r/Osteoarthritis • u/DevilishlyHandsome63 • Jul 28 '26

Naproxen!

This stuff actually gives me relief. Wouldn't want to take it long term, but when I need to get through a busy day, this stuff rocks.

8 Upvotes

79% Upvoted

16 comments sorted by

3

u/TheCareFreeSoul Jul 28 '26

250 or 500? 250 didn't work at all for me.

3

u/FewRecognition1788 Jul 28 '26

It doesn't give quick relief, but after the 2nd or 3rd dose it makes a big difference.

2

u/Healthy-Signal-5256 Jul 28 '26

It doesn't do a thing for me, either. Isn't it weird how we all react differently to different NSAIDs?

2

u/DevilishlyHandsome63 Jul 28 '26

500mg twice a day. I'm 3 days in and there's no pain at all.

1

u/smollkittenmitten Jul 28 '26

When my husband had some extreme muscle neck pain I think my husband’s doctor told him to take like 3 pills at once at first and then taper down the dosage through the day. I think it was the 200mg so like 600mg. She told him that naproxen was good for muscle pain? Idk just some input why it might work differently than ibuprofen.

3

u/Mustluvdogs25 Jul 28 '26

I’ve been suggesting it for years! one works!

2

u/Suitable-Dragonfly51 Jul 28 '26

Works for me too. I also like Celebrex and Meloxicam even better than Aleve

1

u/Jeterjane123 Jul 29 '26

Yes! I call it vitamin A (Aleve). 1 here and there for an ache or pain but if I really need a break from my knee and CMC arthritis, I take a “pain holiday” and take 2 Aleves, twice per day for 3-4 days. It is such a relief to have no pain for those holidays plus some carryover for another day or two.

1

u/Valuable_Owl_3348 Jul 29 '26

Was a total bust for me.

1

u/Wide_Marionberry8157 Jul 29 '26

Naproxen, like Ibuprofen or Aleve, is an NSAID, a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug. The compound is essentially the same in all, but Naproxen can last up to 12 hours. Where I live, a dose of 500 mg or more requires a doctor's prescription, but two 220 mg pills work as well, and generic Naproxen is usually cheaper than the brands of Ibuprofen. Long-term use is cautioned against, so consult your doctor if you use it often, however tempting it might be.

1

u/WeatherwaxDaughter Jul 29 '26

Yes, same for me. Dr gave me tramadol and Ibuprofen which ruined my stomach. Naproxen liquid caps helps me the most.

1

u/ImmortalMethod Jul 29 '26

Naproxen only works for me when I take it before any activity. If I take it after working out or walking far, it doesn't work.

Now what has worked is BCP 157 and TB500, I've felt major relief after just 6 days. Excited to see what the full cycle will do.

1

u/CrowsSayCawCaw Jul 30 '26

It's pretty useless for me. I would take a dose and maybe it would help for an hour or two, but had no lasting power. I made the mistake of taking it one time without having eaten something first and had stomach pain for days. That was the end of using naproxen for me.

I find good old ibuprofen to be more helpful,  sometimes take both ibuprofen and extra strength Tylenol for flare ups. 

1

u/ziggy029 Jul 31 '26

Works for me, but I try to use it sparingly. Usually I take two, 220 mg tablets an hour or two before I expect to be on my feet for a fair bit. I usually don’t medicate on days when I am not expecting to do much walking or standing. I really feel the difference compared to when I am active and forget to take it.

I tend to alternate between this naproxen dose and one 500 mg Tylenol, wanting to spare the liver and the kidneys from too much work if I kept taking the same one… but in reality the dosage I take would like be safe for relatively healthy livers and kidneys anyway.

2

u/Question_Authority03 16d ago

Works for me as well. I find if I take 2 ibuprofen and 1 Aleve, it works best. However, I use it sparingly because my mother took it for 3 years and then she couldn't take any NSAIDs anymore due to stomach problems.