Anti-inflammatories...are they no-nos for the rest of our lives?

I have already left a message with my surgeon in re: this question but in the meantime, I thought I would ask the hive mind...

This morning when I was drinking my protein shake and perusing the message board, my upper back seized up something fierce (I guess I'll be adjusting my sleeping position) and was afraid to take an Aleve (even though I knew it would work) and instead opted for the ThermaCare pad...it worked, too, just took a lot longer...

Anyone have any insight to offer?

Thanks so much in advance.

Some surgeons (and PCPs) say no NSAIDS ever after RNY, but others allow them if you are also taking a PPI (proton pump inhibitor) to help protect your stomach and pouch.

Lora

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, or NSAIDS, will always carry a high risk of ulcers for us.  Yes, for the rest of our lives.

Some people choose never to take NSAIDS after RNY, while some take them occasionally or even more often than that.  Some recommend only taking them with something like omeprazole to help protect your stomach.

My personal choice is to only take them if I am in pain that is bad enough that I think I'd rather deal with an ulcer.  So far since my RNY I've taken NSAIDS one time.  If a ThermaCare pad will work, I'd use it instead.

My surgeon allows us to take Mobic. It is my understanding from the conversation that I had with him that as long as I take it WITH food there "should" be no ill affects as it is only 15 mg and a small pill. Heaven knows with my arthritic knees and three herniated discs in my back I lived on Motrin for years and NOT being able to take some type of anti-inflammatory would pretty much leave me miserable!

You say that the Mobic is "only" 15mg, and i know that it sounds like a small dose compared to the typical doses of other meds, but that is not a small dose of Mobic. It is actually the MAXIMUM daily dose.

Taking an NSAID with food does nothing to mitigate the effect of it on your stomach/pouch lining once it gets into the bloodstream.  You will be at the same risk for ulcers as if you take it on an empty  stomach.  Taking it with food just lessens the likelihood of stomach upset, and you really should take it with a PPI if you are going to take it regularly.

Lora