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!

Thank you for your kindness x

Sugar is an addictive substance. Caffeine is an addictive substance.

People’s get addicted to opioids, not because of the pain relief, but because opioids are an addictive substance.

Ibuprofen is not. You’re not addicted. I keep saying it because you’re in the mind frame of “I’m addicted and I’m trapped.”

You’re not. It’s a compulsion now. Those are different things. And with some behavioural modification, you’ll kick this. You will. You won’t go through withdrawal the way you would with opioids. You can kick this. Don’t think of it as an addiction. Your pain is also probably not quite as real as you think it is. Much more likely to be a side effect of the pills. So that will be hard, but you can manage that other ways if you go and get advice from your GP. It seems scary but you’ll manage that.

Stopping the ibuprofen will not be the same as someone trying to kick an opioid habit, because it’s not the same in the “addiction” sense. Which is good news for you; you should be taking this as good news. You can absolutely do it.

When I had to take ibuprofen continuously for a week after a partially dislocated shoulder I was prescribed omezaprole to protect my stomack.
Try caffeine for the headache and get help from the GP for controlling the migraines.

I don't think anyone is trying to criticise you, they are trying to help you realise that it is a mental dependency rather than a physical one so easier to change.

Ibuprofen misuse can cause kidney issues so make sure you get your kidney function tested (a simple blood test).

I thought that.

Just changed my name as I am a very regular poster. I had a similar addition, but with Anadin Extra. I took 6-10 per day, every single day for years.

I had terrible stomach acid around Easter and whilst I hid from my GP that I knew what was causing it, I knew what was causing it. He put me on a month long course of omeprazole and said that if that didn’t sort it I’d be referred for an endoscopy on the 2 week pathway.

Well that scared the bejesus out of me and I’m currently 67 days ‘sober.’ I completely stopped and felt absolutely terrible for a few days, but now I am SO MUCH BETTER!!

My headaches have gone, my stomach doesn’t hurt, please just take the plunge and stop, it is so worth it.

NSAIDs can affect your kidney function, cause gastritis/ stomach ulcers, rashes and contribute to analgesic induced headache.

Just stop it... you're not physically addicted.

Thank you I needed to hear this. Well done on your achievement!! X

Are you sure it’s ibuprofen and hasn’t got codeine in it as well?

I believe long term use causes kidney damage so it would be wise to start weaning yourself off, the doses you are taking sound very high - are they above the packet guidance? If so the risk will be greater.

I’m disabled and have taken lots of painkillers over the years. I am also the self professed queen of headaches, though it sound like you might be able to steal my crown.

Most (possibly all) painkillers have their effects reduced with frequent use. I’ve been addicted to codeine. It started with one a day, which helped my joint pain quite a lot so I carried on. But then it didn’t work so well so I had to up it to two a day. Within a year I was up to 8 dihydrocodeine a day and it wasn’t doing anything for my joint pain. It then took months to wean myself back off the codeine.

You need to seek medical help with this. Though if you can’t get an appointment quickly, just start by dropping down to 4 tablets for one of your doses. Or maybe cut one in half and go with 4 1/2 tablets. It’s not going to be quick but it does work.

You really need to identify the causes of your headaches. I used to get so many but over the years I have learned what the triggers are. The list is long: too much sleep; not enough sleep; too much caffeine; not enough caffeine; bring lights; anything that can cause eye strain (reading, computer etc); going without food for too long, being out in the sunshine; sleeping badly (crooked neck). I can get away with alcohol sometimes, but sometimes not.

The two biggest culprits were the pill and artificial sweeteners (aspartame and acusulfame k, need to test sucralose but don’t want to risk a headache). In recent years I started getting a really bad migraine every month just before my period, building up to spending two days in a dark room throwing up. I’m now on amitryptaline and that’s dealt with those.

It’s taken me years to pin down the causes, I don’t get many headaches these days and not usually anywhere near as bad as I used to. If you’re organised (I never was) you could try keeping a diary to try to spot connections. And finally, get your eyes tested!

I’ve had a similar experience. I was having daily headaches and took ibuprofen every day for about 5 years-3 doses a day. Doc prescribed amitriptyline as a headache preventer but it didn’t seem to make a difference. I finally realised that I had to wean myself off the ibuprofen which was difficult to start with but it has worked.
I still get occasional headaches but 35mg of amitriptyline seems to help and I only take paracetamol now.
I actually think the painkillers were making the headaches worse.

Speak to a GP, preferrably one you know. My DD was taking too much ibuprofen (period pain, headaches) and the doctor was SUPER supportive when she told her. Do it.

This is absolutely correct.

Ibuprofen is not addictive. You have a psychological compulsion. You need tharapy.

Rooting for you!

I know of someone who took less Ibuprofen per day than you for back pain (in their 30’s) and needs a kidney transplant. Whilst on the waiting list they are being dialysed 3 times a week. No other past medical history.

Oh lovely.

You’re not addicted to ibuprofen, you’re addicted to the action of taking them and the fear of feeling pain. Your GP will absolutely want to help you.

I took ibuprofen for two weeks after hurting my back, leading to diagnosed gastritis for two years. Good luck. You can totally do this x

I took it (mixed with codeine) for years (about 18 tablets at once) and I never had any internal damage at all. I don’t think it’s fair to scare OP like that

And I took too much over a couple of weeks coz I’m dyslexic and misread it and I had kidney problems.

You just don’t know. It’s always worth getting checked. She needs to see her GP. And not lie about it like another poster did (I’m not insulting that poster, she was very kinds to share her story with OP, and as a warning. I’m just saying, don’t lie about it).

My 40 year old SIL took too many ibuprofen for several weeks due to a sport injury. Ended up being airlifted to hospital with a bleeding stomach ulcer. Please speak to your GP. If you really can't consider buying omeprazole or a similar PPI which will help protect your stomach.

I would suggest getting your Egfr (kidney function) checked - it’s a simple blood test. But you could seriously and permanently damage your kidneys. Hope you can stop.

Are you qualified medically to say that?

My doctor also told me it can make headaches worse, if taken too frequently.

@simsbustinoutmimido you have a medical qualification?