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High blood pressure and arthritis

(43 Posts)
Sallywally1 Thu 02-Apr-26 08:29:58

GP does not advise anti inflammatories because of hypertension, so apart from paracetamol which is not much help, what can I take? It is affecting my hands now and sometimes I am in a lot of pain

janipans Mon 06-Apr-26 15:36:24

I have high BP (controlled) plus am on blood thinners as have AF. I have also been told no Ibruprofen.
I use topical Ibruprofen on the area affected or Tiger Balm also gives some relief.
Also worked out that deep massage around knee joint, moving from surrounding area towards knee, is helpful.
I do also have Zopiclone (sleeping tablets) on the understanding that I only use them when I get desperate for a good nights sleep.

janipans Mon 06-Apr-26 15:37:19

NB. Turmeric is also a no, no , so check before using herbal remedies.

Lupatria Mon 06-Apr-26 16:15:43

I cannot take ibuprofen or aspirin as I only have one kidney (lost the other kidney in 2020 due to kidney cancer).
so i only take paracetamol for my aches and pains. gabapentin is, to my mind, an awful medicine - i ws prescribed this following a knee replacement op for nerve pain. never have i felt so awful - i was hallucinating badly.
I have arthritis in both hands especially my right thumb and have an steroid injection into the joint every four months which helps with the pain.
thankfully I don't have high blood pressure.

Alison333 Mon 06-Apr-26 17:01:14

Bea65

Allira

Sallywally1

GP does not advise anti inflammatories because of hypertension, so apart from paracetamol which is not much help, what can I take? It is affecting my hands now and sometimes I am in a lot of pain

I await answers!
The GP will not prescribe anti-inflammatories for anyone over 65, apparently.

She just prescribed codeine which has side effects, one being constipation.
And so it goes on.

Nothing works like Naproxen!

I’m prescribed Naproxen for arthritis and spinal fractures and well over 65….where did this new guidance come from?

I was also prescribed Naproxen in my seventies. I haven't heard of this guidance before.

Ladylea Mon 06-Apr-26 17:34:57

I take Co-codamol, as i suffer with both too , doc gave them to me ages ago, I don't go anywhere without them now ( but I only take them when I cant stand pain any more , as they could become addictive?

icanhandthemback Mon 06-Apr-26 17:50:34

My Mum has Gabapentin prescribed to her for her arthritis.

midgey Mon 06-Apr-26 18:07:32

I think Voltarol is a specific no but generic ibuprofen gels are less bad.

WithNobsOnIt Mon 06-Apr-26 18:18:35

I take very low dose tramadol.for my arthritic pain Can make you feel a bit spaced out but does help with pain control and sleep problems.

Also try Canaray
CBD oil and gummies fro Holland and Barrett. Get advice in one of their shops..

Hope this helps.






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arum Mon 06-Apr-26 19:26:35

There are a few alternatives, like ginger capsules (250 mg, four times daily), Topical Arnica, Combination: Astaxanthin, Ginkgo biloba and Vitamin C, Panax Ginseng.

Mojack26 Mon 06-Apr-26 22:37:49

Co codamol and Naproxen are ok. I have had 2 heart attacks and also high blood pressure so cannot take anti inflammatory,(ibuprofen etc) either. Find naproxen not great but better than nothing. My hands are bad too.

Sweetsnbooksnradio4 Mon 06-Apr-26 22:52:01

I use topical anti-inflammatory cream (ibuprofen or diclofenac) on my hands - it does do something to help. I just buy it - but they might prescribe it.

Allira Mon 06-Apr-26 22:56:38

Mojack26

Co codamol and Naproxen are ok. I have had 2 heart attacks and also high blood pressure so cannot take anti inflammatory,(ibuprofen etc) either. Find naproxen not great but better than nothing. My hands are bad too.

I found naproxen worked but the surgery will not prescribe it now. It is an anti-inflammatory.

Twopence Tue 07-Apr-26 05:34:08

My mother used to find that soaking her arthritic hands in a solution of Epsom salts and warm water helped relieve the pain.

4allweknow Tue 07-Apr-26 06:40:10

Arthritis in hip, back and hands. Blood pressure being checked this week, first time in years but GP advised against taking any anti-inflammatories when arthritis diagnosed. Just paracetamol tecommended. Also having first ever tests for cholesterol and diabetes, all at request of optician who was shocked I'd never had these tests before.

Allira Tue 07-Apr-26 10:47:38

Twopence

My mother used to find that soaking her arthritic hands in a solution of Epsom salts and warm water helped relieve the pain.

A bath with Epsom salts or similar is good - if you can get in and out of the bath, of course!

Etoile2701 Tue 07-Apr-26 11:54:55

I have severe osteoarthritis but was advised by several doctors that I should not take ibuprofen or NSAIDs. I am still not sure if it is safe to use the gel. The doctor prescribed codeine but I have also had IBS for 64 years and unfortunately the side effects of codeine make it worse, so I stick to paracetamol.

MayBee70 Tue 07-Apr-26 12:18:11

My doctor suggested ibuprofen for my arthritis and seemed surprised that I was reluctant to take it. And yet, when I worked at the very same practice years ago even I knew that we shouldn’t prescribe ibuprofen to older people. I’ve had IBS for years and was worried that the iron tablets I’m currently taking would make me constipated but have been making a chia pudding each day and it seems to have helped with both problems.