I'm 67 and diagnosed with Asthma about 16 months ago. Before my diagnosis, I took Ibuprofin to help with pain and swelling in my hands. I was told not to take Ibuprofin any more.
Is this a common experience? I'd like to hear from people in a similar situation and how I might progress now with my hand swelling.
Thanks.
I have had Asthma for several years. Lately I have been having problems with knee pain. The doctor told me not to take Ibuprofen orally, but to use Ibuprofen gel. He also prescribed Co-codamol for nighties when the pain stops me from sleeping.
Hi YellowCyclist. Yes, I have been told the same thing, but risked it recently when I had back pain. I’m not 100% sure it is an asthma thing or an age thing as my husband has been told the same and he hasn’t got asthma.
I find Volterol gel works very well for pain, but unfortunately my asthma definitely doesn’t like that.
I think it states on the ibuprofen leaflet not to take if you have asthma. Personally, it's very bad for my stomach so avoid it anyway. I too use Voltorol when desperate, it's Diclofenac rather than ibuprofen but still an NSAIDS drug
Some people find ibuprofen triggers their asthma
Ibuprofen and other NSAIDs (eg aspirin, diclofenac, naproxen) can trigger asthma in some people so asthmatics are often warned to stay off it. I am ok with it personally but that's me, I know that, so I wouldn't suggest anyone else take it.
As peege says, NSAIDs aren't great for your stomach - some people might be ok with that short-term but it's not great long-term. Do you know why you get pain and swelling in your hands? I would be asking your GP about that as it might help to know the cause and look at other treatment options.
And I don't think it's just a normal part of being in your late 60s so don't let them dismiss it as age-related. Even if it were, it must be affecting your life with the pain and the fact that hands are pretty essential things - so something you can take to help that's ok long-term is still worth exploring.
Sounds like arthritis? I have had to take ibuprofen as well as major pain killers as it's anti inflammatory, my guts don't like it so I only take one a day. Was told years ago it eats your gut lining so always take with a meal.I also use Ibuleve and do hand ex. as they seize up . My pal has special gloves that really help, ask your doc.
I've been told by pharmacists that asthmatics should not use ibuprofen.
Hi Yellow Cyclist The Dr told me not to take ibuprofen
When I was diagnosed with asthma, yrs ago.
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I’ve always been told to avoid any aspirin products. However, my doctor - who is very experienced and excellent incidentally - has also told me not all the gels are the same and to try different ones until I find one that doesn’t affect my asthma as much. She was right and Movelat was tolerable last time I had back pain.
However, I have found turmeric gels much better and absolutely fine with my asthma. I get mine from PureExtracts.
Hi, I have been avoiding Ibuprofen since being diagnosed with Asthma at 25 but as I developed osteoarthritis after turning 50 three years ago and the usual painkillers don’t work my GP suggested to try Ibuprofen anyway. I was hesitant but tried it. It didn’t affect my asthma but my blood pressure shot up so I personally will never touch it again. When my knees swell up I follow up my physiotherapist’s advice and use ice packs. Have you tried that on your hands?
I also cannot take ibuprofen (I have late onset asthma), so I take paracetamol and wear light compression gloves to help with arthritis related pain and swelling in my hands. Hope this helps.
I think there may be many drugs that can exacerbate or initiate asthma, without that side effect being listed in the leaflet. At 70, I was put on finasteride to reduce my prostrate. It's also used for baldness. Despite never having had asthma, I developed severe asthma within two months. Nothing in the leaflet about finasteride causing asthma.
Searched Reddit, and found several posts blaming finasteride for breathlessness. Stopped taking it, and my asthma was gone in a few weeks. Makes you wonder how many other drugs are causing severe illness.
Hi I've had Asthma for 27 years and I definitely don't take ibuprofen as on the odd occasion when I forget and then do any forms of cardio I suddenly realise how it was such a bad mistake as it really affects how I breath, so my advice is listern to what your doctor is saying as its true.
Years ago when I didn't realise how bad it was for us asthmatics they used to ask if you were asthmatic when buying Ibuprofen and times when I used to buy them for my ex wife they had stopped asking which I find ridiculous
I hope this helps
I’ve been told that ibuprofen aggravates asthma and that is why you shouldn’t take it. However, in times of need, I have taken it and not noticed any difference. I wouldn’t take it on a regular basis though and, as others have said, ibuprofen gel is safe to use.
I have asthma and bronchiectasis and take ibuprofen from time to time without ill effect.
I am new to asthma (have been diagnosed 7 years ago, and now most recently, with added COPD), but have had arthritis in my lower back, knees, and wrists as ince I was 14. I have a problem with pulmonary embolisms in the past four years, so I am on blood thinners - also a no for Ibuprofen. I was told to try Tylenol Arthritis. I also had prednisolone injections in my lower back for pain (but that didn't help for very long). I was prescribed Tramadol, but I refuse to take it as my research shows it is a very strong drug and you can get addicted to it very easily. They had even banned it in several countries for that very reason.
So, all that to say I use Tylenol Arthritis daily. It doesn't completely take away all the pain for me, but at least it allows me to keep working full time and still sleep through the night.
I was diagnosed with asthma at 40 and would take ibuprofen occasionally. I thought I would need to avoid it after being diagnosed but they said no, if I was OK with it before I could try it and see how it went. Anyway totally fine, doesn't affect my asthma at all.
I was okay for years taking ibuprofen, however I no longer tolerate as it makes my asthma worse. My advice would be not to risk it.
I don’t take ibuprofen it makes my asthma worse so I just completely avoid it
NSAIDs in general can trigger Asthma - My GP told me not to take Ibuprofin - I did not anyways as Ibuprofin can also trigger bleeding if you get severe indigestion.
hi. I have asthma. I do take ibuprofen occasionally and it doesn’t seem to affect me BUT I only usually have 1 dose and with food. We are all different and I was told to stay off ibuprofen. I do use co codamol as my main go to for pain at night The ibuprofen gel doesn’t help me I use voltarol and I find that helps me more No ibuprofen in it. Xx
I was only told recently not to take Ibuprofen / Aspirin, came as a complete surprise. I prefer them to paracetamol as they reduce inflammation. I then read somewhere that NSAIDs CAN trigger asthma in SOME people, but chances are if you've always taken them without problems it's likely to stay that way. Makes sense to me so I take the risk and continue to take them. But obviously this is no official medical advice.
I used to take aspirin for headaches and period pain without any problems, but out of the blue, when I was 24, I had an anaphylatic reaction to it. At first I didn't think it was the aspirin as I had taken it for years without any issues, but when I used aspirin again a couple of months later, I had another anaphylatic reaction, so that was the last time I took any NSAID tablet. I've tried NSAID gels, but they make me wheeze. Unfortunately, we can become allergic to things that were once well tolerated.
My respiratory consultant at the time was able to diagnose Aspirin Exacerbated Respiratory Disease (AERD) and I had to avoid all manner of foods, alcohol, preservatives, E numbers, sulphites. I was changed to dry powder inhalers too, as the aerosol propellant was a trigger. In many ways it was the turning point, as I went from being regularly hospitalised to zero hospital admissions for asthma.
I was lucky as it was such an obvious allergic reaction, some changes can be more subtle and can be a devil to identify.
I have suffered from asthma since childhood and have been categorically told many times never to take Ibuprofen orally for pain, but I can use Ibuprofen gel for joint pain. I just do as I'm told and hope the knee pain etc don't get any worse!
It's a very good point to raise and interesting to read the replies.I began to take Ibuprofen regularly fir back pain in my 50s. My asthma worsened and I was advised to stop taking ibuprofen, which I did. I relied on paracetemol and Zapain.
Last year I had knee pain and I thought surely a bit of Ibuleve will be fine. I applied this for about 5 days. Then I had the worst Asthma attack ever and was admitted to hospital.
I think the tough and frustrating part of Asthma is we are all different and have varied tolerances.
I do hope you can find the best way of treating your hands and at the same time manage your Asthma. Good luck and take care.
I was told by my asthma nurse that ibuprofen can cause problems for some asthmatics. However, if it doesn’t have an affect on me to carry on using it. I seem to be fine taking it, so I do.
I was told the same by my first asthma nurse as Swims above, the nurse was also an asthmatic. She said if ibruprofen had not caused issues with my breathing before my asthma diagnosis it was unlikely to do so afterwards. However, my digestive issues now rule it out, accept in gel form. But a few years ago I had a root canal filling, and on the advice of my dentist I took maximum paracetamol every 6 hours with ibuprofen in between and for the 3-4 days it took to get over the worst pain I had no issues with it. Perhaps discuss with pharmacist and or doctor for advice if your hand swelling is a long term condition.
Painkillers and Asthma
Ibuprofen
