If its arthritis then the anti-inflamitory won't help right?

100% wrong, There are many diseases covered under the term "Arthiritis". The most common being osteoarthritis....which is inflammation and pain associated by wear and tear(age often the cause), and an erosion of the fluids that acts as a lubricate at junctions of bones. Hence, very common in knees,hips, shoulders, fingers, etc.

So, use of an ibuprofin like Naproxin(which I take when in pain)is totally called for, because it acts on the inflammation, turning it off. Aspirin was the older drug of choice, but was very hard on the stomach. Bleeding ulcers were very common before ibuprofen...my first DH;s father died of stomach hemorrhaging due to aspirin.

Other pain relievers, like Tylenol, do not get rid of inflammation, they only tell the brain to ignore. NOT good for arthritis sufferers,

Arthritis affects the muscles because the muscles are what is being attacked by the inflammation.

The anti-inflammatory will help the arthritis.
Maybe he has some bursitis or tendonitis in those arm muscles from all the attic work he did.
The anti inflammatory will help there, too.
I am glad he passed his stress test!
Make sure he eats before taking the naproxen.....more than just a slice of toast and a glass of milk.
Hope he feels better.
Aleve is the OTC brand of naproxen but the dosage may be higher in the Rx.

I had a sore upper arm for a few weeks and it turned out to be bursitis.

I take Advil gel caps for my arthritis because they work faster so if I am going to do something or going out I take the gel caps, if I am not doing anything I will take the coated Motrin because it takes longer to work.

I can't take naproxin, and neither can my niece. We break out in hives and our skin becomes very itchy.

Anne

Well shoot you guys are FAST! LOL
Ok now I've learned something here!
Doc felt and probed and prodded DH and I don't think its bursitis, he had that years ago in oh heck his elbow or wrist?
I can't read the perscription but think it says 50MG? Can't tell if there is another zero on it for sure or what that scribble is, could be 500MG for all I know! I will tell him to get it filled.
Thanks so much gals!

My Doctor wants to prescribe me an anti inflammatory again but I had stomach problems the last time I took them so until the pain becomes intolerable (it is almost at that point) I will take the over the counter meds. Gout is a type of arthritis too and having it in the knee and ankle is horrible plus in the other knee I have arthritis because of break I had years ago. Everything around the joint becomes inflamed.

Anne

It's 500mg...so much stronger than the OTC.

I have had to take NSAIDS for many years the important thing to always always remember is to take it WITH FOOD, I always take mine in the middle of my meal so that it is in my stomach between food and not touching the linings directly. If you do that and take it responsibly you have a much less chance of developing stomach problems with those type meds.

There are many many NSAIDS naproxen is one of them, if he has problems with that one tell the doc they will try him on a different one. I can not take that one but have found others that work very well for me.

NSAIDS= non steroidal anti inflammatory drugs
What Are NSAIDs?

He may have the same thing I have, which is a frozen shoulder. It mostly my left arm muscle. I never did anything to hurt it it just began and got worse. Its in my arm, shoulder & neck, and even the other side hurts off & on. No pain reliever has help it yet. I've taken all the OTC ones, and now my Dr. has me on darvocet, that's not even doing anything.

I am using a knee support on my arm which seems to help some. I can't sleep through the night with the pain.

Now it could be arthritis or bursitis for both of us, I don't think these doctors know too much anymore. Mine began about last March and its gotten worse but now seems like its getting better some.

Does he have pain lifing his arm or reaching behind his back? If so, thats a frozen shoulder.

If he thinks he has arthritis, if his pain or stiffness continues..he should see a Rheumatologist. A family doctor is not qualified to diagnose arthritis.

Bursitis is easily diagnosed, by the right people. Bursitis is inflammation that has attacked a bursa sac. The sac is within a joint, a small fluid filled sac that acts like a shock absorber.

I can't take NSAID's -- allergic to aspirin. Well, actually, "aspirin sensitive". My sinuses swell. I sure WISH I could take aspirin! Tylenol, bah! My late MIL (an RN) had severe RH. She took aspirin, but always with food to prevent bleeding.

I can't take Naproxen either. It gives me a wildly rapid heartbeat (tachycardia). Ibuprofen doesn't bother me, but now that it's said to cause heart attacks, I'm back to avoiding every med.

I never heard of arthritis causing muscle pain rather than joint pain. My muscle pain is from fibromyalgia.

Certain foods can trigger inflammation. The nightshades (tomatoes, potatoes, peppers, and eggplant) are well-known to do this.

If he was supporting himself at weird angles then he may have put himself out alignment. He might want to give a chiropractor a try.

I've been taking Osteo Bi-Flex for the past year and it works very well for me. If I don't take it my knee really hurts. There are many of these on the market now and here is a list of the best ones.

Maybe I'll switch to the Flexcerin and try that since I'm almost out.

Here is a link that might be useful: Are You Suffering With Joint Pain?

That type of pain can also be caused by a pinched nerve in the neck or upper back. A chiropractor or osteopath should be able to help release the pinching. DM told DF for years "...when you get desperate enough for relief you will go see Dr. ____..." when he finally did he acted better and we all felt better.

Get recommendations from people you know, because some of them practice a little rougher then others. Ours is very straight forward and tells you if he can get you relief in the first few visits or if he thinks it is a condition that needs a General Practitioner. He has even come to the house on occasional Sunday afternoons to treat DF! l.marie

As always the KT is on the ball. More to think about. Thanks everyone.

He probably should get a more firm diagnosis, for starters. IF it is determined to actually be arthritis, he may want to give glucosamine and condroitin a try. They're OTC, and actually rebuild the joint--so they're not a 'quick fix'. You need to give it at least a couple of months (possibly 3-4) to see if they're working for you. Also, if he does try G & C, he should get one of the preparations that includes gelatine, because that gives a better chance of success with G & C. My dr. recommended G&C when I was practically crippled with arthritis in my knee. It's absolutely AMAZING that taking that has competely relieved my symptoms.

I have had shoulder and joint pain for a long time. It has finally been decided....."diagnosed as fibro myalgia and I take a pain killer for it. I can never get any real relief just from NSAIDs....

My upper arms hurt for ages and ages and they kept saying age related arthritis and I kepts on begging for help with the pain....

Part of the pain was the lung cancer.......One of the symptoms of lung cancer is neck and shoulder pain.......It was only after I went back for the umpteenth time complaining about pain, that I got him to exray and the ex-ray caught the upper area of my lungs and there was a big old honking tumor........

My point is, if it continues....make sure that he keeps at the doctor........

Oh gosh!! For sure Ruthie!!!