Withdrawal symptoms and NSAIDs

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Jo50

Posted Sunday, May 28, 2006 10:37 AM

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Last Login: Thursday, July 31, 2008 12:58 PM
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I'm from GB and was taking Rhumalagan, not sure what you call this in the States. The active ingredient is diclofenac and is one of the NSAIDs. I used it for OA. I was on it for 19 days but was getting too many side effects, went to my doctor who said stop it straight away and give it a few days to get out of my system. Two days after stopping I've had some bad withdrawal symptoms, same as the side effects I was exepriencing but worse. Has anyone else experienced withdrawal symptoms after stopping NSAIDs? I am due to start another, naproxene, in a week but am reluctant to do this. I am already on paracetamol, painkiller, and glucosamine which help but not to full functionality. To be fair to my GP he has resisted putting me on NSAIDs as long as possible due to their long term effects. Any feedback on this would be helpful.

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Tim18

Posted Sunday, May 28, 2006 11:49 AM

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Last Login: Thursday, July 31, 2008 1:02 PM
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Hi Jo. I'm from UK too...what sort of symptoms are you getting? I think NSAIDs are meant to be tapered down slowly to avoid withdrawal effects. Naproxen is a slightly more potent NSAID than Rhumalgan, but of the same non-selective type. I perfectly understand your reluctance to be on them - I have tried a number of alternatives for my psoriatic arthritis. Unfortunately, as I'm sure you've discovered nothing natural has such an immediate effect. Just a few suggestions...Have you tried high dose fish oil? - good research to support use(better than for glucosamine). see www.omega-research.com Take 1-2g EPA/DHA (active components of omega 3)to begin with. Can take 3-6months to work but could be worth the wait. Also, if on blood thinning medications be careful as may interact. If you go ahead speak to your GP first. Also, think the recommended dose of glucosamine is 500mg three time daily - some formulations may not provide this. There was an programme on alternative therapies and arthritis on radio 4 today that you might be interested in - you can listen to it again on the bbc website. Hope that helps!

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Jo50

Posted Sunday, May 28, 2006 1:54 PM

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Last Login: Thursday, July 31, 2008 12:58 PM
Posts: 13, Visits: 0

Hi Tim thanks for that. I was on the lowest dose and only 1 tablet a day so couldn't really taper down. Many years ago 30+ I was on indomethacin for RA but kept fainting with that so had to come off it, my decision there not the doctors. Anyway after that I got my RA under control with diet (couldn't eat pork products until I went onto free range, think it might have something to do with the hormones pumped in the pigs)or maybe I just went into remission. I was OK most of the time with just a short flare every couple of months most of the time managed with paracetamol.Occasionally I needed something stronger and I used to take one Voltarol retard before I went to bed which seemed to work. Rarely needed more than a couple. Had no real problems for the past 3 years (when I moved to a less stressful lifestyle) then last year had a massive flare, nothing like I'd had before sent to rheumtologist who said no sign of RA but signs of OA this is what started all the medication again. I have the glucosamine and paracetamol on prescrition take 1500mg glucosamine a day.
When I was on the Rhumalgan general digestive disorders but those didn't really worry me, tiredness, dizziness, temperature fluctuations, irregular heartbeat ( same as when I drink caffeine), weight gain but most worrying depression. Maybe too strong a word for it but seemed to be getting worse. When I stopped taking it I had very bad diarrhea and sickness and ended up fainting. Also tired but that is probably lack of nourishment.
I've thought of fish oil and also maybe trying acupuncture. I think I need to let my body settle down for a while first.
Will check out the radio 4 programme thanks for that.

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