Naproxen and breathlessness

Are you actually breathless, or is it that you are not getting enough oxygen? Also, is your breathing worse when you are outside as opposed to indoors?

If so, you might have whatever I have, which remains a mystery. I have had a battery of tests and my heart and lungs are both mechanically fine, but I desaturate as soon as I walk outside. It's very debilitating and has led to my putting on weight and restricting my activities.

I do take Lansoprasole, but this was prescribed a while after the breathing issues started, so I don't think there is a link in my case.

I took Naproxen for a while before my hip surgeries I didn’t have any problems with it. Could you possibly stop taking it to see if that resolves the problem.

I’ve had to take the maximum dose of naproxen for over two years and not had this issue. The best person, more so than the gp to discuss this with is your pharmacist. They have the most clinical understanding of drug interactions and side effects.

Maybe apeak to a pharmacist who has information regarding interactions and effects of many medications,

Thanks @Doodledog. It’s outside or part way through my Joe Wicks sessions. No audible breathlessness but more I guess really shallow breathing and loss of energy and I have to stop for a very short while before resuming. Mine doesn’t sound any where near as bad as yours but it is affecting my life and depressing me. I spoke to pharmacist and they aren’t aware of a link. My bpm are ok on my Fitbit. I’m so confused!

You can get an oxometer for a few pounds on Amazon and exercise with it on your finger to check your saturation levels. It’s worth knowing them if you speak to a doctor.

Oh, and yes - I just need a very short while to get back to normal too.

Thanks to you all. I've tried the pharmacist-helpful but sadly no suggestions. I think coming off is the right idea so am going to phase myself down and then see if I can manage on Ibuprofen and Paracetamol plus a freeze gel/ice pack for maybe a month. Oh-and I'll try hard not to panic or worry. It's helped just asking on here. I think the oximeter is a great idea!

My doctor refused to give Naproxen.

Doodledog

Are you actually breathless, or is it that you are not getting enough oxygen? Also, is your breathing worse when you are outside as opposed to indoors?

If so, you might have whatever I have, which remains a mystery. I have had a battery of tests and my heart and lungs are both mechanically fine, but I desaturate as soon as I walk outside. It's very debilitating and has led to my putting on weight and restricting my activities.

I do take Lansoprasole, but this was prescribed a while after the breathing issues started, so I don't think there is a link in my case.

I’ve been taking Naproxen daily for 12 years + with Lansoprasole taken first thing in morning- as Doodledog mentions walking outside, i do have slight breathing problems… and also have piled on weight due to reduced mobility and other health issues which is very frustrating…
I wouldn’t cope without naproxen unless in a flare up when I need MST ..
Hope you 💐

Bea65

Doodledog

Are you actually breathless, or is it that you are not getting enough oxygen? Also, is your breathing worse when you are outside as opposed to indoors?

If so, you might have whatever I have, which remains a mystery. I have had a battery of tests and my heart and lungs are both mechanically fine, but I desaturate as soon as I walk outside. It's very debilitating and has led to my putting on weight and restricting my activities.

I do take Lansoprasole, but this was prescribed a while after the breathing issues started, so I don't think there is a link in my case.

I’ve been taking Naproxen daily for 12 years + with Lansoprasole taken first thing in morning- as Doodledog mentions walking outside, i do have slight breathing problems… and also have piled on weight due to reduced mobility and other health issues which is very frustrating…
I wouldn’t cope without naproxen unless in a flare up when I need MST ..
Hope you 💐

Thanks @Bea65 - The Omeprazole is causing me problems so I'm going to have to go back to doc's. At least they're good about prescribing (@kircubbin2000), and the Naproxen does work for my arthritis-it's just all the side effects and on top of this breathing worry now too. What's MST? Just wondering....

MST .. 🤷‍♀️ should have typed MSR morphine slow release tablets only have them prescribed in the worst flare ups as cannot move when pain is excruciating and affects my breathing

borderjoe apologies.. MST is morphine steroid tablet - mine is oramorph..
It’s 03:20 am and can’t sleep so ignore the previous post🙏

Urgh not steroid Sulphate …
Had 2 teeth removed Monday and not coping well..

I can’t take naproxen as I’m asthmatic. It was prescribed for me by another doctor and I was ok with it didn’t take it in large doses just to get me through the day. However a doctor told me any asthmatic shouldn’t take this as it can make asthma worse. Hope this helps.

I'm not sure if this is relevant, but I'm asthmatic and cannot take any of the non-steroidal anti-inflammatories (such as Naproxen and ibuprofen) because they make my asthma worse. Bear in mind that, contrary to what we often think, asthmatic attacks rarely show as wheezing and are far more likely to show as breathlessness or coughing, which is usually during exercise or at night. And a lot of people have a tendency to asthma that is un-diagnosed. Wonder if you could get an appointment with practice nurse/Doctor at your surgery and ask them to do a Peak Flow reading ( which is just a question of blowing hard into a little hand-held machine)?

Hi naproxen as a non steroidal can exacerbate asthma.You may have mild asthma previously undiagnosed.Try stopping for a few days and seeing if your breathlessness improves.Painkillers such as paracetamol and anything codeine based could be used shorterm instead for pain relief.I assume you have already had your blood checked for anaemia which can also be a side effect.

I'm rather concerned that you rely on your fitbit to measure your blood pressure. Have you used a proper bp monitor machine to compare as my smart watch bp reading was just not accurate enough for my high BP. I was told NOT to take Naproxen with my bp medication.

The breathlessness sounds heart related rather than the side effect of a drug. I have rheumatoid arthritis for which I take Meloxicam. I did take Omeprazole, but it is not advisable to take for a long time. It caused me to end up in hospital, so it has now been replaced by Famotidine. Otherwise I've had no problems.

Have you had your vit b12 levels checked?

I have COPD and have been told not to use NSAIDs - Naproxen, Ibuprofen, etc. - because they are likely to make my breathing worse. Might be worth having that discussion with your doctor? Hope you get sorted soon.

Have you had your haemoglobin levels tested? My test results showed that my levels were below normal. I was sent for a blood transfusion immediately, and the effects were instantaneous - breathlessness gone and a lot more cheerful.

I have serious lower back and right hip arthritis. I do a series of stretches which are extremely helpful, each morning and sometimes later in the day too.

Occasionally I take an extra strength Tylenol [paracetamol/acetaminophen] or Advil [ibuprofen].

I hope you find the answer to your shortness of breath.

I'm a GP .
The group of drugs that include Naproxen are contraindicated for people with asthma as they can trigger breathlessness. It is possible you have an asthmatic tendency you didn't know about but the Naproxen has triggered.
They can also cause gastrointestinal bleeding even if you are taking stomach protector. A slow bleed may make you anaemic and this makes you short of breath.
Thirdly , if you are over 60 then this group of drugs is not recommended, even with gastric protector, as they can cause kidney damage. Again , kidney problems can cause anaemia or make you short of breath.
I recommend you cease taking the
Naproxen and seek a blod test for anaemia and renal function from your GP