Question:
Does anyone know why we as post-ops cannot take medicine such as ibuprophen?
I was wondering why we are not supposed to take medications such as ibuprophen, Aleve, Vioxx etc. What will happen if we do take them? What are the long term adverse effects? — cdiss (posted on July 19, 2002)
July 19, 2002
I don't know about long-term effects (I plan to follow my doc's orders and
NOT take them), but, short-term, they can cause a gastric bleed to occur.
It can be slow and insidious. Ibuprophen is much too irritating for our
new stomachs. Hugs, Joy
— [Deactivated Member]
July 19, 2002
My Dr told me to take ibuprophen with pepto-bismol instead of water, to
coat the stomach and protect it. But also only take when tylenol isn't
working.
— Angela D.
July 19, 2002
Cheryl, I was told that these type of medications (NSAIDs) do not dissolve
well in water, but require stomach acid to dissolve & be absorbed. We
will have precious little stomach acid in our pouch after surgery, hence we
should look for water-soluable meds & vitamins. Dangers of taking
NSAIDs are: possible development of ulcers in our pouch (ouch!).
— Robin W.
July 19, 2002
My primary care physician told me that it passes through your colon to fast
and may cause ulcers. That was because she had originally told me to get
motrin for menstrual cramping and I told her that my surgeon told me no
ibuprophen or asprin.
— Boobyscoot
July 19, 2002
hi there i too heard the same as the previous posters i actually miss
ibuprphen more than choclate lol actually really i do i used to take it for
monthly i took it for headaches and wow do i miss it !tylenol just doesnt
do the trick ;(
— carrie M.
July 19, 2002
I had perpetual ulcers in the 70's & 80's in my normie stomach. I took
ibuprofen often, because there were no warnings back then. I know NOW that
it was not the full source of my ulcers, but it surely was no help. Ow. I
would never DREAM of putting a time bomb in my pouch. For Vioxx and
Celebrex, let me copy something an RN friend wrote (with her permission)
"Just wanted to let you know that I have been doing some digging and
serious research on this anti-inflammatory issue. Something didn't set
quite right with me about why we shouldn't take them and I felt that it was
more than just the caustic nature of the pills in your pouch. Well, as it
would turn out, they effect your GI tract on a systemic level. Without
going into all the medical jargon, basically once they are broken down and
absorbed in the blood stream, they set you up to develop ulcers by
interfering with the mucus cells that are there to coat and protect the GI
tract. That is why even the liquids are dangerous. It is the systemic
damage that they allow to happen. That is why the only help you can offer
is the Prilosec, Prevacid drugs that prevent acid production in an effort
to prevent the ulcers from getting started. However, they are not 100%
effective and have been shown to not help at all in some cases." I've
met people who have had gastric bleed, no pain. That scares me the most.
— vitalady
July 19, 2002
Aspirin and all non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (ibuprofen, Motrin,
Aleve, etc..) carry a great risk of causing gastric ulcers, particularly
along those newly sensitive areas that have been stapled or transected. My
surgeon prescribes Arthrotec for his patients who simply MUST have
anti-inflammatory medication for severe arthritis or fibromyalgia.
Arthrotec is a combination of Voltaren (an anti-inflammatory) and Cytotec,
which is a drug that protects the stomach. I have taken this medication
during the past 28 months post-op with no ill effects. My daughter also
suffered from severe menstrual cramping for years before her RNY. Our
surgeon changed her from Motrin to Ultram, a non-narcotic pain reliever,
and it has worked beautifully for her. These interventions have been a
positive solution for us, but it is critical that you consult your own
surgeon/PCP to determine your particular needs. Best wishes!
— Diana T.
Click Here to Return