Advil 3x a day 800mg for 10 years

[bpedd]

Hi I was wondering if you could tell me how dangerous it is to take advil for over 10 years daily? I have 3 herniated discs and a knee which has just been fixed and both require some kind of pain reliever. I have gotten and getting shots in my lower back but they dont seem to relieve that lets say 20% of the pain left over. I dont want to use narcotic medicine (only in acute situations) and now I have to take prilosec every day to avoid stomach problems. My family MD seems to be forgetful and does not seem to have an answer or suggestion. I really need an alternative if this will lead to kidney and stomach/intestinal  diseases.
Thanks and sorry for the long explanation.

[Jaybay]

My mother has taken as much aspirin and advil as Tuckamore for decades in a vain attempt to control her back pain.  For the past five years she took as much as 20 tablets a day.  She just got out of the hospital for the second time this month diagnosed with a GI bleed.  On admission her hemoglobin was at 6.0.

During the past three weeks she's had 6 units of blood and is still bleeding and will continue to bleed for some time.  Mom's stomach was destroyed due to Advil abuse and will likely never be the same again.

To have a doctor tell you to take that much Advil for this long is just plain irresponsible if not bordering on malpractice in my opinion.

[Tuckamore]

Hello Bpedd,

Welcome to the Pain Management Forum. I am glad that you have found us.

Sandee and Mollyrae are correct. I took 3,200mg, sometimes 4,000mg of Ibuprofen (IB) for over 10 years. I have ruined my stomach. I take a lot of stomach medications including 2 Prilosec per day. My PCP's (I had several over the years) knew I took that much but did not want to prescribe narcotics so they told me to do what I had to do. My current PCP of five years, told me to stop taking them immediately on my first appointment. She diagnosed the cause of my pain and prescribed me a narcotic. I am lucky that I do not have a hole in my stomach lining or worse yet that I did not have a fatal GI bleed.  

As Sandee mentioned there are medications such as tramadol that will be easier on your stomach lining than the IB as well as control you pain better. I too encourage you to seek out another PCP or a PMP that will help you select a medication that both of you can agree upon. Don't risk a serious GI Bleed.

Please let us know your progress. We will look forward to your updates. Good luck and as always, Take Care, Tuck

[sandee1818]

I believe it is time to seek out a new doctor as taking that much advil is definitely dangerous to your body. Have you tried tramadol? There are options for you if you want to stray away from narcotics but you need to have a doctor who will listen and tell you what options are available to you.
Please stop taking these medications as they are so very harmful in that amount over a long period of time.

[Mollyrae]

Yikes, You really need to stop taking the Advil and find another form of pain relief. With Your Doctor being forgetful (old age??) it is in your best interest to find another Doctor. I don't know of any competent Doctor who would let you take that amount of Advil on a daily basis for that long of a period.
Common sense will tell you that taking medication in that amount is harmful. I feel that you should seek out a specialist who is familiar with the back like an Orthopedic Surgeon and let them determine what is best for you.
It sounds as if you already have some intestinal issues going on and should have that looked at as well.
Please find a new Doctor and let them take over your health. Please take care and good luck.
Molly