Taking ibuprofen while exercising

[alexandrasm]

I have a painful injury. I’m awaiting a specialist appointment but in the meantime my GP has advised that I use prescribed pain medication. When not using that she advised me to use ibuprofen and paracetamol. I made her aware that I was still exercising - running three times a week and going to the gym twice a week.

I’ve just been informed that using ibuprofen while exercising increases your risk of kidney injury massively, as it decreases blood flow to the kidneys.

I’m now panicking massively as I’ve been doing this for over two months now. AIBU to call the GP tomorrow and ask for bloods to check on my kidneys given that I’ve been putting myself at risk???

I’ve never heard this and I’m sure you’ll be fine. Runners exist on ibuprofen. Certainly, I did all the time when I did long distance running. I have very healthy kidneys (I have to get them tested regularly due to other medications I’m on).

That said, the advice I always give my athlete dd, if you need to exist on painkillers to exercise because of an injury, you need to rest. Why not just take paracetamol only? Or just rest so your body can recover?

Sadly this is something long term that won’t really heal. We’ve decided that it’s better for me to exercise and get the mental benefits than to stop.

I play a sport several times a week and take strong ibuprofen for migraines. Never heard of this link.

This is the google summary. I’m really quite concerned now as I’d never been told this

@Dinosweetpea what's strong ibuprofen ? I've never heard of anything except the normal one ? @alexandrasm what is the pain meds ?

Anyway by the by I've always thought ibuprofen should be used with caution ?

The kind you get in shops is fine. It’s a low dose and won’t cause any issues if your taking the right amount, short term. Where you will run into problems is if your taking a higher dose prescribed by a doctor and taking it long term

I’ve been prescribed naproxen, codeine and tramadol - the latter two I am not keen on taking at all and have the majority left and I likely won’t take.

My GP told me that I could take ibuprofen everyday in accordance with the guidelines (aka X dose over 24 hours) and it would be fine

I thought it caused a heart / blood pressure problem?
I did know that ibuprofen while exercising wasn't a great idea.

Just googled it. It's kidneys.

I’m bloody terrified of it all now! I think I’m going to call and ask for bloods tomorrow because I don’t think I’ve been given good advice. My blood pressure has always been low but still

It’s to do with how hard you’re exercising / heart rate and how fast the blood is flowing.

My coach always tells me it’s ok to take when doing easy sessions but avoid it during say a race.

That surprises me. Ibuprofen is not meant to be used long term and definitely not daily. Do you think you got ig mixed up with paracetamol, which you can.

Ibuprofen can lead to liver and kidney damage and should be used for a short period as should all antinflamitories. I have never heard of issues with exercise, indeed top athletes often compete when taking it.

I've had a back ache recently which I think is partly a low oestrogen thing and partly posture/stress/slight gym injury and taking the strong ibuprofen when it was stiff/sore before going to the gym/yoga has really helped. I think actually the exercise and gently stretching is what makes the difference but the pain/inflammation relief enables it.

If your excerising to extreme and dehydrated then it's a risk but otherwise not really. It's the severe dehydration that is the risk

No, it’s in my notes that she told me I can take it daily. Now I’m panicking

Personally I wouldn't take it daily. I have arthritis to the extent that I shut my business down and can't do a lot of stuff. I have a strong antinflamatory on prescription and was told not to take it long term. Another side effect is to the lining of the stomach.

Funny thing is it doesn't touch the arthritis but any other niggles it sorts.

As I said I wouldn't take it daily, as in once every 4 hours. I might take 2 in the morning for a few days. But the overall risk is too great

The GP told me it was fine, so I just assumed it was

I have to add that i also drink so the liver risk is what worries me. And it's cider which is acidic so the stomach acid/lining issue affects my decision not to take it.

Go and talk to a pharmacist tomorrow. They spend 3 years at university learning about exactly this sort of thing. They know far more about medication risks than GPs.

Ibuprofen is an anti inflammatory and my doctor friend i play tennis with advised i take one for my arthritis in my foot before i play. Standard advice. I have just returned to tennis. Other than that I don't take any medication at all for my arthritis. Once a week is fine for me to take one.

NSAIDs are fine to take every day if that is your prescribed medication and discussed with your doctor. However you should also be prescribed something like omeprazole alongside them because they wreck your stomach if taken daily for long periods, and you don’t want to add gastritis and ulcers to your pains. Don't take naproxen and ibuprofen though, one or the other only!

Paracetamol is also safe to take long term so long as you stick to the dosage and your doctor has advised this.

I think i've kept the ibuprofen industry going for the past two decades for near constant headaches and a back problem, but i've got no kidney or gastro problems OP!

I would ask for a referral to a pain clinic.

But also listen to your body. Running and standard gym routines may not be right for you at this time. Maybe consider focusing more on strength yoga and stretching?

And consult an experienced physiotherapist.

Some people find Chinese massage excellent for pain relief.

I've also been told to take stomach protection drugs if taking naproxen /ibroprufen