Dealing with Cramps with the Band

I think the hardest thing for me to deal with so far since my revision to the band (BOB 6/23) is not being able to take pills.  When I had the RNY from 2002 till 2011, if I had a headache, I poped a tylenol! Runny nose, a sudafed.   Cramps, tylenol or something else.  Now with the band, I cannot swallow much more than an Ambien.  I've tried Children's Tylenol liquid for cramps and a headache, it doesn't work.  I generally resort to taking some Nyguil instead and it generally does the work.  But, cramps, any suggestions? I've always had painful cramps and heavy periods but refuse to go on the pill bc of weight gain. I started thr Nuva Ring last month, but, the bigger question is 

what are you ladies doing for pill subsitutes for cramps, headaches, the common cold?

Can you take liquid Tylenol in the adult strength instead of the children's? I always used a heat patch... one of those stick on kinds, too.

 I have not seen it.  I also live in NYC where we have little drug stores the size of someone's garage.

I used to get adult strength liquid Tylenol at Target. I think you might even be able to purchase it online, unless they've changed it in the past 5 years or so.

 Awesome, good to know. I bet I can get it on Amazon with my vitamins.  Thanks!

I suffer from extreme cramps too.  I asked my Dr. and the excedrin Menstral *round pills) do wonders.  Also, I use the ThermaCare heat pads....those are a godsend!

On January 26, 2012 at 10:35 AM Pacific Time, heathercross wrote: I think the hardest thing for me to deal with so far since my revision to the band (BOB 6/23) is not being able to take pills.  When I had the RNY from 2002 till 2011, if I had a headache, I poped a tylenol! Runny nose, a sudafed.   Cramps, tylenol or something else.  Now with the band, I cannot swallow much more than an Ambien.  I've tried Children's Tylenol liquid for cramps and a headache, it doesn't work.  I generally resort to taking some Nyguil instead and it generally does the work.  But, cramps, any suggestions? I've always had painful cramps and heavy periods but refuse to go on the pill bc of weight gain. I started thr Nuva Ring last month, but, the bigger question is 

what are you ladies doing for pill subsitutes for cramps, headaches, the common cold?  It's one thing, IMO, to be on liquid meds while you are healing from surgery but to go the rest of your days without being able to take a pill? I couldn't do that so I choose to keep my band on the looser side.  Oh, it is still my trusty early warning system if I forget and take too big of a bite but I just don't lose as fast.  That's fine with me.  I can imagine my body's pounds being shaved off in increments. 
As long as it keeps going in this direction, right?

If I were in your shoes, I would schedule a slight unfill right away, under fluoroscope if possible, to take just enough out to allow you to take the pills you need to take.   Oh..hugs to you...I hate cramps.  Fortunately last Oct I was able to get an ablation done so no more monthly visits since then!  Life is good   

 Jolena:  Who said anything about being too tight?  I have 8cc in a 14cc band.  Too tight would be not able to eat steak or chicken or lamb and only drink proteins. All I was asking about was what people are doing bc my dr and nutrionist informed me before surgery that I'd had to take liquids or chewables bc of the band. The same way that when I had my RNY in 2002, they said not to take anything other than Tylenol, no ibophrubin, etc.

You're right! You're not too tight. And you can't take whole pills with your LapBand. I do crush my pills that are able to be crushed (not everything can be) and the other's I have had my PCP order them in the Liquid form.

I asked my PCP to give me a Rx for adult dosages of my meds in liquid form. I had chronic back pain for my excess skin and was on pain meds for a long time to help with that. I had a TT and have not had one pain since! BUT the liquid Rx helped a lot. Talk to your PCP or LapBand doctor and see what they can offer.

My LapBand doctor had a sign up in his office that said, if you take a whole pill and end up in the ER needed an unfill - there will be a charge. This was happening way too often and he was being called to the ER for unfills constantly. I'm not sure why some people try to push the limits on these things.

 I have a fill tomorrow. I will see if they can give me liquid Ambien and a liquid Tylenol perscription maybe with codeine.