LittleBigMan

"I take Advil, like all the other bikers."

So says the cyclist on the t.v. commercial.

Really? I guess I'll have to start taking it, too. I want to be like all the other bikers!

As far as muscle pain, that's not the issue. I just want to be normal.

And if I injure myself, I want to keep on biking no matter what, just like the highly paid professional athletes. Nothing like the glory of being incapacitated from a sports injury.



Seriously, I don't get muscle pain that is bad enough for a pain reliever! I like to feel what's going on in my body. If I injure myself badly enough for pain medicine, give me some strong stuff...but you won't find my on my bike until it heals! Otherwise, the little things don't need Advil...

Just my experience. Nothing added, nothing removed.

Chris L

I honestly believe pain killers will do more harm than good in the long-term. If you want to avoid injuries, make sure you're warmed up before pedalling flat out, and ride sensibly. Forget about some kind of super spanky pain killer, because they are just a con.

Chris

ridealot

That is why when I dislocated my shoulder the doctor did not give me any pain killer. His theory was that if I thought I was feeling good I would think I was healed and go out and re-injure my shoulder. He wanted me to be reminded that I had an injury and to take it easy

ViciousCycle

If you're annoyed by pain relief commercials on TV, you can try the approach that I've taken. I haven't owned a TV in more than 3 years. Not owning a TV is major pain relief in and of itself.

"Television is the opiate of the masses."

Greg

ViciousCycle you are so right.

I do not watch the tube often. I pick up a book or do one of the hundred things on my "to do" list.

I wouldn't have a TV at all if it weren't for:
1. My wife
2. Formula One coverage
3. The Eco Challenge
4. The Tour De France

D*Alex

OK, I'll have to ask:
Who still covers Formula ! in the US? I can't find ANY coverage on my local cable anymore! I used to get up early on Sunday mornings just to watch the races live on ESPN, but now they have "sell-o-vision" spots at that time, or else tractor-pulling/fishing drivel. I haven't seen a race in 2 years!!!!!

Pat O'Malley

The Italian version of that commercial translates "Advil" to "EPO"

technogirl

I remember seeing that commercial, too, Pete. In fact, I thought somewhat different thing about it. Why does the guy have to take pain killers to get up the advanced trail??? That's lame. When I was doing my training runs, I would take advil, but most of the time it was when I was hurting. To be quite honest, I don't think it really helped all that much.

My son did mention to me that the "advanced" trail in the commercial didn't look so hard, too, btw.

I'm all for killing pain, when it's needed, but sometimes I think we tend to reach for pain killers as a solution too often, rather than utilize better forms of reducing pain, like seeing the chiro or physical therapy (ultrasound works) to help a muscle spasm or back pain. That's not to say drugs do come in handy when it's really needed.

Besides, what ever happened to takin' a swig of whiskey, and bitin' the bullet???

*WildHare*

I've no bullets to bite and no whiskey to swig!!! Argh!!!! What a world..what a world..

fubar5

I never take pain killers. And the only time I take medicine is when the doc perscribes it. One of my biggest pet peeves is kids(people under 25) that complain about headaches and stuff like that.

RonH

I saw an Advil commercial today. The guy with the body aches was a golfer.
What pain can you get playing golf?
How did he get so sore? Surely not riding in the golf cart!
Maybe it was from hoisting the clubs from the trunk of his car onto the cart.

I agree with the others. Masking body aches and pains with pain killers can cause serious problems.
The only "drugs" I take are vitamins and an 81 mg aspirin (for heart attack prevention according to my doctor) 'cause I'm 56.

*WildHare*

Golf can seriously tater your back. It aint easy knockin' them little balls into them thar little holes.

nebill

Wait a minute, folks...you are missing the point!

You have a little ache, and you want to improve your performance instantly, so you take a pill!

Loosing a little hair? Simple, take a pill!

Overweight? Yup, a little pill will fix you up!

Gotta cold? We got your pill!

What are you people? Common sense advocates who properly use medications? The kind of people who would actually pay attention to their bodies, and treat it with a little respect?

Oh, wait a minute! This is Bike Forums...never mind!

HillaryRose

I'll admit to using advil. Not because of aches and pains from cycling. I take it, on occasion, for headaches and jaw aches related to my TMJ problems, headaches bad enough to make me cry. Yeah, it'd be better if I could get the cause treated, but every dental insurance we've ever had specifically refuses to pay for any treatment related to TMJ stuff and every kind of therapy I've looked into is really expensive. I say, don't knock pain pills if you've never been laid up in bed, unable to get out and do the stuff you want to, because of a headache so bad you can't even think. Advil, when I need it, lets me get up and function.

Chris L

Want to line my pockets? I got your pill!

I used to experience that, back in the days when I would take pills for it. One day I decided: "stuff this", and I just put up with the pain. Ever since then I have taken no pills and got no more bad headaches! That was about 10 years ago. Coincidence?

Chris

Grump

For those who suffer from arthritis sometimes pain medication is necessary. I have arthritis, and have noticed a remarkable change in symptoms with changes in the weather. I haven't had to take an aspirin or Ibuprofen all summer, but this winter when the cool rains begin, I probably will. Many doctors now think that higher humidity, not cold weather is responsible for more pain in arthritis. I have found exercise is very beneficial for the stiff achy joints. The ol' knees always feel much better after riding. Diet, exercise(including weight training) and pain meds when needed help a whole, whole lot. Not just for arthritis but overall better health, exercise is a godsend......but hell, you already know that!

MadCat

On the subject of TV, I suggest Bikideshi's defence against hostile motorists but used on hostile home invasion by annoying commercials. I only have my tv to watch movies.
Pain make me feel more alive. Head pain sucks though so I use tylenol for that. Advil looks like a wussy pil with it's yellow coating and it feels yucky when I swallow it.

nebill

I have nothing against the pill companies. After surviving breast cancer and suffering with rhumatoid arthris, my wife takes enough pills every day to keep a couple pharmacutical companies in business for a long time! I, on the other hand, other than an aspirin and a vitamin a day, have not taken any medication for many years.

I see commercials such as the one we are discussing as an insult to my intelligence. Sure, since I started riding my bike, I have had my share of sore muscles. But, by seeking advice and properly training, my level of performance has increased without the need for any pills. You suppose that guy on the TV just needs to work a little harder, or have a little more patience??

I detest the mentality of many consumers who watch this stuff, and believe that a little pill is going to perform such miracles. The sad truth is that people buy into this train of thought...if they didn't, there wouldn't be commercials such as this one!

LittleBigMan

Absolutely! Ask my wife. She has dealt with incapacitating rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, removing excess knee fluids, cortisone injections, painful swelling all over her body, and total hip replacement. She has found that even massive doses of Advil "won't even take the edge off" some kinds of pain.

Without her pain medications, she would be in absolute torment.
These pain medicines are all that some people have in the world to allow them to lead anything resembling a normal life. No one should ever stop taking their prescribed medications without approval from their doctors.

As I said, if I am sick, give me something strong. But I do not require Advil 99% of the time, and I doubt that the majority of cyclists or athletes do, either. If exercise is causing that kind of pain on a regular basis, something is wrong, and pain medicine will only cover it up; get the problem checked out, and then if you need medicine, so be it. But don't self-medicate habitually if all you may need is a seat adjustment. Advil, and all other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory pain relievers, can eat the lining of your stomach away if taken too often with out the supervision of a doctor.

But for some, it's a trade-off between the hell of chronic pain and the hell of an ulcerated stomach.