Warning about Aleve

[Maggot]

Recently, at a friends suggestion, I started takeing Aleve for arthritis in my fingers. Got if from working with my hands fo years as a chainsaw operator and stonemason. So I had been takeing it for less than a month. Last friday I begn haveing stomach cramps and severe indigestion, also some constipation. I thought it was just something Ihad eaten. After a couple of days it got less, but still there moderately. So when I finally did take a dump, I noticed that it was really hard and black. Seemed odd but I didnt think too much about it.

Last night I was talking to an old friend and mentioned I wa takeing Aleve for the arthritis. She immediatley warned me that it could burn you stomach. Then it clicked...1+1=2...So I went and looked up Aleve on the net and heres what I found..And they sell this stuff over the counter. Theres a lot more on other sites but this is pretty much what the side effects are. Be careful ......


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What should I watch for while using this medicine?
Tell your doctor or health care professional if your pain does not get better. Talk to your doctor before taking another medicine for pain. Do not treat yourself.

This medicine does not prevent heart attack or stroke. In fact, this medicine may increase the chance of a heart attack or stroke. The chance may increase with longer use of this medicine and in people who have heart disease. If you take aspirin to prevent heart attack or stroke, talk with your doctor or health care professional.

Do not take ibuprofen with this medicine. Side effects such as stomach upset, nausea, or ulcers may be more likely to occur. Many medicines available without a prescription should not be taken with this medicine.

This medicine can cause ulcers and bleeding in the stomach and intestines at any time during treatment. Do not smoke cigarettes or drink alcohol. These increase irritation to your stomach and can make it more susceptible to damage from this medicine. <span style="color: #FF0000">Ulcers and bleeding can happen without warning symptoms and can cause death. </span>

You may get drowsy or dizzy. Do not drive, use machinery, or do anything that needs mental alertness until you know how this medicine affects you. Do not stand or sit up quickly, especially if you are an older patient. This reduces the risk of dizzy or fainting spells.

This medicine can cause you to bleed more easily. Try to avoid damage to your teeth and gums when you brush or floss your teeth.

<span style="color: #FF0000"> What side effects may I notice from receiving this medicine?
Side effects that you should report to your doctor or health care professional as soon as possible:•black or bloody stools, blood in the urine or vomit
•blurred vision
•chest pain
•difficulty breathing or wheezing
•nausea or vomiting
•severe stomach pain
•skin rash, skin redness, blistering or peeling skin, hives, or itching
•slurred speech or weakness on one side of the body
•swelling of eyelids, throat, lips
•unexplained weight gain or swelling
•unusually weak or tired
•yellowing of eyes or skin
</span>
Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your doctor or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):
•constipation
•headache
•heartburn

This list may not describe all possible side effects. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

 

[Beef82]

Re: Warning about Aleve

Pretty typical side effects for NSAIDs if you look into it. Some people are more or less effected then others, just as the drugs are more or less effective for some people. Many OTC NSAIDs are low dose versions of prescriptions, there's a reason they prefer a doctor in the loop for higher doses, though most docs didn't get the memo. Use sparingly with caution, read the labels, take most with food or milk, long term usage will probably cook your liver and/or kidneys.

 

[El Vaquero]

Re: Warning about Aleve

I hope the Aleve didn't cause any permanent damage to you since you've only been taking for a month.

 

[Queequeg]

Re: Warning about Aleve

Thanks Man.

I usually keep Naproxin with me but use it sparingly. I choose to live with the hand pain I've derived after thirty + years in the trades.

But the back pain seems to respond best to Alleve. Again, I use it sparingly.

More and more it look like good old Aspirin is the way to go. Take it with food and there's largely no worries about digestive track damage! And it's a known life saver for vascular surprises and maintenance!

 

[RADcustom]

Re: Warning about Aleve

But, did it help with the arthritis?

 

[Greg Langelius *]

Re: Warning about Aleve

I have been medically advised that NSAIDs are not for me. My kidney function is slipping, and NSAIDs are supppoed to accelerate that. I already take 17 Prescribed meds daily, and the kidney function decline is probably linked to that somewhere(s).

Greg

 

[Maggot]

Re: Warning about Aleve

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: RADcustom</div><div class="ubbcode-body">But, did it help with the arthritis? </div></div>

It definately did help, but the price is too high. Guess Ill stick to aspirin. Did a search and came up with these herbal alternatives as well. Another friend says the licorice works really well for her so Im gonna try that.Its amazeing that they dont require more stringent warnings about these things.


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Angelica



Angelica has been used in European herbal medicine for many years. It is often used to treat arthritis because of its anti-inflammatory properties. Angelica also contains pain-relieving and anti-spasmodic properties.
To prepare a tea from angelica, boil a tablespoon of angelica root in one pint of water. Boil the mixture for two minutes and remove from heat. Allow the tea to cool to room temperature and drink it three times throughout the day. Use the angelica tea for only two weeks, and then take a break for a week.


Black Cohosh



Black cohosh is anti-inflammatory and has a pain-relieving property similar to aspirin. Its root is used to make a tea for the treatment of arthritis.
To make the tea, boil one teaspoon of black cohosh in a cup of water for about 20 minutes. Strain the tea and drink half when cooled and the other half later in the day. Use black cohosh tea for two weeks and then take a one-week break before starting again.





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Chaparral



Chaparral is a popular treatment for arthritis and is sold as an arthritis medication in natural stores. There have been instances of liver toxicity with the powdered capsule form of chaparral. In two of the cases, the patient required a liver transplant. Tea made from chaparral has not had the same ill effects.
Consult with an herbalist before creating a tea from chaparral because of the possible toxic side effects.


Licorice



Licorice is used as an anti-inflammatory and can be beneficial in the treatment of arthritis. Licorice works in the body in the same way as cortisone, reducing inflammation, without causing any of the side effects.
Licorice comes in capsule form and two per day is the proper dosage.


Rosemary



Rosemary tea is a common arthritis treatment that has anti-inflammatory properties. Rosemary is also a powerful antioxidant, and it works in the same way as aspirin and steroids. Rosemary is used in Chinese medicine as an anti-inflammatory herb.
To prepare rosemary tea, use one ounce of leaves in a quart of boiling water. Put the water and the leaves in a jar and cover tightly. Let the tea stand for 30 minutes before drinking. Drink rosemary tea in the morning before breakfast and in the evening before bed.


Stinging Nettle



In Germany, stinging nettle is a treatment for rheumatoid arthritis. It is an anti-inflammatory and also contains boron, a mineral used to treat arthritis.
Use one tablespoon of stinging nettle juice three times a day.




Read more: Arthritis Herbal Treatment | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/way_5460248_arthritis-herbal-treatment.html#ixzz2ABomovE4

 

[shankster..]

Re: Warning about Aleve

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: maggot</div><div class="ubbcode-body">.<span style="font-weight: bold"> So when I finally did take a dump, I noticed that it was really hard and black. Seemed odd but I didnt think too much about it. </span>
</div></div>

<span style="font-weight: bold">Pics or it didn't happen.</span>

 

[armorpl8chikn]

Re: Warning about Aleve

Tell you what worked for me.

Get some good cinnamon, not the shitty kind at the dollar store. If the cinnamon is realy hot it is cheap shit low grade stuff that has had the essential oils stripped out. Tone's that comes in a lrge container at Sam's is acceptable, although there is better available.
Mix honey into a bowl of cinnamon until it forms a paste. Add more honey or less according to taste, but don't forget, we are making medicine not cinnamon bun glaze.
Take a marble sized dollop of this stuff three times a day. You can use it in tea and I guess coffee but I just roll it off a butter knife and chase it with lots of water.
It helped me and I have a lot of trouble with osteo arthritis.
And it makes your breath smell great.

 

[KYpatriot]

Re: Warning about Aleve

I have similar pain Maggot in my hands/knuckles - farm work, horses, shooting, boxing, powertools, etc all add up I guess...and I have found that the B-complex vitamin you can get at any pharmacy aisle, over the counter, has been just as effective as the NSAIDs for me.

Ask a doc about it or give it a shot--the B vitamins work well for me.

 

[Veer_G]

Re: Warning about Aleve

As was said many years ago by a sales executive at a pharmaceutical company, "All pharmaceutical products are, by definition, poisons. The question becomes, how much poison are you willing to ingest in order to derive beneficial side effects?"

POISON DEFINED:

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><span style="font-weight: bold">1</span>
a : a substance that through its chemical action usually kills, injures, or impairs an organism
b (1) : something destructive or harmful (2) : an object of aversion or abhorrence

<span style="font-weight: bold">2</span>
: a substance that inhibits the activity of another substance or the course of a reaction or process <a catalyst poison> </div></div>

Read the box, and read the product inserts on <span style="font-style: italic">anything</span> that you ingest for medicinal effect.

 

[mexicanmatch]

Re: Warning about Aleve

Maggot thanks for the good information we all can use. The warning label on most drugs will scare the hell out of you same thing on TV they spend more time on side effects the on what it can do for you. I have been using a Herbal Tea Remedy called ESSIAC. It has many all herbs and is great for the entire system.

 

[Dagsta]

Re: Warning about Aleve

Tell you what else it will affect, your prostate!!! Years ago I had a cracked bone in my wrist and ate a bunch of Aleve. Got to where I couldn't hardly pee!!

After I got off of them everything went back to normal!!

 

[klf]

Re: Warning about Aleve

Great post Maggie. I pretty much stay away from all the NSAIDs because they can damage my kidneys. I'm a type 2 diabetic and had some minor damage to them before I was diagnosed. Any of you guys out there with type 2 please check with your doctor. One more thing Maqgster was it the chainsaw or the monkey spanking that got them ball claws in pain?

 

[Maggot]

Re: Warning about Aleve

^^^^^Probably the monkey. Thanks for all the suggestions. Ill try several and see what works best. Dag, having a prostate is no joy any way you look at it.

 

[Veer_G]

Re: Warning about Aleve

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: maggot</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Dag, having a prostate is no joy any way you look at it. </div></div>

It may not be a joy in and of itself, but it's certainly part of the overall process.

 

[SilentStalkr]

Re: Warning about Aleve

I sincerely believe that some of my stomach problem and indigestion and stuff came from taking Aleve pretty frequently years ago. I would stay away from it as much as possible. It can also cause irregular heartbeats.

 

[Jig Stick]

Re: Warning about Aleve

Aleve is one of the best NSAIDs available. Just because you experience KNOWN side effects doesnt mean its the "devil drug". Some people are more sensitive to drugs than others. Aleve works great for me. Ibuprofen doesnt.

 

[Jmilera]

Re: Warning about Aleve

NSAIDs inhibit prostaglandins in your body. Basically the two areas of concers with OVER use of NSAIDs is that prostaglandins make up the mucosal lining in your stomach, thus leaving your stomach unprotected from your HCL acid from auto digesting your own stomach. The one that really should scare you is your kidney tubules which are the tiny tubes that serve as gate keepers for byproducts to be excreted in urine and essential mineral and electrolytes. So when you affect the mucosal lining from your kidneys tubules because of the inhibition of prostaglandens secondary to NSAIDs, you can go into acute or permenantly damage your kidneys. If your kidneys do not work not only can you not get ride of toxins, you lose the ability to regulate sodium, potassium, calcium, glucose , and transformation of vitamin D into a usable form by your body. Potassium, and sodium are essential minerals in the sodium potassium pump that regulate your heart rate. Your kidneys also regulate blood pressure by converting enzymes in the. Renin angiotensin system.

 

[mexicanmatch]

Re: Warning about Aleve

Besides high blood pressure, blood clots,water buildup ect i loose potassium at a high rate.I take potassium pills for it but still wind up in the hospital a couple times a year hooked up to a bag or two of liquid potassium. That shit burns like hell so i can't many otc drugs. Getting old is fun.

 

[beenjammin]

Re: Warning about Aleve

This is with all NSAIDS not just Naproxen. The #1 thing to monitor is signs of bleeding like dark tarry stools. MAny times poeple dont think about internal bleeding, but bleeding ulcers can be a very serious issue. Many times, if you have to tkae an nsaid for chronic uses, a drug such as omeprazole (Prilosec) should be used to help protect the stomach.

 

[Switchblade]

Re: Warning about Aleve

Aleve, taken long term, will cause mild hemolytic anemia(your black stool) and not do much for osteoarthritis.

The honey/cinnamon mix is 1T honey:1t cinnamon. Mix until smooth, add 1/2c hot water, adn drink. Not only does it help the osteoarthritis, it calms the digestive system, clears bad breath bacteria, and also has a mild anti depresantside effect.
It's all natural, and can be taken every day.

Another good anti osteoarthritis homeopathic remedy is 10 dark cherries a day(a 1/2c of cherry juice, 100% CHERRY, not the kid stuff)

You want meds? low dosage of aspirin, but check with the Doc as this is also a recommendation for heart patients.

Any regimen I use is also done on a 30 day on:10 day off cycle to allow my system to clean and return to normal. It's just a thing I do that seems to work for me. No issues outside of the normal worn parts

 

[Blackmore]

Re: Warning about Aleve

One of our medical advisers at work said you need to only use the stuff like Tylenol, Aleve, etc., for short term acute conditions. If you take it like candy for chronic conditions or when you have the hint of a headache, it won't work as well when your really need it. Stick with the homeopathic treatments for long term health.

 

[Maggot]

Re: Warning about Aleve

Good news update. Stopped taking it monday, and have eaten very lightly with lots of fluids to dilute the gastric acids, let the burn heal, and today everything feels mostly back to normal. Nasty little scare. Thanks for all the info guys, and pass it along.

 

[lfrotter]

Re: Warning about Aleve

I used to take Aleve to help with soreness from running around the mountains on Camp Pendleton. Ended up becoming iron deficient which was no fun at all. I don't know if the Aleve caused it but I will not take it again.

 

[c1steve]

Re: Warning about Aleve

Approximately 30% of those on dialysis are there because of NSAID use. I would be more worried about kidneys than the stomach.