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Suggest Treatment For Chronic Lower Back, Neck And Foot Pain
Question: Hello, I have chronic lower back pain (sciatic) neck pain (arthritic type pain) and pain in my feet (also arthritic), but I have been dealing with it. I work out regularly so it helps to keep my mind off of the pain. Today for the first time I took two alleve in the morning and I actually feel like a human being again. If I take that regularly, is it harmful?
Brief Answer:
Read below.
Detailed Answer:
I read your question carefully and I understand your concern.
Alleve is the brand name for naproxen, a NSAID (non-steroid antiinflammatory drug). They are effective in treating arthritic pain so it's not surprising you felt better. Using them occasionally usually doesn't cause any harm. However when they are used for long term there are some safety issues. Most common one is the increased risk of gastrointestinal ulcers due to these drugs inhibiting the production of a substance which protects stomach lining. Other issues which are raised with there long term use for months or years is the increased risk of high blood pressure or kidney usage.
For that reason when it comes to long term use acetaminophen is preferred to NSAIDs. What to do when it doesn't work....well pain affects quality of life, so when unbearable I sometime prescribe them in my patients. It is tough to draw a line, the age of the patient, blood pressure, other previous conditions are weighed in the balance towards pain intensity and still it's a matter of percentages, there are no clear cut decisions. When I decide to prescribe it regularly particular care should be taken with stomach symptoms, blood pressure measurements.
I remain at your disposal for further questions.
Read below.
Detailed Answer:
I read your question carefully and I understand your concern.
Alleve is the brand name for naproxen, a NSAID (non-steroid antiinflammatory drug). They are effective in treating arthritic pain so it's not surprising you felt better. Using them occasionally usually doesn't cause any harm. However when they are used for long term there are some safety issues. Most common one is the increased risk of gastrointestinal ulcers due to these drugs inhibiting the production of a substance which protects stomach lining. Other issues which are raised with there long term use for months or years is the increased risk of high blood pressure or kidney usage.
For that reason when it comes to long term use acetaminophen is preferred to NSAIDs. What to do when it doesn't work....well pain affects quality of life, so when unbearable I sometime prescribe them in my patients. It is tough to draw a line, the age of the patient, blood pressure, other previous conditions are weighed in the balance towards pain intensity and still it's a matter of percentages, there are no clear cut decisions. When I decide to prescribe it regularly particular care should be taken with stomach symptoms, blood pressure measurements.
I remain at your disposal for further questions.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thank you for your help Dr. Taka! Maybe I'll take acetamitophen but I will skip days - on some days I will just deal with the pain. This way I will be able to enjoy some time pain free without worrying too much about the side effects. I did hear about liver damage that acetamitophen can cause.
Brief Answer:
Read below.
Detailed Answer:
Long term and in large doses of acetaminophen does increase the risk of liver damage. However it is not common and remains the safest painkiller to use out there (unfortunately there doesn't exist a medication without a potential for some side effects, so it's a matter of choosing the minor evil really).
So still if acetaminophen is effective (trouble is that often is not as effective as NSAIDs) I would still retain it as a first choice with the occasional use of Aleve when in too much pain.
Let me know if I can further assist you.
Read below.
Detailed Answer:
Long term and in large doses of acetaminophen does increase the risk of liver damage. However it is not common and remains the safest painkiller to use out there (unfortunately there doesn't exist a medication without a potential for some side effects, so it's a matter of choosing the minor evil really).
So still if acetaminophen is effective (trouble is that often is not as effective as NSAIDs) I would still retain it as a first choice with the occasional use of Aleve when in too much pain.
Let me know if I can further assist you.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thank you very much for your help Dr. Taka.
Brief Answer:
You're welcome.
Detailed Answer:
Wishing you good health.
You're welcome.
Detailed Answer:
Wishing you good health.
Note: For further queries, consult a joint and bone specialist, an Orthopaedic surgeon. Book a Call now.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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