Question:
I'm pre-op and in pain!

For the last couple of years, after falling off of a trampoline, I've had a problem with my back. After x-ray's and and MRI's came back normal, I chalked up the pain to being overweight. Ibuprofen has always helped me control the pain. Well, now I'm 11 days from surgery and switching over to tylenol and the tylenol isn't doing squat! Is there something besides ibuprofen (bad before surgery) and tylenol (no pain relief) that I can take to help?    — Michelle J. (posted on October 2, 2003)

October 2, 2003
this is a very very important questions. please call your doctors office and ask them.
   — franbvan

October 2, 2003
I agree that you sould ask your doctor. My surgeon let me take Ibuprofen up until midnight the night before my surgery. I also take Celebrex as a post-op but on a very limited basis (I can take one a day for five days but then can't take any for 5 days). Luckily, I can usually get by without it. I have severe arthritis in my knees and could barely walk before my surgery. I have since lost 181 pounds and the back pain I had is gone completely. Unfortunately the knee pain is still there but losing weight made me eligible for knee replacement surgery. I had one total knee replacement July 3 and am no recuperating from it. I will have the other done sometime next year. Good luck with your surgery - and the pain does get better with weight loss.
   — Patty_Butler

October 3, 2003
What I find that helps isn't even a pill...its those Therma Care back stickies. When my back hurts, I put one on and keep it one on constantly and it really helps. Of course, the belts they come with dont' exactly fit, but if you wear sung undies, it holds it in place pretty well.
   — Renee B.

October 3, 2003
What always worked for my osteoarthritis, herniated disk, sciatica and everything else was Arthritis Strength Tylenol. If I had to, I'd take three. Ibuprofen never worked as well for me. Those little Tylenols did nothing for me at all. But enough of the Arthritis Strength seemed to work. The good news is that one 6 weeks post op and down 40 lbs. I have no pain at all. Absolutely none. I've been doing aerobics and resistance training, walking miles and miles and I have no sciatica, no arthritis pain, and my back hasn't hurt in weeks. Good luck and take care!
   — jenpatalano