Naproxen and Swelling: What Users Say

• Smw...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 16, 2018

Naproxen for Sciatica "I have been taking ibuprofen for years but only helped a little. I saw a commercial for Aleve and thought I would try. What a difference in my back pain and sciatica. It even took down the inflammation in my hands."

• Anonymous
• November 22, 2011

Naproxen for Rheumatoid Arthritis "I started taking Aleve for my arthritis in my hand, and the pain was gone. But after taking it for about 8 days, I noticed swelling in my feet, which was abnormal for me. I am 34 and in good health and have never had swollen feet. I then noticed the next day my feet and hands were swollen. I finally put 2 and 2 together and realized I was allergic to the Aleve. I stopped taking it and haven't had swelling since."

• kri...
• March 16, 2014

Naproxen for Pain "I had ongoing pain and swelling for a full year after knee surgery to repair three rips in my right knee. It felt like bone rubbing on bone, felt hot to the touch with swelling. After going through narcotics and Motrin for swelling, I worked on accepting that I would be dealing with this for a long time as a chronic condition. After my first dose of 500 mg of Naprosyn, it was a Godsend. For the first time in a year, my knee actually felt normal."

• ATL...
• November 2, 2014

For Gout, Acute "Have been suffering from acute gout attacks for about 6 years. Usually 1 attack per year that requires me to stay off my feet for a day or 2. I have taken indomethacin, colchicine, and Colcrys with varying degrees of relief and started allopurinol about 3 months ago. In all my research over the years, I never reviewed naproxen. The last attack happened about a week ago, and I cycled through my last few Colcrys with barely any relief. A trip to Walgreens for Aleve liquigels and about 2 hours later I had ~70% reduction in pain. I've been managing it with a scheduled dose for a few days now, and the pain is nearly gone. Still some swelling, but getting better each day. This regimen has been more effective than any prescription medication."

• Nat...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 18, 2022

For Sciatica "I had terrible sciatica. I used to wake up and be stuck as it was too excruciating to move anything! Never had pain like it!! These definitely do work, albeit at a hefty cost to the gut!! So, after a few days, I noticed I would feel very sick if I didn’t eat any food, which I thought I just had a bug and carried on. A month later and I was having terrible diarrhea to the point I was referred to a gastroenterologist who then sent me for a colonoscopy. During the colonoscopy, everything was fine until he got to the end where you could visually see the inflammation at the terminal ileum, which is where the small intestine joins the large, and the first thing he asked me is, “Do you take NSAIDs?” As soon as I heard that, it all clicked! He took biopsies as he thought I may have Crohn's disease. The test came back negative, but now I know the naproxen was the culprit. As soon as I stopped, things slowly started to recover, but it took a long time. ALWAYS TAKE THIS DRUG ON A FULL STOMACH!!"

• Anonymous
• September 14, 2021

Naproxen for Sciatica "I had to quit using due to swelling in my right leg and feet (edema). Went away several days after discontinuation of use. Went back on two more times but the same problem occurred again. I now alternate ibuprofen with acetaminophen with no side effects except occasional constipation."

• Mar...
• July 17, 2015

Naproxen for Period Pain "Swelling, tingling feeling on my tongue, and hives shortly after taking this product. I remember taking it for period pain in middle school and had little issues, now I must stay completely away from it."

• Anonymous
• February 20, 2011

For Period Pain "I was involved in a car accident in 2005 in which my urethra was severed. Since surgery, it has had an ongoing problem with closing off with scar tissue. I have to self-catheterize, which results in inflammation in the area. Naproxen at 500 mg has been the only anti-inflammatory that has worked in this area. Also effective for muscle pain."

• 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."

• car...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 4, 2020

For Pain "I was put on naproxen and had an allergic reaction later on. Complete swollen face for 6 days straight, terrible hives, and a burning itch - do not recommend."