Let’s discuss Ibuprofen for pancreatitis. I take it for acute pancreatitis, only acute pancreatitis. If you have chronic pancreatitis you may want to try taking Ibuprofen for pancreatitis daily but ask your doctor if it is safe to take with your current drug regimen.
Ibuprofen for pancreatitis is simply common sense but it is NOT a safe drug. Actually there are no safe drugs. A Big Pharma company could take something as safe as vitamin C and create a drug that would kill you so anytime you are dealing with a Big Pharma drug there is risk.
Ibuprofen For Pancreatitis – Risk vs Benefit
With acute pancreatitis there is risk as well, a lot of risk. Risk that it will escalate in to necrotizing pancreatitis (necrosis with infection), organ failure, bleeding, shock and/or death. Severe acute pancreatitis with complications poses a mortality risk of up to 30%.
There is also risk with Ibuprofen for pancreatitis and you need to be aware of the risk.
Why I Use Ibuprofen for Acute Pancreatitis?
I use Ibuprofen for acute pancreatitis because the risks are definitely outweighed by the benefits. The biggest benefit is that 800 milligrams of Ibuprofen will stop an acute pancreatitis attack where NOTHING else but other NSAIDs (aspirin, naproxen, etc) will.
When you cut out all the medical bullshit acute pancreatitis boils down to this …
Inflammation.
Nothing that the medical community does in the ER stops an acute attack within 90 minutes.
It takes them days!
They are slower than shit going up a rough tree!
They first try to determine whether or not you are having an acute attack. That is assuming you have already been there done that, have the pancreatitis hall of pain t-shirt and they (your local ER team) have actually recognized acute pancreatitis before and it is in your records. So while they are fiddle-fuckin’ around trying to determine what’s wrong your pancreas is eating itself and you are sustaining damage. Now…
When they come to the conclusion you are having another acute pancreatitis attack they do what?
They give you an opiate for pain.
Opiates only “mask” the pain. What is worse is that opiates are a known CAUSE of acute pancreatitis. And doctors give opiates for pancreatitis pain? Go figure huh?
So IF they work how do opiates work?
They trick your brain!
Yep, opiates trick the brain into believing you don’t hurt and most will take you on a pleasure cruise to exotic locations, or so I have heard. Frankly …
Demerol didn’t do shit for me, no pain relief, no pleasure cruise.
The sad thing, like I said a couple sentences up, is that opiates also CAUSE acute pancreatitis.
That is fact! But …
Even IF the opiates work for you “masking” the pain is not even close to the same thing as dealing with the inflammation, by using an anti-inflammatory drug like Ibuprofen for pancreatitis, which when eliminated also eliminates the pain.
Why does eliminating the inflammation with Ibuprofen for pancreatitis also relieve the pain?
Why does eliminating the inflammation with Ibuprofen for pancreatitis also relieve the pain?In the case of pancreatitis, eliminating the inflammation deactivates the enzymes. You see those enzymes are NOT suppose to activate until they reach your small intestine. However when your pancreas becomes inflamed, for whatever reason, those enzymes (trypsin) can activate early while still inside the pancreas. The inflammation causes the enzyme activation. And …
That is why once the inflammation is resolved, by using Ibuprofen for pancreatitis, the enzymes deactivate, they quit devouring your pancreas and the pain disappears. Read a previous post what happens during an acute pancreatitis attack
Anti-inflammatories are considered to be minor to moderate pain relievers because they relieve headache pain, arthritis pain and so on but the reason they work in those conditions is because they eliminate or relieve inflammation. The pain in those conditions is caused by inflammation as well so when an anti-inflammatory is used to eliminate the inflammation the pain resolves. In the case of Ibuprofen for pancreatitis larger doses are required than are those usually taken for joint pain and headaches.
Pancreatitis pain can be mild.
Pancreatitis pain can be moderate. But …
When demerol (used for moderate to severe pain) won’t even take the EDGE off the pain I wouldn’t call that minor or moderate pain, would you?
Doctors treat symptoms.
I prefer to go after the CAUSE because …
While the ER doc is shooting your ass up with pain meds to treat your pain your pancreatic enzymes are still chewing up your pancreas. The inflammation is still there. It has NOT been addressed! In fact the opiates can cause MORE inflammation and CAUSE another bout of acute pancreatitis. An anti-inflammatory like Ibuprofen for pancreatitis makes more sense.
Oh sure, doctors have figured out that you should not eat and so they take away your food.
Whoopie!
Any moron could conclude that fact, since ingesting food tells the pancreas to produce enzymes, and then when your pain resolves 2 – 5 days later they want you to bow, pay homage and do the happy dance because they saved your life. Your pancreas is frickin fried and almost useless but hey they stopped your pain and saved your life! They are like …
… gods!
NOT!
They are imbiciles!
They let your pancreas devour itself.
IF they had the brains God gave a goose they would have figured out that anti-inflammatories such as Ibuprofen for pancreatitis were indeed the answer!
WHY? (I hear you asking)
So we’ll cover it again.
What Is Pancreatitis?
Did you say inflammation of the pancreas? (Correctamundo!)
What eliminates inflammation?
Did you say anti-inflammatory type medications? (Correctamundo!)
See! Did you notice that this pancreatitis pain and inflammation issue isn’t really a difficult dilemma such as solving quantum teleportation?! But …
There is the issue of money.
IF you knew that $.30 worth of Ibuprofen for pancreatitis would accomplish more than a $1500.00 – $10,000.00 ICU visit which would you choose?
Exactly! And …
I would hate to think that money, cash flow, cabbage, bread, c-notes, ben franklins could be the reason doctors do not tell you about Ibuprofen for pancreatitis or other anti-inflammatory medications but money (or it’s loss) may be exactly why you don’t know about the fact that Ibuprofen will stop an acute pancreatitis attack.
Hell, I don’t sell Ibuprofen.
I have no vested interest in telling you about Ibuprofen for pancreatitis and how I stop my acute pancreatitis attacks. Ok, sure …
If you buy some grape seed or curcumin and or other products I might make $.44 (44 cents) up to a whole $1 or $2 IF you really get extravagant and buy several bottles but do the math!
At about $.44 per bottle I’d have to sell 500 bottles per day to make any kind of money! And trust me on this it ain’t even CLOSE! I think my record day has been like 5 bottles, wow, $2.20!
$2.20 EVERY day would barely buy my coffee! But …
I ain’t doing this for money which is a good thing cuz I’d starve! So …
IF any of you reading this Ibuprofen for pancreatitis blog post THINK I’m just a snake oil salesman trying to take advantage of some desperate people well …
You need to think again because this is NOT my dream, lotto winning, money niche.
I have pancreatitis.
I know what the pain of pancreatitis is like and I hate to see people suffer more than they actually need to or be butched by some surgeon IF it could have been prevented with $.30 (30 cents) worth of Ibuprofen for pancreatitis! So …
IF you think for one minute I am simply trying to take advantage of your pain and suffering you, my friend, can kiss my white ass and go somehwere hot!
The FDA can kiss my white ass!
The FTC can kiss my white ass as too!
I stumbled upon what works for me which is to say God showed me what works and I am simply passing it along so that you may have the knowledge of Ibuprofen for pancreatitis as well.
I can tell you this, the night I was in an excruciating acute pancreatitis attack and the demerol didn’t do shit and I started rumaging through the medicine cabinet and found my wife’s 800mg Motrin tablets and they said “take for pain” and I was in PAIN and after taking one I was no longer in pain that …
When I told Dr. Langdon what traspired he was dang sure O.K. with writing a script for me so that I could continue using Ibuprofen for pancreatitis! But then he was one cool and very good doctor. But …
There is risk with Ibuprofen for pancreatitis and similar NSAIDs.
We’ve already covered those risks.
Aspirin is an alternative which seems to work as well as Ibuprofen for pancreatitis.
Aspirin is somewhat different because unlike Ibuprofen aspirin doesn’t cause heart attacks where Ibuprofen has been known to do so. Aspirin can and does cause bleeding in some people, so does Ibuprofen and this can be life threatening as well. But …
Again the risk is small when using Ibuprofen for pancreatitis and it seems to work a tad better than aspirin (I’ve tried 1300 milligrams of aspirin); however, if you have an adverse reaction from either Ibuprofen (or another NSAID) or aspirin please remember I have told you it could happen and I have also told you that if you do what I do – you do it at your own risk.
If you should die please don’t tell me because I will feel absolutely horrible.
I have no idea why God showed me the way.
I have no idea why he saved me (even the doc said I should have been dead) because ..
I’m an asshole.
I’ve been an asshole my whole life. But …
He helped me find Dr. Langdon who listened and had the brains to recognize my condition and confirm it via tests. He helped me discover Ibuprofen. He led me to white, unsweetened grapefruit juice which actually stopped my acute pancreatitis attacks and by that I mean – they just stopped after I started drinking grapefruit juice. Then …
He helped me discover grape seed and curcumin and put together my regimen that along with my diet (which God also helped with – I mean who would think of doing enemas to completely cleanse their system before starting their food diary?) allowed me to actually heal.
So why me when so many others have so much more damage and are in so much more pain?
I don’t have a clue.
I can think of tons of reasons why He should have simply let me die a very painful death but did He?
No!
He saved me.
He had His Angels protect me.
He showed me how to survive and now …
I’m passing what He taught me along to you.
I could care less where you buy your grapefruit juice, grape seed extract, curcumin, vitamin C, pancreatic enzymes, multi-vitamin/mineral formula or Ibuprofen (advil, motrin). Get them at your local health store or your grocery store or where ever, just get them and try them.
Use my supplement cocktail coupled with Ibuprofen for pancreatitis to stop an acute pancreatitis attack.
Use my diet and daily regimen to heal.
Avoid all dubious information on the net, especially if they ask you to buy some frickin’ book they wrote after their father died of pancreatitis. IF they knew what I know their father may still be alive and well! And …
My info is frickin’ FREE! You can spend all day at my sites, learn everything you need to know and the info won’t cost you a damn dime.
A few of you who follow my info have said I should write a book.
I don’t want to write a book and get paid.
God didn’t charge me.
He GAVE me everything.
The least I can do is to try to return His kindness in the same fashion.
I would like to know if the info helps you. If you find releif or better yet healing; I’d like to know. I don’t want a bunch of rah, rah …
I just would like to know if you feel better. And …
If you do, thank and praise God, not me.
Try Ibuprofen for pancreatitis and my cocktail for resolution of your next acute pancreatitis attack and try to have a pain free day!
wow, i’m so glad I found your site and info. I started having my attack of what I’ve been thinking was a gallbladder one a few days ago. I also stumbled onto Motrin.
Even though folks on the web said nothing touched their gallbladder pain, I noticed the ibuprofen did. It took it away in about 30-45 min. Today I’ve been in bed trying not
to take it though, thinking it would mask a fever or more pain which i assumed was from my gallbladder. Anyway, now I think that possibly i have a case of Pancreatitis,
after reading through your blog. Don’t know if I’ll still get an ultrasound soon to rule out stones…not sure. What started my horrible pain was eating a huge pile of sunflower
seeds several days ago. Have you heard of that causing Pancreatitis?? Thanks for everything:)
Ibuprofen works wonders for pain caused by inflammation. The pain is relieved when the inflammation subsides. I was kinda led to it I think anyway, I am glad it worked for you.
Gallbladder disease and pancreatitis have some commonalities.
Both are triggered by fat. Sunflower seeds are FULL of fat. It may be good fat for most people but those with gallbladder disease or pancreatitis shouldn’t eat them or at least not more than a VERY SMALL mouthful on occasion. So yes, sunflower seeds could definitely have been the trigger or at least the straw that broke the camel’s back so to speak. Don’t get me wrong. Sunflower seeds do NOT CAUSE pancreatitis but they could certainly trigger AP (acute pancreatitis) in those who already have pancreatitis and they could also trigger a gallbladder attack which could and does CAUSE pancreatitis if a stone gets stuck in or near the pancreatic duct.
Alcohol doesn’t bother the Gallbladder but can throw the pancreas into a real hissy fit. Symptoms can be somewhat similar as well especially if your gallbladder is infected but by and large the pain of acute pancreatitis is severe to extreme and CONSTANT. It can bore from front to back and visa versa. Lying down usually makes the pain worse. The patient usually, involuntarily, leans forward because it seems to help relieve the severity of the pain somewhat. The pain is so severe it becomes hard to breathe and so I find myself taking fast, short breaths (panting like a damn dog on a hot august day). You usually stream sweat, can run a fever. Nausea and vomiting can be really bad for some people and vomiting doesn’t relieve acute pancreatitis pain where I know people who have had gallbladder disease have said they puke and feel better. And with acute pancreatitis things can go from bad to worse in a heart beat (necrosis, infection, bleeding, organ failure and death). Now …
An infected gallbladder is nothing to take lightly either because that puppy can rupture which causes peritonitis. Peritonitis can be life threatening. If your gallbladder is full of stones those can pass causing the gallbladder attack and/or infection if they get stuck and a stuck gallstone can also cause gallstone pancreatitis (most common causes are stones and alcohol consumption).
It may be to late now to get a good enzyme reading from a blood draw but if you are still hurting and it is pancreatitis amylase and lipase may still be elevated if you hurry. They can stay elevated up to a week I believe after an attack that resolves.
Glad this works for you! I started hurting Thursday morning so I hadn’t ate since Wednesday night because I know to quit eating. Been taking 800 doses of Advil every 4 to 6 hours and it does relieve the pain, but now it’s Friday and the pain just stepped up quite a bit. Not sure if I’ll make it through without going to the doctor bc the pains getting worse and I don’t want to risk dying from not seeking help
Hey Hurting Pancreas – go to the ER.
I have been able to resist mini flares like this one, but I believe the 800 Advil Is at fault bc I took nothing else and it got so bad I had to go to the hospital.
Hurting Pancreas – that is definitely suspicious. I’ve actually heard this twice now yet I can find NOTHING that scientifically (case studies, scholar articles, etc) that indicates it to be fact. BUT in your case when your pain got worse after taking it (and did not improve 60 minutes after ingestion) I’d say you most likely shouldn’t try again. This article is ten years old and things change in ten years but as of that time there were “no prior definite cases reported of ibuprofen-induced pancreatitis.” And the probable one they are talking about had to do with overdose. But here’s a list of drugs to avoid that have been proven to cause pancreatitis. Here’s another list by WebMD that lists “categories” of drugs. Hopefully you are feeling better. 🙂
Thank you! Thank you! I didn’t know about taking ibuprofen for a pancreatic attack (which by the way, when it’s combined with an infected gall bladder that needs taking out, it is WAY more painful than having a baby!).
And YES! I thank God, in Jesus’ Name, for giving you this knowledge! You definitely sound like a believer… except for the cussing. BUT, I smoke (cigarettes) so there’s no judgement here. We can just pray for each other to love Him and our neighbors more and more each day…
Hi Nancy – Yes! I believe and trust in Jesus. I have also quit cussing (long story). I thought I had gotten rid of my improper English I must have missed some. I also quit smoking a couple years ago, almost 3 years now. Keep the faith! If I can help just holler.
When I take medications just like when I eat food I take Creon which is pancreas enzyme supplement necessary when my pancreas cannot produce it on its own. That is what makes me able to take anything otherwise it would cause major pain. And likely make the pancreatitis worse. So for sure I suspect that you needed the pancreatic enzyme supplement also.
I have chronic pancreatitis. I had it since I was 14 and now am 35. What do I do when ibuprofen makes the pain worse? My pancreas is burnt out so bad to the point my lipase doesn’t even elevate anymore. What can I use?
Hi Shevone – sounds like you have some major damage. How do you know it was the ibuprofen that caused more pain? I have to ask because I haven’t heard that one before. Some folks have said they can’t take Ibuprofen because they are allegic to it, a few have said it helped but didn’t take all the pain away and I thought “why didn’t you take more?” But I have never heard that it actually caused more pain, have never read anything where Ibuprofen caused pancreas pain or AP like narcotics can and it doesn’t make sense that an anti-inflammatory should inflame the pancreas or cause more inflammation BUT that doesn’t mean it couldn’t. ANYTHING is possible. The only other thimg I can can think of is to try aspirin (1300 mgs) for bad pain, (650 mgs) for moderate and see if aspirin works or does the same thing. You could also try another anti-inflammatory like Naproxen and see if it does the same thing or works. Unfortunately it’s possible for people to become so advanced with disease that nothing works (from what I’ve read). I’m sorry I don’t have a miracle answer but I’m stumped.
Hi shevone. I have pancreatitis, too, and I still have problems. But one thing that has helped me is taking the herb Chanca Piedra. It’s usually from Peru. And it can be powdered or coursely ground. Powdered would be taken in a little water. Course would be made into a tea. It’s also called Quebra Piedra or Stone Breaker. It’s an alkaloid. I have trouble finding a really clean source. The last powdered batch I bought seemed to have sand in it. 🙁 I guess they wanted it to weigh more so they could charge more money. Otherwise I would give you a link to my source.
I thank you very much for your information. I do feel the medical, even specialists, are in the dark regarding this disease. I had a flare up last night and did dose myself with ibuprofen, Should have dome 800 mg at one but I was trying to be cautious. I know it’s not for everyone, but you can take up to 3200 milligrams a day, I am at about 1,600 mg, just took 600. Next time, I will do 800 on onset. My doctor said 600 mg per day and go to the hospital, Been to ER 8 times in the last year and they are not nice or understanding. My Doctor, by the way, said I should eat pumpkin seeds to gain weight.
Hi Lori – I’d stay far below the 3200 mg maximum dose. I only use Ibuprofen when I absolutely have to use it and praise God I haven’t needed it for quite sometime. Drugs are NOT safe. Large doses and/or long-term use of NSAIDS such as Ibuprofen (not aspirin) have been associated with heart attack. That is why I only use it when absolutely necessary. I understand you are not well and so you may want to look at your diet (avoid red meat, pork and high fat foods) and also visit your health food store and buy grape seed extract, curcumin and vitamin C (all highly anti-inflamatory). I hope you have a happy, blessed new year 🙂
The night I had my pancreas attack I had eaten a handful of nuts. One of the 6 specialists that saw me the following 3 days I was hospitalized, thought I might have gotten a nut with a fungus on it. Not sure if this helps, but your comment about the sunflower seeds makes me wonder if there’s some connection here? Hope you’re doing better now 🙂
Best advice I’ve heard in almost a decade & It’s Working!!!! Thankyou so much
You’re welcome Lorna – glad it works for you too!
My hubby just came out the hospital last month from an attack . I never want him to go back in . How can I keep his pancreas healthy for life on a budget?
I don’t know your hubby’s condition. He may have had a very mild attack and heal up nicely and never have another problem. If that is NOT the case then the only way I know of to heal on a budget or otherwise is outlined in this blog. All you have to do is read it. 🙂
I left a post under the grapeseed part explaining my situation- to sum it up after having some uncomfortable symptoms that just wouldn’t go away I found out my pancreas was swollen. Stopped drinking and ate healthy for awhile and felt better enough. Then came the storm of stress and I began to eat crappy and drink again like a complete fool. Now my gut is really bothering me however last night after reading what you say about ibuprofen I had some 600mg pills leftover from a knee injury. After taking one I felt a great difference in the discomfort in my gut, I was so very thankful for your advice here and to GOD for helping me find this information. As I mentioned in post under grapesed I think I will try to fast to give my organ a break. At times like this I think this is what money is truly for though, to be able to seek proper medical attention. If I still had my health insurance I would just go to the Dr and find out exactly what the hell is going on, the root cause, is it gallbladder disease?, do I just have a clogged biliary duct? Regardless its up to me to all in my power to be healthy and be proactive to this situation but again I would like to thank you for the ibuprofen knowledge, it was like a big weight was lifted off my gut last night as it relieved my discomfort.
You are welcome. Hope you stay well. 🙂
Any good recommendations as to when you should (and for how long) take Ibuprofen for pancreatic pain? You mention taking it for acute flare ups. My chronic flareups take weeks or even a few months to subside it seems, even when sticking to the diet religiously. I’m not sure how wise it would be to take Ibuprofen over an extended period of time. The pain has been manageable though very bothersome so far during those flare ups, at least during the day. Night time pain/laying down is where my pain is worst. I’m week two into a flare up, hoping that doesn’t last 3 to 4 months like last time. I took some Ibuprofen during that time, but not as part of a daily regimen. The doctors haven’t been much help yet other than advising low fat diet/no alcohol/etc; they advised that PPIs might help since less stomach acid presumably stimulates less pancreatic secretions. (Anybody else here this from their docs?) I took those for about 3 months but not sure if they helped any. My pain is moderate, probably 4-5 on the scale but fairly constant with certain movement and positions. As of a few months ago, I’m minimal change CP with no viewable changes on MR/CT scans or blood work. Heading back to the doctor soon to try to get a handle on the latest flare up. It’s been very hard to get any sleep. I’m willing to do anything at this point. I’ve been on the supplements about a week and very, very little to no fat. I’m planning on staying on them in therapeutic doses for many months if need be. Exercise/running/cycling/swimming seems to ease pain some at the time, but I’m not sure if that keeps the pancreas inflamed over the long term.
Hi Smith, I have never taken Ibuprofen for long-term. More than one big dose was rare. The longest I’ve taken it was for 12 days I think. I mentioned it for folks who have flare ups as a possible additiong for a couple days until the inflammation subsided totally but I don’t think long-term use would be a good idea. You say your flare ups last weeks or months even when sticking to the diet? What diet? When you have a flare I would think it would be prudent to treat that as a “mini AP” and go npo (fast) until the flare resolves. With “minimal change” cp it shouldn’t take weeks to resolve but eating anything when the pancreas is inflamed isn’t a good idea. Eating just prolongs the inflammation. IF it were me, I’d fast for 3 – 5 days (no food), drink water, take my supplements and maybe a couple 200 mg Ibuprofen once or twice to help eliminate the inflammation. I’d be taking a LOT of grape seed extract (800 – 1000 mgs per day in like 4 doses) and at leat 500 – 1000 mgs of curcumin per day. IF that didn’t work I might begin to worry.
I’m finding a lot of folks do NOT take enough grape seed and curcumin. If you’re sick 100 – 200 mgs of grape seed isn’t gonna be enough. 400 mgs per day may not be enough. Those who seem to heal take a lot of grape seed extract and curcumin per day and go vegan for at least 6 months. That’s what I did and my diet still consists more of vegetables, fruits and legumes than it does animal products like skinless chicken, white meat fish etc. I may have chicken or fish 3 times per week, the rest is vegan. I NEVER eat red meat (beef, venison, elk, lamb, buffalo etc) or pork. I can’t even remember what red meat and pork taste like. 🙂
When I was bad years ago exercise, even driving sometimes, didn’t work out well but after I was healed up it was fine.
This may be old news, but I read recently (I’ll try to extract the source) that Ibuprofen doesn’t act as an anti-inflammatory until at least 600 mg is taken and that the dose required is largely independent of weight.
I don’t know whether that is true or not. I know 800 mgs works to stop an acute attack. Sometimes it takes more but usually 800 mgs does it. I Always take at least 800 mgs in ONE dose when I feel an acute attack beginning and I’ve had enough to recognize them almost immediately.
I also found the link below to be interesting, particularly related to the length of time Ibuprofen’s anti-inflammatory effect COULD take to kick for some people. Much of the original research I believe was related to arthritis, but inflammation would seem to be inflammation. I find that I personally may be one of those people that may need to take it a bit longer to see the results. I have been a little hesitant to take more than a couple of lower doses per day for a couple days, but I may consult with my doctor to go on a 600 mg dose a couple of times per day for a couple of weeks (or until I can get the moderate consistent level of pain under control.) Tylenol seems to kill the pain more for me but I am definitely more interested in the anti-inflammatory effect.
Here’s the link..I’m sure there may be better more scholarly sources out there, but good info nonetheless perhaps:
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/161071.php
“How does ibuprofen work?Ibuprofen blocks the production of prostaglandins, substances our body releases in response to illness and injury. Prostaglandins cause pain and swelling (inflammation); they are released in the brain and can also cause fever.
Ibuprofen’s painkilling effects kick in soon after a dose is taken. Ibuprofen’s anti-inflammatory effects can take a bit longer, sometimes a few weeks.”
I actually can’t say what Ibuprofen does for anyone else. I have had others take it and their attack symptoms subside in 60-90 minutes with an appropriate dose of at least 800 mgs. It has always worked for me. In fact it has never failed me. 600 mgs probably isn’t enough. 800 mgs seems to be the number. I did have someone tell me (it’s somewhere on this blog) that 800 mgs didn’t work completely for them. It helped but didn’t stop the attack so it may take more for those who are over 175 pounds. All I know is that eliminating the inflammation also resolves the symptoms. It is the only common sense answer. Anti-nausea meds eliminate the nausea (sometimes it takes a double dose) but never eliminated the pain. Demerol did not eliminate the pain, hell it didn’t even take the edge off but 800 mgs of ibuprofen stopped it dead in 60 minutes, every single time for me. That’s all I can tell you.
Hi Healthy Guy
Since Ibuprofen and Aspirin may both have side effects if high doses are taken per day, what do you think of using a combination (let’s say 500mg of Aspirin combined with 200mg of Ibuprofen) 3 times per day for chronic pancreatitis pain?
Regards
Hi Sally – I tried a combination of aspirin and ibuprofen for an attack of AP once. I did two aspirin (325 mgs each) and two ibuprofen (200 mgs each). It worked ok. For consistent AP stopping power I prefer 800 mgs of ibuprofen because it has never failed me. I don’t suggest taking high doses of either ibuprofen or aspirin for long periods. Just long enough to resolve the inflammation. Grape seed extract, curcumin and vit C should be able to safely handle most chronic applications with the right dosages as long as diet isn’t causing the pancreas to become inflamed.
An older article but more “pro” info on the benefits of Ibuprofen as part of anti-inflammatory therapy (e.g., not just to stop pain as I read it): http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1357898/
Nice supporting article for Ibuprofen. Thanks for sharing.
More on Ibuprofen for acute pancreatitis: http://www.mdpi.com/1424-8247/3/3/558/pdf
I only read some of the first part, especially part 3 which covered the inducers of pancreatitis. I was interested in this portion because I’ve had several people comment regarding the fact they thought Ibuprofen would cause pancreatitis, their doctor said they had pancreatitis because of their use of Ibuprofen blah blah blah yet this study didn’t even mention Ibuprofen. It did however mention some NSAIDS such as indomethacin, piroxicam, ketoprofen, naproxen, rofecoxib and celecoxib. Out of 48,678 hospitalized patients there were 554 (1.1%) that were diagnosed as experiencing an adverse drug reaction. Out of those 554 patients the ACTUAL number of pancreatitis cases related to NSAIDS was 3 and those were associated with diclofenac. I have scoured the internet searching for anything I could find that actually said Ibuprofen was a cause for even one case of pancreatitis and found nothing. There is plenty of info that states opiates (class 1 offender, the worst), used by doctors to reduce the pain of pancreatitis, actually cause pancreatitis. So thanks again for your article find that should lay to rest any qualms one might have about using Ibuprofen to stop acute pancreatitis.
I am one of those people who was told initially that ibuprofen usage was the cause of my pancreatitis attack. It has since been decided that gallbladder sludge was the cause. I have been dragging my feet on getting my gallbladder removed. However, two nights ago I felt like a mild attack of pancreatitis was beginning. Actually, I suffered with it for awhile. I decided that I would use the ibuprofen last night along with grape seed extract, curcumin, and white grapefruit juice. This morning when I got up I still did not feel well. I was in pain so I decided to repeat. Within about an hour I felt better. I felt well enough to get dressed and go to a Christmas gathering. It worked for me.
Hi Jody, glad to hear things worked. I hope you were able to enjoy Christmas.
Hi Jody,
Not sure if you are still active on this site. You said the doctor said you had gallbladder sludge. What test did they do to confirm the sludge?
Also, do you remember what you ate when you had the attack? supposedly, if you stay away from fat, oil, alcohol, you should not get an attack.
Ferdinand
So I had an accute attack late yesterday and took 800 mgs of advil. It worked great! Didn’t drink or eat anything until this morning when had a glass of water with my meds. Half hour later, BAMM! pain came rushing back. I took another 800 mgs. I know not supposed to take much of this stuff – but you don’t indicate how often to take advil when an attack hits, just once, or until the pain doesn’t come back? PS I’m a female and only weigh about 118 lbs.
Victoria sorry to hear you aren’t feeling well but glad to hear Ibuprofen worked for you. What kind of meds do you take? I am asking because you said the pain came back after taking your meds. Certain meds can cause acute pancreatitis. I would think that to be especially true if the pancreas is already inflamed. I’ve had to take the ibuprofen in large doses up to 10 days in a row during one of my more persistent attacks. USUALLY one dose gets rid of an attack but there are times it takes more than one. Praise God that hasn’t happened in years. Last attack was about 8-9 years ago and that was the first since the early 80’s. That last attack was because I stopped the supplements and made a mistake in food choices. That is a mistake I won’t make again. Here is some Ibuprofen dosing info direct from the horses mouth. Read here
You’ll note that you can take up to 1,200 mgs per day and be fairly safe. In fact two doses of 800 mgs per day should be tolerated fairly well according to the article I linked. So in the event you had a particularily persistent attack you could probably do two 800 mg doses in a day (24 hrs). Higher doses may not be so safe but max prescription dose is 3200 mgs per day – I wouldn’t recommend that lol
I appreciate your recommendation to take ibuprofen, it makes sense. Unfortunately, I am on blood thinners, and am unable to take ibuprofen or asprin. Any suggestions?