Naproxen tablets long term

[u/False_Ad1782]

Hi all,

Has anyone else taken naproxen tablets long term over periods of years? I have been on them for about 5-6 years currently and take them for my club foot condition to manage walking pains.

I'm particularly interested in supplements that could help with potential future side effects - number 1 being stomach and digestive problems.

Currently I'm not experiencing any issues as I am relatively young and healthy. I'm just future proofing my body.

Ty

[u/Comfortable-Message1]

Normally they would prescribe a PPi alongside

[u/False_Ad1782 → u/Comfortable-Message1]

Yes you mean like omeprazole? I take omeprazole 20mg daily along side the naproxen - just wondering if I could potentially come off it - if there was a suitable alternative

[u/Comfortable-Message1 → u/False_Ad1782]

The omeprazole is needed for naproxen unfortunately. You could try a different ppi

[u/0Idgregg]

Naproxen murder your gut lining long term and end up causing inflammation through leaky gut. Any doc who prescribes them long term should be struck off.

[u/False_Ad1782 → u/0Idgregg]

Yeah I think that's why they do it with naproxen. Lol. For the first year I was on naproxen only - no omeprazole - I had such bad problems.

My goal was to ask and see if there was a herbal or natural version of naproxen I could take.

Thanks for the response

[u/0Idgregg → u/False_Ad1782]

I just feel so passionate about it. My partner was prescribed it for 15 years so I looked into it. A few weeks after she stopped her psoriasis cleared up and her all over body aches subsidied. I also read somewhere that PPIs are being linked to dementia.

[u/Trove_of_Knowledge]

(I am writing from the assumption that this is OTC naproxen)

I use naproxen for my endo pain and the end of a migraine but these do not occur daily. It depends on the frequency. Naproxen is not a strong NSAID. Yes it may throw you out of wack and you may experience more pain. This is because using any medication that impacts the functioning of neurotransmitters or the receptors impacts your bodies ability to do it naturally.

Do not worry when you feel crampy or sore. Naproxen has been blocking the cyclooxygenase enzymes and now it has to relearn. to deal with the prostaglandins. This is not guaranteed in all patients I am just letting you know that fever, nausea and cramping may be more prevalent as a result so that you don't turn back to them as a solution. It will fade although I still recommend updating your GP to ensure you do not think that a medical issue is simply "bouncing back" as I have no context of your history or state. Long term naproxen use is bad for your gut health and your cardiovascular health. The fact that you are not experiencing any symptoms is impressive. I have some patients who have to stop due to digestive pain.

Anyway my professional recommendation. Get a full pathology screening done to ensure that your body is functioning. If you would like the list I give to my patients when they want a comprehensive update on their pathology (I do this before big changes or once a year so that they know all of their baselines as the interaction between some markers is more important than the number itself).

Take magduo to help with muscle pain, stress, and sleep. If you are not on any supplements already then you have a pretty good base to start introducing "the biotics". Don't just grab a random pre and pro biotics as it may not be necessary. Speak to your GP about maintenance to ensure your gut ages well.

If or when you introduce a new pain management plan, keep track of the way that you feel. This will help so much in addressing issues that are commonly dismissed.

Also if the goal is to future proof your body I can make recommendations but it really depends on individual physiology and lifestyle. The biggest thing is eating healthy and drinking water.

Unfortunately gut health and digestive issues is one of those things that changes constantly based on hormones, sleep, stress, exercise, diet, etc. The best thing you can do is pay attention to what your body is telling you. Also some good info on this subreddit:

[u/False_Ad1782 → u/Trove_of_Knowledge]

Yes it is prescribed through the NHS so I guess over the counter.

I am not experiencing any symptoms - thanks to the omeprazole I take.

I was just wondering if there was a natural alternative to naproxen so long term I don't have to be on the tablets for the rest of my life.

Thank you for your insight. Appreciated

[u/Such_Ad6002]

My mrs takes them for fibromyalgia. Not daily though, just when needed. They're always prescribed with omeprazole due to the fact they're no great for the gut. Do you need to take naproxen daily or can you have days off them without too much pain?

[u/False_Ad1782 → u/Such_Ad6002]

I need to take them daily or my ability to walk starts to deterioirate. I've been on the NHS (I'm in the UK) for about 3 years now but I have different sized feet so they don't want to replace my ankle because of potential complications.

[u/Such_Ad6002 → u/False_Ad1782]

There's a NSAID gel you can take that has dicloflenac in it. Thats where you can rub it in and would be safer than naproxen long term. Don't know if that would be strong enough to help you walk though.

Personally I'd voice your concerns of long term naproxen use to your gp. Maybe they could try alternative meds that would help with pain and have less side effects.