I am having the worst Fibromyalgia Flare I've had since I had my surgery 6 months ago. Right now is a time I really wish I could have had the VSG. I can't take advil, muscle relaxants or even go to the hospital for my toradol shot that used to help me greatly in times like these because they are all NSAIDS. I really wish I knew what to do. I'm in so much pain I could scream. I've already taken more codeine than I'm prescribed so I can't take much more. I get really itchy anyway if I take too much. I just wish I knew what else I could take to help this pain when it gets out of control. My doctor won't prescribe me anything stronger. In fact he figures that since I've lost so much weight my pain should be easing up and I should be able to get off the painkillers completely. I can honestly say that my pain is still the same as it was 75lbs ago. I am also finding that my "time-released" codeine is not helping as much as before. When I tried to explain this to him I don't think he really understood. Just wish I knew what to do!  Sorry had to vent but if anyone has any suggestions I'm open to ideas. 

 Sorry to hear you are struggling and this is the best place to vent . Not sure what to suggest but hope you start feeling better soon. Cant imagine how hard this is for you. Am thinking of you and hope they find something to help you with the pain.  Xoxo

Why can't you have a Toradol shot?  I didn't know NSAIDs were contraindicated if you had had a RNY, but wouldn't that only be the oral ones that you swallow and actually go into your stomach?  I know they can cause stomach irritation. The IM Toradol shouldn't affect your stomach since you aren't swallowing it, should it?  And no muscle relaxants either?? That sucks.

I'm not sure why your doctor would think the pain from fibromyalgia would lessen with weight loss.  I'm sure there are skinny people who have fibromyalgia!!  

You should try to ask your surgeon about "time-released" medication after RNY.  Since your stomach and intestine have been modified, maybe the time-released meds really don't work as well because of that. 

No help here, but lots of sympathy.  Does a hot bath help?  (I'm sure you've tried all the simple remedies, since you've probably had this for a while.)  Hope it gets better soon.    

Thank-you both for the support, it really means a lot!

I have done so much reading and it all points to no NSAIDS at all, even topical are considered a no-no. I have an appt with the surgeon on March 28th so will talk to him then about the timed release meds. Maybe he can send something to my PCP that explains that they don't work as well in patients who've had RNY.

Hot baths work wonderful, until I get out and the pain comes right back. Heating pads help but I guess I overused mine because it doens't heat up anymore. I'll have to pick one up this weekend.

There certainly are skinny people with fibro who suffer with terrible pain too. They always like to try and blame it on the weight and then don't understand why things haven't improved when the weight isn't as much of an issue anymore. I more than the doctor would prefer not to have to rely on strong painkillers everyday of my life but without them I have no quality of life so really what's worse? I do know I had a terrible time with my pain control when I woke up from surgery because of my dependence on them. It's really a no-win situation. 

Check out this link.....

http://www.obesityhelp.com/forums/amos/MEDICATIONS-After-Bar iatric-Surgery-wls.html

Part of what it says is.........
The shorter intestinal length after gastric bypass or duodenal switch surgery can make extended-release drug preparations less effective. .............. Because these formulations are intended to be absorbed over 2-12 hours, the pills may pass through the gastrointestinal tract before absorption is complete.   You'd think your doctor should realize this.   (No idea where the blue highlighting came from or how to get rid of it!)  

According to the information on that post, those of us who have had VSG shouldn't take NSAIDs either (although I found a couple of other individual posts who said their docs said it was okay.)  No one even mentioned that to me. I don't take them often, but will keep this in mind. 

If I were in your state, I would have to live in the bathtub.  Not very practical!  

Have you researched Cymbalta, I have been taking for foot pain and I know it works for me.  It can also be used for Fibro/Chronic lower back pain, arthritis, depression,

Perhaps read into and ask your dr. 

FYI )  60mg for month is $145.00, so make sure it is covered by your health care plan.

take care, maybe a hot tub might help.

Hmmmm  I wonder if a hot tub is a medical expense? I would love to live in one of those during a flare. I do also take Cymbalta. I have been taking it for quite a long time and it is the only one of the drugs that I've tried that does really make a difference. I only take 30mg a day so maybe it's time to increase the dosage. My dr is hoping that eventually I'll only have to take the Cymbalta and not the codeine but I won't hold my breath quite yet. When I'm stuck in a flare nothing seems to help. The toradol was a miracle drug for me when nothing else would touch the pain. In the past I've asked for something stronger to keep on hand for breakthrough pain but my doctor didn't want to prescribe anything. At the time he recommended just going to the hospital for the shot. Now that I can't have the shot I'll have to see what he would suggest. 

 2 things that have helped me with my fibro is o24 spray, and more recently a spray actually distributed out of st andrews, called muscle mist. i have an extra bottle i could give you, if we could get together, or however youd like to work it. if not i get mine at face up salon in winnipeg on corydon. they also do the ion cleanse foot detoxs that also help me with joint pain.
hope this helps, fibro sucks! i sympathize with your pain,
hugs
niki

I' ve never heard of any of those but I'm sure open to trying new things. We'll for sure have to meet up one day. I'd love to hear some of your coping mechanisms, etc. I'm really busy until next week and then I'm hoping to have a bit of time for myself. I'd like to hear more about those products.

Hey Brain Fart!!

What about those pain patches like my gramma used to wear??

I do not know what they were called? 

MIchelle