Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Addicted to ibuprofen, any Dr's around to tell me honestly if it's that bad?

108 replies

Isithonestlythatbad · 06/07/2025 11:50

Since being in my twenties (I'm 39 now) I take 5 ibuprofens every morning, sometimes 5 again in the afternoon.
I suffer terribly with headaches/migraines and period pains so got into the habit of taking them regularly. I'm on amitriptaline for my bad heads but can't stop taking the ibuprofen every day.

Can anyone tell me honestly am I risking my health? I currently don't have any side effects but when I told my friends they were horrified. I'm too scared to tell my Dr. So if anyone can offer me any advice I'd be grateful. Thank you!

OP posts:
ThisWayLiesMadness · 06/07/2025 12:19

but ibuprofen is not addictive🤔

Holidaytimeyay · 06/07/2025 12:19

Pls just contact your dr’s surgery ASAP or if you don’t want to initially speak to someone, do an online consultation. I used to work in a dr’s surgery and surgery staff hear all sorts of different things and will not judge you at all. It’s imperative that you do this. I have to add that I am not a clinician.

I am not allowed to take Ibuprofen as once had an ulcer. I know someone who only took it once and had internal bleeding. It can affect liver, heart and kidneys as well as stomach, I believe.

You say that you have had symptoms of heartburn in the last month so you may already have stomach issues. You would probably need an endoscopy, rather than the scan that you had, to check your oesophagus and stomach for ulcers or damage.

Honestly, pls do not feel embarrassed contact your dr’s surgery ASAP, you will feel so much better once you have done this, Good luck.

Wolfiefan · 06/07/2025 12:18

Please please confide in your GP.

EmeraldShamrock000 · 06/07/2025 12:18

Any substance misuse can be classed as an addiction.

Addiction is a set of behaviours and obsessive compulsions. Saying a product isn't addictive isn't true, you might not have physical withdrawal, but a mental one.

They said for years, weed isn't addictive, it is seriously addictive.

Listen to some recovery podcasts or listen to snippets of 12 step program, you need to talk to your OH too, a support system.

Smartiepants79 · 06/07/2025 12:17

Sorry, quoted a previous poster by accident!

samplesalequeen · 06/07/2025 12:17

Speak to your doctor openly OP. They’re their to listen and help with no judgment.

it will be bad for your stomach and kidneys.

the good thing is that you know you need to seek help and do something about it.

best of luck!!

Smartiepants79 · 06/07/2025 12:16

BananaCake35 · 06/07/2025 12:11

You need to stop. This is so dangerous. I know you keep saying it's an addiction but ibuprofen isn't addictive, so you aren't addicted to the drug, this is all behavioural. You need help. Please speak to your GP asap.

Show quote history

I don’t know if this is the right thing to suggest but what of you start to wean yourself off? Instead of 5 take 4 for a week, then 3.
And speak to your gp. You need proper help for the root cause.

lostinthesunshine · 06/07/2025 12:15

OP I don’t think it’s helpful to think of it as an addiction because it reinforces the idea that it’s out of your control.

It’s an engrained habit. A habit that could do you a lot of harm, and that you need to stop, with help if needed, but a habit nonetheless.

It is within your control to do something about this.

Boddica2000 · 06/07/2025 12:12

Isithonestlythatbad · 06/07/2025 12:07

Thank you, I think I need to but don't even know how or what can help me. My partner doesn't even know.

Show quote history

Start with your GP. Tell them what is going on. When they say you need to stop say you have tried and cannot. Ask them to refer you to someone who can offer you addiction support. You could also approach one of the organisations who help people with addictions such as www dot wearewithyou dot org dot uk

PalePurplePumpkin · 06/07/2025 12:12

Isithonestlythatbad · 06/07/2025 12:04

It's an addiction. I can't help it.

Show quote history

I didn't say you could help it.

I'm saying you don't need to be told it's damaging your health.

BananaCake35 · 06/07/2025 12:11

Isithonestlythatbad · 06/07/2025 11:50

Since being in my twenties (I'm 39 now) I take 5 ibuprofens every morning, sometimes 5 again in the afternoon.
I suffer terribly with headaches/migraines and period pains so got into the habit of taking them regularly. I'm on amitriptaline for my bad heads but can't stop taking the ibuprofen every day.

Can anyone tell me honestly am I risking my health? I currently don't have any side effects but when I told my friends they were horrified. I'm too scared to tell my Dr. So if anyone can offer me any advice I'd be grateful. Thank you!

You need to stop. This is so dangerous. I know you keep saying it's an addiction but ibuprofen isn't addictive, so you aren't addicted to the drug, this is all behavioural. You need help. Please speak to your GP asap.

Original poster
Isithonestlythatbad · 06/07/2025 12:10

EmeraldShamrock000 · 06/07/2025 12:07

You and thousands of others, sadly.
I'm not a doctor, but I have seen the impact that over the counter medication can do.
I'll try find a recent thread for you, the OP took the plunge and stopped, with good results.
Best of luck, addiction is awful. If you can't manage alone, contact a volunteering addiction service, they will help.

Thank you for your supportive comment x

OP posts:
Mrsttcno1 · 06/07/2025 12:10

Isithonestlythatbad · 06/07/2025 12:04

It's an addiction. I can't help it.

Show quote history

Speak to your GP first thing tomorrow.

The good news- if there is any- is that it’s not an addiction in the same way that say morphine or cocaine is. Ibuprofen in itself is not addictive, you’re not addicted to the way it makes you feel or a “high” it gives you. It’s more a compulsion than an addiction that you have, but you do need to stop either way.

Original poster
Isithonestlythatbad · 06/07/2025 12:10

AbzMoz · 06/07/2025 12:06

You must go to the doctor and find alternative medication / solutions to the headaches. There is nothing to be embarrassed about; they’ll have seen it before and will discuss other symptoms, consequences and solutions with you.

as pp are saying the ulcers, stomach damage, risk of heart attack, stroke and so much more is no joke. This is just part of your routine at this point as ibuprofen clearly isn’t working. Water, exercise, fresh air, change of diet… have you tried any of those?

Thank you for being kind.
I'm otherwise a fit and healthy adult, I eat well and walk regularly and have a very active day job. Don't drink alcohol and drink water religiously.
I guess because to look at me you'd never know I had this addiction it's been easier to hide, than say smoking, or being an alcoholic etc.

OP posts:
EmeraldShamrock000 · 06/07/2025 12:07

You and thousands of others, sadly.
I'm not a doctor, but I have seen the impact that over the counter medication can do.
I'll try find a recent thread for you, the OP took the plunge and stopped, with good results.
Best of luck, addiction is awful. If you can't manage alone, contact a volunteering addiction service, they will help.

Original poster
Isithonestlythatbad · 06/07/2025 12:07

Boddica2000 · 06/07/2025 12:04

It's an addiction, yes. But you can help it, with support. Please ask for help from a professional.

Show quote history

Thank you, I think I need to but don't even know how or what can help me. My partner doesn't even know.

OP posts:
AbzMoz · 06/07/2025 12:06

You must go to the doctor and find alternative medication / solutions to the headaches. There is nothing to be embarrassed about; they’ll have seen it before and will discuss other symptoms, consequences and solutions with you.

as pp are saying the ulcers, stomach damage, risk of heart attack, stroke and so much more is no joke. This is just part of your routine at this point as ibuprofen clearly isn’t working. Water, exercise, fresh air, change of diet… have you tried any of those?

Boddica2000 · 06/07/2025 12:04

Isithonestlythatbad · 06/07/2025 12:04

It's an addiction. I can't help it.

Show quote history

It's an addiction, yes. But you can help it, with support. Please ask for help from a professional.

Original poster
Isithonestlythatbad · 06/07/2025 12:04

PalePurplePumpkin · 06/07/2025 12:01

You take up to 10 Ibuprofen per day and you want people on the internet to tell you whether you're risking your health?

Catch yourself on.

It's an addiction. I can't help it.

OP posts:
Justwingingit2005 · 06/07/2025 12:03

I had covid and got a really bad headache a d joint aches. I took ibruprofen to help. I took max dose for a week. I then started suffering heartburn. A camera showed an ulcer. The endoscopist said ibruprofen should only be taken if necessary and if you need it it long term you need to take omeprazole to protect your stomach.

Boddica2000 · 06/07/2025 12:03

It can cause internal bleeding. Ask a professional in real life for help.

PalePurplePumpkin · 06/07/2025 12:01

You take up to 10 Ibuprofen per day and you want people on the internet to tell you whether you're risking your health?

Catch yourself on.

Musicaltheatremum · 06/07/2025 12:01

It also damages your kidneys.

Original poster
Isithonestlythatbad · 06/07/2025 12:00

LegoTherapy · 06/07/2025 11:57

I’m amazed you haven’t burnt through your stomach lining and aren’t vomiting blood. I used to nurse on a gastro ward and we had someone who perforated his stomach with one dose of ibuprofen.

Oh wow. See this is what I need to hear. On average I think I've taken around 40k tablets in 20 years, if my maths is correct.

OP posts:
Swipe left for the next trending thread