Rheumatoid arthritis and pain relievers

[Onnieellen]

I was recently diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis and prescribed Plaquenil and naproxen  (for swelling and  pain relief.)  I am on a low sodium diet for meniere's disease. Various pain relievers make me retain fluid......making me  too dizzy and light headed to drive. Can you recommend a product, OTC or prescription, that contains little to no sodium? I have read the sodium in pain relievers help to quicken relief of pain......but I find it easier to tolerate some pain than live with extreme dizziness....thank you....

[Onnieellen]

Thanks for your response.....I believe you are probably right....best to ask a pharmacist. My primary doctor originally ordered Celebrex for me knowing that I had Meniere's. I gained 4 lbs. within 5 days of taking it. I haven't tried the narproxen yet, but have read on the internet it also has substantial sodium. For now I will stick with ibuprofen.....it seems to help (some) with swelling and pain,  without fluid retention.

[carolanivey]

I don't know, I think that's a good question for your pharmacist, who may be more knowledgeable about exactly what is in medications than your doctor. Most, if not all, NSAIDs have warnings about cardiovascular effects, water retention being one of those. I guess the trick is finding the one that causes the least problems for you.

Tylenol doesn't have the effect, but at the same time, it isn't very effective for arthritis pain and swelling.

Call your rheumatologist and your pharmacist for advice.