My back pain is quite severe. I am now starting to loose control of urine and bowels. Taking 800 mg. of Naproxen twice daily seems to help me. At least it allows me to walk and sit for a period of 20 to 30 minutes with out so much pain.
Is it OK to take more than 800 mg. of Naproxen twice daily ?
Question posted by oldmom60 on 26 July 2012
Last updated on 27 July 2012 by seven124
5 Answers
seven124
27 July 2012
I've taken up to 1000mg 2 times a day, but not prescribed by dr. I would ask so that if there is something stronger they can give you to avoid you taking so much of the other they can.
HeadStarter
27 July 2012
Hi old mom - It sure would be helpful to post these questions as "conversational" so we can give you back and forth type responses. Posting for a "direct" answer just means each person can only respond one time. Now back to your question. What condition are you being treated for or what is your primary diagnosis that you are taking Naproxen? Are you taking straight naproxen or naproxen sodium??? I can figure out your 800 mg dose yet so perhaps you could share how you take it.
You haven't mentioned for instance what a normal day of activity is for you or if you have been injured. Having severe back pain usually has a cause and knowing that would be helpful. You are taking a lot of Naproxen but with ALL PRESCRIPTION MEDICATIONS... THERE ARE WARNINGS AND SIDE-EFFECTS NOTED. If you think you are having a reaction to this med you need to get to your doctor's office. Lots of other things could be going on like a bacterial infection can affect the bowels and bladder. After I had an implant in my back (neurospinal stimulator) to help control pain... I discovered that on occasion I just couldn't make it to the bathroom. That was so much fun--NOT!!! So my PT had me working on core muscle strength because I was quite weak following surgery and not quite back to my former young self also with a full left hip replacement and still recovering from that. I have had a few bacterial infections and it does affect my bladder and sometimes I get stomach cramps and feel like my gut is going to explode. Well, it doesn't explode but those are the signs for me that my colon is in spasms and need to get to a bathroom, QUICK! What kind of doctor prescribed the naproxen may I ask??? Is this a med you are supposed to be on long-term or short-term? It does seem to be working for you but what is going on with your back? Do you have prior history of a back injury? If you are someone who does a lot of sitting and not really doing any exercises at all, I can see why you might be having some of those issues. Then again, you probably should report all of this to your doctor because there isn't enough information given here to make even an educated guess about what is going on. Perhaps you picked up a bug? Maybe it has nothing to do with Naproxen but Naproxen has a boat-load of warnings and side effects. Take a look here on DC's site to see if you are experiencing any of the known symptoms, okay? And, please DO let us know how you are doing so we can at least support you along the way to better health and sense of well being, okay?
Mary
C.E.
27 July 2012
Just as a precaution, please check with your pharmacist and/or online re reports of Naproxen possibly causing dementia/Alzheimer's. I have read that there is a possibility of this medication being attributed to causing these conditions. However, it was a lesser amount of people involved in a study. It might be well just to check the likelihood of this. CEL
DzooBaby
27 July 2012
If you are having back pain and you are losing control of your bowels and bladder, this is a medical emergency and you need to go to the Emergency Room right NOW! This is indicative of cauda equina syndrome and if it is not treated you can have permanent nerve damage.
kaismama
27 July 2012
You're right on that one. This isn't something to just self medicate, this is see a dr ASAP
balbanese
27 July 2012
Yes, if the Dr prescribed it that way, it should be fine. If not, no. Get your Doc's approval first. Hope this helps.
Related topics
headache, pain, back pain, muscle pain, naproxen, period, urine
Further information
- Naproxen uses and safety info
- Naproxen prescribing info & package insert (for Health Professionals)
- Side effects of Naproxen (detailed)
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