A bit of advice please

[Deverdad]

Hi everyone. I have Eosinophils Asthma and take Mepolizumab injection plus use a couple of steroid inhalers. I am please to say that my asthma is well under control and I am able to exercise. Prior to the asthma I successfully used ibuprofen to help with inflammation. This now "conflicts" with my asthma drugs. Does anyone know what I can take to reduce muscle / tendon inflammation now please? I am not after pain relief I know I can take aspirin etc.

[Gareth57]

I have been told by one dr to keep clear of ibuprofen/aspirin etc because of having a scary exacerbation then another dr said it would be ok to use ibuprofen gel, but I've never plucked up the courage to try.

[Deverdad in reply to Gareth57]

thank you - I tried it was terrible ....

[Lysistrata Administrator Community Ambassador]

The ibuprofen doesn't conflict with the asthma drugs so much as it can conflict with the asthma. And that goes for aspirin too unfortunately, though paracetamol is ok for most people with asthma - but I'm aware that doesn't address inflammation in the same way as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and aspirin though!

I will say that not all asthmatics need to avoid ibuprofen/other NSAIDs/aspirin completely. It's a minority of typically severe asthmatics (if you're on mepolizumab you'd probably fit the 'severe' definition), and some people can still take them. However it can be a severe reaction, so sometimes you might be told to just avoid them entirely.

You can I think be ok and then suddenly start reacting, which is another reason to be careful. It seems to be particularly associated with problems for people who have asthma and also nasal polyps and sinus problems, though it isn't just this group who can have problems.

You might want to give the nurses on the helpline a ring and see if they can help: 0300 2225800 or WhatsApp [phone] Monday-Friday 0915-5pm

[Deverdad in reply to Lysistrata]

Thank you Lysistrata . Yes its the asthma thats impacted not the drugs (my poor wording sorry) I have tried ibuprofen and it was terrible .... both times!

I'll reach out to the nurses as you suggest - thanks again, col. best wishes

[Gareth57 in reply to Lysistrata]

I fit in your last category, not severe but I suddenly started to react to ibuprofen and aspirin, which led to about 4 hours of struggling to breath speak and move about but once the drug started to wear of I started to recover