Ibuprofen- how long is it safe to take it?

[Gandalf]

My foray into running continues, but I'm having trouble with what appears to be Plantar Fasciitis.

I've found that Ibuprofen is quite effective at dealing with it.

I don't like taking drugs at the best of times, are there likely to be any side effects and how long can I safely carry on taking it?

[Jaded]

Stomach bleeds and indigestion. I take mine after a meal, or with a bananana.

[Crystal Tips]

For RSI I have been recommended by my GP to take Ibuprofen for a month, 3 times a day, as long as I take with food.
I wasnt keen to take that many drugs, but it did help....
 

[Lady Cavendish]

Plantar fasciitis is my mastermind subject

Unless you are v lucky, it will last too long to keep taking it. I think it's too harsh on the stomach to take for long periods

[rogerzilla]

People with arthritis take large doses for years.  It's a balance between the long term health risks and the immediate benefits.

The answer is...do what your doctor tells you.

I would never take a painkiller as a prophylactic.  If you're causing the problem, stop doing whatever is causing it.

[Eccentrica Gallumbits]

The answer is...do what your doctor tells you.

This.

The surgeon said to me on Thursday I can have ibuprofen in 400mg doses if I want, or 500mg mefenamic acid, as long as I take it with food, but I wouldn't recommend anyone take those doses regularly without discussing it with a doctor.

[Biggsy]

People with arthritis take large doses for years.

Yes, my mother's been taking ibruprofen for arthritis for years, with no ill-effect as far as can be told.

It's best to avoid it (or get advice) though even if you've had a history of stomach problems, let alone current stomach problems.  I don't use it for this reason.  Bugger.  Other pain killers might kill pain, but anti-inflammatories can prevent certain pains in the first place.

[mrcharly-YHT]

Taking a pain killer doesn't 'deal' with an athletic injury. It just helps you to carry on.

Sort out the cause. Try a visit to a specialist running shop such as 'Up and Running'.

[andygates]

Taking a pain killer doesn't 'deal' with an athletic injury. It just helps you to carry on.

Sort out the cause. Try a visit to a specialist running shop such as 'Up and Running'.

...continuing to run on painkillers is silly, yes.

I suspect the OP was talking about drugging while waiting for recovery to come along.

If not: that's silly.

[drossall]

I've had a problem with an inflamed nerve in my arm this year. Kept me off the bike for three months.

I was probably on Ibuprofen for two of those, on medical advice. No ill effects noticed.

[Gandalf]

Just for clarity I'm more interested in the anti-inflammatory aspects. 

The pain isn't that bad, particularly if I'm careful with mileage, the arch discomfort has gone right down and I just have achy heels now.  No problems with cycling though, did a hilly 60 miles yesterday with no issues.  I haven't been to the doc's with it as I find them willfully unhelpful wrt to anything they can pigeon hole as a sports injury.  I've always found my stomach to be very robust indeed.  I'll just see how it goes.