Ibuprofen- Please Help

Hi, Does anyone here take daily ibuprofen (Advil or another) for chronic pain?

I have disabling chronic back pain and for the past week I've been taking one dose of ibuprofen every morning so I can function. But I'm worried about taking it every day. I will talk with my GP, but in the meantime I'm wondering about others' chronic pain treatments. Thank you

Before my arthritis was diagnosed I was taking ibuprofen frequently for the pain. I took a lot more than one dose a day, so my problems may not translate to your experience. When I finally was diagnosed, the doctor found that there was some bleeding in my stomach from all the ibuprofen I was taking. I stopped taking it then, and haven't used it since. Now I take various medications that help with the pain, but they are all typically used for arthritis, so I'm not sure if your doctor would prescribe any of them for back pain.

One week, i wouldnt worry. I buy a big bottle every year or so and i aint dead yet! I dont take it all the time, but i do take it when i need it.

Ibuprofen is safe to use if you use as instructions say and don't take on empty stomach or if you already have stomach problem or asthmatic it is only intended for short term or occasionally use unless told by Dr to take longer.in uk you can get over the counter slow release pain killers for back pain and various heat products which are quite helpful. (qualified pharmacy worker)

Thank you all, so much. I really appreciate your replies. I have had MD's who told me that it's okay to take iboprofen as long as taken as directed on the label, and I've had a couple of doctors who sounded the alarm bell. Ibuprofen really helps me feel better - both a decrease in chronic pain and helpful for med side effects...I think Advil helps with inflammation, in general.

Sometimes it is recommended to alternate Ibuprofen and Acetaminophen, they each have up and down sides (bleeding vs rate of body's ability to metabolize)---also can add in exercises specific to strengthening back muscles that are safe (ask a PT), ice, stretching...

Thanks, winter. I've had physical therapy and I do the exercises + yoga stretches (for almost 2 years). Helps, but moderately. I had one doctor suggest that - alternating the 2 meds - but then I read that Tylenol can be just as 'bad' as Advil, and the Tylenol sure doesn't help like Advil does.

I'm going to see my doctor before too long...I think an x-ray would be a good idea because something 'pops' in my back whenever I move (and this pain has gone on for 3 years). But until I see the doc, I'd like to keep taking Advil once a day so I can function.

I recently hurt my back. I went to a chiropractor. The trick is to find a smart, talented chiro. Mine played rugby, teaches about the body at a yoga school, and he looks like ryan gosling. I admit, i lucked out, i just picked one on my closest bus line. He talks a mile a minute but he knows what hes talking about. Your bs meter has to be very sharp. My previous excellent chiro played hockey. Or at least he wore a hockey jersey! Hmm. Anyway, good luck.

Thank you, unaluna. I just don't have any income to go to a chiro & I'm on medicaid, which doesn't cover chiropractic care, unfortunately.

Unfortunately Tylenol usually don't work with back pain.

I have general pain that comes and goes and I take Naproxen. Yup, I can assure you my stomach does not like it. But then I took it on and off for many years.

I am sorry that you are in pain. I would think you taking Advil once or twice a day at the recommended dosage until you see your doctor would be fine.

I can't take NSAIDS due to health reasons so my choice for pain relief is limited. One thing that I find helps my back pain is wearing the lidocaine patch. It comes over the counter or you can get RX strength through your doctor.

Good luck. *hugs*

Thanks Jimi. Have I told you before that I love your little rats (avatar)? I've owned 26 rats over my lifetime. They are amazing little creatures.

I totally understand what you are going thru. I have back and neck problems from a car crash a year and a half ago. but I have a high tolerance level for pain, which is good and bad. ibuprofen doesn't work on me (last time I took it it was like a handful at once and still didn't feel any difference). so I take Aleve (naproxen sodium) as needed. it's a 12-hour one so it lasts longer on fewer pills. but remember to take the pills with food, otherwise there is a risk of stomach/ulcers (what my doc told me)!

I recently had spine injections for my back pain and will soon probably do the same on my neck. so good luck to you! it's one h*** of a journey - that's for sure.

and just checking here, but did you mean rats or cats?? cuz the picture is of Cats

Laurie, I am so glad you asked this question - I didn't ask my GP and here's what happened.

I have chronic pain in my back and neck. Constant pain, every day. I've had surgeries...but I'm in constant pain. (Surgeries were successfu and were performed many years ago,l but I have many bulging disks and degenerative disease; I had two herniated discs removed and had titanium total disc replacement.)

I took Advil daily for many years, wanting to avoid opiates. Last year, I stopped digesting food. I thought I was having a severe IBS flare up. Visited my GP.

He ordered a colonoscopy and an endoscopy. Results were abnormal in my abdominal area. I had tears in my stomach so food was "going right through me." It was due to daily Advil use. Not abuse, but every day for a long time. I'm lucky in the sense that I barely escaped having holes, "only" tears.

My GP said I can never take Advil/Ibuprofen again. Never. He said he needed to put me on a pain management protocol. I take Flexerill (muscle relaxer) and a small dose of Percocet with Tylenol in it. I'm vigilant about using only as directed. It's PRN every 4-6 hours.

Advil didn't control my pain, just helped a small bit. The quality of my life has dramatically improved physically and mentally since being put on pain meds. I see my GP every three months and I've only had one 5 milligram increase in two years. No cravings or urge to take more than I am directed...I don't get "high," I'm fortunate.

My GP is conservative with his prescription pad, but I've been seeing him since I was 18. We have a long history with trust. I didn't ask for pain meds, he decided I needed the meds and he will handle my care. My pain still exists, but it has dramatically decreased.

My psychiatrist is aware of exactly what meds my GP prescribes me and vice-versa as to my GP...we update any psych med adjustments during my three month check up. I call monthly to pick up my Percocet Rx and he calls in my Flexerill.

I drink no alcohol whatsoever. I do take Klonopin and have had no safety issues. I have occasion dizziness, but I have very low blood pressure and some of my psych meds cause dizziness. So, I have to be cautious and I have a shower chair that I use (a little but stable stool for shower safety use.)

My stomach has healed, fortunately and the pain meds do not affect my bipolar disorder or anxiety. I'm not attempting to scare you off Advil nor am I promoting pain meds - I wanted to share my experience having used Advil daily for years.

Take care and PM me anytime.

Hi
I put my back out 2 years ago and I sympathise with you. I used ibuprofen a lot for the first few months, saw a chiropracter and had massages I must say the massages gave most relief from pain along with icepacks, baths etc and ibuprofen- keep moving(walking) its a myth to stop movement as it helps with pain. Gentle exercise really helped. Then I discovered that doing very gentle yoga exercises for lower back for about 10-15 mins every evening really helped a lot with my back and since doing them my back has been so much better, just be careful to only do gentle yoga and the breathing exercises with it. I'm now careful not to lift anything to heavy and have since strengthened my core muscles which helps to protect your back.

I thought they were rats! I adore rats...have owned 26 in my lifetime. But...are they kittens? I adore those, too

Thank you so very much for sharing your story, glamslam. I really appreciate it. I'm so glad your pain is under control.

I have an appointment with my GP next Monday. Hopefully she will have some helpful advice.

I want to thank all of you for your replies to my question about ibuprofen.

Please, please, please talk to a Pharmacist about daily ibuprofen use.