Yes, it’s a thing. The idea behind it is that you don’t want to become dependent on the pills to the point that they have less effect or that you feel worse without them. Sincerely, a Dutch non-techno non-DJ.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Medication_overuse_headache?wprov=sfla1
You can absolutely become addicted to all kinds of painkillers. Thats part of the reason why i write down every dose of painkillers i take. Not just the triptanes for my migraine.
You can’t become dependent on ibuprofen, it’s not addictive. You shouldn’t be popping it like candy, but taking it when you are in pain is perfectly fine.
Do you have a source for that?
Still, the vast majority of people taking NSAIDs in the recommended doses who have appropriate monitoring (such as the occasional blood test) have no major problems with them.
I have never heard of this in the context of ibuprofen. I know it’s bad on the stomach which means you shouldn’t take it for long periods of time (unless prescribed by a doctor). However, when the source of the pain disappears it’s pretty easy to kick the habit. Very different from opioids that are addictive beyond their painkilling ability.
Also between European countries the price of otc painkillers differs tremendously, and my impression is that European pharmacies generally only sell small packages in an effort to maximise profits.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Medication_overuse_headache?wprov=sfla1
You can absolutely become addicted to all kinds of painkillers. Thats part of the reason why i write down every dose of painkillers i take. Not just the triptanes for my migraine.
How exactly do small packages limit use? There is no limit to the amount of packages you can buy. However, those small packages are severely overpriced. I think it’s safe to say that profit considerations played a role in their design.
Also often the pain is telling you that something is wrong - you wouldn’t treat a broken ankle with strong painkillers and continue walking as if nothing was wrong just because it doesn’t hurt anymore - would you?
Painkillers should make the pain bearable so you can still listen to your body and not take away the pain completely
yes, but if i know i broke my finger, and it has a cast around it, why should it keep hurting???
back in the ooga booga days there weren’t any casts, so it’s pretty logical that it shouldn’t keep hurting, but if I already know i broke my finger and can’t move it, I think it’s okay to use pain killers to stop the pain.
you wouldn’t treat a broken ankle with strong painkillers and continue walking as if nothing was wrong just because it doesn’t hurt anymore - would you?
Of course not! We limp around trying to keep it from hurting, praying to any deity that will listen and some that won’t that it heals before you have to pay for a visit to urgent care.
The pills are just to help us go to work while we mentally figure out how many meals we will be skipping to pay for it.
Now ask me if I’m joking.
Regular use also fucks up your organs. Paracetamol (Tylenol) kills your liver, and ibuprofen kills your kidneys.