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

[Isithonestlythatbad]

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!

It's very gastric irritating and can cause ulcers, when taken without food. No heartburn?

Look into other migraine prevention and treatment like betablockers and triptans.

You need to share this with your doctor. Taking ibuprofen regularly over a prolonged period of time increases your risk of stroke and heart attack as well as risking stomach bleeding. If you’re taking it for genuine pain, you need to get to the root of the pain and there are different painkillers available. It’s unlikely you’re “addicted”, ibuprofen isn’t habit-forming in itself, but it clearly isn’t working adequately for the pain you have, which is why you’re taking it so frequently.

It’s almost certainly worsening your headaches.

I'm not a doctor but diagnosed with chronic pain and I think you should ask about omaprezole to protect your stomach.

Come to think of it I started getting heartburn and a discomfort when I've eaten about a month ago. I was very ill last year with a tummy bug and ended up in hospital where they did a ct scan on my stomach and they didnt detect any damage thankfully.

Look up rebound headaches. If you take pain killers for headaches more than twice a week, they are likely causing your headaches. If you can work out a way to stop taking them your headaches will likely reduce in quantity and severity within 3 weeks

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.

Thank you all for being so helpful. I'm actually ashamed of myself.
I need to go cold turkey I think, but it terrifies me!

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.

It also damages your kidneys.

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

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.

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

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

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

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 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.

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.

Thank you for your supportive comment x

www.mumsnet.com/talk/am_i_being_unreasonable/5355844-to-ask-how-long-withdrawal-lasts?page=7&reply=145048250

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.

I didn't say you could help it.

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

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