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!

The risk is very real. Just because you got away with does not mean it’s not dangerous. Lots of people get away with things that are dangerous, for example Keith Richards is still alive. Not all smokers die of lung cancer, etc.

I hope your gp will be supportive in helping you stop. If not, cutting down by one tablet each morning and evening might be easier than stopping abruptly.

I don't understand why it's sold OTC me. It wrecks your stomach. It was always my husband's go to until one day he developed anaphylaxis and ended up in hospital for a few days. He can't have it again.

Came here to say this as a renal nurse. Ibuprofen is highly nephrotixic.

As I said, my doctor told me it can cause headaches with frequent use (ibuprofen)

it’s online on webMD and NHS website

no Need to be ashamed. You’re not hurting anyone else and you didn’t mean to hurt yourself. You are not the only one. Up and down the country people are addicted to all sorts of stuff! Just ask for help and go with it. You can get off it

Thank you so much for the support everyone. I haven't managed to get a Dr's appt yet, I'll call them again today and see if any more routine appts are available.

Day 2 of no ibuprofen, I have some in the cupboard but haven't had any. Just my usual coffee and multivitamin.

Well done! Perhaps get rid of the ones in the cupboard, you don’t need to make things harder than needed.