Question about NSAID's for us RNY'ers???

Ok, so I called my surgeon's office yesterday and they said in rare cases, you can have 400 mg of ibuprofen at a time and it can't be for that long (like a day or two).   I had to talk to a nurse of a different doctor because my doctor and his nurse say no unless you've had knee surgery (weird for just that reason?!??). 

I told her I had to have a blood patch done at the hospital on Tuesday night after having a baby on saturday.   My spinal block that I got on saturday caused a leak in my spinal fluid, causing a headache whenever I stood up or was sitting up.   The blood patch took the pain away instantly, but I had to have an epidural in my back and it was causing me some pain and stiffness that next day.  She told me that if I only did it for a day or two, that I could take some ibuprofen.  She said to take a Prilosec OTC on an empty stomach, wait an hour and then eat something.   She said to then take 400 mg of ibuprofen, but to make sure not to take it before eating something.   I asked her if I did develop an ulcer from doing this, when would it happen and what would it feel like.  She said it'd be within that day or two and it would feel like a burn down there.  She said I would have to stop taking the NSAID and the ulcer would heal on it's own.   I ended up buying some Prilosec but didn't use it after all.  I put a  heating pad on my back and that took the pain and discomfort away after about an hour, thankfully.  But at least I have the meds just in case I need to take some ibuprofen in the near future, the stuff doesn't expire till 2012. 

My RNY doctor makes it seem like I can't ever take them again in my life and that if I do, it will be deathly and I will have all these problems.   I have to get a crown done on one of my teeth in June and hope I won't need to do pain meds, but if I have this option, then I won't worry so much.   Tylenol doesn't do crap for me and I don't do well with narcotics (Lortab, Percocet, etc). 

It just frustrates the crap out of me that I can't have NSAID's and I knew about this pre-op, but didn't know that in times like this when I've had a baby or need pain releif that I'd have to suffer it out.  I wish I had researched the VSG more because can't you have NSAID's with the VSG?  My doc says I wouldn't have lost as much with the VSG and might've regained some or all of the weight back if I had chose that one (I was self pay).  He said he's glad I chose the RNY and it was the better choice for me.  I have had 4 other family members do the RNY so that's why I chose it to begin with 2 yrs ago.  I sometimes kick myself though for not doing the VSG and don't think I'd mind as much not getting down to 140 and being more like 180 if I did the VSG.   I didn't really look at the VSG cuz it was so new and experimental at the time.  And I can't go back and reverse it because I've heard that it can do more harm than good.  Unless you are experiencing major complications from RNY, they won't reverse it and plus it'd cost me another $18,000 anyways (unless by some miracle I had another insurance and they would cover it, lol).   So I kinda have to live with this. 

And normally, I don't need to take NSAID's for anything since RNY, I've just had a baby and have had a struggle with some pain and haven't had much pain releif.  I know this will pass though and I'll be fine.   It just frustrated me cuz at the hospital, the anesthesiologist looked at me when I said I couldn't have NSAID's and that tylenol didn't work for me- he said "Well what CAN you use for pain???".   I said nothing really and that is hard to admit.  But see I took Lortab after my RNY and it took the pain away and didn't cause me any problems.   But this time after I had a baby and a 3rd degree tear, it didn't do much for the pain- maybe because it's a different kind of pain?  So maybe Lortab can work for me when it's not after giving birth?  I don't know.... so confusing.... and I'm rambling!  LOL

So is it that bad to take an NSAID on rare cases?  I knew from before my surgery that they are a no-no but now I've seen RNY patients take them on rare cases and are fine.  I feel so scared to even try it once for fear of an ulcer, but the  nurse said the ulcer would go away if I did get one from taking an NSAID once. 

Christie,
Sorry you're still in pain. We have the same surgeon- Here's the deal. He says no. Others say yes with something like Prilosec. My Mom had RNY done 13 years ago, takes NSAIDS on occasion for a few days at a time following some procedures, and has never had problems with ulcers. I think it can happen, but I don't think it happens for everyone. After doing my own research, I found that the problem comes that the NSAIDS tend to always enter your pouch and settle into the same spot, which is why it can lead to irritation after a period of time. I take liquid if I have to- It's gross, and it requires a 4 tsp dose, but it does the job, and I figure that it isn't sticking to the same part of my stomach, especially if I have had something to eat/drink before. I'm not a doctor or nurse, although my Mom is, and like I said you just have ot be wise. Dr's know a lot- I love Dr. Smith for what he has given me with this surgery. He is one of the best in Utah, and I appreciate his knowledge and expertise. He is however, human, and some of his opinions may be based on certain factors, but I also have my own good judgement to make and can deviate from some of his ideologies. The NSAIDS are one of those. I've only taken them once or twice actually, and never for a recurring amount of time, and have had no problems. I have the same problems with narcotics you do- I am allergic and can't take them. I do use heating pads/ice packs as necessary. I also like pain relief patches that heat and cool, which I use for cramps and things when not pregnant. I try my best to use everything else available first, but enough is enough! Take the NSAIDS, and I think you'll find you'll be a better mom and wife and person until the pain subsides. Good luck.

Carrie

I have to admit I have taken NSAID's for pain since Tylenol just doesn't work as well.  I don't take them on a regular basis but only occasionally if nothing else is working.  I say if your in pain take them and feel better.  It's probably not likely that you will develop an ulcer just after a day or 2 of taking them.  Now if you are taking them every day a few times a day for several days I could see them being a problem.  But, of course this is just my opinion.

I am over 3 years out and have taken Advil a few times. It is the only thing that touches my migraines. My surgeon told me to take pepcid, eat and take the advil and I'd be OK just not to over-do it. He said a few doses would be OK.

I had ulcers about a year out and had never taken an NSAID before that.

Hope that you are feeling better!

It's not "bad" per se to take Ibuprofen...but, it can cause ulcers.  I have suffered chronic ulcers since my bypass and I did take ONE 200mg advil ONE time for a severe headache because I had nothing else.  Two days later, I was in the hospital with a bleeding ulcer and needed a blood transfusion.  Now, I will say, that it's not likely that the ibuprofen was the sole cause of the ulcer--it could have been there and the advil just irritated it. 
But, let me tell you...it's not a burning feeling at all.  It's a "someone is clawing their way OUT from the inside" feeling...and it's NOT mild or easy to deal with.  The first time I experienced it, I was certain that I was dying.  It's a gnawing, searing pain that nothing helps. 
Lots of RNY'ers take NSAID's...and most ulcers will heal on their own.  If you don't have any history of one...I'd say you're likely a little safer than some of us to take a couple here and there.  Definitely take the Prilosec, Prevacid or some type of antiacid prior to taking the ibuprofen. 
Also, the Lortab is likely not helping because the majority of your pain is from inflammation...Tylenol does nothing for that...which is why it would help to take and NSAID (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory).  That helps with the inflammation and the pain.
Good luck and I hope you get to feeling better ASAP!

so when I take the Prilosec, do I have to wait like an hour, eat something and then immediately after I eat, then I can take the Ibuprofen? I am thinking when I do decide to take it when I absolutely have to one day, I will use my kids liquid Motrin and do the 200 or 400 mg dose.

I agree, the Lortab wouldn't touch the pain this time because when I tore down there after birth, it's imflammation. When I have my tooth worked on and when I had RNY, the Lortab will probably work for the pain.

I remember after I had RNY, I started having severe pain in the hospital after the Morphine wore off (from the morphine pump) just before I went home and they gave me a big ol' horsepill of Lortab. It worked within 10 minutes and I felt so much better, so I know that it works for me- just depends on the source of pain if the Lortab will help.

Thanks for your comments!!

I had a blood patch done when I was 6 months preggo with Jantzen. I had a spinal tap done and was leaking spinal fluid.

I was in bed for a week solid due to the headaches and pain and dizziness. I was given Fiorcet (a prescription) and told to drink as much as I could possibly stand.

Also, you can take an NSAID is truly necessary, you will just want to take a Pepcid with it.

Good Luck, hope u feel better.

they told me I could either let it go away on it's own (which could take a week), drink caffeinated beverages to deal with the pain and to help take it away (which means soda and that's a no-no for us), or get a blood patch done.   At first, we were trying to figure out if it was because we upped my Lortab pain meds from 5 mg to 7.5 mg and that's why I got a headache- while I was still in the hospital after I had my son.  

But then I described the symptoms to the anesthesiologist a few days later over the phone and he said it was most likely a spinal headache and to come in to do the blood patch.  I was miserable with the headache and it was really starting to bug me and make me depressed.   That night I had it done, I swear that it felt like it was getting worse too!   So glad I went in and did that and didn't suffer any longer than I had to!   You poor thing jojo, suffering for a whole week!!!   

My doc said to take Priolsec OTC, but I've seen on here that other docs reccomend other meds.   just as long as it protects your stomach before the NSAID gets in there I guess.   Do you take liquid NSAID's or just a pill?  I would think a liquid would be better and not sit in your stomach as long, but an NSAID is an NSAID and we still don't have the prostiglandins to protect our lining in the new tummy. 

I take the pills if I need it. Not liquid.

AND I drank Diet Mountain Dew by the bottles to increase my caffeine.

(I am not a "strict" RNYer. I am almost 6 years out, so I know what I can and can't do)
So I am not suggesting people drink soda and take NSAIDS, for the record.