I am just starting to really get back into training for the season and IM late fall. I have been swimming through the off season but not a lot else. Last year my knees started hurting more and more when I biked. I have never taken Ibuprofen on a regular basis. But I did take it on race day last year and it seemed to help with my knees and Achilles. But during the race I was talking to a guy and he told me in the pre-race talk their was a warning to not take Ibuprofen. He did not know why. Is there an issue?
Ibuprofen can damage your liver and kidneys. It’s even worse if you’re using it after alcohol to help with a hangover. Aspirin is better but it can cause stomach issues for some people, so that leaves Tylenol as the best choice. So says my doc, who is a marathon runner.
Me + ibuprofin + 56 mile ultra = hyponatremia (hard to put into words how bad this could be & was) I will NEVER take ibuprofin before or during a long distance event again. That’s learning the hard way…
Since you posted that paper I’ll ask for your assistance interpreting the information.
Ibuprofen was the worst in this class of drugs for strokes with a rate of 3.36 events (per 100,000 patient years?). Is that compared to a placebo = 1.0 events?
In real world terms, does this mean the chance of stroke on ibuprofen compared to placebo moves from infinitesimally small to than infinitesimally small?
This was a review article, so it did not address dosage, nor a specific patient population.
I take ibuprofen occasionally and in races with no adverse effects to date. My personal experience would tend to side with ductus, keep your dose within the normal range and the chance of problems are very small (and worth the risk).
There are potentially serious health issues that can occur with ibuprofen even following the recommended doses. In addition to the aforementioned kidney/fluid and electrolyte issues there is the potential for gastrointestinal bleeding. I could probably buy a whole fleet of Shivs on what I’ve made cauterizing bleeding ulcers from ibuprofen over the years. I’m amazed at how the thought of Cipro strikes terror into the heart of the average ST’er but NSAIDs, not so much.
Forewarned is forearmed. Use at your own risk. And remember, NO ONE CAN GUARANTEE YOU WON’T HAVE A PROBLEM!
There’s potential side effects from everything, posting on ST about what will work for you is about the least most helpful thing you can do. Everyone is different. You’ve seen the side effect warnings on TV from drugs, they list everything under the sun as a “possibility”. NSAIDs are no different - there’s potential risks with everything. Aspirin may be better for one person, ibuprofen for another. You need to talk to your doctor who has access to your personal health history and get their input before you decide.
I had a fairly significant GI bleed training for my first IM using naproxen. Took one pill on an empty stomach before a 12 mile run. Result was taking my crit down to 30. Won’t touch NSAIDs anymore…
I had a fairly significant GI bleed training for my first IM using naproxen. Took one pill on an empty stomach before a 12 mile run. Result was taking my crit down to 30. Won’t touch NSAIDs anymore…
Jodi
My question is why some of you are taking NSAIDS before and/or during the training session or race, especially on an empty stomach? If you want to take something prophylactically, take fish oil instead and save the NSAIDS and ice for after and during recovery.
True, my post, as any advice or opinion, does come with some clarification or conditions, but in the whole I stand by it 100%. I think most are aware that they should avoid ibuprofen and the like if they’ve had problems with ulcers or other GI issues, kidney problems or any allergic reactions to the class of drugs. But as implied in my post, that information is available on the bottle. If you cauterize ulcers for a living then you realize that a lack of causality is impossible to “prove,” so some level of suspicion of everything we’re exposed to will always exist. The article referenced in Trail Runner is a good example of the classic “Sunscreen use causes drownings” argument.
My health (and yours) is more endangered by riding a bike on streets with traffic than taking ibuprofen within the recommended range of dosage.
At the end of the day, one may still hedge their bets by taking no more than is absolutely necessary.
For sore muscles I think Badger’s Sore Muscle Balm is the best thing I’ve every used. I tend to get a touch of tendonitis and serious muscle fatigue every time I ramp up training and the Badger Balm does an amazing job keeping me going and feeling fairly fresh. I’d recommend it over popping a pill any day…
I am just starting to really get back into training for the season and IM late fall. I have been swimming through the off season but not a lot else. Last year my knees started hurting more and more when I biked. I have never taken Ibuprofen on a regular basis. But I did take it on race day last year and it seemed to help with my knees and Achilles. But during the race I was talking to a guy and he told me in the pre-race talk their was a warning to not take Ibuprofen. He did not know why. Is there an issue?
Thanks!
I had three pretty serious episodes of internal bleeding while running and using Ibuprofen as prescribed. No longer do that. Sure, there are issues with taking NSAIDs on regular basis and training. If you have to do that, better don’t train or suck it up. I know you will not like my response, but that is an honest brutal truth. Wife is a pharmacist, she gave many reasons why not do that.
Thanks. I don’t have any GI, ulcer or any of the other conditions. I think I will give Tylenol a try. Might also try the other recommendations. But ultimately if they do not help I might use Ibuprofen sparingly.
May I ask your background pertinent to this issue?
As an occasional ibuprofen user after workouts, and several times during races, all I seem to read about this comes from "the “don’t do it” camp based on either 1) personal experience, 2) popular articles from RW, etc.,or 3) parroting studies without any real understanding of the methods/demographic.
I’ve taken it regularly, with no acute side effects. I would like to keep doing so, it has helped me get through some pain in a marathon and a HIM. My doctor said there is a small risk but since my experience has been positive (it worked as advertised with no ill effects) I’m fine to stick with my routine and use the product in moderation.
Your opinion seems informed. I’m sure there are plenty out there using NSAIDs like I do, but any time the subjest comes up the chorus of “DON’T” is all I hear.