Living with ibuprofen

[dtw]

I have taken ibuprofen 800mg anti-inflammatory dose, 'as needed' for a while now.

Without going into my issues too deeply, it looks like now the 800mg dose is going to be a daily thing pretty much ...forever.

The risk factors worry me a bit. I chip in the extra $$$ to buy the liquid gelcaps which are supposedly easier on the stomach than the chalky tablets.

What other tips and tricks do y'all follow to hedge against the risk of stomach damage?

[Tobra]

Eat prior to taking it. Drink plenty of fluids. Don't take more than 2400 mg a day.

[Mark Henry]

Can you take naproxen (aleve)? Same family and for me it works better, but for some peeps it hurts their stomach. You can get it by Rx here or over the counter.

Any rate the ibuprofen family is better than tylenol which can burn out your liver. This is recomendation info comes nepthoraligist neighbour of mine.

[HardDrive]

I've been taking 400mg a day at bed time for 10+ years. No issues.

[dtw]

Originally Posted by Mark Henry

Can you take naproxen (aleve)? Same family and for me it works better, but for some peeps it hurts their stomach. You can get it by Rx here or over the counter.

Any rate the ibuprofen family is better than tylenol which can burn out your liver. This is recomendation info comes nepthoraligist neighbour of mine.

Funny you mention naproxen, I'm on 500 mg 2x/day right now instead of ibuprofen. I got a scrip for it a couple weeks ago at an urgent care after tweaking the crap out of my wrist. It seems to be more effective than the 800mg ibuprofen. Not sure if we can get it OTC here or not. Will investigate. Thanks for that.

Seems like the naproxen comes with the same cautions as ibuprofen, as far as eating/drinking prior to consuming. It also warned not to lay down within 10 minutes of taking it - I almost want to snake a boreoscope down my throat and see what the heck is going on in the stomach when these pills are processed. Must be quite a show if there's this many cautions.

[Steve Carlton]

I've heard (and it's probably BS) that the prescription version is better than the OTC version.

[968rz]

The problem with most NSAIDs is that they slow down your liver function so be careful with them, especially if drinking.
I was taking Naproxin by script for 2 or 3 years then changed to Aleeve (not as hard on the liver) for a 5 years, n ow I'm on Myloxicam due to the pain/inflammation getting much worce

[Mark Henry]

Aleeve is OTC naproxen.
Smaller dose than the 500mg Rx naproxen.
I can take 2x day but most of the time I only take it once a day in the AM.

[flatbutt]

Just be careful when using any other OTCs in case they contain ibuprofen in combination with something else.

[Baz]

I feel for you......I take either Aleeve or Advil once in a while if I'm sore but there are weeks and sometimes even months between those scenarios

Mom has said for years....."Be careful...they will destroy your stomach if you take too many!" - so yeah I got that rattling around in my head every time I take any.

[Noah930]

PPI (Proton Pump Inhibitor) if you have stomach issues. Something like a twice daily Prilosec or Prevacid.

But the concern with taking chronic Ibuprofen (like any NSAID) is with liver damage. So be sure to have your PCP check liver function tests (bloodwork) every few months.

[ckelly78z]

Why is it that normal people just can't put up with a little bit of pain, and keep the prescription crap out of their bodies.

Perhaps, I just have an unusually high tolerance for pain, but I never take anything for any problem....this includes having 17 broken bones from a car accident (I did take one Percocet and couldn't stand the side effects), a recent dum dum move in the garage that caused 9 stitches in my finger, 4 broken ribs from coming off my dirtbike last year, and numerous other scrapes, cuts, and swollen body parts, that come from working on a farm.

I see so many people getting all these addictive RXs, and we wonder why there is a drug problem in the USA.

[jhynesrockmtn]

His use was extreme but echoes some concerns mentioned above. He was a much loved Seahawk back in the day.

Schierling Chiropractic, LLC BLOG - DR. RUSSELL SCHIERLING

[red-beard]

Originally Posted by dtw

I have taken ibuprofen 800mg anti-inflammatory dose, 'as needed' for a while now.

Without going into my issues too deeply, it looks like now the 800mg dose is going to be a daily thing pretty much ...forever.

The risk factors worry me a bit. I chip in the extra $$$ to buy the liquid gelcaps which are supposedly easier on the stomach than the chalky tablets.

What other tips and tricks do y'all follow to hedge against the risk of stomach damage?

You need Duexis - It is a special coated 800 mg ibuprofen and famotidine(Pepcid) tablet combination.

[dtw]

So many great responses - thanks!

Originally Posted by Tobra

Eat prior to taking it. Drink plenty of fluids. Don't take more than 2400 mg a day.

So how does that go? I can do 800mg at breakfast, lunch and bedtime? Right now I'm just doing breakfast and bedtime. Ok to lay down immediately after taking?

Originally Posted by 968rz

The problem with most NSAIDs is that they slow down your liver function so be careful with them, especially if drinking.
I was taking Naproxin by script for 2 or 3 years then changed to Aleeve (not as hard on the liver) for a 5 years, n ow I'm on Myloxicam due to the pain/inflammation getting much worce

Good deal. I will try switching to OTC Aleve, see if that does anything for me. I do not drink alcohol or take any other NSAIDs, so not worried about interactions.

Originally Posted by Noah930

PPI (Proton Pump Inhibitor) if you have stomach issues. Something like a twice daily Prilosec or Prevacid.

But the concern with taking chronic Ibuprofen (like any NSAID) is with liver damage. So be sure to have your PCP check liver function tests (bloodwork) every few months.

Thanks for the tip on periodic blood work. Great idea.

Originally Posted by red-beard

You need Duexis - It is a special coated 800 mg ibuprofen and famotidine(Pepcid) tablet combination.

I will ask my specialist. Thanks!

Originally Posted by ckelly78z

Why is it that normal people just can't put up with a little bit of pain, and keep the prescription crap out of their bodies.

I didn't want to get into my condition, but nowhere did I say this was for pain, although I have plenty. Right in my first post I said anti-inflammatory dose. It is important that I manage inflammation, and keep full function in a joint. Pain management is something I only worry about when my muscles spasm and guard from all the fatigue and pain. I am working out regularly, seeing a PT for strengthening exercises, and doing all the 'right things' to manage inflammation and restore/maintain full joint function.

As far as pain goes, you and I could probably have a good time swapping tall tales. I deal with a pretty badly ruptured disc which is currently in good shape but I went through literally years of excruciating pain. After a while they prescribed narcotic painkillers, but honestly after a few months I stopped taking them. The side effects outweighed pain mitigation so I just sucked it up and dealt with the pain. So you and I are probably more in agreement than not, but all the same I'll get off your lawn now

Thanks again, all - you have provided some really great tips. Keep 'em coming.

[Nathans_Dad]

Actually NSAIDs have a low rate of liver toxicity, they simply account for a significant percentage of the total number because they are so widespread. Ibuprofen in particular has a very low rate of liver problems. I see much more renal related NSAID issues than I do liver issues.

If GI prophlyaxis is the goal I would recommend a daily proton pump inhibitor.

[motion]

Originally Posted by HardDrive

I've been taking 400mg a day at bed time for 10+ years. No issues.

Yeah sure... you're shopping for a Mustang aren't ya?

[flatbutt]

Originally Posted by Nathans_Dad

Actually NSAIDs have a low rate of liver toxicity, they simply account for a significant percentage of the total number because they are so widespread. Ibuprofen in particular has a very low rate of liver problems. I see much more renal related NSAID issues than I do liver issues.

If GI prophlyaxis is the goal I would recommend a daily proton pump inhibitor.

yes indeed, APAP can be the liver killer.

[flatbutt]

Originally Posted by ckelly78z

Why is it that normal people just can't put up with a little bit of pain, and keep the prescription crap out of their bodies.

Perhaps, I just have an unusually high tolerance for pain, but I never take anything for any problem....this includes having 17 broken bones from a car accident (I did take one Percocet and couldn't stand the side effects), a recent dum dum move in the garage that caused 9 stitches in my finger, 4 broken ribs from coming off my dirtbike last year, and numerous other scrapes, cuts, and swollen body parts, that come from working on a farm.

I see so many people getting all these addictive RXs, and we wonder why there is a drug problem in the USA.

Once in awhile sure, YMMV but just so long as you understand that there are people with true chronic pain and it is difficult to live with. As for the OP his is inflammation not pain.

[greglepore]

Second that. I have a similar situation to flatt, and the druggies I'm on to function have, err, lets just say wacked a bunch of other stuff in my life out. But I'd flat out jump off da bridge without them. (and no, no opiates involved).