Question:
I am 6 yrs Post-op. Can I take anything for pain?

I have recently been diagnosed with Fibromyalgia. I also have some pretty uncomfortable arthritis. My DR told me I shouldn't be taking any pains meds. I don't want to question him he has been in the field over 30 yrs, but I know there must be something I can take for all this pain. I can't remember much about it from the meetings I attended before surgery. HELP!    — Izabella M. (posted on September 28, 2009)

September 28, 2009
I have severe lumbar spinal stenosis and facet arthritis. It's so bad that I have to have epidural pain injections about every three months, and may end up having a new surgical procedure called the X-Stop. My surgeon has outlawed anything that is an NSAID except for Celebrex, but if I take that, I also have to take something to protect my stomach, like Prilosec or Previcid. He is okay with Norco 7.5/325 which is basically hydrocodone in a lower tylenol base of 325 mg instead of 500 mg. The anesthesiologist who does my pain shots also ordered flexaril for me. I try not to take them - and just stick with the Extra Strength Rapid Release Tylenol, but because my last pain shot is wearing off, I find myself taking the Norco and the Flexaril at least once a day, and sometimes twice. You might approach your PCP for your pain meds - or if it is your PCP who is refusing to order them, try talking to the surgeon who did your WLS. He or she may not want to order you pain meds, but they might tell you what is acceptable and give you a note for your PCP. Last avenue would be to consult a pain specialist, but make them aware that you are NOT to have NSAIDS at all.
   — Erica Alikchihoo

September 28, 2009
YES, I have the same problems with lower back from 2 years ago when I was told I had 2 ruptured disc L4,L5,S1 and the Pain Management Doctor had me on anything you can think of. No we cant take anything containing asprin but we can take Vicodin or generic which is Hydrocodone with Tylenol (they call it hydrocodone with APAP (APAP is the tylenol)) or Percocet NOT PERCODAN, percocet is again with Tylenol but Percodan is with aspirin. I was on it all as the pain was unbearable and like you had epidurals, I had over 20. I was also on, Ultram, Amirix, even the 1st new pain med in 20 years called Nucynta. You can look up all these by going to www.walgreens.com and under pharmacy, look up the names of the meds. Now I had New MRI's of neck and Back again and even worse, now it seems C-Spine (neck) C3-4 to C7-8 all degenerative on left side with 1 bulging disc. For Lower back which I have refused Surgery for has gotten much worse and Surgeries have come a long way as they dont slice you from end to end, they make a small whole to work with almost like going in for an endscopy. Now with my Lower back L-Lumbar it was only what I typed aboved now its starts with L2 all the way to L5-6 S1 and even lost 2 inches in height. Saved the best med for now, Actually for a perfect Muscle relaxer is actually Valium as people associate this with Anxiety but if you think about it, it is a relaxer and does wonders for the spasms you are getting but the Pain med I have been on for over 2 years now is the Fentynal Patch (brand name Duragesic Patch) it has so many pain meds in it especially Morphine. The pain dr had to up the dose from 50 mg to 75 but now have Fibromyalgia so another med you can take for pain is Lyrica which I was on for 2 years until just last month when I was told I had Fibromyalgia but back to the Duragesic patch which is a 3 day Patch and works as all else failed.. Any questions you can reach me as I have been On about 10 more pain meds, hard to remember when each month I see the dr and say this dont work lol. Eric [email protected] Hope someone can help me as I had OPEN gastric bypass 5 years this November but now have a Fistula that grew my old stomach to my new one and now have a 3rd one growing and since I have been opened 3 times already Doctors wont open me up again but am told I can die from this. I will have to post this on the big board as I suffer eating everyday but DO hope I ANSWERED YOURS AND ANYONE ELSES QUESTIONS ON PAIN MEDS AND REMEMBER NOTHING CONTAINING ASPIRIN yet I am on coumadin as my revision faied but gave me 4 blood clots. take care and any questions you have my email. just give a shout and I can help more. take care Eric
   — ERIC D.

September 28, 2009
I am SO sorry to hear about your FMS, my wife has had it since 1999 and it has been a struggle for acceptance from "You're crazy" to "Hey the FDA recognizes it and has approved Lyrica to treat it. I myself have some unknown back problem, I have had two failed fusions, epidurals, etc. I am now awaiting implantation of a Intrathecal Pain Pump (Sometimes called a morpshine pain pump). As far as pain meds right now? I am on - Rapid Release Tylenol, Tramadol, Gabapentin, Oxycodone IR & a Fentanyl Pain Patch. All of which I tolerate just fine. So depending on your pain, there are Pain Doctors and there are options. I REALLY hope you are able to find relief. Sincerely, William "Seize the time, live NOW. Make NOW always the most precious time. For NOW will never come again..."
   — William County

September 29, 2009
Check out the forums on this site. They have one for wls pt's that also have fibromyalgia. Will get lots of suggestions. I also have fibromyalgia, and after first few weeks, went back on my lyrica, soma, and vicodin es pain pills. I just break vicodin in half, so not swallowing large pill all at once. I can also take celebrex for my arthritis, havn't started that yet. Hope this helps. JoAnn
   — JOANNFV