Question:
IM 3 MONTHS POST OP AND TAKE PAIN MEDS FOR BACK

I HAVE SEVERE BACK PAIN AND HAD IT BEFORE SURGERY AND HAVE ALWAYS TAKEN LORITAB 10MG. I QUIT TAKING THEM AFTER SURGERY FOR ABOUT 2MONTHS TO SEE IF WIEGHT LOSS HELPED I HAVE OLD INJURY IN BACK WELL IM BACK ON THEM AND HAVE BEEN FOR ABOUT 1MONTH AND I NOTICED THE NORMAL CONSTIPATION AND A WIEGHT GAIN OF 3TO 5 POUNDS IVE LOST 55 SINCE SURGERY AND NOW IM BACK TO ONLY 50 LB LOST WOULD ANYONE OUT THERE WHO EVER HAD TO TAKE PAIN MEDS LET ME KNOW IF IT SLOWED YOUR WIEGHT OR EVEN CAUSED GAINING. IM GOING TO TRY TO STOP THIS WEEK AND SEE WHAT HAPPENS I WOULD APPRECIATE SOME FEED BACK ON WHAT HAPPEND TO OTHERS OUT THERE WHO WERE ON AND OFF IT THANKS ANGIE    — ANGIE M. (posted on August 11, 2002)

August 11, 2002
Hi Angie, I can relate to your back pain. I have degenerative discs in my back and have had 2 previous back surgeries and am now, as of 3 weeks ago, experiencing another herniated disc. It is the worst pain and even more so, limits your ability to move around and EXERCISE! Aargh! Just when I was doing so well, strengthening and working out...I am now on Vioxx for a while, andalthough my doc doesn't want to prescribe, he's hoping that a short term regiment will help. Periodically, with or without pain meds, I notice that I will gain a few pounds (and stare at the scale and say, how the hell...) but then a few days later, its gone along with a few more. I don't think the drugs do it-it just happens on our weight journey. I do know that that steroids make you gain weight, but I have not heard this with pain meds. Hang in there...
   — Cindy R.

August 11, 2002
Angie, I've been using Vicodin ES for about 3 months now, and I'm a little over 4 months post-op and have lost 93 lbs. I've not had any weight-gain issues. However, my chronic pain is in my back and abdomen, and increases with meals, so I know I'm not eating as much as I should. I only take 3 pain pills a day and usually near meal-time, so if I eat more, than I have to suffer with the pain without the pain meds. Good luck and God bless!
   — Christine L.