Humans - have you taken ibuprofen long term?

Birker2020

Birker2020

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Has anyone taken Ibuprofen long term? If so for how long?
I have been on it for about six months now as I have very painful plantar fasciitis which causes me to be non weight bearing when my pain killers (co-codamol and neurontin) wear off.

If I rest up and then go to walk somewhere I can hardly bear any weight on my heels for about ten paces. Then it gradually eases up. This is why I am taking ibuprofen as I am in a terrible state of constant pain if I don't take it.

I saw my doctor after being on it for three weeks and she said I would 'be alright taking it for a while' but this was six months ago now and I am still taking it.

I know the dangers of stomach bleeding and anemia but wondered if anyone else had taken it long term and how they had got on with it.
I am debating going back to the doctors and asking about it again but don't want him to think I am a hyper condriac.
 
I can't help on the painkiller front, but I also had plantar fasciitis a few years ago and it was incredibly painful. Ask your doctor to refer you for physio. They can give you exercises and/or a steroid injection in your foot. I had an injection (takes a few weeks before it really works) and now wear inserts in my shoes and haven't had a problem since.
You'll wish you'd done it sooner 😄
X
 
I suffered from this last year and it was so bad I nearly ended up in a wheelchair in holiday :( get a referral from your gp for the podiatrist for insoles etc they will also monitor and they can refer you on for injections/shock wave therapy or surgery. They said the injections weren't very reliable and very painful tho. Mine was sorted by going to the chiropractor, she worked on my feet for several weeks and I won't lie it was painful but it was slowly getting better and in the end completely sorted the problem alongside the insoles. I just wish I had seen her sooner.

I also got a foot roller which you can pop in the freezer as this helps stretch the foot and I had compression socks for sleeping. I refused long term painkillers and just had some neprosyn for when I couldn't bear it. Feel free to Pm me if I can be of any help. I hope you get sorted soon.
 
I have been on it for about 4 years now, normally daily, combined with paracetamol. It's very strong type of prescribed ibuprofen, but unfortunately it is the only thing that works.

I've tried many types, different combinations and doses but nothing else has come close to helping. I wouldn't say I feel great on it, but it's much worse without! I try to not let either the pain or drug effects affect what I do and do plenty of riding etc, but do get bad days.

If you are concerned just go back to your doctor...they are there to help!

I forgot to say that I am infact also under 20! I do wish I could find something else to help!
Good luck!!
 
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I think after 6 months of no improvement you should def go back to the Dr's. After any length of time they shouldn't think you are a hypochondriac if you are that debilitated by it. I've had several bad episodes with plantar fasciitis, when it's bad I don't get out of bed in the morning, I slither out and crawl on my hands and knees. Careful attention to foot wear and shoe inserts have made the world of difference. I also managed to see a physio on the NHS and that was one of the best things I did for it. I can now keep it under control and don't have to take pain killers anymore. I'm still 1/10 lame in the right hind, but unless I'm on my feet all day its no problem. :)
 
I had a steroid injection for my subluxating cuboid and it was the worst thing I ever did (and VERY painful - they pinned me down to do it and I actually thought the 'helper' was joking until the needle went in). Completely destabilised my foot and it's been problematic on and off ever since. Best thing for me was starting BodyBalance (Les Mills). It involves a lot of strengthening work for the feet. With regards to Ibuprofen, I was taking it for another problem and I started with ulcer symptoms after a while. I take care to wear good footwear, now (summer shoes are only worn minimally), with either good quality inserts or ariat boots for riding/yard stuff.
 
The longest I have ever taken it was high doses for two months and that was also for plantar fasciitis - you have my sympathies as it is so painful it used to make me cry when taking my boots off and I am definitely not a crier!
For my most recent bout, I used heel-only insoles and reassessed my footwear, buying some decent wellies. I had exercises from the doctor which largely consisted of standing with my heels overhanging a step and bouncing.
However, the thing that really seemed to help was buying a new horse and riding consistently - the movement seemed to stretch the plantar and I haven't had any problems since I've been back in the saddle five times a week!
I do think you should go back to the doctors - I'm not sure taking anything for too long without a reassessment is a good idea.
 
PF is so painful, you think it is never going to get better but it does - I managed to completely trash my foot and it took 18months to heal. The big change for me was footwear - never ever ever again will I wear cheap shoes/boots. I now live in Brooks Adrenaline trainers (have wide feet and over pronate - or rather did). They completely support you in all the right places.
 
I take anti inflammatory drugs for long periods as I have psoriatic arthritis. I take omepezole (think that's spelt right) which helps protect the stomach against ulcers etc. If you are still in discomfort go back to GP as there are many different ones :0)
 
I had PF after trending on a Lego block left lying about 8 years ago!!!! I was on ibuprofen, 400 mg twice a day. I was also referred to foot specialist and had special heel pads , I had 4 pairs for different shoes, it is terribly painful and is worse when you have been resting or just got up in the morning, I used to have to use a stick to get to the bathroom if I needed the loo in the night... It took 2 years to stop being painful, but strangely now I get terrible cramp in the same heel and calf!!!! I still use shoe heel pads, but I get the ones from boots now. It's important to change them every few months as they wear thin... I still do excercise to help stretch my heel and foot. I would not wish it on worst enemy, specialist said active people are more prone to it..
 
Justification said:
Has anyone taken Ibuprofen long term? If so for how long?
I have been on it for about six months now as I have very painful plantar fasciitis which causes me to be non weight bearing when my pain killers (co-codamol and neurontin) wear off.

If I rest up and then go to walk somewhere I can hardly bear any weight on my heels for about ten paces. Then it gradually eases up. This is why I am taking ibuprofen as I am in a terrible state of constant pain if I don't take it.

I saw my doctor after being on it for three weeks and she said I would 'be alright taking it for a while' but this was six months ago now and I am still taking it.

I know the dangers of stomach bleeding and anemia but wondered if anyone else had taken it long term and how they had got on with it.
I am debating going back to the doctors and asking about it again but don't want him to think I am a hyper condriac.
Click to expand...

Yes. I was taking it for my sciatica. Last month I had a small stomach bleed and I've been told never to take it or any other anti inflammatory every again. Which is fine but now I've been prescribed co-codamol which is addictive so I'm too scared to take it too often!
 
I have been taking it for about 2 years... I am coming off it now though as it is causing my headaches to get worse so I am going on anti depressants instead to help with my headaches...
 
It might be worth asking your doctor for some omeprazole which will line your stomach. I had it when on diclofenic long term.
 
I was at my GP a couple of weeks ago for my arthritis. I told her I was taking turmeric, as I found it as effective as naproxen. She warned me to be careful and advised paracetamol, as they do not like people taking any NSAID long term as latest studies show it affects the kidneys. I've reduced the dose and top up with paracetamol.
 
A work friend recently took it for a couple of weeks and developed a stomach ulcer so I would strongly recommend you spoke to your doctor. If you take ibuprofen long term you need to take an additional medication to prevent your stomach lining from thinning.
 
I have been taking it for 17 years now for severe joint hypermobility syndrome and have not had any problems with it. I have severe mobility problems and use a walking frame and combine ibuprofen with paracetamol and tramadol. I cannot take any anti-inflammatories stronger than ibuprofen as they DO cause severe stomach issues but ibuprofen is okay for me.
 
I take 400mg ibuprofen every four hours and have done so for at least three years along with loads of other drugs to help control my MS, Fibromyalgia and ME
 
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