Painkillers and muscle growth for older people

[smoddelm]

Painkillers help older exercisers build muscle - Fitness - MSNBC.com

This one is really of interest to me because I have a lot of pain issues (shoulder/rotator, leg, knee, wrist, elbow -- you name it) and have been taking quite a bit of Advil. A recent thread cited some research suggesting that Advil and painkillers might interfere with muscle growth. I have been trying to cut back and have managed several times now to go 3 or 4 days without Advil (though not without pain). The people in this study were 60 and older, I think; I am 52 -- not that far away .

[Susan4]

Thank you posting this! I have been holding back on the Advil as well, even let a headache run for a few days to not mess up workout gains. I'm glad there's evidence now to the contrary and I can perhaps be less concerned with the use of NSAIDs. Although I'm not near the age group studied.

[smoddelm]

Originally Posted by Susan4

Thank you posting this! I have been holding back on the Advil as well, even let a headache run for a few days to not mess up workout gains. I'm glad there's evidence now to the contrary and I can perhaps be less concerned with the use of NSAIDs. Although I'm not near the age group studied.

I took my normal four capsule dose (which I've found is the threshold to help me at all) right after I posted. I think that's 800 mg and the study mentioned 1200.

[Frank.S]

when was the last time you have gotten blood work for liver/kidney values? that would concern me at that kind of dose for any length of time.

[cycomiko]

The subject age limits applicability of this data.

[smoddelm]

Originally Posted by Frank.S

when was the last time you have gotten blood work for liver/kidney values? that would concern me at that kind of dose for any length of time.

I had my annual physical in February and liver / kidney stuff was part of the blood work. All was normal (and consistent with results from several years ago when I was not taking any pain medications). My doctor is aware of the doses of Advil that I take and has said he is not too concerned. He originally recommended Aleve, but I thought I was having some side effects from it (I don't think he agreed).