Why we can't take NSAIDS

I agree!! I never take them for cramps or normal aches but after that surgery I felt like I wa**** by a truck and they helped immensely!! I actually sufferred for awhile before I finally decided I needed them.

I think, like anything else, it also effects different people differently. I had a high sensitivity to NSAIDS when I was pre-op, so I only took them occasionally pre-op because they really bothered me then.

I have taken them from time to time postop..... with prilosec, I took ONE aleve after each of two root canals, and felt that was worth the risk. I'm taking them now, again with Prilosec, in the form of a patch, because I HAVE to get back to work, and my pain levels were not diminishing fast enough postop tailbone surgery.... my hope is that the NSAID patches will make a differencce in how quickly the pain subsides. I am taking prilosec and paying CLOSE attention to my stomach also. The minute I get any GI distress or any sense that the NSAIDs are messing me up, I will stop them.

The one time I took them unwittingly (via IV, for three days, without prilosec) I got very illl.

The worst risk is to develop an untreated ulcer in the blind stomach that might go untreated, and become a bleeding ulcer, which can risk a person's life. Because this can't even be diagnosed without surgery, it is best not to risk getting into that possibly life-threatening position.

It is definately something to do with only extreme care.

As it is I'm takign a 3/4 dose ..... keeping the patches on for 9 hours then giving myself three hours without them before the next patch. (And via patch is FREAKING expensive, with insurance, and WITH a $30 coupon from the manufacturer, I'm still paying $2/day for the patches.

I'm sure it does affect different people differently.  The thing is, I don't think there is any way to k now how it will affect you until you try it.  And who wants to try it and then find out it affects them badly.

I understand why you've decided to use them for now.  I am not criticizing anyone for deciding they need them.  I'm just saying to weigh the risks carefully and I know you have.

I didnt' feel criticized, I don't recommend them myself! I just don't want to seem a hypocrite as I've openly stated that I'm using them.

I hope it is a decision I do not regret! 

Overall I think it is the choice that works for me.

I find it sad when there are people who aren't told to avoid NSAIDS, or worse who have surgeons who discredit the notion that they should be avoided. SOME people can get away with them without any issues at all..... but with the blind stomach, it is not a good idea, since diagnosis and treatment of a blind stomach is so much harder. I remember having a long conversation with my pain specialist about this, and once he saw the logic behind it, he understood why I was resistant to the use of NSAIDS..... I might have avoided surgery altogether if I was willing to go on Nsaids for the rest of my life, but I wasn't.

Even if a surgeon doesn't believe the risk is really all that much, they shouold educate their patients as to the REASON why they shoiuld be avoided, and what the possible BAD side effects are, and WHAT to look for in the case of a bad reaction. I feel pretty good having HAD a bad reaction, that I know what I can look for, and stop the NSAIDS before the damage is severe.

Well, occasionally I know some people think I'm being critical and I really don't mean to be.  I want people to have the information.  That's all.

I agree surgeons should educate their patients.  Maybe they think it is worth the risk to take NSAIDS, but that's not their decision because they are not the ones taking the risk.  It should be the patient's decision and the patient cannot make an informed decision unless the surgeon gives them all the info.

I never think you are being critical... you seem to state your opinions up front and without fluff... no rainbows or kittens of fluffy stuff, but that's okay, I'm good with that. I prefer straight up talk.

ACK! bleeding ulcers in the blind stomach? I thought my only life threatening risks after RNY would be bowel obsructions and the like!!

new thing to worry about. I will for one NEVER take NSAID's.

so the only indicator of an ulcer in the blind stomach would be inexplicable pain? (and maybe blood in stool?) I try to keep a What to Do When...

Also a low red blood count ....I'm not suer what the other indicators are.

In my case I don't know if I got an ulcer, but when I was on IV NSAIDS for three days my entire GI tract was inflamed, I was in pain with palpation to my entire abdomen, up to and including my colon. It was just  a BAD IDEA for me. I told the hospital I "couldn't take" NSAIDS but they didn't take that as an allergy and felt it was the right choice, and as I was in ICU I was too out of it to even know what was going on or query things. Now I ask every time I'm given a medicine or an IV bag added to my IV (was recently hospitalized).... to make sure they aren't giving me something I shouldn't have.

Thansk Kelly... I really appreciate the thorough explaination!

Thank you for posting this. I didn't know they could cause ulcers in the old stomach. I learned something today!