OTC Pain Killers

Mary27609
Mary27609 Member Posts: 22
in Uterine/Endometrial Cancer #1

Hi.

I've been relying heavily on Tylenol (6-8 extra strength a day) for moderate arthritis pain in my knees and chronic lower back pain (weight related!). Before I got sick I used to take one Aleve a day, but then I heard (online I think) that Aleve and Advil affect estrogen levels and that my sort of cancer-- Endometrioid adenocarcinoma-- is linked to increased estrogen levels. So I've been avoiding Aleve.

Last night I could not sleep from pain and broke down and took one of my daughter's Aleve. I feel better today than I have in months. I think the Tylenol was giving me a bellyache too-- that's been bugging me and today is gone.

So my question is this-- Has anyone been told by medical professionals that Aleve should not be used? I will ask my doctor first chance I get-- he knows I take Tylenol daily-- but I just wondered what the group's experience has been. The hospitals all seem to endorse Tylenol, but I wonder why. I just looked around online and can't find the same connection I made when I switched to Tylenol. 

I was on Tramadol during treatment-- plus whatever wonderful IV stuff they give you in the pre-Chemo bag. I forgot about my "normal" level of background pain. I have to say that chemo was not all bad. My age spots on my hands went away too :) and are now coming back. But I did miss my hair :)

Hope everyone is having a good day!

- Mary

 

 

Comments

  • It happened to Me
    It happened to Me Member Posts: 206 Member
    #2
    Mary - Another alternative

    A couple of alternatives to consider.  Homeopathic medicine and massage or acupuncture.  I take  Rhus Tox 6x and Hypericum perf 6x.  The Rhus Tox 6x is for pain and the Hypericum perf 6x, I take for my neuropathic pain.   Massage helps for arthritis pain as is a good acupuncturist.  I am a massage therapist and I know that I help people with their pain and alot of it is arthritis.  There are other homeopathic's for pains and inflammations.  There are homeopathics for sleep too.   If you go to a good health food store, they may have a variety of options for you.

    I hope you find some relief.

    Take care.

    Jeanette

  • HellieC
    HellieC Member Posts: 524 Member
    #3
    NSAIDS

    Hi Mary.  Firstly, I'm so sorry you're experiencing pain from arthritis on top of everything else!  The Aleve that you mention isn't sold under that name in England where I live, but it one of the NSAID (non steroidal anti inflammatory) family.  I am taking OTC ibuprofen (another NSAID) for pain from my pelvic tumour.  I also have adenocarcinoma which is oestrogen receptor positive.  My oncologist didn't have a problem with me taking it, other than to tell me to be careful that I took it after food and that it is very hard on the stomach, so better to try to stick with paracetamol (acetaminophen) where possible.  So I ended up alternating or using the NSAID at night only to give me longer term relief through the night.  I also use some codeine together with the acetaminophen occasionally.

    Hope you get the pain back under control soon.

    Kindest wishes
    Helen

  • Ro10
    Ro10 Member Posts: 1,561 Member
    #4
    Mary

    My husband is a retired pharmacist.  Like Helen said Aleve is a non steroidal pain med NSAID.  He said it does effect estrogen levels.  I think Helen gave you a good suggestion to alternate the tyelonal and aleve.  Helen  is right that it is important to take it with food.  Hope your pain is better soon.

  • Mary27609
    Mary27609 Member Posts: 22
    #5
    Ro10 said:

    Mary

    My husband is a retired pharmacist.  Like Helen said Aleve is a non steroidal pain med NSAID.  He said it does effect estrogen levels.  I think Helen gave you a good suggestion to alternate the tyelonal and aleve.  Helen  is right that it is important to take it with food.  Hope your pain is better soon.

    Thank you!

    Thanks Ro10 and Helen for all the information. I've been alternating for four days now and it's much better. One Aleve takes me half way through the next day too so I take less Tylenol on that day too. Since this all started I've lost 110 lbs and my ovaries-- I think I should be making a lot less estrogen to start with-- so I HOPE my doctors let me continue using Aleve! Thanks again.

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