friend still refuses to believe that NSAIDS cause ulcers!

A friend of mine who had his RNY a year before I did (so he is now 5 years out) had knee surgery several months ago and mentioned that he was taking an NSAID for the inflammation, but when I asked about it he said that he was not taking anything for his stomach.  He said that his RNY surgeon never told him NOT to take them so he was going to continue to take them because they made his knee feel better (and he was not even willing to call the surgeon's office to ask about it).  Two weeks ago he sent an email saying that his PCP was putting him on meds to treat a possible ulcer and if the neds didn't help he would have an endoscopy because it might also be a stricture (which is VERY uncommon many years out!) ... and that he had an ulcer shortly after he had his RNY (which I did not know). 

So I mentioned the NSAIDs again and he said the neither his surgeon or his PCP had said anything so he thought he was ok taking them... even though this is probably his second ulcer since his RNY!

Okey dokey.  Well, at least I tried...

Lora

Well.... there are people out there that refuse to believe that smoking is bad for your lungs, too!

Yep-you tried.  Anyone with 2 brain cells to rub together can freakin Google it and find out you are RIGHT!

On a side note though........I recently had some arthritis issues and my ortho wanted me to take NSAIDS....he of course told me to talk to my surgeon.  The surgeon told me there are recent studies that show RNY patients can take them for short term therapy.............WITH AN ACCOMPANYING STOMACH ACID REDUCER.  (Which it appears you also asked your friend if he was at least doing that....)  My surgeon told me I could take them up to 6 months with Zantac.  Luckily the issue resolved with more running (I know, sounds like it would do the opposite....) and I haven't taken any since prior to surgery.

You tried....now all that is left is "I told you so"...........

Have a great day.

Wow, that is a scary study - I certainly wouldnt' chance it.  When the few surgeons or GI doctors that I  ever heard of allow NSAIDS for a week or 2 tops, it is with a PPI not zantac.  zantac isn't nearly strong enough to protect your stomach lining and works totally different than the PPI's which actually protect your stomach lining.  I still don't think I would trust it unless taking carafate at the same time.  No RNY Patient should take it on steady basis for 6 months.

I have heard of a few post ops that were given just 2 doses of IV NSAIDS which aren't as harmful but still harmful and they got perforated ulcers.

I personally got ulcers preop from NSAID use - I think it was 4 to 6 months use and that was without an RNY.

My plastic surgeon, who works extensively with bariatric patients says we can take NSAIDS for short time use, but I chose to stick with Tylenol after I was done with my prescription pain meds post-plastics. I didn't want to risk it.

Laura

Why even chance it !!!!!!!!!!!!!    

Typical commercail where the side effects are worse than the treatment or what ails you!!

When he gets a searing pain in his stomach that won't go away, he'll believe!

That's the unbelievable thing... he already HAS the pain and is still taking the NSAID to help his knee and won't even ask his RNY surgeon about it!

Lora

Amazing... after the pain of a perforated ulcer (have not had an NSAID since before surgery) why would anyone risk it... why would they NOT listen to what others have suffered?

Hi ,
I just wanted to respond to this mostly becz I had a ulcer in deodum within a year after my surgery,   blood loss.  I failed to reconize the signs of ulcer.  I did go to ER and they said it was just gas pain.  I did have dark black spots when I went to bathroom.   I passed out at work the next day and required 3 pints of blood .
  I was told my surgeon that the stomach acid was what caused it and I had to have the stomach lining cut to avoid one in future.  I had the vagotomy in 1991.  So watching for signs are very important.  
I did have a need to take nsaid for back pain for several years. The PCP told me celebrex was the safest to avoid ulcer.  I had no problem. I started taking Actonel for prevention of Osteo and in 2006 
I had stomach pain mild but pain.  I ended up ER an had imflamed stomach.  So I stopped the meds.