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Mixing Pain Meds

kimberh
kimberh
Okay, you all might "tsk tsk" me for this one, but last night I was just in too much pain. Around 7:30p I took some Aleve (naproxen). It usually kicks in in about an hour for me, but last night it just wasn't doing anything. So right before bedtime at 9:30 I decided to take some aspirin. Just as I was getting ready to swallow the pills, my husband yells, "Stop! What are you doing?" I say, "I'm taking some aspirin," and he say, "You can't do that!" At this point I get angry because I am already in pain. So I tell him, "Yes I can!" and I chuck the pills into my mouth and swallow. He just looks at me in exasperation and says, "I saw you take the Aleve earlier and now you take some aspirin? You can't take NSAIDS together!" At that point I start to wonder if he is right. Although I have done this before, actually lots of times, it occurred to me in that moment that I had better check this out. So I checked Google and there seems to be conflicting information. So is there anyone here who actually knows the real deal about what, if any NSAIDS I can take together? The pain just does not all go away sometimes.
MadelinefFromNJ
MadelinefFromNJ
I don't mix different varieties of similar meds. My go-to ones are Aleve, and RX naproxen. Aleve is 220 mg, the Rx naproxen is 375. I take them in combination with Flexeril, a muscle relaxant (cyclobenzaprinre).. I'll star at 220; if I'm feeling bad, start with the RX 375. Some times I'll take 2 Aleve at once, and then another three to four hours later if I'm really in a lot of really nasty pain. I don't like narcotic pain meds, so these are my options. My doctor just started me on Mobic over a week ago, and I couldn't tolerate it. He's talking tramadol, but it's not something I want to try.

For myself, I wouldn't mix aspirin with Aleve or Advil, but stick to the same type. Clear what you can do with your doctor, though. That's what I do.
kimberh
kimberh
Thank you Madeline. I think that is probably the safest thing. I do see a number of people on here on tramadol, but I understand how you feel about narcotics. I am trying to avoid going that route myself. Really appreciate the advice!
Shakota6
Shakota6
My RN license just lapsed but I can tell you that you run the risk of stomach +intestinal bleeding (even an ulcer and perforation requiring surgery) if you combine NSAIDs or aspirin. Check the bottle for the maximum dosage per 24 hrs.

Also, this can occur without any stomach discomfort and is more prevalent the older you get.

That said, fibro pain does not respond well to NSAIDs, unlike osteoarthritis or types of autoimmune disorders where there is actual joint swelling. Maybe you need to discuss med options with your doc. You could suggest baclofen or tizanidine (muscle relaxants) to start with. Most fibro sufferers use a combination of drugs as the pain from fibro is difficult to treat.

Hope this helps.
angiern2010
angiern2010
All of the OTC meds can get quite confusing and when trying to find some immediate pain relief can be also frustrating. I agree with Shakota in that taking a NSAID and an aspirin may be a little much and does increase the risk of a GI bleed. I believe Aleve is the better choice for pain relief and it's extended time coverage for pain relief is excellent. Have you tried taking Tylenol (acetaminophen) in between the Aleve doses? It is a different drug classification and may help if the Aleve is not enough. Tylenol is not as harsh on the GI system and as long as it is taken within recommended maximum dosing (3,000 mgs/24 hrs), it would be safer than overdoing on the NSAIDS. Speak with your doctor and see if that combination may be a better alternative. Angie
LeoX3
LeoX3
I can't top the above, but please know that mixing and or modifying meds, no matter how tempting, is playing a dice game with your health. You may be okay *once*.... but not always. My sister died of medication self-modification, and so that's where I'm coming from. A call to a pharmacist or doctor or even a trip to an ER is preferable to the risks, IMO. I never ask for narcotics or opiates or what-have-you, and I can't take tramadol (messes up epileptics like me) so I am shuffling along at the best I can do with what I can get. So I do understand "Dear God, make the pain stop." Just had to put the warning out there.
Achybones22
Achybones22
I took a Tylenol for fibro pain and it did absolutely nothing for me.

NSAIDs are for inflammation; however, fibro is not caused by inflammation. So that won't work either (unless your pain is caused by something else other than pure fibro).

Gabapentin worked for me. However, there are side effects...
jeremy1999
jeremy1999
Yeah, NSAIDS and Tylenol are not pain killers. They are used to relieve pain that is caused by inflammation. I admire those of you who can get by without Narcotics. I have chronic pain from blood clots in my leg that will not dissolve and I am on a very low dose of pain medication. I do not know how I would get by without them. I can take 1000 milligrams of Tylenol and it will do nothing for my pain. I can take 200 milligrams of Aleve and it only helps my pain for 30 minutes. I however had to stop taking the Aleve because I am on Warfarin (blood thinners) and if I get a GI bleed, I will probably die. All of the "non-opiate" pain meds that you are taking tend to be more dangerous, and they can cause long-term health complications. Tylenol kills the liver over time and NSAIDS can kill your kidneys. These types of medications are not meant to be taken long term. The muscle relaxers and lo dose narcotic medications would be a much better alternative.

I am new to this group. I will be posting an introduction soon. I just thought I wound chime in on this issue!

J
Achybones22
Achybones22
Muscle relaxant like Robaxin are also supposed to be some sort of narcotics. The doctors are reluctant to prescribe to me.
ItsJustMe2012
ItsJustMe2012
Madelline, Aleve and Naproxen are the same medication. The mgs for prescription Naproxen is more than the 200 mg per tablet of Aleve.
ItsJustMe2012
ItsJustMe2012
Jeremy, Tylenol isn't an anti inflammation, but it can help with the pain that inflamation can cause.
MadelinefFromNJ
MadelinefFromNJ
ItsJustMe, yes, I know they are the same. The Aleve is 220 mg; the RX is 375. I'll take one Aleve of 220, or one RX naproxen at 375, OT two Aleve totaling 440 mg, or once in a while two Aleve at once, and a few hours later, one more Aleve.
Achybones22
Achybones22
There is also prescription diclofinac sodium, which is stronger than Tylenol and aspirin. I took that before for joint pain, but not for fibro.
WhiteDolphin
WhiteDolphin
Not supposed to mix those two. You can alternate Advil and Tylenol every 2 hours.