Don't Back Down

Posted by Chad Everett on April 25, 2006

Naproxen, 500mg »

I went to see the doctor today and talked about the headaches I've been having on and off, so he prescribed Naproxen, which is the prescription ingredient in Aleve. Apparently one of these pills can last most of the day. At this point, I'm game.

After taking one, however, I'm not doing too well. I'm not sure if this is because I hadn't had anything to eat, or something else, however, so I'll try again tomorrow after having something to eat and see how things go. I'm definitely wanting to get the headaches resolved, but not if it makes me feel worse.

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Comments (55)

Hi Chad...I've also experienced the side effects that you have had with Naproxen..I finally gave it up. My blood pressure went up, I was retaining fluid, awful stomach upsets, sweating, headaches, etc...this is definitely not a good drug...I'm back on only aspirin and doing much better...I was taking it for arthritis and I will never take it or anything like it again. I hope your headaches are better! Best to you!

I have been taking EC Naproxen 500MG for two weeks. They are great, no side effects and pain goes away in 1-2hrs.

I have been taking Naproxen for a lumbar strain when I had my ATV accident 8 weeks ago. I take 500mg 3 times a day. It is used in my case as an anti-inflammatory. You have to take this with food otherwise you run the risk of bleeding in the stomach from what I udnerstand. I never had any side effects. Be sure you let the doc know of any other medication. Also, you should not take additional aspirin or NSAIDs or you may have the bleeding.

I have been experiencing severe cluster headeches for several years. Excruciating pain on the right side of my head, followed by severe vomiting. I get about two-three attacks a day. Yesterday I was given Naproxen by my doctor, and to my surprise the pain in my head did not return. Although my severe headaches vanished, now my vomiting is accompanied by the all-famous diarrhea.

I have just stated on Naproxen 500mg I had a heart attack 4 years ago is it safe to take naproxin

I was prescribed Naproxen 500 mg. about 3 weeks ago for back strain. The doctor also said I have degenerative joint disease in my spine.
I have been having a lot of trouble breathing. It's a "smothering" feeling. I didn't realize this is a side effect Naproxen. I will discontinue taking it and see if I will do better.
Has anyone else experienced the same side effectf?

I had some very bad effects from Naproxen - I can't say if it's a problem with the medicine itself, or if it was just a bad time for me in general. But, keeping in mind that I'm not a doctor (or a lawyer), I would say that if you take Naproxen (or any other medication) and you feel bad, I'd definitely talk to your doctor pretty quickly.

In answer to Bob McKim. I have exactly the same problems you have from whatI'm told and have just been put on Naproxen and am experiencing that same reactions you are. I'm going to try and discontinue it also o see what happens.

I have 2 herneated disks in my neck c5-c6 disks I have been pretty lucky with this medicine naproxen 500m I drink plenty of water with the pills and i have no problem it makes the pain easier to deal with I dont take it every day just when needed.

I have just read your comments on Naproxen. Please don't take anymore. My mom was prescribed Naproxen for arthritis in her knees. She took it for two years. She started having kidney problems and gained alot of weight (which was fluid). Her doctor sent her to a kidney specialist. He took a biopsy of her kidney's. He told her her kidney's were dead. She walked in the hospital and never walked out. She went on dialysis and had a stroke all in the same week. She could no longer walk, turn herself over, nothing. She was totally dependent on us to take care of her. She wasn't warned about the damages of Naproxen. Her kidney doctor told us she should only have taken the Naproxen for six weeks, not two years. On her first visit, he took her off of it, but it was too late. My Mom died September 21, 2007, almost one year after her first visit with the kidney specialist. She went through pure hell during those last months. Please pass the word, I would not want anyone to experience the trauma she did.


Missing My Mom in Mississippi

Reda,

I'm greatly sorry for your loss, I was prescribed Naproxen 500mg for my chronic back pain but now have fluid retention, upset stomach, abdominal pain, and other associated side effects of Naproxen. I was prescribed naproxen approx. january 07 took it until june 07 and discontinued use until a month ago. I found that marijuana helped my back pain much more then the naproxen ever did with no side effects, but due to legal troubles I have discontinued my use of marijuana and have started taking naproxen again. I am curious as to how much and how often a day your mother was prescribed to naproxen. I am only 18 now and my back pain is still as painful as it was at last year, yet I am not sure if I would want to continue to take my naproxen after hearing your story especially if my condition requires long term use. I would like to know the dosage your mother was given and perhaps I will be able to talk to my doctor about changing prescriptions to something more agreeable.

Thank you,
Pavan Rikhi

I would like to thank every single one of you. I am having breathing problems and fluid retention. Having had a Stent put in 6 months back, and having felt fine till recently I was wondering if the Naproxen the VA prescribed at 375 twice a day was the problem. It certainly helped with my back and shoulder pain (war injuries). But I don't need another case of Congestive Heart Failure. So, tonight I won't take my dose, lets see how I do tomorrow.

Thanks again

Hi folks,
I have osteo-arthritis in my left knee. It was so bad an orthopedic surgeon wanted to operate. Being a chicken I did not get the operation. I started drinking tart cherry juice and the pain began to go away. It took about 6 to 8 months of drinking the juice, but the pain is less. I also lost 40 pounds which I am sure wasn't helping any. Hope cherry juice helps someone else out there. Sorry to hear about your mom's loss, but the sharing of your story I am sure will help someone. All the best to all.

Hi there, I would suggest that anytime one experiences disagreeable side effects with any drug (antibiotics included) that they STOP taking it immediately and consult a physician. Many times doctors prescribe as a panacea or band-aid of sorts without doing a full panel on a person to find out at what level their kidneys are operating, liver enzymes & function, how's their heart doing, that sort of thing. We're so stuck on our hearts that we forget how vitally important our kidneys and liver are, too. Everything we ingest eventually filters through the liver and kidneys. I had many problems with Vioxx, almost had a heart attack, and that was before they published the problems with the drug. Aleve is probably the best pain reliever I've ever taken, not even prescription pain killers work as well. However, I am aware that NSAIDs all carry risks. Read everything you can, and continue to record your experiences for others to see. We are literally guinea pigs for the drug companies, and if you don't believe me, ask anyone who took Phen-fen!!

I want to thank everyone that has posted their info on Naproxen,I just went to the Doctor today,with pain in my foot,and she did tests,and said it appeared to be Gout,she has got me wearing a Fracture Boot and Prescribed EC-Naproxen 500mg twice a day,being a worry wart anyway,I always read upon Medications,before I ever take them,because I'm allergic to everything including Aspirin,and I'm also Diabetic,so when I read the comment about the ladies mother which I am so sorry to hear,It scared me.I think I'll just wear the boot and see how it gets.I have an ulcer as well,It makes me wonder if my Doctors remembers anything about me it's all in my chart and she's the Doctor not me.It's awful the way things are now that the Patient needs to research everything to keep something bad from happening.I am also considering changing Doctors.Again Thanks

I have been taking these Naproxen 500 MG Enteric Coated pills for about 3 weeks they were perscribed for a contusion in my right hand. The first week I did get these crippling stomach pains but I thought it was from my abdominal work out. The 2nd week I used the Bathroom a lot and now the meds realy only stop the pain for about an hour or two. These meds always put me to sleep and I would wake up in worst pain then I was in before the sleep. Also the hand always swell back up no matter how much I hold it up. Can someone please help me determine what's going on with my hand and should I keeep taking these meds.

My doctor precribed me naproxen after i had a c-section. Those pills were like heaven in a bottle. But be sure you take them after you have eaten something or they will make you feel pretty bad.

i am a fifty yr. old firefighter, recently i had an injury to my L6, L7 and was prescribed naproxen by my doctor. I have been having problems with my stomach, diarea, and stomach cramps. I will stop taking it for a while and see if the situation gets better .

hi im 36 years old and was diagnosed with severe scoliosis at age 14 , i have a herrington rod fused to my spine and several ribs removed due to this ... now the doctors are telling me that the rod is deteriating and they gave me naproxen 500 mg will this stop the deteriating or are the doctors just trying to mask the real problem that i will become paralized when the rod degrades enough???? please help am totally lost

I injured my shoulder at the gym and at 40 years old I decided to get it checked out just to be safe. The doctor said it was just a strain and gave me a cortozone shot and sent me home with naproxen. Two weeks later I got the scare of my life when I began to pass blood in my stool. I went to a specialist and found out that it was the naproxen. I quit taking it and am now fine. I can tell you one thing, I will definetly research anything I am perscribed in the future!

I have tendonitis in my right hand and started 500mg Naproxen 2x daily. Immediately, I began to have blood in my stool and gained 4-5lbs fluid in one week. I also experienced crippling stomach pains one evening which persisted into the late night. I have stopped the Naproxen and was told by my pharmacist to call doctor and maybe switch to Motrin IB. Thanks everyone for their posts, very helpful.

TOOK ONE NAPROXEN, awake all night with stomach cramps and diarhea including some blood. Don ,t think these meds are always a good trade off for what they are treating. You take med for one thing and it causes something else. Nothing is a miracle drug WITHOUT a huge payoff. Watch what you take because doctors think nothing of handing you that RX and sending you on your way.

god i wish i had not took any tonight now,, just started on them

I've been taking 500mg of Naproxen for back pain. I took it tonight before going to bed. I woke up in the middle of the night all swollen, especially swelling in my face. I also had a tingling in my arms and legs. I took a benadryl and the symtoms stopped. I definatly woun't be taking naproxin any more!

Started taking naproxen 1 week ago for arthritis in both my feet, started feeling weak and sick after 5th day didn't hit me till I took 1 befor bed last night after feeling better thru day. Woke up same sick weak feeling & noticed heart fluttered all day yesterday & woke with heart flutters today. I.m not taking anymore of this drug and see how I feel, would rather live with the pain & stiffness in feet than how I feel today.

took 500 mg with very small amount of food and was dizzy and wobbly all day, now afraid to take it again as I cant work if i get dizzy, will full stomach help?

I have been taking them for some time for heel spurs. I started getting heart fluttering and tightness in chest (thought heart attack but all test showed healthy heart). Blood and stool and sudden weight gain. I was also getting abdominal pain and cramps. One day I ran out of the Naproxen and went the day without. That was a day with no abdominal pain or cramps. No shortness of breath or heart fluttering. Fortunately, my brain made the connection and I have since quit taking this poison!

Started taking Naproxen 2 weeks ago for Plantar Fascitis which is terrible pain on the bottom of your feet, i have had no side effects and the pain is 90% better, i won't take them for long but it is just a relief for a while.

Naproxen SUCKS! Worst stomach/intestinal cramping, aching and bloating EVER, headaches as well....prescribed 500 mg 2X daily. Only took 2 out of the 7 days.....COULD NOT STAND THE PAIN THIS Rx INFLICTED ON MY BODY. God, the side effects of the Naproxen were 50 times worse than my original complaint. I'd rather suffer with my original pain than ever go through anything like the side effects of Naproxen again!

Totally agree Naproxen SUCKS! I only took two did not sleep all time , still suffering stomach cramps. I suggest anyone suffering side effects of stomach cramps consults their GP - better alternatives must be available off the counter.

I started taking Naproxen for only 2 days to relieve swelling of my wisdom teeth ready to come out. I was fine the first day, but the next night i woke up with a huge back pain. I took another med; Aleve, to rid of the pain. Little did I know that they arent supposed to be mixed. I woke the next morning feeling nautious, dizzy, sick, and stomach pains like a B*ITCH. I went to work and seriously felt like I was gonna pass out. My stool was painful and constant. My heart was pounding, I was sweating, and had shortness of breath! Naproxen is horrible, it isn't worth the extra pain. I rather have a painful jaw. DO NOT MIX NAPROXEN WITH OTHER NSAIDs.

I had a heart valve replaced in 2005 and have suffered four times with a pleurisy type condition since. The doctor gave me 500mg doses of Naproxen on Saturday noon (1/24/09). Saturday night after attending a retirement party and having two coctails I took my second pill when I got home. Within 10 minutes I was in atrial-fib and heading to the hospital where it took 24 hours to get my heart back into standard rhythm. They are not sure what caused it but logic would tell you not to mix alcohol with drugs. Nevertheless, I'm am very concerned about the effects of Naproxen. Interestingly, the first pill did relieve my pleurisy symptoms!

I was prescribed Naproxen for inflammation of my jaw due to TMJ. When I got home the night after being prescribed this, I took the medication on a full stomach, not exactly with food but I had just finished eating minutes before. A few minutes into it, I felt like my heart was racing. Then I felt fine. I went to bed and about an hour later I woke up with the most intense stomach pain i've ever had in my life. It kept me up for another 5 hours. Finally, I was able to fall asleep for about an hour and then woke up to the sharp pains again. Strangely, it was more located right beneath my chest and just above my stomach. I couldn't have a bowel movement all day until later that night when I had diarrea. The diarrea didn't stop and I started throwing up along with it. That went on for the remainder of that night. Now, two nights after taking that ONE pill, i'm still sick. I've stayed in bed all day except to get up with the diarrea or to try and eat. Oh, there's another thing, when I stand up, the pain increases and when I eat, it's like my stomach doesn't fill up and the food, no matter how soft, hurts badly going down. Tomorrow I will call my doctor. Moral of the story, don't ever take Naproxen. It's horrible!

Hey I took one naproxen 500mg one night and I have 2 days suffering from the worse stomach cramps I ever have.
dont recommend the pill at all.

Hi. I did myself a wrist nerve injury in late 2005. Since then, I have been on oxycontin, morphine, methadone, and many other drugs to try and ease the pain. Now I have a frozen shoulder, and the pain continues. I was prescribed Naproxen 500 April 2 of this year. I have not suffered the major side effects that I have seen here, but I feel the ones I have far outway the benefit I am having. I can't honestly say the headaches are as bad, but the other pain doesn't seem to be any better.
I take 1000 to 1500 daily, and really the only difference I feel is that my sleep is even more disturbed. I am still on Methadone, Nortriptylene, and Venlafaxine, and I really wish I could get off all of it, and have some sort of a normal life. At times, it honestly seems to be foolish to even try to go on. I now feel that if one is able to deal with the pain, and not use drugs, life would be a lot more uncomplicated.
My sympathy for everyone that has had bad experiences personally, or for a family member.

Hi. I did myself a wrist nerve injury in late 2005. Since then, I have been on oxycontin, morphine, methadone, and many other drugs to try and ease the pain. Now I have a frozen shoulder, and the pain continues. I was prescribed Naproxen 500 April 2 of this year. I have not suffered the major side effects that I have seen here, but I feel the ones I have far outway the benefit I am having. I can't honestly say the headaches are as bad, but the other pain doesn't seem to be any better.
I take 1000 to 1500 daily, and really the only difference I feel is that my sleep is even more disturbed. I am still on Methadone, Nortriptylene, and Venlafaxine, and I really wish I could get off all of it, and have some sort of a normal life. At times, it honestly seems to be foolish to even try to go on. I now feel that if one is able to deal with the pain, and not use drugs, life would be a lot more uncomplicated.
My sympathy for everyone that has had bad experiences personally, or for a family member.

Ok people you are having these problems A. because you are not eating before taking this pill which will obviously give you stomache pains, you must eat this will cause stomache bleeding and ulcers. B. You shouldnt be taking it for so long someone said their mother took it for 2 years? Thats just crazy!! I have been prescribed Naproxen for a number of problems, headaches, toothaches, lumbar sprain, shoulder pain....etc... and it does really help alot

I'm so sorry for what happen to your mother. My mom died exactly a year later after yours. Same day. She went for open heart surgery and caught a bateria in the operation room. after that hundreds of medications were prescripved. She was fed up with so many pills. These "doctors" have the right to kill you!!

As for mayself, I went to see my doctor yesterday 4/20/09 with severe headache and no able to have a soung in my voice. She found I have VIRAL PHARYNGITIS. she prescripved me NAPROXEN 500MG. But after reading all these, I'll make sure I eat before I take the pill. no take more than 2 a day, and also make sure I stop them sooner I feel better.
GOD BLESS YOU.

I had back sprain, and my doctor prescribed me naxopren 500 mg 2x 7days. He told me not to stop taking the pills; He also told me to eat those with food. I have taken my first pill after dinner (5/29/2009) with one and a half glass of water and I feel the pill still in my throat. I do not know what is going to happend later. Just Before I took the pill I felt a sensation to not to take the pill but took anyway. Now, I prayed so I can feel if I have to still taken it. I heard from a lady who graduate of chemestry. She recommeded me not to take any pills unless you really need it. She added that pills can help sometimes, but most of the time it will affect another organs in the future. It is better to cure naturally, avoiding as possible to take pills.

I have stopped taking this drug. I did not notice any real relief, and have to contend with the side effects. I was sure to eat, drink lots of water, and rest for extended periods of time after taking, and am still suffering from the side effects. Now, I feel I just have to suffer through the headaches and pain, but I still feel that's better than dealing with the problems the drug causes me.

l have been prescrib ed naproxen 500mg 3 times a day for osteoarthritis in my knees l was concerned about taking them because l also sometimes suffer from i.b.s. thought l would look them up on google l am glad l did my family were telling me l must take them but l most definately won`t be now .Thank you for all your comments and my heartfelt sympathy to the young lady who lost her mum . Guess l am just going to be coming down stairs on my bottom from now on ! better that than taking these l just felt l didn`t want to take them from the start.

I'm replying to JD's post - I want to know: did you go to the doctor and what did they say? Because I have exactly the same symptoms.
I was taking naproxen for a leg strain injury and about a week after taking it I had the worst abdominal cramps - directly beneath my ribs.
it also hurts more standing up and feels like I haven't eaten anything.

I haven't taken it for 5 days and still have really bad pain.

Note: I ALWAYS took Naproxen after a good sized meal.
2nd note: I wonder if I should go to the doctor but because of my leg injury I don't want to unless I have to as I require someone else to drive me.

Hello again. I refused to take this drug, when asked to try it again for the headaches. I honestly believe this is one instance where the cure is almost worse than the disease. This may only be the experience that I have had, and I hope that if you are taking it, it does well for you. My problem has been officially tagged as Chronic Regional Pain Syndrome, (CRPS), and it looks like I am sentenced to have this problem for as long as I live. I do have some exceptional doctors, and our hope is that they possibly will find something that will reduce the pain, but still let me function. Its amazing how we never think that anything like this can happen to us. All the best.
Ken

Does everyone take this on a regular basis??? I take Naproxen with Imitrex for Migraines, but that isn't every day! I think I also only take 10 mg.

My doctor prescribed the naproxen for bursitus. It stopped the pain in my shoulder, the artritic pain in my hands (now I can crochet) and the pain in my knees. But...after taking it for one month, I started having awful stomach pains and bloating. I must admit that I did not take it immediately after meals and I did not drink a lot of water. I quit taking the meds and my stomach pain went away. Now the pain in my shoulder, my hands and my knees is back. I was taking 500m twice daily so I am cutting the pills in half and taking 250m twice a day to see if this will work.

I was prescribed naprosyn 500mg for pain in my hip only taken for a week my legs and feet have swollen I have stop taking this and when I looked into the side effects I was horrified my sister died only four months ago from a heart attack and to think that you are givena drug that can do these things is frighting. I do not like taking tablets and I will be speaking to my doctor when I go back and will investegate more when they try to give me medication.

Hi.... I have been prescribed Naproxen 500mg as the nerves in by left leg are inflammed, lower calf partially numb, pain generates up the leg to left buttocks. I have degenerated disc disease in my lower spine. the Naproxen helps my back, but doesn't seem to relieve the pain in my calf. so far I have had no side effects taking the pill.... Has anyone else had this problem?

I totally agree with all of you that Naproxen is not the best of drugs. I started taking it in the 1980's for my degenerative disc desease. It wasn't until 5 years ago that it was bad for your kidneys. I had an ultrsound and was told my kidneys were inflammed. I stopped taking it and so far my kidneys are still working. But taking it for 15 years is a long time for nothing serious to happen.

Hi everyone My brother a perfectly healthy 47 year old male, never drank,smoked and no drugs. Took Naproxen 500mg twice a day for 4/ days for a muscle strain in the back, he could not stay awake and then proceeded to turn all yellow, these side effects are just a few listed. It has now been 6 weeks since he stopped taking this drug and about 15 trips to the doctor's many evasive tests ran on him to see what is wrong with his lver, no one will say that it was the naproxen that caused this....this drug can be fatal.....waiting to see an internal disease doctor...hopefully he can be cured.. READ THE FINE PRINT!

Hi everyone, I am a 46 year old female. I have never had any serious medical problems. I recently, for the first time, started having severe pain in the heel of my foot and the back of my leg calf. I wasn't sure what was causing the pain, I didn't injure my foot on anything. I went to the doctor to have it check out. He said that I probably was experiencing some inflammation in my joints. He told me that it was a possibility that I had a touch of arthiritis. He prescribed me Naproxen 500mg to take 2x per day as needed. I left my doctors office relieved that he had prescribed me something for the pain. It wasn't until I picked up my prescription that I began to worry. The pharmacist attached a printout of all of the side effects that this drug can cause. Once thoroughly reading from beginning to end. I wasn't so sure if I wanted to take this drug. I rather deal with my pain than to take a drug with such terrorifying possible side effects. I have yet to open the prescription bottle. I do understand that all medications have some side effects, but this was just a bit much for me to take a chance on my life. I will continue to believe that GOD is a healer and await my spiritual healing. May GOD bless all of you.

I recently took naproxen for just two days for back ache - prescribed by the doctor. Since then i have stomach cramps - and its been more than four days. Its esp difficult when/right after a meal when the stomach feels very sensitive and i get mild pains. The worst is at night when I always wake up with a cramp that eventually goes away. I went to the doctor and she has now prescribed nexium. I hope this gets rid of the stomach cramps.

Hi, My name is Raven i'm only 15 years of age.
I was prescribed Naproxen 500MG on September 10, 2009 for my severe back pains, my doctor said i had inflammed kidneys.
So I did as the bottle said, "Take 1 Tablet by Mouth Twice Daily".
Whenever I do take this medicine my insides feel as if they are going to explode. I'm not sure wheather I should continue taking this medicine or just stop. I've tried going to the doctor, but all the doctor said she could do was but me into Physical Therapy.. I'm really confused on what i should do. If you have some advice please tell me.

Thanks

I started Naproxen two days ago and I have had the worst stomach problems ever. Yes, I am taking it on a full stomach. No, I don't lie down for at least 30 minutes after taking the pill (that is one the "don't do" listed on the pharmacy thesis I received with the medication). I have a pinched nerve in my neck that is causing me not to have any strength in my left arm and I cannot lift the arm above my waist on its own valition, but I can with help from my right arm. It doesn't stay up very long, but oh, well!! I am not taking this medication anymore. Not worth the discomfort the rest of my body is taking. I can live with a weak arm!

Hi Brigitte. Contrary to what Carmen has said, I think most of us followed the rules. Like you said, not laying down for a time after taking, and having a full stomach. I took it with the last part of my meal, and washed it down with milk. It didn't seem to matter, I still suffered.

Now, like you, I have decided that the cure is much worse than the problem, and am striving to do without it. I'm surprised more doctors aren't aware of the side effects. Or, if they are, they chose not to pass it on to the patients.

I have been taking naproxen for 2 weeks and put on 8 lbs in weight despite doing more exercise. Will stop taking it and see what the doc says next week.

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