View Full Version : Allergic to Ibuprofen - Is That Going to Make A Through Hike Much Harder?
I just learned that I'm allergic to Ibuprofen and consequently, can't take any anti-inflammatory drugs. I know "vitamin I" is well loved on the trail. Any suggestions to keep my muscles happy and inflammations at bay? I can take Tylenol by the way to deal with pain.
garlic08
01-07-2011, 10:01
Not everyone takes Ibuprofen. I never touch the stuff, neither does my 65-year old hiking partner. I like my liver the way it is. Try strengthening exercise (ease into the hike), hydration, rest, and good nutrition.
HiKen2011
01-07-2011, 10:03
Aspirin is great, can you take it? Offers several health benefits for the cardiovascular sytem! Fish oil is good to.
Rocket Jones
01-07-2011, 10:03
What garlic said. I can't use Ibuprofen because of a daily prescription I take.
Are you allergic to all NSAIDs (Non Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory), or just ibruprofen? Naproxen Sodium (Alieve) and Aspirin (Salicylic Acid) are radically different chemical compounds from ibruprofen, so you might be able to take them, but often allergy to one NSAID can cause sensitivity to many others.
Unless you actually injure yourself, or have some source of chronic pain, I don't see why anybody who's smart about hiking would absolutely HAVE to take painkillers every single day to keep going. Stretch, keep a reasonable pace, take breaks when necessary, etc. There are lots of things you can do for pain management besides swallowing a chemical factory every 8 hours.
If you do need some pain relief and you really are allergic to all NSAIDs, there is always Tylenol, but you should use it sparingly. Cox-2 Inhibitors like Meloxicam and Celebrex are often tolerated well by folks with NSAID allergies, but they are prescription only, and carry some potentially serious side effects.
Now all that being said, let me hijack your thread for a minute. There's a common misconception that ibruprofen can cause significant toxicity, particularly to your liver. This is not true. Ibruprofen is one of the safest OTC painkillers out there other than aspirin. In massive doses (several times recommended dose, for a prolonged period of time), it can cause kidney damage and neurological symptoms, but its never been shown to have an affinity for the liver. It CAN cause stomach issues in frequent users, so care must be taken, but I was on a prescribed regimen of 2,400mg of the stuff a day (that's 12 regular pills, twice the OTC dose) for more than 2 years following a back and nerve injury. I never displayed any of the toxicity signs, never had an ulcer (eat when you take the @#&! things!), and my kidney function was perfect the entire time.
I completely respect people's desire to keep themselves chemical free as much as possible. It's a noble and probably life-prolonging strategy. That being said, if you're in pain, don't let people hollering about pooping your own liver out keep you from taking medicine that's safe and effective.
The drug folks are confusing it with there is Tylenol, which can be a nasty little bastard, even in doses only slightly higher than recommended. It will fry your liver pretty quickly if abused. If you are forced to go with Tylenol for pain relief, consult a doctor first and educate yourself on the do's and don'ts.
-Smalls
Also, a disclaimer I should have put in my first post. I'm not a doctor. I have some medical training, but it is limited when it comes to drugs and medications. Most of this stuff I know because I spent years managing chronic pain, and I made it a point to read up on everything I was taking to prevent doing any serious damage to myself. Talk to your doctor, talk to your doctor, talk to your doctor.
When you're done talking to your doctor, go find another doctor, and talk to him. Educate yourself! You will be much safer and more comfortable if you do.
-Smalls
royalusa
01-07-2011, 11:31
I wonder if there aren't more thru-hikers than we realize that go without "Vitamin I". We were in our mid 40s when we thru-hiked. We popped the stuff probably less than 5 times on the trail, and the majority of the time it was for wicked headaches. However, with that being said, we did "train" for our hike and we did start out slow in order to avoid overusage injuries.
LoneRidgeRunner
01-07-2011, 11:38
My thoughts are.....if you only have minor pain..grin and bear it.....as some one who had a serious drug problem in the 70's I only take what I absolutely can't do without...I tolerate some pretty bad pain before I take anything now...over the counter or prescription....regular exercise before hiking will alleviate much of the pain...I believe "habits" whether "in the head" or physical can be formed with regular use of just about anything from OTC pain killers to anything....be good to your body by only using drugs of any kind if you absolutely have to..
fiddlehead
01-07-2011, 11:38
I never take the stuff.
I don't trust drug claims that i see advertised on TV.
I'm not saying it doesn't do a job, just that I feel that the body will heal itself in a better way.
Tenderheart
01-07-2011, 12:23
I ate ibuprofen like popcorn in 2000. As a runner since 1984, leg pain and stiffness has been a way of life for me. Recently and quite by accident, I have found that tonic water with quinnine greatly alleviates my need for any medication. Now all you have to do is find a source along the trail and your problems will be solved. Seriously, the effects seem to be residual so maybe you could drink the stuff during town stops. Has anyone else had similar results?
litefoot 2000
Thanks everyone for your feedback. It's good to hear there are plenty of through hikers that do the hike with little or no drugs. I am not a pill popper myself, just heard so many stories about Vitamin I that it made me wonder if it was a necessity. Glad to hear it is not. I unfortunately (or fortunately) was told no NSAIDs, so it's only Tylenol for me. I'll try fish oil though and start taking that now. It comes in capsules so is easy to take. As for the tonic water, I was told to drink it for an eye twitch, but not sure about joints. Don't mind drinking it though and certainly can't hurt. I am training regularly so that should also help avoid injury. Thanks again for your feedback. Really looking forward to the hike!
the goat
01-07-2011, 14:00
I just learned that I'm allergic to Ibuprofen and consequently, can't take any anti-inflammatory drugs. I know "vitamin I" is well loved on the trail. Any suggestions to keep my muscles happy and inflammations at bay? I can take Tylenol by the way to deal with pain.
i think the only time i took ibuprofen was for a hangover. you'll be fine, unless you happen to drink many cheap beers while in town.
Joshuatree
01-07-2011, 16:21
I ate ibuprofen like popcorn in 2000. As a runner since 1984, leg pain and stiffness has been a way of life for me. Recently and quite by accident, I have found that tonic water with quinnine greatly alleviates my need for any medication. Now all you have to do is find a source along the trail and your problems will be solved. Seriously, the effects seem to be residual so maybe you could drink the stuff during town stops. Has anyone else had similar results?
litefoot 2000
Litefoot,
The Quinnine is prescibed as a treatment for leg cramps. A couple of the retired guys I used to work with were on it, and one was told just to drink tonic water, although he added some vodka and a lime slice to his. It did the trick for them and is cheaper and safer then the other treatent options.
FatherTime09
01-07-2011, 16:32
Turmeric, cayenne pepper, garlic, & ginger are all good natural anti-inflammatories. I know I've seen turmeric in capsule form, I'm sure the others are available. Or you could buy the powder in bulk and capsule a mixture yourself and probably save some money. You could even pop a few open to add to meals when appropriate.
Blissful
01-07-2011, 19:31
Tumeric is good for inflammation from what my PT guy once said.
I also used just plain Tylenol on account of ulcers. Worked fine
I also used an anti inlfammatory cream for some muscle issues
Careful with those anti-inflammatory creams though, many of them contain aspirin.
-Smalls
Careful with those anti-inflammatory creams though, many of them contain aspirin.
-SmallsYeah and this could cause a serious reaction in someone who may be allergic:confused:
Yup, if Cora has been advised to avoid all NSAIDs, they can be absorbed through the skin. An anti-inflammatory cream containing aspirin could be a big problem in a hurry.
-Smalls
Thank you Smalls for your informed comments. I'm not a doctor either(that's actually good in some ways, IMO). I'm a landscape Architect and Horticulturalist with heavy interests in nutrition(my brother is a Nutritionists), long distance backpacking, and assuming a pro-active position towards my health.
Like Fiddlehead, I don't trust drug claims as advertised on TV either. I'm alarmed that 48 % of Americans are on one pharmaceutical drug and that trace amounts, no matter how small, are being detected in public water supplies. The Pharmaceutical Industry/companies HEAVILY influence the direction of western medical education in this country in so many more ways than this thread can contain!
Briefy, Ibuprofen is sometimes confused with other more prolific OTC liver damaging NSAIDs or non-NSAIDS drugs, like Tylenol, for example, as Smalls mentioned. There have been documented cases in a very small percentage of Ibuprofen users regarding elevated liver functions. There have also been documented fatalities associated with Ibuprofen-induced hepatitis. These fatalities were mentioned in some media outlets. People probably confused those cases with the cases involving Tylenol and over estimated the possible risks to the liver with Ibuprofen. Another problem, not directly caused by Ibuprofen itself, as Smalls alluded to, and as Litefoot 2000 has aptly demonstrated( I ate ibuprofen like popcorn in 2000), is when Ibuprofen users, "Vit I", misuse the drug by exceeding the recommended dosage several fold for prolonged duration, which can result in medical problems. Despite written directions on the side of the package, some users still maintain the thought, "if a little is good, more has to be better." I have witnessed this attitude by hikers on more occasions than I can recall!
IMO, one of the wisest things Smalls said, and I can attest to as a prolific long distance hiker, is, "unless you actually injure yourself, or have some source of chronic pain, I don't see why anybody who's smart about hiking would absolutely HAVE to take painkillers every single day to keep going. Stretch, keep a reasonable pace, take breaks when necessary, etc. There are lots of things you can do for pain management besides swallowing a chemical factory every 8 hours."
Cora, I think it wise you understood that lifestyle and dietary choices can have a profound pro-inflammatory response in the body. If you do some research to understand what they are(you might be very surprised to find out some of the things that cause inflammation!, doctors don't always inform patients of these critical causal components!) and take steps to eliminate those things from your life you would be MUCH BETTER off than simply masking the symptoms of inflammation. Aim to find the CAUSES of continuing inflammation and address those causes!
In addition to prescription non-NSAIDS, that might work for you, as Smalls said, and the good natural anti-inflammatories FatherTime09 already accurately mentioned, here are some other natural anti-inflammatories, pain relievers, and foods to possibly seek out:
green tea(flavonoids in green tea have been shown to have anti-inflammatory properties, includes some powerful anti-oxidants, I have been changing over from consuming coffee on a daily basis to green tea, I feel better!)
papain(from papaya, I live in Hawaii part of the yr, where papaya is grown, and seek to consume fresh ripe papaya every 2 -3 days)
Bromelain(from pineapples, an ingredient in Adolph's Meat tenderizer, Bromelain tenderizes meat like your sore hiking legs!, I have used this as an anti-inflammatory, it helped!, of course it's grown in Hawaii where I buy it fresh and ripened on the plant!, delish!)
Boswellia serrata(have taken this to reduce inflammation with mild results)
SAM-e(S-Adenosyl methionine, I take 400 mg of this everyday for joint comfort, liver health and mood support)
Omega 3's(fish oil, I'm a pesce vegetarian seeking to eat fresh wild caught fish high in Omega 3's 2-3 times per wk, olive and Grapeseed oils, I use olive oil)
Grape Seed (Extract) (reduces swelling and interferes with histamine, I take this while on the trail, also contains some powerful anti-oxidants)
Quercetin(found in some foods and also as a supplement, blocks the release of histamine)
Dark colored berries (blueberries, raspberries, strawberries, acai(juice), cranberries, pomegranetes(juice), etc, contain a smorgashbord of GREAT ingredients including vital phytonutrients!, I seek these foods out in abundance!)
Devil's Claw (contains the anti-inflammatory harpogoside, I think I spelled that right!, have only used this VERY limited in herbal teas, can not attest to its effectiveness)
White Willow Bark(contains naturally occurring salicylic acid as opposed to the synthetic version(Aspirin), which some folks have specific problems with, I can take Aspirin which I do rather than specifically seeking out White Willow Bark, it works!)
Arnica(montana)( topical, tinctures, and pill form, has helped me slightly reduce inflammation in the topical form, forget the % of arnica though!)
Curcumin (the active anti-inflammatory in the spice turmeric, I only have taken this while consuming turmeric containing foods)
capasacin(I might not have spelled that right, active anti-inflammatory in cayenne peppers, don't worry, you don't have to consume massive amounts of cayenne peppers to see results, it's an active ingredient in some anti-inflammatory topical creams, don't get it in your eyes!, it works!)
Glucosamine sulfate(joint support, I take 1500- 2000 mg of this everyday whether hiking or not, IMO, it DEFINITELY comforts(cushions my joints!)
Chondroitin sulfate(joint support, I take it in pill form 1200 mg per day, has helped me!)
You might ask your alternative or integrative medical physician about these products/supplements. And, as always, talk with your doctor, no matter where he or she was trained, about what you plan on doing. Above all else, seek out a doctor who has experience with these alternatives. You DO NOT have to have a bad trail experience because "Vit I" is off the menu!
And something else to be aware of is the pain relieving drug Acetaminophen, which is what Tylenol contains I believe. Severe liver damage can occur if you take too much, and also if you consume alcohol with it (3 or more drinks a day):-?.
Aye Dogwood, my comments about ibruprofen should have said "This is overstated" not "This is untrue". There have been liver issues in a small group of people who took ibruprofen frequently. The studies I read showed that there was a strong correlation between those complications and other risk factors, like drinking and taking certain other drugs, but complications without a secondary risk factor are very rare. At recommended doses, unless you're an alcoholic, have hepatitis, or some other condition that weakens your liver, it is exceedingly unlikely.
Tylenol, on the other hand, contributes to or is directly responsible for the death of (by some estimates, I don't have a study to back me here, just a news article) *up to* 1,000 people annually in the US. The number is likely a bit less than that, given my source, but regardless, it is far more likely to have long term negative health affects when taken at the recommended dose. In 3 years as an EMT, I've personally seen two fatalities and one complete hepatic failure requiring a transplant related to tylenol overdoses (one was intentional, one accidental, and one was recreational drug abuse gone wrong). I suspect in the next decade we'll probably see it pulled from shelves, as soon as some other non-NSAID pain reliever becomes readily available.
-Smalls
Very well stated again Smalls. Thank you, again, for your informed comments!
Thank you again for all the great feedback! Very interesting and helpful. I'm going to look into some of these natural alternatives. Tylenol will be coming with me on the Trail, but I will most definitely use it sparingly. If I find through my research other great alternatives, I'll report back to everyone here.
Lone Wolf
01-08-2011, 08:00
how about Aleve?
john gault
01-08-2011, 08:22
Thank you again for all the great feedback! Very interesting and helpful. I'm going to look into some of these natural alternatives. Tylenol will be coming with me on the Trail, but I will most definitely use it sparingly. If I find through my research other great alternatives, I'll report back to everyone here.
You can't get any more natural than lifting free weights (not machines, they can't mimmick natural movement). I started around your age and my bum knee is now only an occasional problem and I'm more active now, including being a runner. Here's some more info http://www.stumptuous.com/old-broads-the-golden-years-of-pumping-iron
john gault
01-08-2011, 08:24
BTW, I also don't take any of them OTC "pain killers". Everyone talks about them because it's a herd-mentality thing.
FatherTime09
01-08-2011, 12:37
Most everything Dogwood cited I've seen before as well (wonder if he rattled all that off the top of his head?) I've had good experiences with both capsacin and arnica topically.
Also, I remembered I read recently that walnuts were good for inflammation. Which is good news, as I'm sure most hikers are already eating them at least some of the time.
Another thing I've had good experience with is magnesium. I've been using this powder (http://www.therawfoodworld.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=0&products_id=1000747)& you can also try this lotion (http://www.therawfoodworld.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=100172_100317&products_id=1004223). I've only tried a lotion once while on the trail and it worked wonderfully.
I think chamomile tea is good for headaches and is an anti inflammatory. Also good for anxiety and insomnia.
HiKen2011
01-08-2011, 13:01
And something else to be aware of is the pain relieving drug Acetaminophen, which is what Tylenol contains I believe. Severe liver damage can occur if you take too much, and also if you consume alcohol with it (3 or more drinks a day):-?.
Amen to that, I have liver issues. Just found out about a month ago.:(
I hiked two years in a row. The first year I had a lot of pain and took a lot of ibuprofen. Not that it ever really did any good. The second year I had better shoes so I had very little pain. I rarely took any ibuprofen.
Pay attention to your feet and don't just get the same shoes everybody else does just because they say they are the best. Everybody else said they needed lots of support and raved about certain brands. Well, lots of support and one of those brands drove me off the trail. Shoes with more flexibility and cushioned insoles instead of supportive ones were MUCH better for me. Much better meaning I didn't end up with broken bones and severe pain.
I gave myself a foot massage every night. That seemed to help, too.