For a long day at the parks: Motrin vs. Aleve

[PrincessAurora27]

With have a range of natural remedies in the UK called "Bach's Remedies" - I haven't been able to find them since living in the US (although, I haven't looked that hard) but when I went through insomnia I found that their "Aspen" remedy worked really well

I get my Bach's Remedies from Whole Foods or a natural food store. I love rescue remedy.

I typically take Tylenol as a preventative. If the pain gets really bad I like Excedrin.

 

[mom2rtk]

This is not related to Disney at all, but I had a pretty bad backache a few years ago and tried Aleve, based the assumption that it was stronger than Advil since you only had to take it once every 12 hours.

It did nothing for me. It did not help my pain in the slightest.

It's not really supposed to be stronger, just longer acting.

And it's never done a thing for me either.

 

[WedgieSock]

I get my Bach's Remedies from Whole Foods or a natural food store. I love rescue remedy.

I typically take Tylenol as a preventative. If the pain gets really bad I like Excedrin.

Thanks! Honestly, that is really great to know.

 

[maxiesmom]

If you haven't taken naproxen before, test it out before you use it at the parks. It can make you very tired. Also check with your doctor if you take any other meds. My Dr told me to avoid naproxen, as it would interact with my prescription meds.

 

[Art 1]

I hear a lot of posts about taking Ibuprophin every 6 hours but no one has mentioned Aleve (every 12 hours sounds more reasonable to me). Is it because the Ibu works better??

Either way for me I need to take more than the amount listed on the bottle to get results. Ask your MD what that amount is. I prefer Ibuprofen.

 

[lucifie]

I used to rep for Tylenol. I had a surgeon tell me that they liked to give post op patients a script for narcotic meds, but asked them to first dose ibuprofen and Tylenol in turns. They are both pain relievers, but work in different ways and are safe to dose concurrently. Ibuprofen works on the site of pain, reducing inflammation, while Tylenol works on the central nervous system interfering with the body's interpretation of pain. Together they are a great 1-2 punch. They said most of their patients never ended up filling their narcotics script.

It does work well. I've had 3 c-sections and I didn't take narcotics for any of them, I've had several surgeries over the years and I've always felt better after I stopped the narcotics. They make me feel awful so I told my OB before my first c-section. The hospital tried to pressure me into taking the narcotics, but I was OK on Motrin and Tylenol.

Disclaimer: I'm in no way saying there's anything wrong with taking narcotics if you need them. I'm just saying how well the Tylenol/Motrin combo worked for me.

 

[goofy4tink]

I used to rep for Tylenol. I had a surgeon tell me that they liked to give post op patients a script for narcotic meds, but asked them to first dose ibuprofen and Tylenol in turns. They are both pain relievers, but work in different ways and are safe to dose concurrently. Ibuprofen works on the site of pain, reducing inflammation, while Tylenol works on the central nervous system interfering with the body's interpretation of pain. Together they are a great 1-2 punch. They said most of their patients never ended up filling their narcotics script.

As I sit her in pain from a pulled neck muscle, I thank you for reminding me of this. Off to add some Tylenol to my prior dose of ibuprofen.

And BTW....... I prefer ibuprofen because it just works better for me. The dosing for Aleve would lend itself better to using Disney, as you don't have to redose as often. But it just doesn't get the job done for me.

I use the ibuprofen for sore feet. It generally is more effective if you take it proactively instead of waiting until your feet are throbbing in agony.

Good to know. I usually haven't had great luck with just Tylenol, but do very well with ibu. I think I may give the combo method a shot in a few weeks when I get to WDW.
I have rapidly aging knees...they just can't take all that walking. Add to that a lower back issue and I'm a walking disaster!!! So, I like to try to head it off if possible. I've usually taken 2 ibu in the morning and then 3 at night. I think the combination of the two will really help!!!

 

[MSSANDRA]

I'm an active , healthy 48 year old raising a 6 year old. A full day in the park, does sometimes give me pain in my lower back. I don't take meds before it starts, but as soon as I feel it come on, I take aleve. I works well for me. Took a dose today while doing 9 hours of shopping!

 

[bytheblood]

I have arthritic knees - I don't take anything for it. Should I be in a great deal of pain, I will take an rx strength Ibuprofen before bed.

 

[xipotec]

My area of expertise

Step back everyone...

Naproxen (Aleve) or ibuprofen (Motrin or Advil) are both anti inflammatories and should be first choice in arthritic situations. Unless there is a bleeding risk or stomach problems. Both have similar pain relief but naproxen only needs to be taken every 12 hours. Ibuprofen is 6-8, so naproxen is easier on the stomach and easier to take.
Acetaminophen (tylenol) can be taken with either of the above on an opposing schedule, if needed.

Please remember to think carefully before giving out casual medical advice!!

Always consult your doctor/pharmacist who knows you for the best medical advise,,, definetly not the interwebs.

 

[mom2rtk]

Good to know. I usually haven't had great luck with just Tylenol, but do very well with ibu. I think I may give the combo method a shot in a few weeks when I get to WDW.
I have rapidly aging knees...they just can't take all that walking. Add to that a lower back issue and I'm a walking disaster!!! So, I like to try to head it off if possible. I've usually taken 2 ibu in the morning and then 3 at night. I think the combination of the two will really help!!!

I'm the same way. Tylenol alone has just has never done the job for me. But for some reason when I take it in conjunction with the ibuprofen, it just completes the job.

If you're looking for a longer acting Tylenol for a day in the parks, Tylenol Arthritis is nothing but an extended release version of Tylenol.

 

[dawnball]

But I do not use medicine as a preventive, I use water, fruit, herbs or good old-fashioned rest

I'm fairly sure that the effective medicinal herbs aren't legal in the state of Florida.

Although, at Disneyland, I suspect that many people use herbs as a preventive measure.

 

[Burnedout]

I'm fairly sure that the effective medicinal herbs aren't legal in the state of Florida.

Although, at Disneyland, I suspect that many people use herbs as a preventive measure.

Hahahaha! I hung out at dl in the 70's and I guarantee that was true then.

 

[goofy4tink]

My area of expertise

Step back everyone...

Naproxen (Aleve) or ibuprofen (Motrin or Advil) are both anti inflammatories and should be first choice in arthritic situations. Unless there is a bleeding risk or stomach problems. Both have similar pain relief but naproxen only needs to be taken every 12 hours. Ibuprofen is 6-8, so naproxen is easier on the stomach and easier to take.
Acetaminophen (tylenol) can be taken with either of the above on an opposing schedule, if needed.

Please remember to think carefully before giving out casual medical advice!!

Always consult your doctor/pharmacist who knows you for the best medical advise,,, definetly not the interwebs.

And the strange thing for me??? Only more frequent doses of plain old ibu works. None of the 12 hr stuff does much.

I'm the same way. Tylenol alone has just has never done the job for me. But for some reason when I take it in conjunction with the ibuprofen, it just completes the job.

If you're looking for a longer acting Tylenol for a day in the parks, Tylenol Arthritis is nothing but an extended release version of Tylenol.

Thanks...good to know.

 

[Lu Ann]

I started taking naproxen or ibuprofen as a preventative measure when I had to have a minor procedure/test at the dr years ago, and they advised me to take it before I came. It worked very well! Since then, if I have to go to the dentist or anything where there may be minor pain, I take it preventatively!

At Disney, both my husband and I end up in pain from a long day. Neither one of us have arthritis, but other issues. I sit all day at work. At Disney, my feet will be on fire by the end of the day. Then they throb all night and I can't sleep. My feet have had this reaction to standing on them for long periods since I was a kid. So I take naproxen right before entereing a park. Then I take it 12 hours later so I can sleep. An unfamiliar bed also will give me a backache, and this helps that a lot, too. I prefer the 12-hour just so I don't have to take it so often. My husband has a very active job, but he will develop a lower backache easily, and he has recently started complaining of his feet hurting after a long day (I'm 49, he's 52, just for reference). So we both take it preventatively, and it works great for us. We are both on naproxen around the clock at Disney. We both drink lots of water, including Smart water with electrolytes, and eat lots of fruit and vegetables. I have never noticed that it made any difference.

I am prone to migraines (but not from kids/noise), and I also take Excedrin Migraine for that if I need it. I think it's the caffeine that helps, and since I hate coffee, and no longer drink soft drinks, I can't drink it!

 

[luvthemouse71]

I use them both but have been gravitating towards the Aleve more since I don't have to take as many. All NSAIDs( Advil, Motrin, Aleve, Aspirin)can be tough on your stomach or can cause gastric bleeding. They should be taken with food.

Also, if you are on a narcotic pain med like Vicodin, don't take Tylenol with it. Vicodin has acetaminophen in it already. Bad things happen to the liver if you take too much. Also, if you drink on a daily basis, be careful with taking Tylenol, for the same reason(liver).

With any med, it's important to read the instructions, and follow the dosing advice and the advice of your doctor/pharmacist. I think sometimes the proper caution isn't taken because Advil, Aleve, and Tylenol are OTC drugs.

 

[bookgirl]

I have an achilles tendon that has been hurt, repaired with surgery and still has some ongoing problems.

Aleve is the OTC of choice for me. (I add a Tramadol when it's really bad).

Ibuprofen is great for a headache, muscle aches or general pain, but for deep pain in my joints, bones or heel, I need something better.

The 12 hour thing is great for longer days as well.

 

[GaSleepingBeautyFan]

Aleve has never worked for me.

I always have to take some sort of Ibuprofen for my knee and back when I'm at Disney. All that walking is way more than I do in a normal day at home.

 

[Granny square]

Interesting thing about Vicodin is that my pharmacy isn't carrying it now. They are pushing a new version. Not because of narcotic concerns but because of too much acetaminophen! I have to say that this cracked me up.

I take aleve because my rheumatologist tells me to. Tylenol stinks. That was the worst part of pregnancy IMO. I tended to take iburophren prophylacticly years ago. I'm terrible at standing in lines. I'm not made to stand still and it hurts to do so.

 

[mom2rtk]

Interesting thing about Vicodin is that my pharmacy isn't carrying it now. They are pushing a new version. Not because of narcotic concerns but because of too much acetaminophen! I have to say that this cracked me up.

I take aleve because my rheumatologist tells me to. Tylenol stinks. That was the worst part of pregnancy IMO. I tended to take iburophren prophylacticly years ago. I'm terrible at standing in lines. I'm not made to stand still and it hurts to do so.

Actaminophen is safe and effective at 4 grams a day. It gets a bum wrap about being toxic to the liver, but that really is just when exceding the maximun daily dose. The problem comes when people don't make themselves aware of what they are taking. Too many people would take their 4 grams on top of other meds that use it in combination (like Vicodin). Same problem with some children's cold meds that have a fever reducer.