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The most "European mind cannot comprehend this" thing around
(files.mastodon.social)
Image description: A bottle of Ibuprofen containing 1000 tablets.
(Originally published earlier today on mastodon.social)
I’m not sure what part I shouldn’t be able to comprehend
The part where you need 1000 tablets, that’s more than a lifetime supply. If you need that many you’re better off visiting the doctor and fix whatever the issue is.
Tell me you don’t have chronic headaches without telling me you don’t have chronic headaches
nsaids for chronic headaches?
Jesus, No.
What would you suggest as an alternative, then? Most sources list ibuprofen as the first line drug of choice for moderate tension headache.
In Europe, generally paracetamol (brand name Tylenol in the US) is recommended for headaches / the common cold / flu, and ibuprofen for muscle aches / inflammation.
For something more severe, they’ll recommend taking one type of painkiller, waiting 2 hours, taking the other, then 2 hours later repeating the process.
Asprin is has mostly fallen out of usage as a painkiller, but is sometimes still used for heart / blood problems.
These painkillers are out of patent, so there is never a good reason to pay more for a fancy brand.
That’s long been my approach with the starting meds reversed (ibuprofen, then Tylenol if needed). Acetaminophen/paracetamol’s therapeutic dosage is much closer to the amount required for liver toxicity than Ibuprofen’s is for kidneys, so I think it’s better to start with the lower-risk medication. If I’m in the middle of a multi-day episode that’s well-managed with just one medication at the regular dosing schedule, I will often alternate between them.
Tylenol (we call it acetaminophen generically) never worked as well for me as ibuprofen. Plus, it is way too easy to destroy your liver with Tylenol.
Plus I like the method of action. NSAIDs help control inflammation. Tylenol just blocks pain receptors.
Acetaminophen is pretty rough on livers and kidneys. People also overdose on it pretty routinely as a lethal dose is like eight pills.
I prefer ibuprofen, but only because I’m a little chicken when it comes to stuff like that.
Nobody in a civilized country takes EIGHT fucking pills, unless they want to die. A full card usually has less than 20.
Costco sells a 1000 pills bottle just like the ibuprofen one
Again, “civilized”. America and its vassal state (Canada) don’t count.
Some have frequent need for them. It’s not a specifically American thing to have chronic pain…
Chronic pain patients in civilized countries get a prescription note for a single card of, say, 20 tablets, then visit their local pharmacy in a walkable neighborhood to get their free medicine every other week or so.
Go to the doctor? What do you think I am? Made of money?
This is what they have instead of healthcare
A very sizeable percentage of Americans can’t even afford rent on a one-bedroom apartment working two jobs, and they don’t have health insurance. There is no “going to the doctor” when paying out of pocket at even just the clinic costs more than a week’s wages. Between chronic discomfort and homelessness, they choose discomfort.
…fixing general muscle pain? What do you expect a doctor to resolve there? This is fucking Ibuprofen. Advil. Am I taking crazy pills or is this thread actually happening in real life?
General muscle pain, as in pain after exercising? A few times? Sure, I get that. Regularly enough to buy 1000 Ibuprofen tablets? Pretty sure that’s not recommended.
Are we sure this was bought for just a single person’s use?
People don't have families or roommates in Europe /s