Ibruprofren vs. Tylenol

[ladybug]

Hi. I know this has been asked before, but I thought maybe some new members may have some insight, and those of you who have answered can feel free to "refresh" my memory.

I'm wondering which one of these CFers should take for pain (NOT fever)? I often have pain after running or soreness the next day. I also have SEVERE pain from grinding my jaw at night and dentist said I should take Ibu. regularily to reduce inflammation. She also said I MUST take a higher dose than just 200 mg. She said 800 mg., but I don't know if this is safe for a CFer to take everyday. Anyone know? My pain is very severe in my jaw (sometimes, I can't even eat cause of it). We're trying to get to the bottom of it and maybe seeing a specialist, but in the meantime, she wants me to try things.

So, in general (not related to jaw), what have ya'll heard about which pain reliever to take on a regular basis? Does anyone take either of them everday? Right now, I take either Ibu. or Tyl. once or twice a day for headaches, pain, etc. Not sure how safe that is. Anyone???

Thanks-

 

[JazzysMom]

IBruprofren has been used on some CFers as a maintenance for inflammation. I like it for "joint" pain, but stick with tylenol for headaches or sore muscles because of the potential of hemoptysis that can come with ibruprofren. This is my opinion & experience!

 

[CowTown]

I have to give my side of it....I used to take advil on a regular basis b/c I have frequent back pain. So for years I would take advil probably about 3-4 times per week. Last December I wound up with kidney failure and they think it was due to all the advil. Advil/Ibuprophen is known to cause kidney failure over a long period of time, so I would advice not taking it on a regular basis.

Now I can't take any Ibuprophen at all for fear of the same thing happening again.

The docs told me that I can take tylenol, but that was the only one that is safe. Tylenol doesn't work for my back pain though, so they prescribed a pain pill called Tramadol. So with headaches, I use tylenol, and with other pains I use Tramadol.

Tylenol does not effect your kidneys but that is the only one that doesn't. Bayer, aspirin, Aleve, etc all are risks for causing kidney failure. Just so you know, b/c I sure didn't know about all this before.

I think you should see a specialist and try to get to the root of the problem, otherwise you might just be looking at full time pain pills.

Good luck!

 

[NoExcuses]

Both meds have side effects. Ask you doctor. I can't take Advil cuz it gives me bleeders. But you have to be careful with liver issues and Tylenol. Ask you doc which to take and how much and how often.

 

[thelizardqueen]

I don't take Advil cause it causes bleeding for me. I stick with Tylenol for pain, and if its really bad I have a script for T3s.

 

[ladybug]

Well, I'll see what happens with the pain once I get a new night guard and work on some massage technics on my jaw. Urgh....

As far as ibu. and tyl..... doesn't it really help the side effects on your liver and kidneys to eat when you take the meds? I've heard that that doesn't put so much pressure on your body to break down pure medication, cause you're also processing other nutrients.

Amy, perhaps you know if that is true? Are you a pharmacist? You seem to know a lot about these kinds of things. <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">

What ever happened to CF patients being treated with high doses of ibu.? I think some docs still do this, don't they? How can they do that if it is so bad for you? Just curious. I remember years ago they were starting to give many patients high doses to take down inflammation, and I thought it was mostly successful.

Thanks-

p.s.- would there be warning signs if your kidneys or liver were failing due to ibu. or tyl.? i've not had an abnormal test of these things (that I know of... knock on wood!)

 

[Scarlett81]

They tell me to never take Tylenol-b/c of liver damage. I already have occasional ringing in my ears from years of Tobramycin, and other antibiotics.

So be careful with that too. I'd ask the doc what's best for you.

 

[NoExcuses]

<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote><i>Originally posted by: <b>ladybug</b></i>


As far as ibu. and tyl..... doesn't it really help the side effects on your liver and kidneys to eat when you take the meds? I've heard that that doesn't put so much pressure on your body to break down pure medication, cause you're also processing other nutrients.



Amy, perhaps you know if that is true? Are you a pharmacist? You seem to know a lot about these kinds of things. <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">



p.s.- would there be warning signs if your kidneys or liver were failing due to ibu. or tyl.? i've not had an abnormal test of these things (that I know of... knock on wood!)</end quote></div>

1. It helps to take ibu with food because ibu can break down stomach lining. But ibu is still metabolised through the liver, so be cautious. Tyl is metabolised through the liver. Therefore there will be no effect on the metabolism of tyl if you eat with food. The stomach and liver are two totaly different organs.

2. I am not a pharmacist, but I am in pharmaceutical sales. But this doesn't make me an expert. I go out of my way to educate myself on these matters because no doctor is perfect (although it seems like many on this site blindly trust their docs which horrifies me). Anyone can read the package inserts and published peer reviewed studies of any medication.

3. There may or may not be warning signs if you were having kideny or liver issues. For some people, these organs fail very rapidly. For others, there are signs. This further underscores the need to do research on your own as well as talk to your doctor about all of the medication you are taking (not just prescription)

 

[ladybug]

Thanks, Amy...

Knew I could count on you! <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0"> So, do you think taking tylenol 500 mg once a day and ibu. 200-400 mg. once a day is a big deal? I thought that was pretty good? I know some people who take ibu. or tylenol throughout their entire day in the highest doses. So, I thought I was pretty good.

And, if the dentist does want me to take ibu. 800 mg for a couple weeks, would that in itself be enough to give me kidney failure? I worry now since tyl. can effect and damage the liver, that getting an Rx for a tyl. pain med may also be a very bad idea. Hmm....

Thanks!

 

[melleemac]

My boys cant take ibuprofen as they are highly allergic to it. One of my boys kidney completely shut down and ended up being on dialasys for two months,the others creatin level was even higher but we caught him before he went into total renal failure. The are also allergic to gentimycin (sp?).
So its tylenol for my two little guys!
Mel

 

[EnergyGal]

If you can try accupuncture for your jaw pain it will help. I mentioned in a thread on how to manipulate your jaw bone. You can do a search on it. I hope you feel better soon.

 

[NoExcuses]

<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote><i>Originally posted by: <b>ladybug</b></i>

Thanks, Amy...



Knew I could count on you! <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0"> So, do you think taking tylenol 500 mg once a day and ibu. 200-400 mg. once a day is a big deal? I thought that was pretty good? I know some people who take ibu. or tylenol throughout their entire day in the highest doses. So, I thought I was pretty good.



And, if the dentist does want me to take ibu. 800 mg for a couple weeks, would that in itself be enough to give me kidney failure? I worry now since tyl. can effect and damage the liver, that getting an Rx for a tyl. pain med may also be a very bad idea. Hmm....



Thanks!</end quote></div>

I definitely think that taking both of those meds every day is a big deal. Definitely talk to you doc though, like I've been saying. Don't rely on our advice. Treat OTC meds like they're presciption and get your doc involved.

Those people who take IBU or Tyl at the highest doses their entire lives could end up with damaged livers. Very very scary. I'm amazed at how people don't consult with doctors while taking meds even though they're OTC.

I would be cautious about taking IBU for 2 weeks at a time. Talk to your CF doc!!!!