When the doc said "NO NSAIDS," he really meant it...

For some reason, I've started getting severe headaches at work (go figure?). A co-worker gave me me an Advil Migraine to try. Since I was desperate, I took it. Happened a few more times, a few more Advil Migraine liquigels. I told Dr. Kim about my taking Advil, and he was horrified! Reminded me all about the evils of NSAIDS. Fellow post-ops said that I should be okay with the liquigels, so I took a chance and used one again on Friday. BIG mistake! The abdominal and esophagus pains were incredible - one literally brought me to my knees. We think that I started to have a bleed somewhere inside from all of the NSAID irritation since my stools were so abnormal. Now I am on Carafate to contain some of the damage. I still have abdominal pain, though not so severe. And now I feel like such a dumba$$. So when your doc says no NSAIDS, its for a very good reason! Kristen

Please excuse my ignorance, but what are nsaids?? Thanks joanne

Hi Joanne, Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, or NSAIDs (pronounced en-said) are the most prescribed medications for treating conditions such as arthritis. Most people are familiar with over-the-counter, nonprescription NSAIDs such as aspirin and ibuprofen. They are really rough on the pouch. I am told this is because they generally fall and dissolve on the same place in the pouch. This can lead to pouch ulcers and intestinal bleeding. For some stupid reason, I thought (and was told) that since they were liquigels I was okay. Lessons learned! Kristen

At one time several years ago (pre-op) I used to eat Ibuprofen like candy to deal with back pain. To a large extent I attribute this to my later problems with reflux and something called Barrett's Disorder. Anyway, I did a little research on NSAIDS and here is how it they work. Basically, NSAIDS are anti-inflammatories that work by inhibiting the production certain chemicals compounds in our bodies that cause inflamation. However, these same chemicals are also partially responsible for protecting the lining of our stomach. So, when we take NSAIDS we are making our stomachs more susceptible to injury (from stomach acid). It is not the pill itself that is burning the lining of your stomach, but the result of it's chemical inhibiting properties. So the form of the drug (liquid, capsule, pill, etc.) makes little difference. This would also explain why you were not bothered by the NSAID until you had taken several doses. They are suposed to be working on an NSAID combined with acid inhibitors to try to offset the problem with the stomach irritation, but I do not plan to be a Ginny Pig for these

Hi Jim, How interesting! I appreciate your sharing the information. Kristen

Hey Kristen - if you'd like I have a list of drugs that can damage the pouch. Just shoot me an e-mail at: [email protected] and I will gladly send it over... ~ Monica