Naproxen and Pain: What Users Say

• Geo...
• December 10, 2014

Naproxen for Back Pain "I've been using this medicine on and off for 25 years. I get muscle spasms every few years and virtually drop to the floor with pain. Two to three days with this stuff and I'm back swinging again. Better than Forte or Voltaren by a long shot."

• Anonymous
• November 3, 2009

Naproxen for Rheumatoid Arthritis "I've had RA for 4 years. 500 mg naproxen tablets were my first treatment. They definitely helped the day get better and allowed me to function daily. However, they did not stop the morning stiffness and pain or the buildup of inflammation in my body. I definitely needed a more serious drug to stop the progression of the disease."

• Run...
• October 30, 2011

Naproxen for Back Pain "Two Aleve a day helped my back pain, but over time it affected my stomach. My gastroenterologist knew immediately what my problem was, and I've stopped Aleve entirely. I had almost a year of constant nausea and pain until I quit taking Aleve."

• Anonymous
• September 19, 2008

For Rheumatoid Arthritis "I recently had my meniscus removed from my knee and am now dealing with arthritis in the knee, which is hampering my recovery. I started on naproxen and didn't realize how helpful it's been until I switched to a cream version. Within a day, I was in constant pain and could not exercise at all. I went back on the pill form and was back walking nearly normal before the 2nd dose."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 28, 2012

For Period Pain "Suffered for 25 years, though not quite as bad now as in my teens or 20s. Missing one day of my life each month to horrendous pain, nausea, fever, chills, total lack of mental focus. This seems to fix everything! Amazing, wish I'd had this when I was 15."

• Kar...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 7, 2018

For Muscle Pain "The pharmacist offered this for joint/muscle pain, related to an unknown condition (possibly the beginning of rheumatoid or reactive arthritis). After I took 220 mg, it made me calm, painless, but I also felt kind of isolated and deeply depressed. An irrational feeling of untouchable, undefinable empty sadness. I felt very bad, could not stop the whole experience. I was happy it was the end of the day, and so I went to bed. The painkiller effect and anti-inflammatory effect was, however, very effective. It erased all my pain in my muscles. But be careful, if you are sensitive. I did not have suicidal thoughts, but I was close to it! I felt like I would watch a very sad documentary about all the bad things humans did."

• She...
• October 16, 2017

For Tendonitis "I went to the doctor after having pain in my elbow. I thought it was tennis elbow, but my doctor dismissed it as tendonitis and quickly prescribed me Naproxen 500 mg to be taken twice daily. I made sure I took it after food, and on the third day in, I started experiencing stomach pain and indigestion/heartburn. This continued over the next 2 days with increased pain and feeling bloated. On the fifth day, stiffness started creeping in all over my body, so bad that I couldn't take my own clothes off. It is now day 6. I haven't taken any tablets and had to spend the day in bed. It has even made my breasts feel very sore. I feel as though I've been in a horrendous car crash. I will definitely not be taking this drug ever again. I'm usually a very fit 49-year-old."

• Isa...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 13, 2018

Naproxen for Period Pain "I too cannot believe how well Aleve works! I've had bad cramps, pain, and misery that lasted for two days, interrupting my life every month and giving a feeling of dread each time 'that time' approached. My sister mentioned recently that Aleve helped her, so I tried it. For the second month now, I am able to function with pretty mild symptoms! It's a miracle. So happy to have found this!! Wish I'd known about it 10 years ago, to think the suffering was so simply solved. So grateful."

• Sim...
• August 8, 2015

For Muscle Pain "I pulled a muscle in my back on a Saturday. The pain was intense. Sleepless nights because of the pain. I started taking paracetamol and ibuprofen, which did help during the daytime. But once you have sleep, waking up was painful. Saw a doctor today. Now Friday. They told me to get naproxen 500 mg. Take 1 twice a day. Took one as soon as I got home. Seemed to work, but still had the pain. Slightly. Took 1 before bedtime, only to awake in pain. I will continue using them as described by my GP but now using paracetamol, too. Anti-inflammatory maybe, but not a painkiller."

• Mel...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 18, 2019

For Neck Pain "I broke my neck and had to have surgery to fix it, and the pain is very bad. My doctor gave me naproxen, and I took it, but after taking it, the pain was so much worse. I will never take naproxen again."

• Hil...
• November 14, 2017

Naproxen for Period Pain "Aleve has been a miracle drug for me. I’m not one to write reviews on anything, but I can tell you from my experience today that I was in so much pain from menstrual cramps that I was crying. I took two extra strength Tylenol, and it took two hours to work, and when it did work, I still felt a lot of pain, but still not as much as before. Then, I took two Aleve, and it completely knocked it out."

• Sha...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 31, 2020

For Gout, Acute "I woke up with pain in my right toe. I have tried all home remedies and normal pain relievers like ibuprofen, paracetamol, co-codamol, and Anadin, but still had pain and swelling in my foot for 9 days. My doctor prescribed me naproxen. I took 1000 mg after dinner and cannot believe within 1 hour my pain started to ease. After 6-7 hours, I'm almost pain-free. My pain is gone but still have some stiffness and very, very minor pain while walking. I'm sure after taking 1 or 2 more doses I’ll be jumping again on my feet."

• Cow...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 13, 2022

Naproxen for Back Pain "After taking this drug for back pain, I had the most painful experience of my life, more painful than back surgery. I couldn't walk for 6 hours. As the drug began to leave my system, things began to get better. I had to wait 96 hours to take ibuprofen again, which is my miracle for pain. During the hours the Aleve was leaving my system, I got slowly better. I followed all the rules. No alcohol, no drugs that might interact, but this drug was a total disaster. These drugs are both NSAIDs - they should react similarly. But there has to be a difference in the way they mix them or the non-active ingredients. Any similar experiences?"

• soa...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• August 23, 2018

For Tendonitis "I took prescription-strength naproxen after a shoulder injury. It helped with that but made pain in my knees and hips much, much worse somehow. When I take it, my shoulder feels better for a few hours, but my knees start to ache."

• Nat...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 21, 2018

For Muscle Pain "Got given it after I popped my knee out of place. Doctor didn't know what was wrong but causing me so many problems after. I'm aching and hurting all over. My hands hurt, yesterday I couldn't even move my wrist, my feet and ankles hurt, depressed, etc. I stopped taking it, feel less sad, but I'm still aching."

• tom...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 24, 2019

Naproxen for Pain "I broke my wrist. There was a terrible amount of swelling in my entire hand. There was pain just touching it. I started taking Aleve. Two pills a day and the swelling went down in my fingers and thumb. I started taking three a day (the maximum), and the swelling went down in the back of my hand. I can see my knuckles for the first time in three months. I can start getting strength in the hand to go back to work."

• Dma...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 27, 2016

For Neck Pain "First time took two 220 mg had chest pain and left arm pain lasted few days. Thought I just took too much. Five months later, another neck ache, only thing with me at work those same rugby 220 naproxen. Instantaneously felt like I was having a heart attack, the following day my knees became swollen and I couldn't walk. Three weeks later I still feel like I am having a heart attack. This product is the direct cause, and the doctors have yet to figure out what it is. My chest keeps swelling up randomly, I have a one-year-old and a three-year-old and hate the thought I might die from taking one dumb pill for pain. Never again, I'll just take the pain."

• Ms_...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 8, 2017

Naproxen for Pain "I cracked a molar vertically into two pieces. After the initial two days (wherein a strong muscle relaxant was added to the mix), two Aleve for each dose kept me comfortable (nearly pain-free unless I chewed on it) until I could get my quotes for a dental implant and get the offending tooth extracted. I am post-extraction as of today, and again, two Aleve per dose has allowed me to bypass the opioid pain management altogether! Highly pleased and will keep Aleve as my go-to pain intervention for intense pain wherein speed of results is the only option."

• Anonymous
• July 18, 2021

For Muscle Pain "Since taking naproxen, I have had terrible leg pain in my calves and back of upper thighs. It was agony getting up from a chair. I had been taking them for 3 weeks and have now stopped, and my leg pain is easing."

• You...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• February 2, 2018

For Pain "I've been using Aleve for a couple of years now for my period pain. Taking one gel capsule right as I start feeling pain seems to get rid of it altogether within about 10 mins! I never really trusted that drugs worked well until I used Aleve. Now, I got my last wisdom tooth pulled yesterday. The dentist suggested Tylenol (500 mg) + Advil (600 mg) and wrote me a prescription for Percocet (which I haven't filled yet) if I'd rather that. Tried the Tylenol/Advil combo. Barely worked. Couldn't sleep and early morning I grabbed my Aleve to see if that would help... Pain is pretty much gone unless I move that area of the mouth. I love Aleve. I put 9/10 because it failed me just once with my period. (It's possible I took it too late though.)"

• Anonymous
• July 21, 2008

For Gout, Acute "Used it for 3 days. Ankle swelling and pain now much reduced, and can walk properly on left leg. Still some pain in big toe."

• joh...
• March 13, 2009

Naproxen for Muscle Pain "It works great but gave me severe stomach cramps, pain, and general gastrointestinal distress."

• Vio...
• August 8, 2015

For Tendonitis "I took Aleve for a week and a half. It worked great on my chronic back and foot pain, however, my arms and finger joints began to hurt like arthritis! I've never taken a drug that causes new pain!"

• Anonymous
• December 31, 2008

For Pain "This medicine does help to a degree, but I do experience breakthrough pain and discomfort, especially in cold and damp weather, in injury sites from a car accident."