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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

IBS? IBUPROFEN?

28 replies

Cinnamongingerbread · 03/01/2022 22:06

Is it possible ibuprofen could be causing diarrhoea which is misdiagnosed as IBS?

I’ve been struggling with IBS-D for some time now. I also go through periods of occasionally taking ibuprofen for an old foot injury that causes pain sometimes. I ALWAYS follow the dosage instructions and I never even need to take the maximum daily dose. I just take it as and when my injury hurts again.

I’ve noticed this seems to be when my IBS-D symptoms are happening too. I don’t know if I’m looking for links that are not there, but it would make so much sense as I haven’t been able to link it to a food or cause. E.g. maybe it’s a coincidence, but one of the worst phases of IBS-D was when I was preparing for a sports contest, where I was also taking ibuprofen as my injured foot was hurting.

I heard Ibuprofen and diarrhoea mentioned in a TV programme and it suddenly occurred to me this could be it. I’m not taking it that often- my foot usually hurts for a couple of weeks at a time in phases like this and I never even go close to taking the maximum dosage of Ibuprofen. Does it only cause stomach problems in people taking too much of it? Or can a ‘normal’ amount of Ibuprofen cause it? How long realistically would someone need to be taking it for for it to cause diarrhoea and the other side effects?

Maybe I’m looking for a link that isn’t there, but I haven’t had a sore foot in a few weeks and coincidentally my IBS has been absolutely fine, despite eating various food groups over Christmas.

All advice and expertise would be greatly appreciated.

OP posts:
Shiningpath · 03/01/2022 22:11

Any amount of ibuprofen upsets my stomach so it could well be.

Original poster
Cinnamongingerbread · 03/01/2022 22:41

@Shiningpath

Any amount of ibuprofen upsets my stomach so it could well be.
I wonder if I’m the same and it’s not really IBS at all, it’s just ibuprofen not agreeing with me. I just wasn’t sure if it could cause diarrhoea and stomach upsets when being taken in normal doses.
OP posts:
OatcakeCravings · 03/01/2022 22:42

I have IBS and cannot take ibuprofen at all, gives me diarrhoea, even one tablet would see me on the loo for a day or two.

Chloemol · 03/01/2022 22:50

I have microscopic colitis, ibuprofen is a known trigger for it, so I think it could be the cause

Robotcustard · 03/01/2022 22:57

Yes, I can’t take NSAID’s because they give me an upset stomach and even caused a GI bleed once (I was taking the liquid capsules every 4 hours to relieve the pain of a tooth abscess)

mrsbyers · 03/01/2022 22:59

Yep another person with Crohns who avoids ibuprofen like the plague , I took two a couple of years ago while dehydrated and they caused my kidneys to fail too - ibuprofen and stomach conditions do not mix

Phoenix76 · 03/01/2022 22:59

I can’t take ibuprofen either, not even one dose, it makes me so ill it becomes worse than the ailment I was using it for. If it were me I’d be looking at alternative pain medications.

itsutterlyshit · 03/01/2022 23:02

IBS/D here too and can't take NSAIDs of any kind, they give me crippling stomach ache and upset stomach, it's a cumulative thing for me so can be fine for a days worth/one off but suffer if I take any more

Singlebutmarried · 03/01/2022 23:12

Yup. Ibuprofen is evil on the stomach.

Crohn’s here, and I can’t touch the stuff

ArblemarzipanTFruitcake · 03/01/2022 23:31

Yes, in my experience not great for IBS. Codeine-based painkillers are better IMO.

Luredbyapomegranate · 03/01/2022 23:39

Yep could be.

You could try topical gelled for your foot -

Luredbyapomegranate · 03/01/2022 23:39

GELLS

I need to go to bed..

Original poster
Cinnamongingerbread · 05/01/2022 13:32

Thanks for all the replies! That’s really interesting, I’m going to stop taking ibuprofen and just take paracetamol when it hurts instead to see if that helps.

Would taking ibuprofen in a normal dose cause these symptoms if it’s not being taken for an extended time? Everything I read online said it only happens after extended use but I’m not taking it that often- for example, could taking it as per the dosage requirements for a couple of weeks at a time cause it? Or would someone need to be taking it for months continually to get symptoms like that? Just trying to work out how likely it is that it’s caused my symptoms as I don’t take it that often really, it’s only as and when my foot hurts and I always follow the dosage guidance.

Thanks againSmile x

OP posts:
ArblemarzipanTFruitcake · 05/01/2022 17:17

Do you ever take it on an empty stomach?

Whywonttheyletmeusemyusername · 05/01/2022 17:25

It's not the dosage, it's the tablet itself. It causes inflammation and just shouldn't be used to alleviate stomach pain at all

Janeandjohnny · 05/01/2022 17:38

@ArblemarzipanTFruitcake

Do you ever take it on an empty stomach?
How much are you taking per dose/ day and for how long?
Original poster
Cinnamongingerbread · 06/01/2022 18:36

@ArblemarzipanTFruitcake

Do you ever take it on an empty stomach?
I try not to but I have done in the past on a couple of occasions when I didn’t realise it was badBlush I had skipped breakfast and took ibuprofen if my foot hurt before going to work. Only happened a few times though and I was fine, but I always take it with food now!
OP posts:
Ohhhthepain · 06/01/2022 19:12

Ibd plus ibs here, I was advised not to even use the skin creams unless prescribed in extreme circumstances (I have arthritis linked to crohns and it can be an absolute bastard) and my ibd is in remission. Before I was diagnosed I took ibuprofen over Christmas for tooth ache so I could avoid paracetamol due to having a few drinks, that cost me 10 days in hospital unable to eat, then a further month on milkshakes prescribed to replace food intake.

nothingcanhurtmewithmyeyesshut · 06/01/2022 19:56

Ibuprofen is well known for upsetting your stomach especially when taken on an empty stomach.

MrsJBaptiste · 06/01/2022 21:39

I have IBD and the nurses I see every 4 weeks always stress that I should not take ibuprofen at all, only paracetamol. Frustrating as ibuprofen used to be the only thing that ever helped when I had awful headaches 😩

FawnFrenchieMum · 06/01/2022 21:44

As everyone else has said. It’s the devil for the stomach. Another Crohn’s sufferer and it’s one of the first things I was told is to never take any anti-inflammatories.

Any amount / dosage can trigger stomach problems.

EndersGame · 06/01/2022 21:53

I have IBS-D and due to back pain have been on a lot of Ibuprofen this week. Guts have been in turmoil. Backs feeling better though.

jgjgjgjgjg · 06/01/2022 22:11

Perhaps just swop to paracetamol or paracetamol and codeine for a while and see how you get on?

Squirrel134 · 08/01/2022 01:05

No, no, no, ibuprofen is really tough on the tummy. You want to take it as little as possible.

I had IBS for a no. of yrs, it finally slowly went away after trying various medications and undergoing a myriad of tests. The GP said to learn to live with it. After a major incident, I changed jobs.

It made a huge difference, less stress, reduced commuting. And then suddenly, I didn't suffer any regular discomfort or pain anymore.

But, I still use Smints (small peppermints) at night to soothe my stomach, if I have eaten late or feel unsettled.

I've also found out I'm lactose-intolerant so have cut out whole milk. If I do take it in tea/coffee it sets it off. But, I am prepare to suffer for the odd latte or cappuccino.

foxgoosefinch · 08/01/2022 01:11

Yes it does affect all parts of the gut I think. Also be wary of some antibiotics - I ended up with serious stomach problems as a teenager from taking erythromycin for acne. It’s also used as a gut motility medicine - but not even my gp realised it was causing stomach pain!