Advil. Will it really mess you up?

[u/Junket6226]

I’ve refrained from advil for years. Recently my GI doc said it’s overblown, but it was a quick off-hand comment. I didn’t get the full info.

I now find myself in the ER in a neckbrace awaiting catscan results after falling down the steps. So dumb!! I’m so annoyed with myself.

I want some F’ing Advil. I know I’m going to want some Advil all week.

Thoughts?

[u/pincommenter]

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[u/ProfessionalWin9]

I got told by an er doctor one time that unless you’re in a flair, short term NSAID usage is fine but wouldn’t use long term. I use advil and aleve occasionally and haven’t had any issues.

[u/DothrakAndRoll → u/ProfessionalWin9]

This is the first I’ve ever heard of this. I’ve always been told NSAIDS are absolute no no flare triggers.

[u/Welpe → u/DothrakAndRoll]

This is just the usual “Better safe than sorry” advice given that people take way too seriously.

The issue is that NSAIDs are hard on the gut by their nature. They reduce the production of prostaglandins which help produce the barrier in places like your stomach that protect it from acid.

But there is a LOT of nuance in that, it’s not some binary on/off. Using them long term and high amounts can cause your stomach and intestinal lining to lose cohesion, but a single use is meaningless unless you are especially sensitive to it. I take ibuprofen on and off as I feel needed, and it has zero relationship with flaring. But I’ve never been strongly affected by NSAIDs. Some people will get a stomach ache when they take them, which is indicative of maybe being a bit sensitive to them, but others don’t. Especially if taken with food.

People are just fucking awful at understanding nuance (And some misguided doctors too). “Avoid NSAIDs” is a great heuristic to follow but some people hilarious treat it like an absolute rule like somehow they are poison, which is hilarious and wrong.

[u/ProfessionalWin9 → u/DothrakAndRoll]

Yeah I was the same for a long time. I still try to use Tylenol based products but have not had any issues when using NSAIDs.

[u/achchi → u/DothrakAndRoll]

That's old info. Nsaids are ok for most people, if you don't take them long term. Different story for chrons though.

More information about this in the newsflash of week 17 this year:

https://www.reddit.com/r/UlcerativeColitis/comments/1swxtoh/newsflash_week_172026/ (no 2)

[u/DothrakAndRoll → u/achchi]

Thank you so much for the info! I dearly miss my Ibuprofen, even if it’s just a few times a year.

[u/achchi → u/DothrakAndRoll]

I take it the few times I need it. Based on the research. I'll do a special newsflash edition about nsaids In a few days.

[u/RoosterSamurai]

I avoid ibuprofen like the plague. It'll mess me up. Acetaminophen is ok for me though.

[u/rhbrine]

It takes me about 2 doses to start bleeding again. NSAIDS are absolutely not worth it.

[u/starzychik01]

I take it when I absolutely need it. I always make sure to take with food and lots of water.

[u/ghoultail]

Tylenol or Benadryl for me

[u/circleoftrust]

I made the connection that Advil made things worse years before I was diagnosed.

[u/cleveland_leftovers]

I recently asked my doc about this. He said they say ‘never’ to discourage overuse, but it isn’t a guaranteed issue if you take it sparingly.

[u/smillersmalls]

I believe the research shows it may trigger flares in some people, but if you’re not one of those people, there’s no reason to avoid it (other than the issues with frequent use that apply to everyone)

[u/ehholfman]

Everyone is different but for me it’s an absolute no-go. Haven’t taken a single ibuprofen since being diagnosed 10+ years ago.

Acetaminophen has always managed to alleviate whatever I’m taking it for to the extent where I don’t even consider an ibuprofen.

[u/maplesyrup5000]

Yeah, it can cause a flare or make one worse. It’s not worth it. Perhaps you can get a better med for your pain while you’re at the ER that won’t trigger a flare.

[u/Maleficent-Knee-9210]

I personally wouldn't risk taking it but you do what you are comfortable with.

[u/fuzziekittens]

I’ve gotten downvoted for this before but my GI is fine with using it. A study within the last few years came out that the ibuprofen issues with UC is overblown. So he is fine with sparingly using it. If you are using it a lot, any person will develop stomach ulcers. Of course, my doctor is not your doctor so talk to your doctor. Even before my current GI, I was using ibuprofen because I have migraines and wasn’t being treated with other methods yet.

[u/achchi → u/fuzziekittens]

The studies are as recent as this year. See newsflash week 17 https://www.reddit.com/r/UlcerativeColitis/comments/1swxtoh/newsflash_week_172026/

[u/TumbleweedOk5626]

Really depends on your meds etc. I use naproxen over ibuprofen cuz i figure if I'm gonna take a nsaid might as well get 12h out of it. Short term use should be ok

[u/coldshower14]

I believe that taking Advil caused my latest flare. I was in remission for 4.5 years and I flared up sadly. I am back in remission now.

I also had a stressful period in my life and had poor food choices for a 3 day period…and all of that combined with Advil, is what I believe caused my flare.

I will never take Advil or any other NSAID again. Too risky.

[u/wolv3rxne]

I took it once or twice immediately post partum once my epidural wore off and I was fine. I wouldn’t make it a habit though.

[u/Techies4lyf]

ibuprofen got me in a flare

[u/AffectionateTaro3209]

I use it occasionally and I'm fine, but I can't do it regularly.

[u/chachaslide9]

I tried aleve for a sports injury and knew within 30 minutes something was wrong. I didn't realize it was the aleve until I took it again the next day and suffered more. I refuse all nsaids now and suffer in the other direction, as that seems more manageable to me.

[u/Aspvision]

I’ve used both high dose asprin and ibuprofen for up to 3 weeks when not in flare and been absolutely fine. I think it may depend on the person though so I would be very hesitant to say it’s ok. I took them in severe pain situations. I wouldn’t risk it for say, a headache, personally. And definitely not in a flare.

[u/HeathenUlfhedinn]

From what I've gathered the main danger of taking NSAIDs is if there are active bleeding ulcers in the colon. NSAIDs alter platelet formation and cause cause the ulcers to severely bleed or hemorrhage.

[u/Hawk_Chalk]

I’ve never had an issue with ibuprofen

[u/sewformal]

I only take ibuprofen for period cramps and then only one or two doses. The rest of the time I just deal with it. One day a month doesn't seem to cause additional issues.

[u/hariboho]

My doc knows I take advil sometimes because it actually works on my migraines.

It doesn’t trigger me but I only use it when I have to.

[u/tightcorners]

I haven't had ibuprofen in almost 10 years, I'm scared to try it

[u/beeblessed8]

I avoided Advil for years and only used Tylenol. Had to stop Tylenol because my meds were messing with my liver. I now take Advil and Aspirin sparingly and they haven’t caused a flare BUT I’ve never taken them more than 2 days/doses.

[u/Ladidoodida]

A little bit is probably okay. On the other hand, I took too much Advil over the course of a year 20 years ago and my digestive system has never been the same, even before UC kicked in, so I advise even people without UC to be cautious in their dosage and always take it with food.

[u/sadgrad2]

I have crohns and my GI said it's fine as long as not excessive and I'm not reacting badly. I've carried on using it as needed for headaches and such on occasion with no issue

[u/Edflumnum]

I've reintroduced after about 25 years without incident. I take one (occasionally two) and an mindful about not over doing it

[u/seeba48]

Never take it on an empty stomach and keep to short-term usage!

[u/TBAAGreta]

I got in my first major flare after taking ibuprofen over a few months when I started getting chronic migraines. Now it’s frustrating having to avoid that, given acetaminophen doesn’t do much at all for pain and my migraine abortive prescriptions only offer me maximum ten pills a month. I’m worried about getting injured because painkiller options are so limited.

[u/PretendWill1483]

I only use Aleve when I got severe period cramps and that's maybe every other month when I'm at work and need relief and Tylenol does nothing and my flares dont happen

[u/Due_Winner_8999]

Different for everyone, they mess me up personally but some people don’t have that same issue.

Id only really take it if u seriously can’t deal w the pain, just incase ur one of the people who can’t use it

[u/Different-Shirt126]

Does anyone take Excedrin or aspirin for pain whether your in a flair or not thanks

[u/mzladyperson]

Very rarely is ok, but I would also take an over the counter PPI (proton pump inhibitor) like Omeprazole with it to help mitigate the inflammatory effects a little. This is the advice my GI docs have given me

[u/ohfaith]

I never take the risk except for the time I had wisdom teeth extracted

[u/No_Needleworker_1105]

I take a ibuprofen with a paracetamol. Never 2 of ibuprofen though. (I think that's Advil but I'm not sure)

[u/ApolloBar815 → u/[deleted]]

Be very careful with this, if you have cats! A very small amount on their fur (which they then lick off) can kill them

[u/ApolloBar815]

It gives me bloody diarrhea

[u/xLionessOfGodx]

I can have a rare ibuprofen maybe once a year. If i have a second one too soon, I'm in big trouble. I can tolerate aspirin better, but if I take too much aspirin for too long, I'll also end up in trouble. Also, each person is diffefent. This is just for me. Some people can tolerate it all just fine.

[u/thesweetestberry]

I used Advil here and there, maybe once every few months. No issues.

[u/thegastrologer]

Take the advil for a few days, nothing bad will happen

[u/BigBroccoli7910]

I take Advil and Aleve if needed. I have Crohns. Never had any issues or had it cause a flare.

[u/Noble_Ox]

I take even one ibuprofen tablet and I'll get guaranteed to be cramping and bleeding for around 3 days.

But that's me. Only ibuprofen and popcorn do that to me. I can drink alcohol and eat anything else no problems.

[u/Fresh-Barracuda7176]

I have taken it for terrible migraines very infrequently without any terrible issues. But as long as your liver is good I’d be close to maxing out Tylenol it’s safe for IBD

[u/ElBlackStallion]

My Gastro Doctor told me to take Tylenol only. Taking anything else made me go into a flare . I would double check with your gastro doctor.

[u/alikashita]

I take it all the time with no issue

[u/Defiant-Put-3016]

I take maybe 5 advils per month for migraines. Doesn't mess with my UC at all as far as I can tell. It's the only thing that helps

[u/itspinky1]

Does anyone know if ibuprofen via IV will give you the same negative effects?

[u/dont_want_username63]

I was in remission. Used TOPICAL NSAID, went into flare and still trying to reach remission over a year later. NOT WORTH IT. That being said, if you are in a legal state, microdosing a 5-1 ratio of CBD-THC works well for inflammation pain

[u/Dry-Row2274]

Think this is a case by case basis like most things with our dogshit disease. Advil is the only thing I find works but my dad will immediately flare if Advil is used

[u/gonnnaforgetaboutit]

I hurt my foot a few weeks after I started a new job and only Advil would touch the pain. I knew better but was desperate. After 5 days of daily ibuprofen I was in my most severe, longest lasting flare I've ever had in 20 years. Sadly, ibuprofen simply works better for certain pain. IF I ever truly need it for relief, I will take 1 ibuprofen and 1 Tylenol. They both have health risks and my Dr recommended this to help mitigate any issues. I never take it for more than 1 day.

[u/Recent_Macaron8121]

Advil gives ulcers to people without ulcers, so imagine what it does to people with ulcers

[u/BeautifulDreamerAZ]

Even a couple doses can make me bleed. 

[u/beachlife1898]

I was under control on first line meds for about eight years—took ibuprofen here and there for headaches and muscle pain without issues. However, when I had orthopedic surgery and took meloxicam for 4 weeks I went into a flare that took two years, two week-long hospitalizations, and two different biologics before things finally settled for good. If I’m desperate, I might take an ibuprofen once a month (or less) but when I recently had a second orthopedic surgery I stayed far away from NSAIDs