Suitable Pain Meds
I've been suffering from severe headaches 5 years after my RNY surgery. I've had these headaches for 3 months now.
I know I have to avoid NSAIDs. I took a mild one and it helped with the pain. But I can't take long term obviously.
So I've been taking 50mg of Elavil with 2-4mg or Hydro Morphone a day. That just about covers the pain but occasionally need a Tylenol 3 to top it off.
Can anyone suggest an alternative pain management regimen? I really don't want to take the narcotics for a long period of time.
Thanks,
Andrew.
Before the surgery I kept putting things off. I was never good enough. One of the benefits of WLS is that you start to believe in yourself. Check out my blog:
All Things CPAP
No idea at all. It's like a migraine in intensity but sound and light doesn't affect me.
- Blood tests show no infection.
- Optician shows no problems.
- CT Scan showed nothing.
- No sinus congestion.
- Stopped taking caffeine: no change.
- Walked more often: no change.
- Calcium, Iron and Vitamin D all checked and in range.
- Blood sugars are well controlled.
- Massage therapy has no effect.
- Acupuncture has no effect.
- Changed my chair and sitting position. My neck's less sore but the headaches are untouched.
I have an MRI at the end of November but I suspect it'll be the same: nothing wrong.
As my doctor says "sometime you just get headaches and we can't find the problem."
Before the surgery I kept putting things off. I was never good enough. One of the benefits of WLS is that you start to believe in yourself. Check out my blog:
All Things CPAP
Unfortunately, once you eliminate Tylenol and NSAIDs, narcotics are pretty much all that's left. There are things for specific types of pain that are not narcotic and may help (e.g., for migraines), and for some kinds of issues people take Cymbalta, but those medications are not primarily for pain and therefore don't help in the same way as, or as much as, pain meds do.
Many RNYers rely on Tramadol, which is a level below the hydrocodone, for pain, but the FDA just made it a scheduled narcotic because of the (alleged) potential for addiction. I took to for 4 years and noticed absolutely no signs of psychological or physiological dependence, let alone addiction. YMMV, of course.
Lora
ETA: I didn't originally see that you're from Canada, so what the US FDA classification of Tramadol probably doesn't apply to you, although it may be similarly categorized in Canada.
14 years out; 190 pounds lost, 165 pound loss maintained
You don't drown by falling in the water. You drown by staying there.
Thanks Lora. My research hadn't brought up Tramadol.
Lortab: just as additctive as the hydromorphone.
Nambumetone : stomach upsets
Liboderm: topical only.
Darvocet: withdrawn from sale for being addictive.
Flector 1.3%: stomach upsets.
Ultram looks promising as it's lower risk of addiction. Have you heard of this medicine?
Before the surgery I kept putting things off. I was never good enough. One of the benefits of WLS is that you start to believe in yourself. Check out my blog:
All Things CPAP
Yes, Ultram and Tramadol are the same thing.
Unfortunately -- in my experience, anyway -- it isn't nearly as effective, even at higher doses, as any of the narcotic pain meds, but it is a bit more effective than the NSAIDs would be. I was taking it for severe arthritis in my knees, and the Tramadol/Ultram isn't a strong enough pain killer to overcome the lack of the anti-inflammatory action that the NSAIDs have. With arthritis, reducing the inflammation is a critical part of addressing the source of the pain.
I sure hope they find the reason for your headaches!
Lora
14 years out; 190 pounds lost, 165 pound loss maintained
You don't drown by falling in the water. You drown by staying there.
Neurologist is booked for December 5th.
Before the surgery I kept putting things off. I was never good enough. One of the benefits of WLS is that you start to believe in yourself. Check out my blog:
All Things CPAP