Digital Gee

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

Red Baron

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.

Terrierman

Yes, it helps my knees during a long ride.

Tom Bombadil

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

wrafl

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.

The Weak Link

Flippin' doper.

tlc20010

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.

JanMM

I usually take 2 ibuprofen before dental work.

freeranger

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?

Digital Gee

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.

The Weak Link

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.

George

Something a little stronger, Naproxen.

Beverly

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

MichiganMike

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.

biffstephens

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

tsl

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.

The Weak Link

No, it isn't.

Caffeine, however, can make you pee.

2manybikes

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.

Bud Bent

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.

Tom Bombadil

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.

MAK

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.)

maddmaxx 

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?

further

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.

SaiKaiTai

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.

gear

Just qualudes for me.