Question:
What pain meds are safe?
Are any anti inflamatory meds ok for me to take? If I take them with food would that help? — Judith R. (posted on February 1, 2009)
January 31, 2009
sorry, no NO anti inflammatory meds. You run the risk of an abscess in the
pouch, bleeding, etc. Also, no time released meds. You will have to go
the route of regular pain meds, but remember, you have approx 80
%malabsorption, thats like taking a pill, cutting it in 5 equal pieces,
then only taking 1 piece and praying it takes your pain away. Always try
to get your pain RX in elixir form, better absorption, easier on the pouch.
In the realm of things, one of the only bad things about wls is getting
the right meds and dosages for our new systems. Docs don't want to hear
the patients knowledge on the subject- most of them anyway. Good luck.
Cindi M D retired, 4+ yrs post op, -230 lbs and holding
— DollyDoodles
February 1, 2009
My doctor says no ibuprofen or naproxen. Tylenol is ok. I have found some
topical anti inflammatory patches that have salicylic derivative in them
that worked very well when I had a back injury.
— Shirley D.
February 1, 2009
No they are not good for any GB...They are too harsh. But regular pain
meds like tylenol are almost useless, unless you take 4 at a time and chew
or crush them...I have had a headache for three days that I cannot get
relief for with 4 tylenol at a time and I am afraid to take more...so I've
suffered. I recently learned that magnesium is good for pain and I am also
chronically low on magnesium and so I am going to try it. My daughter is
pregnant (non wls, she's a teeny little thing) and having some pain in her
back and the doc prescribed her magnesium oxide yesterday! I was shocked
because I just learned of this myself and that's what he gave her! SO...I'm
on it next ache or pain!
— .Anita R.
February 1, 2009
this is probably the hardest thing I have had to deal with since surgery.
we are not aloud to take any kinda of ibuprofen. which sucks, because i
think its the only stuff that works for me that time of the month, or for
any kinda of pain management. tylenol only. good luck.
— jackie L.
February 1, 2009
Most people cannot, and it is not worth the risk. This is something your
surgeon should have made VERY CLEAR prior to surgery. I have a niece that
ignored that advice and had a hole in her stomach which caused septis and
she almost died. Please stay away from regular use of anti inflamitory
drugs. I don't know why they cause so much damage, but they do. Please
avoid them.
— Patricia P
February 1, 2009
Tylenol is what has been recommended. Non-Steroid Inflammatory Medications
such as Motrin or Ibuprofen can damage your pouch. I'm not sure which
surgery you had. I had the VSG. I know that Bypass patients can't have
them either. I have been told that I could use baby motrin at 20cc
followed by at least 4oz of water but before you do that please check with
your doctor. I did it once or twice but I felt very nervous about doing so
but it was at the direction of the dr for that one time case.
— Corina C
February 1, 2009
I have not had surgery yet but this is one thing that scares me the most. I
have found a article on Voltaren Gel that is applied to the painful joint I
ask my surgeon about it but he did not know if it would work. I am going to
try it when my current meds run out.
— ricks421
February 1, 2009
I agree that it can be very damaging. However, my doctor allows me to take
Mobic, or indocin but I take prevacid everyday. Also, there are patches
that can be worn for pain. I would check with the doctor before you take
anything and make sure your stomach is protected before you do. Tylenol
does nothing for me and can be bad for your liver. Good luck in finding
something that works.
Marilia
— azoreangal
February 1, 2009
I have taken liquid tylenol and even the caplets with no probs, but have
done it only twice. For headaches...If you don't want to take anything, or
can't, soak your feet in water as hot as you can stand it. I am a chronic
headache sufferer, and my neurologist suggested this. Any headache is too
much blood in the brain and soaking your feet, or even doing dishes if the
water is really hot will alieviate it. Tho for me the feet works best. I
usually have the water so hot I can't put my feet in..I bounce them in and
out. then after a few minutes the feet will be able to get in and you can
relax. It takes 10-20 minutes to really do anything. If I do it in the
bathtub, I walk in the hot water and squash my big toe onto the bottom..the
pressure point for your head is in your big toe! While I had migraines, my
husband would squeeze my big toe and I could literally shake my head and
the pain was gone, but when he let go...yeow! so its true..pressure point
in head...ok tmi...anyways, hot water for headache ...soak feet ...cold ice
pack on back of neck and forehead. Other pains I can't help you with.
sorry. But I know headaches!! Good luck to all! hugs, Kim
— gpcmist
February 2, 2009
Just be aware that while tylenol is the preferred painkiller, it is not
something you can take in large, unlimited doses. Read up on side effects
related to liver damage. After a recent, unrelated, very painful abdominal
surgery, my bariatric surgeon emphatically said to follow guidelines on 24
hr. dosage limits -- which, unfortunately, I can't remember at the moment,
so look it up.
— Cathy 1.
February 2, 2009
I have not had surgery yet but I do have lupus which means I live on
steroid and NSAIDS. My docs have been trying to figure out what will
replace them after my surgery. I am on Mobic which is in the same class as
naproxen. I was told absolutely NO mobic. I also use Voltaren gel 4 times a
day on my knees. Voltaren is almost Mobic in gel form. Actually, I cannot
take Mobic and put Voltaren gel on at the same time because your body
absorbs about 1% of the gel and can cause stomach upset. Because of the
absorption they told me no Voltaren either. I have Lidoderm patches, which
is like the novicane you get at the dentist. They work because they numb
the area and the doc said they are OK. I know everyone is different and not
all docs have the same recommendations but I just wanted everyone to know
that you can have the same affect from NSAID gels. I am sorry you are in
pain, and I hope you find some relief. Good luck and please be careful.
— CheekyMonkey
February 9, 2009
Generally not a great idea if it can possibly be avoided. I just got some
because I was in dire pain after breaking a rib. I take prilosec everyday
and now I take it twice a day right along with the anti-inflammatory, and
if I feel ANY discomfort in my stomach I will stop taking it and head back
to the doctor.
— Fluffee
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