Question:
Really missing my ibuprofin!

I've been off ibuprofin for a month after taking 600 mg daily for the past 10 yrs to keep inflammation down in my back. My surgeon tells me there is nothing I can take that is not an NSAID. Tylenol doesn't work. I have a muscle relaxant and pain killers ... what I need is something to prevent the inflammation in the first place. Does surgery make a substantial difference in herniated disc, arthritis, lower back pain? Thanks! -- Debi    — iluvsebago (posted on August 17, 2009)

August 17, 2009
I was told any NSAID which, basically is any over the counter pain med other than tylenol, thins the blood and can cause a GI Bleed. I wouldn't mess with that! I have had to go to a pain clinic for my back and get cortizone injections, and pain patches for a while. I have surgery scheduled for my back Sept 22nd. So I know how you feel!
   — lesleigh07

August 17, 2009
I can relate. I miss my Aleve for my knees terribly.
   — CMABELL

August 18, 2009
I believe Tylenol now makes Tylenol Arthritis, which you should consider taking instead of I.b. profin (abbv). The anti-inflamatories can cause an ulcer in your pouch. Most medications are designed to disolve in your intestines not in your stomach, with the exception of Motrin, it disolves in your stomach. With the lack of stomach acid to help break it down, it just sits there eating a hole in your pouch. So with that being said, I am pretty sure you don't miss your Ibuprofin that much to risk getting an ulcer, especially when you know there are other meds to take the place of that one.
   — Kristy

August 19, 2009
My doctor gave me a scrip for Tramadol which seems to work for me.
   — Muggs

August 20, 2009
loosing the excess wt will help alot with your back!!!! i suffer from chronic neck pain/headaches and alot of pelvic pain from ovarian problems. i used ibuprofen ALL THE TIME before surgery, because tylenol never has worked for my pain as well. when the ibuprofen didn't work i would take Lortab. now since surgery... Tylenol still does no good and if i'm at work i can't take Lortab (i'm a nurse) therefore, i have to result to Ibuprofen or Aleve at times. it is not recommended because with your pouch being so small the chances of an ulcer developing is much higher and can be alot more severe than if you had a regular sized stomache like we used to. i know that if i have to take it, I make sure i eat something right before and I make sure that whatever i eat is slow digesting, like a good protein food. that allows the pouch to be "coated" and keeps the NSAID from potentially sitting there causing errosions/ulcers, etc. talk with your doctor, because they may have other suggestions for you. hope this helps...Holly
   — RNlvnCARSON

August 22, 2009
Hi. Like Hooly said, she takes IB when she has to. I also take IB everyday because Tylenol just does not seem to do the trick. I am 10 months post op and down 161 lbs so far with gastric bypass (have maybe 60-70 lbs more to go, and like I said, I take one pill, 800 mg twice a day, in AM and PM totalling 1600 mg/day. I feel great and have had no complications or stomach issues or anything. I hope you too can take it because it is a world of difference without pain. Good Luck and try and take it and see if you can tolerate it but be careful. Keep on truckin', Tina.
   — Tina B.