Can An OTC Medication Be Taken For Pain Relief After A Stroke?

Posted on Wed, 12 Feb 2014

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Wed, 12 Feb 2014 Answered on

Fri, 7 Mar 2014 Last reviewed on

Question : My husband has had two strokes in November 2013, his right arm is beginning to have feeling, but from his shoulder down he is having pain and also swelling in his hand. Is there a OTC medication he can safely take to make him more comfortable since he is on Coumadin.

Answered by Dr. Manjeth Kumar G (1 hour later)

Brief Answer: Do not use OTC medication. Risk of bleeding. Detailed Answer: Hello, I have gone through your query and understand your concern. As he is on coumadin ( Warfarin sodium), it is not all advisable to use the OTC medication. Many drugs interact with Warfarin sodium. Use of common pain killers like Aspirin, aspirin-like drugs (salicylates), and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs such as ibuprofen, naproxen, celecoxib) can increase the risk of bleeding. Because both have the similar effects. Further he had two attacks of stroke. First thing is to rule out the swelling in the hand is either due to bleeding or edema by carpal tunnel syndrome. I would like to have few answers. How long he have this swelling? whether the whole upper right arm is swelled or some parts like hand or forearm or arm or shoulder? Does he met any injury or fall? Does he have any numbness, tingling, pin and needles sensation in that upper limb and where exactly. Does he have any wound or enlarged node in axilla? Waiting for your response.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Manjeth Kumar G (17 hours later)

He has had rt arm paresis since the second stroke. The swelling is just in his hand, and he has burning and tingling sensation for about 6 wks, but not as much recovery as he has had in his rt leg, and speech. He is taking speech,occupational, and physical therapy twice a week since he was released from the rehab center.

Answered by Dr. Manjeth Kumar G (16 hours later)

Brief Answer: DVT or Dependent Edema. Elevate his hand above. Detailed Answer: Hello, Thanks for your reply. There are plenty of causes for swelling or edema in hand. However for his present condition, i suspect it to be either a dependent edema or deep vein thrombosis. First step is to rule out any Deep vein thrombosis in hand by Duplex Doppler Ultrasound. If there is no DVT, then it is most probably a Dependent edema due to paralysis. Then keep his hand elevated and also You can use pillows or a tray to help support the weak arm. In addition, Please continue the Physiotherapy and other drugs. If there is DVT, he may need blood thinners like Heparin or Warfarin. Hope this helps. Please write back for further queries. Wishing him good health.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar