Dialing back Ibu usage...

I've used Ibuprofen for years (800 mg) and have been advised by multiple Docs that as long as I always ate something before I took it, and drank a lot of water, it was fine to use regularly. I have done both always. I drink a lot of water every day and only take Ibu with food.

I've been reading more info related to kidney issues and Ibu, as well as stomach issues too. Good news is that, if Ibu is the problem causing symptoms, all I have to do is just stop taking it and pay attention to see if the issue is gone, and most things correct themselves. I have relied on Ibu for a very long time for pain. Not happy about this, despite what Docs have said, but I want to see if 2 of my subtle issues now are actually worsened by the Ibu and there's only one way to find out. To add to the problem of trying to figure this out has been my sleep apnea definately causing issues in both areas. C-Pap has relieved both by 80 %.

Any other guys using a lot of Ibu that, while relieving muscle pain, have had unexplained issues?

 

IBU, Acetominophen, Naproxen, and a lot of others have varying negative effects on my digestive system. The worst are Naproxen and Naprosen types. Don't use those anymore.
I take the smallest possible dose to take the edge off any pain I'm experiencing, but sometimes take more. I'll start with 200 mg, then go to 400. VERY rare for me to use 800 mg.
Always lots of water even if not taking IBU, and usually something to eat too.
I find that a good nights rest helps too.

 

Umfortunately I eat Ibu like a meal daily. No real side effects yet but I'm relatively young yet also. Naproxen screws me up big time.

 

I'd like to say I can get away from all of the pain med stuff. I haven't taken 800 mg in a while, but only cause I don't need it right now. Mostly 400... but I have pounded it at times. After I fell in Jan, I was a hurtin pup. Only thing that worked (after I got away from the heavy narc stuff as fast as possible) was Ibu. It's not like there are a lot of, just as good, pain relievers out there that don't cause issues too. Dunno, maybe I ought to trade this ole bod in for a newer model...

 

I've been there. The apnea thing has thrashed my kidneys for a lot of years, so, now that the C-Pap helps that, I kinda would like to stop making it worse if I can. The Docs all felt... hey, as long as I ate and drank water, it was totally fine to use Ibu regularly. I'd like to go for a couple weeks and see if I notice any differences I could hang on the Ibu. Not easy trying to figure it out. I know that swig of bar oil in the morning didn't help much...

 

Well, there's your problem right there.
You're low on bar oil.

 

I transitioned from Ibu to a combo of two aspirins with two Tylenol. I took Excedrin migraine for years for headaches and that's just a combo of aspirin, Tylenol and caffeine. I don't need the extra caffeine and since I started taking Magnesium supplements I no longer get headaches. So the aspirin and Tylenol combo usually does the trick. Right now I'm out of Tylenol and keep forgetting to pick some up so I've been using the Ibu. Both work, Ibu is better in the 600 to 800mg dose.

 

Good luck cutting down. I have off and on issues with sciatica and sometimes have to take the stuff like candy. I don't know about your medical issues, and they're really none of my business, but from time to time a little bit of steroids helps me out immensely. They're not for long term use by any means, but for me they put the fire out in a hurry, and I can get back to normal much sooner, without having to take 10,000 mg of Ibuprofen to get there. Might ask your doc if that is something that would help the next time you go see him/her.

 

Forgot to add...if you're carrying any extra weight, dropping 15-20 lbs can make a huge difference. Non weight bearing exercise like swimming is really helpful too.

 

Me thinks if I could drop 40 lbs then... I'd notice it a lot. Now... to get to that droppin 40 lb thing...

 

I've dropped about 10lbs. in the last couple months, and I've already noticed an improvement in how my knees feel.
Now, to get to that droppin' 30 lb. thing.
Still working on it.

 

I have run out of my normal meds before and the 800mg ibuprofen barely takes the edge off. The 800s I have are freaking horse pills too and almost impossible to swallow.

If you are needing that much Ibuprofen I'm surprised the Docs haven't mentioned tramadol, flexaril, etc.

 

"Now, to get to that droppin' 30 lb. thing.
Still working on it."

Ayuh... it ain't just fallin off here...

 

I lost 35 pounds two years ago, the most I weighed was 230, I dropped down to 195.

How I lost 35.
1. Stopped eating ice cream except for one bowl on Sunday night.
2. I had lots of salads, some meat during the week after I dropped 15, a nice steak on Sunday.
3.Stayed away from bread.
4. Only drink water & OJ

I'm back at 206, the most I weighed this winter was 212.

 

Good job Woods. I'm at 245. If I could get to 210, I'd be really happy with that. I've got snacks I've got to stop chompin on. It's not rocket science for sure... I just need to do it, and stay moving.

 

I ask the wife to stop buying chips and some other items, I lost the first five pounds in less than three weeks, once I hit 10, I wanted the rest gone real bad.

What made me start the diet was, I went an bought bigger jeans (size 36) after wearing them about a week I was thinking at what size does this stop at I'm back in size 34 jeans.

Stinny, start it tonight, I set small goals of two pounds per week.

 

Already did. Chips, cheese, crackers... gone yesterday. My real weakness is when I've been working harder than usual, I eat like a horse. Water is my go-to now when I get really hungry. We'll see how it goes. Have been here before, so I know it can be done. Gotta want it.