Europeans be like: “I’m just gonna take a half tablet, don’t want to get dependent on this stuff”
Meanwhile, Americans:
Don’t be fooled, they put a sugar coating around the OTC stuff. Instant release Adderall on the other hand… that shit tastes pretty good
I switched pharmacies and holy shit do the different Adderall generics taste different. I’m stuck now with the Meijer pharmacy because I can’t go back to the bitter vomit-inducing crap I was getting at Rite Aid.
I dunno. When i take the pill ibruprofen its the most sour thing ever. You can literally see the face muscles of someone taking it contracting.
I wonder if this is also one of those genetic things like cilantro, because ibuprofen tastes nasty as fuck to me. Like “bitter and my tongue wants to cut itself off to stop the taste even after a drink” nasty.
Europeans: I’m taking a pill, if it keeps hurting I’m going to the doctor.
Americans: I’m keeping taking this until I pay the house. It is still hurting, I can refinance the house to see a doctor.
Also at least in my country I can call in sick if I have a headache, will be paid for the day and there is no number of paid-time-off-days, which will be subtracted by one when I do so. The employer continues to pay up to 6 weeks of salary if you need to stay at home due to sickness, and for a period longer than 3 days you need a dr to confirm you’re sick. The number of sick days per year depend on you actually being sick - I was baffled when I learned this is a fixed number in the US (at least for some) . I guess the motivation to work sick when you have a limited number of paid sick days also contributes to the usage of pain killers.
“Lol Americans are so funny, they can’t go to a doctor without going homeless, look at these coping mechanisms they use, hilarious”
It is funny since they keep voting in ways that make their healthcare worse instead of better so why should we feel pity?
Still better off than the people in the countries you coup to install dictators.
Americans just tell you it’s a slight headache. In reality their back is so screwed up it’s going to require surgery but they can’t afford that and complaining about actual pain is strictly forbidden in American men.
So we take 200 400 800 1600 Motrin, with some bourbon, and ignore it as best as we can.
This is my mother for the last year or so because of rotoscoliosis, a bulging disc, and arthritis in her shoulders.
She can’t really get any form of treatment because the only insurance she can afford is a high-deductable plan, which means she would have to pretty much pay for the entire treatment out of pocket.
I’m sure we’ll get there next election!
(Says half of America every 4 years)
The good thing about the HDHPs is the availability to have an HSA.
HSA money is collected pre-tax. Balances over a certain amount can be invested. But the good thing about it is that it’s yours to keep. Not like an FSA that disappears at the end of a year.
So she could save up for the deductible for her surgery for her debilitating chronic pain over the course of several years. After she pays thousands in premiums and her employer pays thousands more. Like a good American.
Would flying to Europe and getting healthcare there be cheaper? Look into it.
Is this a serious thing? It seems so normal here in the states.
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.
Regular use also fucks up your organs. Paracetamol (Tylenol) kills your liver, and ibuprofen kills your kidneys.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
To be fair we also have it much easier with our healthcare that doesn’t know the concept of sick-days. When you’re sick you just don’t go to work and your healthcare pays half your salary while your employer continues paying the other half.
So we can actually afford to stay home in bed and let our bodies do the work while we rest.
I’m Dutch and I only take paracetamol when I cannot sleep or function due to pain/illness. I’ve never taken something stronger like Ibuprofen in my life. When I’m ill I usually just lie in bed and wait for it to blow over
Is acetaminophen really considered to be less strong than ibuprofen? I’d always considered them to be equal with ibuprofen being safer.
Yep here in Dutchland many people think paracetamol is a safer version of aspirine. They don’t know paracetamol can get dangerous very quickly. Dutch hospitals often get patients into the ER with a possible paracetamol overdose.
Here is a toxicologist working in a Dutch hospital saying that https://youtu.be/P_Zt-xw7bME (has English subs)
In the Netherlands, yes. Ibuprofen is considered “stronger” or at least more serious. Most of that is because the general consensus seems to be to take 2 paracetamol (1000mg) and if it doesn’t help, add 400mg of ibuprofen on top.
So, everyone sees it as “stronger” instead of complementary
In my Dutch social circle it is indeed, but don’t ask me why. Personally I dislike Ibuprofen, it always makes me feel queasy and upsets my stomach.
Reading the other comments, this seems to be more of a cultural thing than something based on facts. Ibuprofen seems to be taken in more serious situations. Personally I’ve never had it so I’m not sure. Paracetamol is more of a casual thing here. Many people, like me, would only take it when very ill. But I’ve definitely had a few classmates or colleagues who just take paracetamol whenever they have a slight headache or something.
You’re the second person I’ve seen saying that ibuprofen is stronger than paracetamol. Where does that come from?
It is slightly stronger, but the dose is smaller. A single dose of router either is roughy the same pain reduction, and similar damage for exceeding their recommended usage
Not sure. I’ve never used it but it always seems to be used as such, so I just assumed that was the case
Yeah, in the UK they reduced the amount you can buy at once too, so drugs like paracetamol and ibuprofen only come in 16 tablet packs and you can only buy 2 packs at a shop., It’s helped lower suicides quite well.
People here have a real aversion to taking tablets a lot of the time. I have to convince people to take regular paracetamol (which is non addictive and doesn’t have side effects so long as you don’t take more than the recommended amount) after they have had surgery semi-regularly.
Suicide by by paracetamol is such a fucking horrible way to go, mostly since it doesn’t kill you, it just completely destroys your liver.
Just enough time to regret it, before you die slowly and in great pain
Ibuprofen is pretty fucking strong. I stick with CBD and paracetamol and I’m bedridden with a painful disease.
Yeah I just stick to hot railing fentanyl if I have a headache or something. Much less addictive.
Ibuprofen and paracetamol are roughly the same in theme of pain relief and harm in long-term use.
UK National Health Service Website:
FAQ: Can I take [X] for long periods?
[paracetamol]
It’s safe to take paracetamol regularly for many years as long as you do not take more than the recommended dose.
[ibuprofen]
If you still need ibuprofen after taking it for 10 days (or for 3 days if you’re under 18) check with your doctor before continuing. If you need to take ibuprofen tablets, capsules, granules or liquid for a long time and you’re at risk of getting a stomach ulcer, your doctor may prescribe a medicine to help protect your stomach.
Paracetamol for me is better for headache and ibuprofen is better for muscular pain.
In the UK you’re limited to 32 pills of paracetamol(acetaminophen in NA) per purchase. Less if they’re high dose.
