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Weight loss chat

A space to talk openly about weight loss journeys and challenges. Mumsnet hasn't checked the qualifications of anyone posting here. You may wish to speak to a medical professional before starting any diet.

losing weight on ibuprofen requiring 3 big meals a day

64 replies

Nimbostratus100 · 06/01/2023 09:10

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.

OP posts:
roughtyping · 06/01/2023 09:27

Definitely ask for omeprazole. I think guidance changed recently, certainly in Scotland - I've been on Naproxen twice daily for years and years and was told to take with food, and have just been prescribed omeprazole last few months s they said guidance had been updated.

Greatly · 06/01/2023 09:27

MuckyPlucky · 06/01/2023 09:26

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).

Or being very underweight to start with.

Nimbostratus100 · 06/01/2023 09:28

MuckyPlucky · 06/01/2023 09:26

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).

well, yes, I am not able to move around, so that is contributing, however that is entirely outside my control, whereas diet is something I hope I can change to help me lose weight.

OP posts:
jannier · 06/01/2023 09:30

Nimbostratus100 · 06/01/2023 09:10

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.

If you're on Ibuprofen long term they should be prescribed alongside Omeprazole to protect your stomach. Slimming world allows high carb alongside veg

BIWI · 06/01/2023 09:31

The key thing here, then, is what you're eating. Three meals a day doesn't mean weight gain, as long as you're eating the right kind of foods. And also quantities - sounds like you seem to think you need a lot of high carb food!

So what are you eating in a typical day?

tabulahrasa · 06/01/2023 09:36

It definitely doesn’t need to be full meals, just something so your stomach isn’t empty.

I’m not recommending it for weight loss, but I literally lived on a banana and a couple of slices of toast for about 3 weeks on NSAIDs because I was on the full dose of tramadol and had no appetite at all. It was enough for the NSAIDs to not upset my stomach though.

SallyWD · 06/01/2023 09:50

I also only eat brunch and an evening meal but always have a snack between meals - it could be anything, a crumpet, a bag of crisps a couple of biscuits. I try not to go over 200 calories for weight maintenance. As others have said, can't you just have a snack? A small bowl of low fat yogurt with some berries would line your stomach and is less than 100 calories. You definitely don't need a full, carb rich meal.

Nimbostratus100 · 06/01/2023 09:51

I'm liking the idea of a low fat yoghurt, if that is all I need for breakfast.

OP posts:
Nimbostratus100 · 06/01/2023 09:52

BIWI · 06/01/2023 09:31

The key thing here, then, is what you're eating. Three meals a day doesn't mean weight gain, as long as you're eating the right kind of foods. And also quantities - sounds like you seem to think you need a lot of high carb food!

So what are you eating in a typical day?

too many sandwiches, largely cos that is what I ask to be brought to me in bed, as they are easy to eat here

OP posts:
jannier · 06/01/2023 09:57

Nimbostratus100 · 06/01/2023 09:51

I'm liking the idea of a low fat yoghurt, if that is all I need for breakfast.

Through in some granola and sliced apple....you have to have your 5 a day it makes no difference to stomach acid ...also overnight oats are good prepped night before ....oats yoghurt fruit.

Nimbostratus100 · 06/01/2023 09:58

jannier · 06/01/2023 09:57

Through in some granola and sliced apple....you have to have your 5 a day it makes no difference to stomach acid ...also overnight oats are good prepped night before ....oats yoghurt fruit.

Thank you for this. I'm going to try this out too

OP posts:
FiveShelties · 06/01/2023 09:59

I thought you just had to take them with a large glass of water.

Nimbostratus100 · 06/01/2023 10:01

FiveShelties · 06/01/2023 09:59

I thought you just had to take them with a large glass of water.

you take them with water, yes, but has to be on a full stomach, otherwise you risk stomach ulcers. Please be careful if you are taking them. I've had all the horrible warnings from my consultant.....

OP posts:
jannier · 06/01/2023 10:23

FiveShelties · 06/01/2023 09:59

I thought you just had to take them with a large glass of water.

No you must eat with them. Hospital will watch you eat before giving them if occasional milk or toast is fine

PawMaw · 06/01/2023 10:25

Nimbostratus100 · 06/01/2023 09:19

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

Some quick maths but 2st over 20 weeks would average about 1.4lb per week. As 1lb of fat is equal to 3500 calories, that would make your extra meal average 700 calories, so it is easy to gain the weight. What about a light snack at around 200 calories with one of your doses and cutting around the same from another meal?

Greatly · 06/01/2023 10:30

Nimbostratus100 · 06/01/2023 09:51

I'm liking the idea of a low fat yoghurt, if that is all I need for breakfast.

I'd always recommend a full fat yogurt if you are convalescent.

endofthelinefinally · 06/01/2023 10:31

Low fat yogurt is often full of carbs. Always read the label on anything "low fat". The ordinary stuff is probably better for lining your stomach. You don't need a huge amount.
Relative has diabetes and keeps buying low fat spreads, mayo etc. Full of starch, but he thinks it is healthy.

PurpleWisteria1 · 06/01/2023 10:32

Nimbostratus100 · 06/01/2023 09:17

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.

Weight gain won’t happen if you eat the right foods.
Just aim to eat unprocessed foods.
Lots of Lean protien. Like chicken and fish.
Eggs in all forms.
Sweet potato and butternut squash and carrots.
All other veg. Raw and cooked.
Handful of unsalted nuts / seeds.
A piece of fruit now and then.

Thats It! No weight gain, 3 meals a day out of that and they don’t need to be huge meals for taking ibuprofen or high carb.

Nimbostratus100 · 06/01/2023 10:33

Greatly · 06/01/2023 10:30

I'd always recommend a full fat yogurt if you are convalescent.

ok, noted

OP posts:
GerbilsForever24 · 06/01/2023 10:33

It doesn't have to be on a full stomach. I have acid problems so seldom take ibuprofen but when I do, a little glass of milk and/or a biscuit is fine. And it doesn't have to be high carb either. So if your preferred meal is high in vegetables and protein and low in carbs, that's fine.

Nimbostratus100 · 06/01/2023 10:34

endofthelinefinally · 06/01/2023 10:31

Low fat yogurt is often full of carbs. Always read the label on anything "low fat". The ordinary stuff is probably better for lining your stomach. You don't need a huge amount.
Relative has diabetes and keeps buying low fat spreads, mayo etc. Full of starch, but he thinks it is healthy.

I think you are right, low fat is often more processed, less healthy

OP posts:
cosmiccosmos · 06/01/2023 11:11

How about some protein shake or slim fast keto, you don't have to have the full amount. I've had these and find I need to use about half the powder as they are so strong.

greenspaces4peace · 07/01/2023 07:36

Besides the ibuprophen, what other meds are you taking?
any steroids perhaps??

Nimbostratus100 · 07/01/2023 07:43

greenspaces4peace · 07/01/2023 07:36

Besides the ibuprophen, what other meds are you taking?
any steroids perhaps??

at the moment only ibuprofen

OP posts:
Garman · 07/01/2023 12:11

I've taken ibuprofen regularly for 10+ years for sinus pain and issues and I have never ever been told I have to have it with a high carb meal and a full stomach. All that has ever been mentioned is it's best to take it with food, but I can and do regularly take it on an empty stomach with just water with no issues. Did a medical professional really tell you that you require 3 carb heavy big meals to take it?

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