Kickas.org Forums Ankylosing Spondylitis General Discussion #1 AS Web Support Group Allergic to NSAIDS

Finally I have a rheumatology referral, after years and years of trying to get a diagnosis. In the meantime the Dr gave me Naproxen which put me in A&E yesterday. I had the most horrendous chest and stomach pains, was vomiting and honestly thought I was having a heart attack. I had an ECG, Chest X Rays and bloods done and all came back clear but I am not allowed to be prescribed NSAIDs again.

So, if I am told I have AS what meds can they give, if I can't take the NSAIDs? There must be something else?

Thanks all

Hi,

That must have been very scary. I can't help on what other meds you can have someone with more experience will be able to tell you presumably it will be the next level up which I think is biologics?.

Usually the first thing a rheumatologist would do is to ask you to take NSAIDS for three months to see if it helps you before considering anything else however in your case that wont be possible but I don't know if they would go straight to the next step that quickly.

I hope you don't have to wait long to see the Rheumatologist.

In the meantime look at Bettyrawker's posts she swears by curcumin (turmeric extract) as an anti-inflammatory unfortunately the brand she recommends is a US brand which I don't think is available here. I looked on the site and it costs a fortune to send here never mind customs etc It needs to be as high a percentage of curcumin as possible I think. I keep meaning to get some in the UK to try but its a minefield looking into supplements and all the extra ingredients.

x

I can't take NSAIDS because they give me asthma. We just went right on to other drugs...Plaquenil, MTX, Imuran, Remicade, Humira, etc.

There are definitely a ton of things they can give you besides NSAIDS. I haven't tried curcumin. I think I will. I even saw that mentioned on either The Doctors or Dr. OZ. I like to try things like that.

Blessings.

I'm so sorry! That happened to me after 40 yrs of taking NSAIDS I know how awful & scary that vomiting, pain, and edema feels. There are lots of noon-typical pain meds like cymbalta, lyrica, and nucynta. There are also narcotics. Be honest with your MD when your searching for new meds. Cymbalta worked for me within 24 hours, but some people hate it. Also, narcotics are all different. I've never liked the dizzy feeling, but you can work with your MD to find one that works. Be VERY careful with salicylates until you find out if you've become allergic to those as well. Some of them are cinnamon, tumeric, red peppers, and lots of food have high salicylate content. I made myself very ill eating in NYC last year.

http://salicylatesensitivity.com

Thankyou for your replies

Grumpyally, I have heard of something like that before, I think it had extract of chilli or something? I will have to look into it. I have been on diclofenac for quite a long time with few problems, but swapping to naproxen seems to have triggered something and the Dr said I can't take any nsaids now. The waiting time here for a rheumatology apt is approx. 4 weeks so not too bad.

Possi, did you have any problems on the other meds? I couldn't go through yesterday again but I can feel the inflammation creeping back on already.

Erika, thanks. It was really scary. I've had twinges of the same pain today but milder, I'm guessing because I haven't taken the naproxen. However, the 'usual' pains are already returning...my lower back, mid back and ribs are really sore and I noticed today that when I was driving it was a bit of a struggle looking over my shoulder to pull away as it hurt my neck.

Well, at least we had a bit of sunshine here today to make things a bit better.

x

I had the exact same problem! went to doctors for pain in hips ankles,heels and shoulders ,he give me naproxen,on the third day of taking them,BAM!pain was so intense in my chest upper stomach,thought I was dying,it lasted about 12hrs,stopped taking them that day,I'm on the waiting list to see a rheumie,said it could take between 12to26weeks! Your not on your own

Hi Sonia

So sorry you had it too. It's a horrendous pain isn't it? I'll never touch them again - I thought my number was up. I had to take my son to the dr today, and he asked me how I was (unusual in itself to even be recognised by a dr outside of an apt) and I told him what had happened. he was mortified, but did tell me that he had done the referral. My daughter is under the care of the rheumatology team here so I know the turnaround is fairly quick. I'm just happy to be moving up the medical ladder at last. Hope your wait isn't that long.

x

I was left on aleve/naproxen for over 8 months and it helped at first and then I kept retaining water and gaining weight. When I stopped the weight dropped. But, the doctors don't believe me. I make due with ibuprofen, humira, and hydrocodone. So far that hasn't caused weight gain but anytime I try naproxen-weight gain.

Was interested to check this out - http://preview.aolbroadband.search.aol.c...20weight%20gain

Mix of information but a few do advise that Naproxen does cause oedema which in turn blows one up and weight gain. One response said 1lb per day gained. Everyone is different, nowt set in concrete. So, reckon a rare side effect and it can cause weight gain.

Ouch! Ouchpotato! I'm sorry - just couldn't help it. That was the first thing I thought of...

I also take Diclofenac now(twice a day) with few problems. I'm also on Remicade. I've also been on methotrexate for seven years, but right now I'm pulled off of it and may be going off altogether.(liver enzymes are up) I've already noticed more pain in my small joints of hands and toes. So I grudgingly admit, the mtx does help the pain. There's also the painkillers we take, but of course they're not treating the disease progression.
Aside from nsaids, there are Dmards. Here's a link. Of course it says for RA, but you know how that goes. Lots of the same meds.

http://www.webmd.com/rheumatoid-arthritis/guide/dmard-rheumatoid-arthritis-treatment

Hope they find you something soon that will help and not hurt.
Hang in there...