. PPIs work by reducing the amount of stomach acid that you produce, thereby reducing the risk of side effects such as stomach upsets or ulcers.

Whenever you take NSAIDs you should be prescribed PPIs as a preventative measure to protect you from the potential side effects. I would suggest raising this with your Doctor next time you see them.

If they are doing the first set of blood tests then I'd expect they will be testing for Rheumatoid Factor, which is an indicator of what might be happening.

If the RF comes back positive it doesn't necessarily mean you have RA, as it can be elevated for a number of reasons, but it is an indicator (along with other symptoms). Similarly if it comes back negative, it doesn't definitely mean you do not have RA, so do not let things drop if the pain continues.

I'd also expect they will test for ESR and/or CRP, which are indicators of inflammation. If these levels are raised then, again, this is indicative that there is something going on which requires further investigation.

I'm surprised the tests take three weeks to come back - they normally get turned around within a few days. Give them a chase!

Sorry - very long post! Let me know if you have any more queries.

sparklystar · 06/04/2010 14:23

Thanks

The 3 weeks is for the actual blood test the results prob only a few days after its a nightmare. I haven't really found the tablets of any benefit tbh but am at the doc's later in the week so will mention it and the ppi too.

I have taken NSAID before for asthma but never had anything else with it ????

OP posts:
ItsNotMyName · 08/04/2010 12:17

I had a similar problem with getting the initial blood tests carried out. I found out though that I didn't have to have them done at my GP's surgery - there was a local walk in centre where I went the next morning and the results were back with my GP the following day. Might be worth asking if you have anything similar nearby?

PPIs are not always prescribed, but the risk of complications increases with increased duration of treatment and higher doses, so it might be worth asking the GP about.

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