losing weight on ibuprofen requiring 3 big meals a day

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Does anyone have any suggestions? How do I eat enough food to be able to take the tablets, but lose weight? Filling up on Fruit doesn't work because it is acid (and expensive) Veg is better, but obviously has its own side effects 😳And I am not sure if vegetables protect against stomach damage from ibuprofen anyway. It seems the tablets are best taken after a high carb meal, but I am putting on so much weight.

I am going to be on 3 doses a day for at least a year, more likely 2 or more

Any suggestions? I will obviously check out anything I'm told, before risking my health, but just getting a few ideas to go away and check out would be great.

A glass of milk? A small cube of cheese? I think there just needs to be something in your stomach for the acid to work on, but check with your doctor.

Who advised you to take them only after a high carb meal? Can you ask your gp for omaprezole which is often r prescribed to ameliorate the effect on the stomach? My understanding is that if you take them as prescribed they should be fine.

You don’t need to eat a lot to take ibuprofen. Whatever you’d usually eat at mealtimes! The underlying diet is the issue if you’re gaining weight, not the ibuprofen. Sorry to hear you’re on it long term though, as you must be in pain to require it.

I have never come across that advice with ibuprofen before. Just to make sure not to take it on an empty stomach.
I would look for high fibre foods. Porridge, beans, salads, seeds.
Would your doctor prescribe omeprazole to protect your stomach? That is what I take.

I think the main issue for me is that I dont normally eat 3 times a day, one meal mid morning, and one meal in the evening is normal, not 3 meals at 8 hour intervals. Thats when the weight gain started.

I take one dose of ibuprofen every night, and have done for a few years now. I just have a biscuit or a handful of nuts. I've never had any issues.

Hopefully they are going to be keeping an eye on your kidney function. What dose are you taking?

Ok, well, that is a lot less then I though I needed to eat with the tablet. That is certainly interesting

The NHS guidance is here and says a glass of milk, or ‘a snack’ is fine. My MIL takes ibuprofen long-term and hasn’t changed her diet. What did your doctor tell you?

Bowl of porridge, no sugar before 1st one

jacket potato with tuna and salad before 2nd one

veggie stew before 3rd one

I don’t see the correlation between ibuprofen and weight gain or loss

400mg three times a day - is that a lot? This is my 5th month, of this dose, and I have put on 2 stone

Divide your usual amount of food into 3 smaller meals.
Are you sure you haven't misread the instructions?

The correlation for me is becasue I went from 20 years on 2 meals a day, to suddenly going up to 3 meals a day, and I want to lose weight and eat less, but am worried about stomach ulcers if I take the tablets without enough in my stomach, thats the issue

It says you can also ask for ‘slow release’ tablets - might that be helpful?

As well as eating more are you also moving less?

“The usual dose for adults is one or two 200mg tablets or capsules 3 times a day.”
from NHS

Ask your GP for lansoprazole or omeprazole to protect your stomach lining. You take one daily.

yes, moving a lot less, but nothing I can do about that ( I've been in bed for most of the last 4 weeks...)

definitly worth trying this, I will email them today

Glass of milk or slice of toast is sufficient. Concur with other posters re asking gp for omeprazole. Normal dose is 400mg but can go up to 800mg

Unless there's something else at play I don't understand this.

Just eat what you normally eat and have the first dose with a yogurt or something small.

Where on earth have you got veggies don't protect the stomach from?

Your weight gain won't be from eating a small breakfast!

I'm really surprised you aren't being prescribed omeprazole. Has your Dr mentioned it at all?

When I came out of hospital I had to take regular ibuprofen for a while. It was the pharmacist who queried why I wasn't also being prescribed omeprazole. She raised it and they agreed I should. I would consider ringing your Dr and asking for this. You can then go back to your usual eating habits and ease the anxiety you have about damaging your stomach lining etc.

It is not an excessive dose, but I would ask doctor for omeprazole if you are going to be on it so long. You don't need 3 large high carb meals a day.

Two stone in five months seems a lot for adding an extra meal. Maybe just try a couple of plain oatcakes instead of a meal? If you are in pain, I get that moving around more might be hard but could you try swimming? Moving more will help your metabolism and hopefully make you feel more positive.

Thank you for all your inputs

Putting on 2 stone in 5 months is nigh on impossible if you’re eating 3 healthy meals a day and no more. There must be something more at play (dietary quality, snacking, too many calories to cancel-out the lack of ability to exercise).