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.

well, I was told to take it on a full stomach - I have been told that several times, at least once carbs were mentioned, but I am going to check that. It is definitely dangerous to take on an empty stomach, please be careful

You dont need a full stomach but your stomach shouldn't be empty when taking them. A small snack is sufficient

OP I think you are blowing all this out of proportion. A small snack is all you need with ibuprofen, which is a very normal and everyday medicine.

What are you taking it for?

You don't need to eat a lot. Just enough to line your stomach

God, I think you’ve completely misinterpreted what “full stomach” means in this context.

Avoid taking ibuprofen on an empty stomach where possible. Line your stomach with any light snack or milky drink

I often take Ibroprophen on an empty stomach for the odd ache or pain, not daily or anything

I didnt even know it was an issue?

Okay maybe that advice was specific to your condition and medical history, because its definitely usually with food/not on an empty stomach, not specifically 3 carb heavy meals that have to fill you. Like I said it's been over a decade and I can't eat when I've sinus pain due to nausea so I've often taken it with nothing else and never had a single issue.

This is the NHS guidance on it: Take ibuprofen tablets, capsules, granules or liquid with a meal or snack, or with a drink of milk. It will be less likely to upset your stomach. If you take it just after food, ibuprofen may take longer to start working.

Yes its more about it just not upsetting your stomach to have some food inside you, although Ive always found it can bung me up, not upset my stomach

The long term use can risk ulcers but it recommends that you have other medication to protect your stomach from this

A small meal is fine - where did you get the idea you need to eat a big meal? Just something small like a couple biscuits is enough.

I’ve never eaten with ibuprofen , I would be the size of a small house if I had been doing so .

To protect your stomach lining, ask your gp to prescribe Omeraperazole 20mg
I'm on long term NSAID's similar to ibuprofen and that's all you need

Agree, an antacid such as Omeraparazole will protect your stomach if taking anti inflammatories over a long period.

The purpose of eating before taking ibuprofen is to reduce the acidity in your stomach. An antacid tablet does the same.

Any one of these snacks will do this job;
(these are examples)
A cracker
handful of nuts
glass of milk
small yogurt

Filling your stomach with 3 large stodgy meals will endanger your health.

Also avoid highly salted foods as this can prevent the water retention associated with taking ibuprofen long term x

It has to be with food never been told carbs

I don’t want to risk my health

You sound like you were well intentioned when you embarked on eating a large carb heavy meal every 8 hours.

However you’re risking your health in a whole host of ways. The associated weight gain is far more harmful to you than your risk of gastro issues.

High blood pressure is one symptom of excess weight as is strain on your vital organs and joint damage.
It’s likely you will exacerbate the symptoms you’re trying to treat.

One simple step is to divide one of your meals into two.

If you’re fearful of taking a tablet without feeling full up, you can drop one of your doses. Ibuprofen is used to alleviate symptoms and it’s completely safe to do this.

Theres lots of advice on ibuprofen on the NHS website. It’s taken by millions nationwide as a painkiller or anti inflammatory and is available on the high street.

Wishing you well, being bed bound for long periods is tough x