Anti-Inflammatory

M

Megss

New member
Yesterday I was prescribed an anti-inflammatory called Naproxen for my groin/ lower back/ and leg pain. I was told to take one 500 mg tab twice a day for a week. Yesterday I did not notice any change in my level of pain and discomfort. Today I am noticing a huge improvement! The sensation is still there, but it is more like a small ache, and it does not radiate down my leg. I can also move around a whole lot easier than I could before.
So I assume that inflammation was causing my pain. What does this mean? What could have been inflammed? When I finish the prescription next week, will it come back?
 
For the most part it is the nerves that r inflamed but u may want to find out more from a neurosergeon for more detaled.
 
It is difficult to say what is the cause of the pain, but when it is running down your leg, and in the location you describe it is usually nerve pain generating in your lower lurabar area. it could also be coming from the SI joint or the piriformis muscle also. Since it is responding to naproxen, there probably was some inflammation.

There are a nuraber of things that could be pressing on a nerve. You could have pulled a muscle which could be pressing on the nerve. There could be stenosis in the central spinal canal. There could be a disc bulge (herniation). These are some of the possibilities.

It is really hard to say if this may come back when you don't know the cause of the pain. Since it is helping, you'll be glad to know that aleve is the same product as naproxin, just not as strong, and available over the counter. To maximize your chances of avoiding further recurrances of pain, you will want to "baby" your back. Use good posture at all times, good body mechanics, exercise to strengthen your core muscles, pelvic girdle and pelvic floor. By being careful and having a bit of luck, you may be able to avoid further problems.
 
I used Naproxen for years before my surgery. It's supposed to be better for inflammation than Ibuprofen. I found that when I was in a flare up with my elbow problems, once it was under control, it didn't come back for a while and I could stop the Naproxen until it got bad again. If I was taking it for my back, well, that was another story. It helped some, but that was years ago before I got a lot worse. But you might find that you can take it for a while, then stop for a while, etc. If it seems like you'll need to take it long-term, just be sure to take it with food so it doesn't mess with your stomach.

If you find relief with this, that's fantastic! This is a relatively easy solution. Let's hope that you continue to get relief for a long time from it!

Take care,
Emily
 
Hi Megs. I agree with BlueAtlas. Naproxen is basically Alieve that is over the counter pain-reliever, except they do come in perscription strengths. It is truly hard to know whether it was just inflammation causing your pain (obviously some of it is, since you have gotten relief since being on the medication), but who is say if it will return.

What happened in the first place? Did this suddenly occur or did you injure yourself?

Either way, the Naproxen you are taking can indeed irritate your stomach when taken for a long period or without food.

Hope you are feeling better, and that you just endured a muscle issue of some sort and nothing more serious. Keep us posted. Feel better!
 
I don't know what caused my pain, but I noticed it for the first time about 4 months ago. I was gardening and when I stood up, it felt like I had a knot in my groin. Ever since the pain has gotten worse over time.
 
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