Ibuprofen v aspirin

[Zen]

What's the difference?

Between back pain and a sinus infection, I've been miserable since Tuesday.
I've been taking aspirin because that's what I have in the house.

I can't take acetaminophen. Would ibuprofen be better than aspirin?

[kelownagirl]

I'm not positive but I think ibuprophen also has a mild anti-inflammatory as well so I think it's better for muscle (back) pain than plain aspirin. I don't take aspirin so I can't comment. Sorry your back is in pain...

[DirtDiva]

Probably, yes, as it does have anti-inflamitory properties.

[OakLeaf]

Aspirin is also anti-inflammatory.

Aspirin's a little harder on your stomach and tends to have more of a blood-thinning effect. If neither one of those is an issue for you, use whatever works better.

Hope you feel better soon Try a neti pot if you aren't already irrigating.

[Zen]

Irrigating?
With salt water?
I might have a turkey baster.

[OakLeaf]

Irrigating?
With salt water?
I might have a turkey baster.

http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showthread.php?t=20616

1/4 tsp canning-pickling salt (sodium chloride with no anti-caking agents or iodide) and a pinch of baking soda in 8 oz warm water. Or you can get pre-measured packets as well as the pots at the drug store (SinuCleanse or Sinus Rinse or other neti pot). The instructions say to boil water and cool it first, I never bother. My optometrist thinks tap water's safe enough to wash my hands before handling contact lenses, IMO it's safe enough for my sinuses. But if your tap water has a very high mineral content, you might consider using distilled water.

I guess a turkey baster would work as long as you didn't squeeze too hard - excessive pressure wouldn't be good. I don't know that you'd want to use it on a turkey afterward though

Warning: irrigating when you have a sinus infection is one of the grossest things you will ever do. But you'll immediately realize that that cr*p is better off washed down your sink than festering in your sinuses.

[sundial]

Hubby has suffered from sinus infections and he used the NeilMed Sinus Rinse Kit available at most drug stores. He got over his sinus infections quicker by rinsing with this saline solution included in this kit.

He also suggests ibuprofen over aspirin as it isn't as hard on the stomach. Aspirin does have anti-inflammatory properties as does ibuprofen, but patients experience fewer GI side effects with ibuprofen. (He's a pharmacist.)

Hope you feel better soon. Sinus infections are not fun!

[Flybye]

Ibuprofen is safer than aspirin.

I can't remember the explanation right off hand, but I have discussed this same issue in length with my husband who is a pharmacist. What I seem to recall is that aspirin binds to cells in the blood stream and stays in the body longer. It either kills or weakens blood cells and the body has to replenish them which takes quite awhile (months) and is therefore not as safe as aspirin.

I could be remembering this completely wrong so don't take my reasons for it as science. I so remember for a fact that we are better off taking ibuprofen - (oh, and take it with food)

We had this discussion late at night when I was sick and I was half-way listening. I felt like crap and just wanted a simple answer like "no, honey, don't take aspirin, it isn't as safe". A simple explanation is NOT something you get from a pharmacist I actually respect that and am now wishing I would have listened more closely so I would have a better answer.

Oh, and yes, both are anti-inflammatories and both thin the blood.

Sleep well and get better soon!!

[Flybye]

Hubby has suffered from sinus infections and he used the NeilMed Sinus Rinse Kit available at most drug stores. He got over his sinus infections quicker by rinsing with this saline solution included in this kit.

He also suggests ibuprofen over aspirin as it isn't as hard on the stomach. Aspirin does have anti-inflammatory properties as does ibuprofen, but patients experience fewer GI side effects with ibuprofen. (He's a pharmacist.)

Hope you feel better soon. Sinus infections are not fun!

Our lives sound so similar sometimes it freaks me out!!

[margo49]

I take ibuprofen for actual pain
and paracetomol with chamomile tea and honey for fever or virus.
This latter is my idea of complimen-tree medicine

[RoadRaven]

I don't take aspirin cause I remember my mum saying when I was a kid it leaves some kind of sediment in your liver that never cleans out. I have never checked it out so it may be a completely eroneous (sp?) "fact"!

I use iburofen mostly, but you can use it with paracetomol as well - which I have been known to do to "top up" the pain-killing potential.

My partner doesn't take ibuprofen at all as it makes him feel ill - he always uses paracetamol.

Zen, I suggest you go to the chemist (drugstore?) if you are still in pain and ask for the strongest anti-inflam you can get without going to a doctor for a prescription.

Over here I get something called Voltaren + 25. I have to sign for it and its ingredient is diclofenac. It is awesome.

I do not advocate use of drugs unless necessary, but if you have back pain that is muscular, a couple of days on anti-flams means your muscles can relax and "un-twist" themselves.

As for the sinus, well, you are tougher than I. I have had three serious sinus infections and I think 2 days is the longest I lasted before getting antibiotics. The pain behind the eyes was tooooo much.

[OakLeaf]

paracetamol = acetaminophen

Voltaren is Rx only in the US. Naproxen sodium (Aleve) is OTC if you prefer that.

A true anti-inflammatory dose of ibuprofen is 300-600 mg q 6 hours.

Aspirin seems to be safer than other NSAIDs for long term use in terms of heart and liver damage, but the bottom line is I wouldn't take any pharmaceutical long term without close medical supervision (and then with misgivings and a real medical need that can't be addressed without the drug).

Contrary to what was thought even a few years ago, doctors now agree that yellow-green mucus does not indicate a bacterial infection. The vast majority of sinus infections, like other URIs, are viral, and excessive antibiotic use contributes to development of resistant bacteria. Like all other URIs, sinus infections should not be treated with antibiotics unless they persist after 5-7 days.

IANAD, etc., etc.

[Zen]

I did something last night with a funnel and almost drowned.
I was gasping for air and coughing.
apparently I did something wrong (duh. ya' think?)
It did help clear my head, though.

[snapdragen]

Maybe you could get yourself one of those squeezy bulbs used to clear out babies noses? I used that until I found a neti pot, it worked well. You want to get your head tilted so the salt water doesn't run down the back of your throat. I know I've seen demos online - much better than those youtube ones. I'll have to see if I can find them again.

[RoadRaven]

Thankyou for the clarification, OakLeaf - I had no idea that acetaminophen was paracetomol/panadol!


I suppose that I should qualify my antibiotic comment. I actually cannot accurately remember the last time I or my children had antibiotics.

I think the last lot of them in this house was when my youngest had a nasty infection that we were concerned would become blood poisoning - that would be 5-6 years ago. My partner has had them a couple of times in the past few years for nasty tooth infections that needed root canals. I think my last dose must be one of the sinus infections would be ten years or so ago (the last sinus infection)...

I do not advocate them as anything but a last option - when the children have earaches for example (a commonly overprescribed ailment) I am ruthless and give them painkillers and usually we don't even get to the doctors...



And Zen - tooooo funny!
I read your post and all I could think of was how your obit or coroner's report might read - death by funnel drowning - how does one explain that!?