Question:
Please help, ladies!! Question about menstruation....

I just started my period and I have some pretty painful cramps. I used to take Ibuprofen all the time (pre-op)because it worked right away and kept working all day. I have read that we can not take IB after surgery. If this is true, what can I take for the pain??? (I am 4 wks post op Open RNY.)    — J. W. (posted on November 24, 2002)

November 24, 2002
I take Tylenol PMS since all Tylenol products are safe for our tummies. It works for my cramps!
   — Tanya B.

November 24, 2002
i am in the same boat as we speak!! i take either tylenol pms or midol pms (doesnt have caffeine like the regular midol)------ good luck, gale = )
   — gale C.

November 24, 2002
Hi, along with Acetaminophen (Tylenol), you can try the Thermacare wraps. They're basically a heating pad that you keep on for 8 hours. You don't plug it in, it just reacts with the air and your skin and you get 8 hours of deep heat. It's wonderfully relaxing, and one of them is for menstrual cramps.
   — Kristy L.

November 24, 2002
I know exactly what you mean. Check with your surgeon or internal medicine doctor. Even though my surgeon told me that I should never take ibuprofen again, the internal medicine physician *where I had my surgery* told me that it was perfectly OK to take ibuprofen 2-3 times a month for cramping during your period. I, too, have painful periods, and now I take 600 mg ibuprofen one time the day it starts....it totally relieves the pain and I only have to take it the one time. I was told to take it with an over-the-counter zantac or pepcid to be on the safe side and it works for me. Good luck!
   — Lynette B.

November 25, 2002
I agree, the Thermacare wraps do wonders and work great! My cramps were disabling so I got a depo-provera shot from my doctor to stop my periods until my body adjust to the weight loss. Being period free is great for me!
   — Michele M.

November 25, 2002
I agree on thermacare wraps - I have chronic neck pain and they are so so so helpful. I only used it once for cramps, and it was great. They say only use one per 24 hours, so use it at the time of days when its the worst. They also say they last 8 hours but it is more like 10 or 12. PS - if you have back pain the back ones are huge and wrap all the way around you - just buy the arm/neck size and slap it on your lower back. My hubby calls me a therma-care junkie :)
   — M. A. B.

November 25, 2002
Try asking your doctor to prescribe a Cox-2 inhibitor like Celebrex or Vioxx. They have less risk of causing gastric bleeding that naids wich is you IB. I know how you feel I am still pre-op but I use Aleve and that will not be an option postop. I hope you can find something. Good luck and God Bless Lahoma
   — Lahoma C.