Fifty Plus (50+) - Ibuprofen befor a long ride

Is there any advantage to taking ibuprofen BEFORE a long ride?

I took 4 at 6:20 a.m. this morning, just before I hopped on bike (reference my 7th decade post) and usually do so before a 'pain' ride. But no more than once a week.
Dr. asked me to switch to tylenol, but I still prefer Ibu.

Yes, it helps my knees during a long ride.

It helps me too. I take 2 if I'm going to ride for 2+ hours.

No meds for me before any ride. Usually, I take all 7 prescribed meds after completing the ride and after I have my meal (breakfast or brunch), around noon time. As much as possible, I would tolerate any pain than taking pain meds. The reason for that is to protect the remaining kidney. And I have been living in pain due to arthritis. Have been very lucky, I haven't had the osteoarthritis and thanks to the physical activities recommended by arthritis doctors.

Flippin' doper.

Is there any advantage to taking ibuprofen BEFORE a long ride?

Here is a concern: "ibprophen before" can be rearranged to spell "unripe boffo beer" which would mask your drugs better than Jack Daniels.....but HGH will make you go faster, they say.;)

I usually take 2 ibuprofen before dental work.

I was taking ibu before rides, but I got to wondering-maybe I shouldn't do that, as it might cause me not to feel pain, and my body might not be warning me to stop doing whatever it was that was causing the pain. Kind of like missing a warning sign that you are risking injury. Whadda ya think?

I was taking ibu before rides, but I got to wondering-maybe I shouldn't do that, as it might cause me not to feel pain, and my body might not be warning me to stop doing whatever it was that was causing the pain. Kind of like missing a warning sign that you are risking injury. Whadda ya think?
I think you'd still feel pain, especially if it was enough pain that it was a warning sign. CAVEAT: I'm not a doctor, and I don't play one on TV, either. On the other hand, I'm immortal -- so far, anyway.

Naah. It's not potent enough to worry about it. Now if you were talking about Percocet....

Pre-exercise ibuprofen is beneficial. Stay hydrated!

If you take lots of the stuff, you might consider getting yourself some Prilosec OTC to protect that aging stomach of yours.

Something a little stronger, Naproxen.

I've never been bothered with pain from riding so I seldom take anything.

Nothing here. I have always liked to feel whatever it is my body wants me to feel. That said, if I had something chronic like a knee or something, then I would. So far so good though.

I heard ibuprofen was a diuretic, can someone verify that fact and my spelling while they are at it....

:)

I avoid painkillers of any sort before a ride. I don't want anything to mask any damage I may be doing. Pain is a warning to stop.

I heard ibuprofen was a diuretic, can someone verify that fact and my spelling while they are at it....

:)
No, it isn't.

Caffeine, however, can make you pee.

Yes, if it does not bother your stomach, and it's OK with the doctor.

Everything is more comfortable. Your legs, your joints, the seat, your hands, neck, everything. You can probably ride harder and longer. But if you do it all the time you may ruin your stomach. If the doc says OK Tylenol might be better for your body.
Plenty of people have no choice and have to take some kind of pain killers before any exercise including bike riding. Rheumatoid arthritis patients may need to do this to keep moving.

The only one who really can give the total OK is your doc. Don't take more than he suggests.

You're probably thinking taking it before the ride gives it time to start working. You are exactly correct.
If it's a long ride, follow the instructions and take more on the ride if it's time.
Caffeine has a pain killing effect too. But it's tough on the stomach with ibuprofen. Tylenol is better if you have any caffeine.

I've been on NSAID's for years (meloxicam right now) for the cratered discs in my back, so my anti-inflammatories are already hard at work before I start my ride. Of course, I probably wouldn't need them for my recumbent ride, if I didn't need them just to walk out and get on my bike.

I take it for the 2+ hour rides, not to mask pain (which two pills won't do much about) but rather to try to avoid getting stiff muscles. I'm plagued by muscle stiffness and that alone can end a ride for me.

A lot of athletes take ibuprofen before athletic events to keep natural swelling and aches and pains down. One caveat though, excessive and prolonged use of ibuprofen has been linked to liver problems so check with the doctor if you use it. (It's been a while so I can't tell you how much is excessive and how long is prolonged.)

I think that the effectiveness of medications goes down with time/usage. I try to avoid taking anything untill I need it. If you take it because you "might" need it, how much will you need 5 years from now?

I read recently, don't ask me where but it seemed legit, that the inflamation after exercise is your body repairing the damage and building up the tissue. I have a script for Naproxon but have only been using it when really sore. But... I'm not a doc, don't play one on tv, and haven't stayed at a Holiday Inn in years.

I would agree with 2Many, if you can tolerate them and your Dr is cool with it, go for it.
I find Advil funny sometimes so I won't take it before a ride... I do take Aleve (naproxyn. Thank you George) as needed after a ride or before bed 9after a ride).

I don't like to take any meds other my Claritin before a ride.
I do have one cup of coffee. I sweat it out long before it becomes a danger.

Just qualudes for me.

Nope.

I use as few drugs of any kind as possible, period.

Ibroprufen can affect some people and is no to be advised for any one with Heart problems. It does affect me and I do not take any painkiller untill it is required. That small pull you feel on the ride- that has most of the symptoms masked by a painkiller- can be a bit more serious than you thought. Mind you- That severe pull that stops you riding can be alleviated by a Pain killer. The best of which comes out of a bottle and is taken internally- My particular favourite is Cognac but I have heard that Rum and Whisky work just as well

I often take Ibuprophen before long rides to alleviate pain from arthritis in my shoulders and lower back pain from a herniated disc. For most rides, I only take it if I have been having pain recently. For centuries and MTB races, 4 pills with breakfast and q4h all day is standard procedure.

If you're a weight weenie and trying to lighten the load, nothing beats Carters Pills.

If you're a weight weenie and trying to lighten the load, nothing beats Carters Pills.
Dude, you are fixated on them little pills aintcha?:eek: Though, I must admit that one gave me a good chuckle.:)

Better living through chemistry.
TWL is Dow Chemical's poster boy, it would seem

No, it isn't.

Caffeine, however, can make you pee.
Right, ibuprofen isn't a diuretic.
Neither is caffeine. Recent scientific/medical opinion is that it has only minimal diuretic effects. Drink a lot of coffee and you'll likely pass about the same amount of urine as if you drank an equal amount of water.
I'll have a grande, please!

Aleve. At minimum.

Every morning I take ketoprofen, another and for me, more effective NSAID, for arthritis in my lower back. I find that half of the maximum dose keeps the inflammation under control, but I still worry about stomach damage. Tried reducing the dosage further, but too much pain.

I was taking ibu before rides, but I got to wondering-maybe I shouldn't do that, as it might cause me not to feel pain, and my body might not be warning me to stop doing whatever it was that was causing the pain. Kind of like missing a warning sign that you are risking injury. Whadda ya think?
+1

If Ibuprofen is good, wouldn't Vicodin be better?? ;)

I prefer EPO or HGH.

I will generally take some aspirin before 3hr+ ride. I don't get pain but riding tht long will stress my muscles and produce some inflammation and edema. The aspirin with a bit of caffeine in it acts to reduce both making my recovering a bit quicker

If Ibuprofen is good, wouldn't Vicodin be better?? ;)

And demerol best?:eek:

I would love to be able to take "Vitamin I" a lot more than I do, but stomach problems make me keep it to a minimum. I take it the day after a hard ride to make the recovery ride go smoother. Rarely, I'll take it before a tough ride. I would never worry about it masking any damaging pain.

It helps a lot.

Anti-inflammatory effects of NSAID's don't really kick in until you've been taking them regularly for at least a few days - probably varies by drug.