How often do you take OTC pain meds?
lporter229
Posts: 4,907 Member
As a 43 year old runner, I find myself relying more and more on Tylenol to take away those daily aches and pains (mostly joint related). I am just wondering if this is normalcy for someone my age or if I should be concerned about over training. For the sake of discussion, I guess it would also be appropriate to mention that I have had issues with Crohn's related arthritis. But the point of this post is really just to see how often other runners use OTC pain meds. Thanks in advance for your input.
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One advil, at least once a day.
And not for the broken ankle - that doesn't hurt at all, didn't even when I broke it.
It's for the mysteriousness that is my right leg0 -
Almost never, the exception being when I have a headache I can't shake.0
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Hmmm. I probably take IB profin on average 1x a week. I get headaches a lot. Some times I take it if i'm in a lot of running pain. I would just ask your Doc. When I mention how often I take IB profin, they don't even bat an eye :-/0
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Never. I throw out more out of date pain medication than I use.0
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I've read studies where the use of nsaids will actually extend recovery time and prevent muscle rebuilding. They also can cause a host of other issues if used for prolonged periods of time. Tylenol is not a nsaid so it would be the choice to use over IB Profin or Advil for headaches and minor pain if you are training hard and have soreness. Some studies have also found Tylenol to increase endurance. I for the most part try to avoid them all together unless I have a headache.
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Hmmm. I probably take IB profin on average 1x a week. I get headaches a lot. Some times I take it if i'm in a lot of running pain. I would just ask your Doc. When I mention how often I take IB profin, they don't even bat an eye :-/
I take Tylenol 1-2 times per week. At one point I was taking it almost daily. My doctor did not see this as an issue at all. I think I am more concerned with the idea that I need pain meds than I am about actually taking them.
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I don't take OTCs for any muscle/exercise related pain because that's the type of ache/pain I like to keep an eye on. I get awful headaches though at least every other week, and I take ibuprofen + acetaminophen together to make them go away.0
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I'll take acetaminophen as part of cold/sinus medication, and occasionally ibuprofen or aleve for a bad headache. I try to avoid NSAIDs for running injuries, though, because I buy into the theory that they (and ice!) can slow down recovery. I will ice a bad bruise or a twisted joint, though.
Acetaminophen can be bad news bears if you're taking it consistently over a long period of time. Listen to this This American Life episode. It'll give you the willies.0 -
Acetaminophen can be bad news bears if you're taking it consistently over a long period of time. Listen to this This American Life episode. It'll give you the willies.
As part of my ongoing treatment for Crohn's disease, I have a complete blood panel done every 6 weeks, which includes liver function, so I feel fairly comfortable taking acetaminophen. I have been advised against taking NSAIDs, as they can exacerbate the effects of Crohn's disease in the digestive tract. That's an interesting link, though.
So based on most of the responses, I am feeling like most people don't have nagging aches and pains from running, or if they do, it's just grin and bear it. I think I used to be in that boat until recently. Maybe I do need to consider a step back in training. Thanks for the replies.
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About once a year. The side effects aren't worth it.0
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I take Aleve once in a blue moon, but I did find less need for relief when I slowed down as I brought mileage up. For me, that took away the long run aches I use to have.0
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Never, unless there's an actual injury. I'm 44 and do get some aches and soreness after workouts, but I consider that normal. Nothing good stretching and a good night's sleep doesn't cure. One of my knees tends to ache right after a run (injury from flag football eons ago), but the same protocol works...some rest and it's fine the next day.0
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Never if running.
If injured take a med and rest.
If sore, it comes with the activity.
At age 60, I've learned a few things about aches and pains.0 -
My answer is it depends. If there are a few minor aches and pains, I might not take anything. A little more soreness and pain, I might take a Tylenol or aspirin (I prefer aspirin over Tylenol for pain and inflammation) to offer temporary relief and comfort. But I've generally avoided taking anything just so I can run. I've done it before with mixed results. Better to monitor the aches and pains rather than having them concealed or deadened.
An example: I ran hill repeats this morning and what hurts are the glutes not the quads. It's a delayed onset soreness. Now, I don't expect to have to take anything today. If it is interfering with my sleep tonight, I'll probably take something. Tomorrow is a rest day, so unless I'm really having some pain, I probably won't take anything tomorrow. My next run is Sunday and I won't take anything before that run. I'll reassess after the run.
That said, I don't mind taking some OTC pain medication for normal functioning if there are some workout related pains. I just have no interest in relying upon them to get me through day.
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42 and I don't take any pain meds, esp not for anything related to running or working out. Occasionally if I have a headache that relaxing doesn't help, I take Depon (Tylenol). Sometimes if I push too hard, too long, in too much heat I get one of those headaches so I guess that's sort of running related but it's very rare, is every couple months. But I'm a verrrrrrrrrrrrrrry slow, easy runner--I guess if I pushed harder my answer might be different. ;-)0
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I generally take one dose of ibuprofen after runs that are longer than a half marathon but nothing more than that.0
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Those who do take pain meds for running soreness, what sort of mileage are you clocking?0
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Very Rarely, I'm 46 and running around 70 miles a week. If you're having to take them too often there could be an issue rather than attempt to cover it up maybe try and solve the problem (which could be as simple as different shoes) would be my advice0
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I don't think mileage and pain always go hand in hand; the factors for pain are so varied. I remember my physiology professor once said "pain is it's own textbook, it's own course." Shoes, age, "prior ware" (past injuries, etc), prior training, past pain experices...but too fast, too much, too often probably plays a big role.
But many here do not do that and still need it now and then. I think that's where the other million factors come in!0 -
I might take an OTC med after a long run if I am feeling more sore than usual. But never on a daily basis.0
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isulo_kura wrote: »Very Rarely, I'm 46 and running around 70 miles a week. If you're having to take them too often there could be an issue rather than attempt to cover it up maybe try and solve the problem (which could be as simple as different shoes) would be my advice
That's some awesome weekly mileage you're clocking! Are you training for anything?0 -
I am 50 and run between 60-80km per week. I only had to take ibuprofen when I had a running relate overuse injury, but then I also saw a sports therapist and I had to rest from running for three weeks. Otherwise never.0
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Very rarely, if ever. Of course, I have been lucky and had no real pain other than standard muscle soreness and fatigue and occasional VERY minor shin pain.0
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I must admit. I am rather surprised to read so many who say they never use. I thought it was a rather common practice. I mean, I am not sure I have ever done it for a simple run. But i certainly have for my sports activities -- tennis, soccer, etc.
I was pretty sure everybody did.
Good to know. It seems that NSAID use before exercise, or while healing from a soft-tissue injury is not a good idea.0 -
Rarely these days. I used to pop a handful of assorted painkillers after my bull rides, when I used to rodeo, though that was more to be able to enjoy the after party. Definitely not a smart thing.
Bad headaches these days will end up with some panadol(paracetamol) anything muscular is usually grin and bare it.0 -
DavidMartinez2 wrote: »Almost never, the exception being when I have a headache I can't shake.
I am exactly the same! Even for headaches, pain killers are a last resort. Usually caffeine or sleep solves the problem for me.0 -
I must admit. I am rather surprised to read so many who say they never use. I thought it was a rather common practice. I mean, I am not sure I have ever done it for a simple run. But i certainly have for my sports activities -- tennis, soccer, etc.
I was pretty sure everybody did.
Good to know. It seems that NSAID use before exercise, or while healing from a soft-tissue injury is not a good idea.
Pain is an indicator of something wrong, injured, or overused. Taking pain meds masks the symptom but doesn't 'fix' anything. Taking pain meds can actually worsen an injury by hiding what your body is trying to tell you.
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beemerphile1 wrote: »I must admit. I am rather surprised to read so many who say they never use. I thought it was a rather common practice. I mean, I am not sure I have ever done it for a simple run. But i certainly have for my sports activities -- tennis, soccer, etc.
I was pretty sure everybody did.
Good to know. It seems that NSAID use before exercise, or while healing from a soft-tissue injury is not a good idea.
Pain is an indicator of something wrong, injured, or overused. Taking pain meds masks the symptom but doesn't 'fix' anything. Taking pain meds can actually worsen an injury by hiding what your body is trying to tell you.
Thank you for clarifying that. I guess I wasn't clear.
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I'm 52 and (knock on wood) I do not have any daily aches and pains to contend with. Race effort ultras of 50 miles or more with a lot of climbing means my legs ache enough that I can't sleep. Pain meds take the edge off so that I can rest. It's pretty specific situations when I choose to use them. But the day to day stuff almost never.0
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michellemybelll wrote: »isulo_kura wrote: »Very Rarely, I'm 46 and running around 70 miles a week. If you're having to take them too often there could be an issue rather than attempt to cover it up maybe try and solve the problem (which could be as simple as different shoes) would be my advice
That's some awesome weekly mileage you're clocking! Are you training for anything?
@michellemybelll I have a 50 miler in July.
@tufel
I think 10 years ago it was more common I think now people have more knowledge and are also thinking of the long term possible effectsI must admit. I am rather surprised to read so many who say they never use. I thought it was a rather common practice. I mean, I am not sure I have ever done it for a simple run. But i certainly have for my sports activities -- tennis, soccer, etc.
I was pretty sure everybody did.
Good to know. It seems that NSAID use before exercise, or while healing from a soft-tissue injury is not a good idea.0
