For the pill-pushers

[Seanette]

By which, of course, I mean pharmacy techs and similar. :angel:

Does anyone know if naproxen sodium (aka Aleve) has any anti-inflammatory properties? I have hip problems I suspect are probably arthritis, since this does run in my family. I can't afford to see a doctor currently, since DH's job does not offer benefits and this is a dead time of year for temping (most holiday jobs don't have benefits either and tend to involve more standing or lifting than the hips will tolerate).

I've been trying to vary the painkillers among ibuprofen, naproxen, occasional Midol-analog (largely acetaminophen, which I know does not have anti-inflammatory properties), and occasional aspirin (depends on where I am in my cycle, since I do not need heavier bleeding, TYVM). My usual standby is ibuprofen, since I know that offers pain relief and anti-inflammatory in one shot. Acetaminophen also tends to sedate me (none of the others do).

Thanks for any info, and sorry I got so longwinded. :o

[Banrion]

Aleve is an anti-inflammatory. My personal favorite. I am not a pharmacist, just a nurses daughter.

[Seanette]

Aleve is an anti-inflammatory. My personal favorite. I am not a pharmacist, just a nurses daughter.
Well, you have access to better info than I do, probably. ;)

Good to know that, since I do appreciate the fact that it's a lower dosage to get the same relief. DH worries about my ibuprofen intake (he says he's heard something about effects on the liver. I thought that was acetaminophen, and that only if you also drink, which I don't). My response to that is, "dear, if you want me able to do ANYTHING on a bad day, I need that dosage".

[Banrion]

Well, you have access to better info than I do, probably. ;)

Good to know that, since I do appreciate the fact that it's a lower dosage to get the same relief. DH worries about my ibuprofen intake (he says he's heard something about effects on the liver. I thought that was acetaminophen, and that only if you also drink, which I don't). My response to that is, "dear, if you want me able to do ANYTHING on a bad day, I need that dosage".

None of them are really good to be taking higher than recommended doses for extended periods of time. Ibuprofen tends to be harder on MY stomach than naproxen sodium.

[Greenday]

If I was allowed to give medical advice while working at the pharmacy, and someone asked me what is the best OTC anti-inflammatory they can get, I'd gladly point them towards aleve. That stuff is GREAT. Plus, working at a pharmacy, I could get it really cheap.

[Mighty Girl]

I used to take the prescription version of it for my knee. Yes, it is an anti-inflammatory. I don't prefer it, but my husband does. When I was on the prescription- Naprosyn if I remember correctly, it tore my stomach up. Right now I take Daypro, and it's easier on my stomach, but again, it's prescription. I've found that nothing over the counter does much for me.

[Seanette]

I used to take the prescription version of it for my knee. Yes, it is an anti-inflammatory. I don't prefer it, but my husband does. When I was on the prescription- Naprosyn if I remember correctly, it tore my stomach up. Right now I take Daypro, and it's easier on my stomach, but again, it's prescription. I've found that nothing over the counter does much for me.
Thankfully, I'm not (yet) so bad off that I need anything prescription. I'm sorry that you are.

[Geek King]

Before I could get my wisdom teeth out, the dentist suggested Aleve for both the pain and the swelling that contributed to it.

[Barefootgirl]

While i do sympathise massively with your predicanment, Seanette, I want to just make it clear that no-one here is a doctor or licenced health professional who can prescribe medication for anyone else or who is qualifed to give medication advice.

[digilight]

Seanette, I have arthritis in the back (both upper and lower), knee's (left worse then the right) hips, fingers and wrists. The Dr. who diagnosed it (after a MRI of the back and knees) told me to take 4 ibuprofen 3 times a day. So I did that off and on as needed for a couple of years. The pain got worse and I gradually would take more then the 12 a day. Well about 3-6 months ago I took some and got real bad abdominal pain, I thought it may be stones. Long story short it started major stomach problems that I caught just in time.

I went to a new Dr. a few days ago (different problem) who said that Ibuprofen is good on a short term basis. Long term can and usually will cause stomach problems including stomach bleading and bleading ulcers.

Remember what BFG said (we aren't Dr's, only speaking from our past experiences so take it all with a grain of salt).

A few things that have helped me have been. A product called therapy cream put out by a company called nutriscan http://nutriscan.com/therapy-cream.php . I don't know if its available to buy without going thru all their sign up process. I'm sure if you read the PDF on the site you can find similar products at a GNC or a pharmecy. My SIL works for them and I've tried the cream and it has helped me at times. They are basically a vitamin/supliment type company, I think a lot of their stuff is more on the Iffy side though and you can probably do just as good researching the ingrediants and picking something similar up locally (just don't tell her I said that : )

I have also used salonpas http://salonpas.us/ at least the patch ones. These you can pick up at most drug stores like CVS (What do you think of these Phoenix?).

And of course a hot shower/bath helps as does a heating pad.

[Seanette]

While i do sympathise massively with your predicanment, Seanette, I want to just make it clear that no-one here is a doctor or licenced health professional who can prescribe medication for anyone else or who is qualifed to give medication advice.
I'm aware of that :angel: . I figured my original questions (namely whether a specific OTC med has a specific property) was in the category "things a pharmacy tech very likely knows or knows how to find out". :D

[AFpheonix]

The salonpas patches are pretty much just camphor and menthol, so they 1) make your skin tingle, so you think something's happening ;) and 2) do add a little heat to the area to help increase some circulation there. If it's a joint issue that seanette's having, it won't really do anything, although if it's a muscle strain it could help, although just a standard heating pad should be fine.

Aleve is an NSAID, just like advil or motrin. NSAIDs in general do contribute to ulcers in the long run, so be careful with that. If you end up having to be on them on a permenant basis, you might want to look into a COX-2 inhibitor (the only one left on the market is Celebrex) since it has the same anti-inflammatory effects but is easier on your tummy. Be warned though, a lot of insurances won't cover this stuff.

If it is a joint/arthritis thing, you can also look into some of the joint supplements out on the market. I believe there's been some studies that have shown that glucosamine and chondroitin taken in combo can help prevent any further joint damage. I don't know about people, but I know in horses that hyaluronic acid (in the form of an injection: I see in in oral form for people) is used frequently by vets to help with synovial joint problems.

As in all things like this, consult with your doctor, it could be something worse. If it's not, he may suggest exercises and other helpful daily things to help stabilize and strengthen the joint so it's not damaged further.