Donating and Ibuprofen

[green1981]

For those of you who have donated are you able to take ibuprofen now? I have horrible menstrual cramps and ibuprofen is the only thing that helps. I take it 3-4 days out of the month. I've heard you can't take NSAIDs after donating. I'm worried if I donate then I won't be able to take ibuprofen for my cramps??

[Oxford888]

Hi, generally it is off the menu .. Though i was told in small batches its ok (headache) but not to use for a long time regular issue. Your donor team / would answer all these questions and probably suggest ways around your problem.

[SisterSangre]

I was told early on to only take Tylenol and avoid ibuprofin. But like earlier reply, contact your transplant team nurse to confirm.

[Philly57]

I am a physician and a kidney donor, 2 years ago. My creatinine now lives around 1.5. Regular use of NSAIDs is a known cause of kidney injury, so as solitary kidney patients we should avoid regular use of NSAIDs. Having said that, IMO, occasional use will not cause harm and I do occasionally use Naprosyn. I think once per month would not be objected to by your kidney team. I am assuming Tylenol does not work.

[green1981 in reply to Philly57]

Thank you for the input. My cramps are so terrible to the point of vomiting and almost passing out from the pain. I dread it every month. Tylenol does not work unfortunately

[GivingOne]

I used Anti Inflammatory OTC before as well and was also told by my transplant team to try and avoid them. They informed me of a Tylenol OTC, that I wasn't familiar with since its hard to find. It's not mass produced so make sure the bottle says exactly this and not the regular one. It's geared to Muscle Aches & Pain.

OTC Tylenol that works like a anti-inflammatory.

[green1981 in reply to GivingOne]

oh thank you for this info! Where do you buy it?

[GivingOne in reply to green1981]

YW, I always go on Walgreens or Walmart to do store locator for who has it in stock. Don't trust it to be shipped to you by them cause the wrong one has arrived. Amazon has them sometimes too. They're 650mg PER tablet as well. You will see these are NOT like the regular Tylenol immediately.

[green1981 in reply to GivingOne]

thank you I will try them

[GivingOne in reply to green1981]

YW keep me posted 😍

[SoniaBrummer]

I'm a donor 13 years post op. I am not a doctor, but I am under the impression that ibuprofen should be avoided, but it is an option. It isn't the best option. I think your care team will ask how many doses you take in those 3-4 days a month. I do not take it regularly, but I take it if I need it an there are no other options around and I haven't had any problems. It is hard on your kidneys whether you have one or two kidneys.