Arthritis Post Op Meds

Hi Everyone - Question for post op people  who have arthritis what  medication(s) does your doctor have you taking? How are the side effects? Just found out I have arthritis in my neck and right arm, my doctor(pcp) is telling me to just take tylenol, which I have been taking with very little relief. My doctor is very cautious and doesn't want me taking any of the normal meds you would take for arthritis due to my by pass.  I am looking for a new wls; to go see follow up with, and in the mean time if anyone is using anything without any side effects I could inquire about I  would be interested in knowing. Thanks, Donna open rny mar 18 2003 282/145/140

Hi Donna (I think we discussed the NSAID thing a while back..?) Unfortunately most common meds uses are NSAIDS are not safe for WLSers and usually contraindicated due to risk GI bleeding/ulcers/perforation. many use alternative/adjunct  treatments such as exercise, heat/ice; at times up to your PCP thinkgs like Tramadol (ultram) is a possibility, sometimes w/ sever cases it is decided to use narcotics as LAST resort but they can have a whole other host of issues. Tylenol I am aware is not the same as NSAIDS I used to take Motrin byt the bucketload preop 800mg three x a day with my back pain and kneee pain (at age 29!) now my pain is less with wt loss and exercie so I can live with it thankfully.  Pain specialist may be another option sometimes procedures (injections) can help as well into the joint. Hard to say w/o assessing YOUR individuual case! Keep searching! Sometimes different meds like anticonvulsants or antidepressants are helpful as well but usually when more neuropathic pain. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Here is info on why NSAIDS are not used typically:

1) Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) should be avoided since RNYers are at increased risk for ulceration due to the reduced stomach size. Alternatives for pain relief, such as acetaminophen, tramadol, and/or opiates are recommended.

 

 

What we talk about when we talk about drug class is NSAIDS. (NON_STEOIDAL_ANTI_INLFAMMATORY_DRUG_S) the reason NSAIDS are dangerous for us contrary to popular belief, it is not just that they are "pouch  burners" it goes much deeper than  that. According to an article published in the June 1999 New England Journal of Medicine, NSAIDS, once absorbed into the blood stream cause a chain of chemical reactions that affect the prostaglandins and this in turn reduces the production of mucus in the GI system. The mucus is what lines our GI system and protects our pouch and intestines from damage.

 

 

 

If the mucus production is reduced, this would allow ANYTHING, including eating something with too sharp of an edge or foods that are extremely spicy, to inadvertently begin a marginal ulcer. The best answer is to avoid NSAIDS at all cost. Taking an H2 receptor drug such as Pepcid or zantac or a Proton Pump inhibitor (PPI) such as Prilosec, Prevacid or Nexium is only a band-aid and no guarantee that it will protect you. You are at risk for marginal ulcers any time you take an anti-inflammatory medication. Not to mention the liver, kidney and cardiac issues we now know about w/NSAIDs in anyone! Not the safe drugs we once thought!!!

 

 

 

WARNINGS on most NSAID drugs are:

 

Gastrointestinal (GI) Effects - Risk of GI Ulceration, Bleeding, and Perforation:

 

Serious gastrointestinal toxicity, such as inflammation, bleeding, ulceration, and perforation of the stomach, small intestine or large intestine, can occur at any time, with or without warning symptoms, in patients treated with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).

 

 http://bariatrics.ucla.edu/recovery/recovery_discharge_offli mitmed.htm

 

Off-Limit Medication

 

REMEMBER after surgery Non-Steroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs are no longer an option for use. DO NOT TAKE THEM. The chemical composition of this medication is very irritating to the esophagus and stomach lining. Chronic use will result in bleeding, ulceration of gastric lining, and eventually form scar tissue.

Hi Donna... I have severe in both knees.  One is worse than the other though.  My orthopedist gave me a couple of choices...

1.  Tylenol  (doesn't help much)

2.  Cortozone injection  (I've had several.  They help for a few months, but then I need another one). 3.  Knee replacement  (not something I want to do). He also suggested Glucosamine Chondroitin.  I didn't think it was helping, but when I stopped taking it, my knees seemed to stiffen up much faster.

I don't know if they can give you a cortozone shot in the neck or not, but maybe you should ask.

Hope this helps.  Unfortunately for us, there is no cure for arthritis.

 

Joanne