Can I Take Advil After My Race?
At 25 years old, weighing 165 pounds and standing 5 feet 8 inches tall, I’m not on any medication. After sustaining a pelvic injury, I had to pause my jogging routine for about a month. Typically, I run around three miles each evening at a relaxed pace. Despite my setback, I participated in a 10k race today. The temperature hit 90 degrees, but I ensured I stayed well-hydrated and consumed protein bars during the event. After finishing, I needed to walk an additional four miles to reach the train station. Now, approximately seven hours post-race, I'm home with a splitting headache and extremely sore calves. I had some barbecue and fruit, which alleviated my earlier dizziness for a while. Is it safe for me to take Advil at this point, and if not, what’s the recommended waiting period? I've heard conflicting advice about avoiding it on the same day as a run due to potential kidney risks. Additionally, how closely should I be watching for signs of rhabdomyolysis? I experienced rhabdo in my quadriceps two years prior, but that incident was linked to heavy weightlifting activities.
Answers (1)
7/4/2025, 11:01:27 PM
OpenHealth AI
It’s understandable to feel concerned after a challenging race, especially with a history of injury and rhabdomyolysis. Let’s break down your questions regarding taking Advil (ibuprofen) and monitoring for signs of rhabdomyolysis.
Main Points:
- You can take Advil, but consider your overall hydration and potential muscle soreness.
- Monitor for signs of rhabdomyolysis, especially given your history, and ensure you take appropriate steps if symptoms arise.
Explanation:
Advil is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) often used to relieve pain and reduce inflammation. Since you’ve completed a race and are now experiencing a headache and muscle soreness, Advil can help alleviate these symptoms. However, it’s important to be cautious with hydration following exercise, particularly in heat, as NSAIDs can stress the kidneys, especially if you’re dehydrated after strenuous activity.
Next Steps:
-
Take Advil: You can take Advil as directed on the package, ensuring you are well-hydrated. Drink plenty of water (at least 16 ounces) before taking the medication to help support kidney function.
-
Rest and Recover: Allow your body time to recover. If possible, elevate your legs and gently stretch to relieve calf soreness.
-
Monitor Symptoms: Watch for symptoms of rhabdomyolysis, especially muscle weakness, extreme soreness, dark urine, or unusual fatigue. Given your previous experience with rhabdo, remain vigilant.
-
Hydration: Continue to hydrate throughout the evening. Proper hydration helps prevent kidney stress and supports recovery.
-
Follow Up: If you notice concerning symptoms (e.g., dark urine or severe muscle pain), consider seeking medical advice promptly.
Remember, self-care is key. Rest is just as important as hydration and pain relief after such an event. If your headache persists beyond the effects of Advil or worsens, or if you have any other worrying symptoms, further evaluation may be necessary.
Related Questions
Concerns About My Toes
Age: 30, Female Currently, I am on the lookout for a reputable podiatrist in my vicinity. However, I've encountered a perplexing issue with my foot. Just last night, I noticed a growth on the side of my toe, something entirely new to me. I maintain a nutritious diet and have a demanding job that requires me to be on my feet quite often. My footwear includes brands such as Brooks Ghost Runners, Hoka Bondi 9’s, and Nike Motiva’s, and I don’t opt for restrictive socks. I also apply Vick’s Vaporub to my feet, a practice handed down from my family, and stick with simple, non-fragrant lotions like Vanicream and CeraVe SA Cream for my skin. In addition, I am curious about the my big toenail's change in color. What might be the underlying reasons for this? Also, I have these persistent dark spots on my toes that I've struggled with since my days on the runway. Despite my efforts, nothing has succeeded in lightening or diminishing their appearance. I'm just looking to determine if there might have been a factor from the past that could have contributed to these issues. I’m not sure what else to include, but I’m open to answering any questions you might have. Thank you for your attention! Best wishes from a worried soul!
Strange Jelly-Like Substance Observed from Wound
I’m a 21-year-old female living with an auto-inflammatory condition known as hidradenitis suppurativa (HS). Recently, I've experienced a concerning issue with one of my wounds. This particular wound causes significant pain and excessive bleeding. However, whenever I attend to it, I tend to find this unusual jelly-like substance present within it. Interestingly, this phenomenon has only occurred with this one wound and not any of the others I have. The bleeding seems to persist until I manage to remove this jelly substance, after which it typically slows down and comes to a halt completely. I’m seeking insights into what this might signify so that I can effectively discuss it with my healthcare provider.
Healing Progress Post-GBS: Toe Concerns
I am a 28-year-old male, measuring 5 feet 10 inches and weighing 131 pounds. My current medications include Fomadatine and Zyrtec, prescribed due to my ongoing battle with Chronic Gastritis and SIBO. I maintain a healthy lifestyle, abstaining from both smoking and alcohol. My health concern revolves around the toe adjacent to my pinky toe on my left foot, as well as my pinky toe on the right foot. Since August of last year, I have been on the mend from Guillain Barre Syndrome. Recently, I've noticed that at night, the skin on my feet tends to turn a reddish pink, although this usually improves after I walk around. However, two of my toes have remained red, with one appearing slightly swollen. Generally, my pinky toes are quite thick, but the condition of my left foot's toe is worrisome for me. It seems that I'm unable to upload an image to illustrate my issue.
Swelling Beneath My Chin Near the Jawline
18-Year-Old Male: I'm reaching out to any medical professionals who might provide insights into my situation. I've been using marijuana since I was 14, but now, at 17, I'm making an effort to stop and have been clean for 18 days. Recently, I've discovered an unusual swelling located just beneath my chin, behind my jaw. It causes some discomfort when I move, yet it doesn’t feel painful continuously. I'm somewhat anxious that this could be indicative of a more serious issue, especially considering it's positioned near my chin's lymph nodes. Any advice or information would be greatly appreciated as it might help alleviate my worry.
Seeking Insights: My Journey with Undiagnosed Neurological Symptoms
Hello everyone, I'm a 34-year-old female grappling with neurological symptoms that first appeared in October, and I’m eager to hear from anyone who might have faced similar challenges. My journey began with unexpected migraines, blurred vision, and an ongoing sensation of being off-balance or intoxicated. Gradually, I began experiencing mainly sensory-related symptoms, such as tingling and burning sensations, feelings of extreme heat and cold, sharp pains radiating in my arms and back, as well as discomfort in my hands and toes, alongside intermittent numbness. I also endure varying degrees of weakness and heaviness in my right side, specifically my arm and leg, although I haven’t suffered complete functional loss. The nature of my symptoms is erratic; they fluctuate rather than consistently deteriorate. An MRI revealed mild, scattered lesions in the white matter, which were deemed nonspecific. Further tests from a lumbar puncture returned normal results, showing no markers of inflammation, and the oligoclonal bands were not present. A thorough range of lab tests yielded no significant findings. After evaluating my case, the neurology team suggested a possible diagnosis of MS and administered a three-day course of intravenous steroids. While I noticed a slight improvement in some sensory pain, my symptoms persist and continue to vary day by day. I still experience headaches and pressure in my head along with episodes of blurred vision, but there have been no new deficits since treatment. I am reaching out to connect with others who have had similar experiences. I would like to learn about the insights or diagnoses you encountered and what treatments proved beneficial (such as those related to migraine disorders, dysautonomia, or sensory neuropathy, for example). If you have navigated a similar path, I would greatly appreciate your sharing your story. Thank you!