Hi
I am waiting to start drug therapy targeted treatment. I have secondary cancer in the bone. I get pain in my shoulders and take paracetamol as and when required. I have been prescribed Naproxen for moderate pain which I usually take at night. I have now also been prescribed Lansoprazole alongside the Naproxen to avoid stomach ulcers apparently . I am concerned and reluctant to take more drugs than necessary and thinking I might try and manage with paracetamol only.
Can anyone advise further please?
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Hi nhs97
I have mets in my spine, diagnosed in June last year, I have been taking paracetamol and codeine but I only take 1 of each in the morning and one of each in the evening, this is enough for me to help with the pain which at the moment is not too bad. I’m also on drug therapy which is going well. At the beginning before I knew i had cancer I just assumed I had a very bad back I I was in agony and I was put on Naproxin which helped at the time but currently I don’t need it plus they are too big for me to swallow …. I am also on lanzaprozole which for me is a lifesaver it helps with my digestion, I have been taking that one for years and I have had no issues. I would suggest you take what you need to make life easier, a nurse practitioner told me when I was first diagnosed to take everything that is thrown at me(I hate taking tablets) and from that moment I did and it was the best advice ever given
Good luck on your journey x
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Sorry nhs1970 got your name wrong 
Thanks for your reply. I too hate taking tablets! Codeine doesn’t agree with me - I will continue with the paracetamol and 1 Naproxen at night if needed. I will also see how I go with the stomach tablets and speak to my cancer nurse. Thanks again and take care x
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Hi,
I’ve been living with secondary breast cancer for 14 yrs but not on my bones on my lungs and liver and take lansoprazole daily, it’s a really good drug and helps so much if your on pain killers daily. Apart from stomach ulcers some of the drugs can give you acid reflux, this drug is so good for that. I think in the whole scheme of things lansoprazole is a great drug with no side effects that I can report. I’d rather take it and not suffer annoying symptoms of digestive problems. Hope this helps, and sorry you have joined our club. Plenty of people here for you anytime. X
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Thank you, that does put my mind at rest. I was worried as I had been prescribed it without being told why!
Take care x
It’s acid leaking back into the gullet that causes pain also known as acid reflux. I get it sometimes so I take a tablet or two of an antacid such as Rennies. Omprazole is a typical one that doctors prescribe. I would take your medication regularly to keep the pain away if you have it, get rid of it.
Some things do cause constipation which I find a nuisance, so maybe eat more of the kinds of food that help keep you regular such as fruit, bananas, prunes, dates, oranges, figs, dried fruit seems full of whatever it is gets you moving.
I have been prescribed movicol but I really prefer fibrogel both the tast and the effects, so I mix half a sachet of each and it looks more like orange juice and tastes better. I have huge piles of boxes of this laxative now which is a bit embarrassing but not as embarrassing as having constant constipation perhaps.
I am going to try and take laxatives more regularly as I get tiny little round lumps of poo usually every time I go to the toilet and then about once a week I get a decent size poo. I never thought I could spend so much time examining a toilet bowl or sitting there trying to evacuate the tiniest of little round lumps. I don’t know what’s causing the problem maybe letrozole but I am on several other drugs so it’s difficult to know which drug it is.
Too much information? I fear so
A straining Seagull
Welcome to the forum @nhs1970
I’m sorry to hear about the pain you’re experiencing, and I’m glad to see that you’ve found other members’ experiences helpful. The forum is full of very kind people who are here for you any time. I hope you find the support you are looking for.
Please know that our nurses are also here to support you - with clinical questions or for a chat. You can get in touch with them here on the forum on the Ask our Nurses your questions board or over the phone 0808 800 6000.
We have a dedicated, private area of the forum for secondary breast cancer that you may be interested in joining: Latest Living with secondary breast cancer topics - Breast Cancer Now forum.
Sending our warmest,
Lucy
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I have mets in my bones and liver. The pain before i started treatment was excruciating! You need slow release morphine and liquid morphine. Its the only thing that touched the sides for me. Almost 2 years into my treatment now and the pain is loads better. I still take the slow release morphine, but use the liquid morphine on bad days. You don’t need to suffer in silence. Sending lots of love and hugs.xx
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It sounds as though you are going to be on the Naproxen for a long time so you will probably need to start taking the Lansoprazole at some point or you are likely to get problems with acid reflux and potentially stomach ulcers . But if you are only taking Naproxen at night at present you might get away without it for now. Whether you take the Lansoprazole or not you need to have food in your stomach when you take the Naproxen . My partner has been on Lansoprazole for a few years now for persistent acid reflux and hasn’t had any side effects that we are aware of . Xx
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Hi nhs1970
In case you aren’t aware and if it helps to know, naproxen is an anti inflammatory and the same type of medication as ibuprofen.
I’m sorry you find yourself here but glad you asked for help even if it is only to vent. I hate taking meds too but it does seem once we are in this club the only way through is on one medication or another. Hope they bring you relief at least.
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