Question:
Has anyone taken arthritis meds before, during, and after surgery?

My reumatologist just changed me to Celebrix for arthritis and I have not spoken to my surgeon about whether I can take this immediately after surgery. I heard somewhere I would have to stop some meds before surgery and I can't walk without these. Any info would really be appreciated.    — Dot W. (posted on September 3, 1999)

September 3, 1999
My osteo-arthritis wasn't diagnosed until after surgery. Naturally. They couldn't see it, so my complaints resulted in "Push away from the table." Grrrrrrr. Anyway, I take Plaquenil. WE are forbidden any NSAIDS (naprosyn, Aleve---). Plaquenil is not-irritating to the stomach and seems to have no side-effects, except more mobility in the joints.
   — vitalady

September 3, 1999
Every doc has a different protocol, however, I was not told to stop any med pre-op. I do take celebrex and took it right up to surgery and immediatly upon release from the hospital. The pain meds they had me on (Demerol) killed any arthritis pain as well, so I didn't need both. Talk to your doc, he knows your specific case best! Best wishes in your upcoming surgery! :)
   — Sherrie G.

September 3, 1999
Hi Diane, I am in the same situation exactly. My surgery is next week. I met with my surgeon on Tuesday and ask her what day I should stop taking my meds. She knows abou the arthritis (she's seen me walk, lol) and she said to take them right up to surgery. She said she wanted me to walk every day until surgery and that was more important to her than stopping the meds. So -- all stories are different! Your surgeon will have a way of dealing with this. But I don't think they'll let you get so bad that you can't walk. Walking is very important for recovery. Good luck!
   — [Deactivated Member]

September 3, 1999
Hi. I had gastric bypass surgery in Oct. of 1998. I weighed 305 and now at 10 months post op I weigh 165. I was diabetic and taking 8 pills a day, I was on pain medication for degenerative disk disease in by back and for about the first month after surgery my doctor did not want me to take any pills of any kind. He wanted to make sure everything healed properly before I started taking any pills on a regular basis. I have not had to take any medication for my diabetes since my surgery. And I have considerally reduced the amount of pain medication I was taking for my back. Once the weight starts falling off you will notice a big, huge difference in your ability to walk without medication. It is amazing what 50 or 100 pounds lighter is going to do for you. You will be able to walk without taking medication you wait and see. Good luck.
   — Kathy K.

September 4, 1999
Debbie I had to stop my arthritis meds for 2 weeks before surgery. I was able to get through it by switching to tylenol, not as good. I didn't have to restart the meds until 3 months after surgery, and now I take celebrax which works pretty good. Good luck to you. [email protected]
   — Anna D.

September 4, 1999
Diane, I had been on Indomethacin prior to getting ready for my Pannectomy. My surgeons changed me to celebrex and I was able to take that one prior to and immediately after surgery. It seems it does not affect the coagulation of the blood like the other anit inflammatory pills.
   — Jeannette C.

September 6, 1999
I wanted to let you know that I also take Celebrix for Arthritis and My Mom just had Knee replacement surgery last month and was allowed to to take Celebrix right up to the day of surgery and immediatly after. I was not on Celebrix when I had my Gastric bypass surgery so I had to stop my Meds 4 days before and couldn't start it back up until I was off the blood thinners. This new Medication is supposed to be alright , no complications
   — Ellen M.

August 11, 2000
I am on Celebrex approved by my surgeon and my regular doctor. It is small enough to pass through the hole ( I had a lap done gastric bypass. ) It is safe for your stomach lining too. Another option depending on where you live, ( I live in California ) is to get your doctor to sign a consent form for legal cannabis if that helps you. The combination of the both help me. If you have any other questions, please feel free to ask.
   — Cheryl A.