Question:
What type of NSAIDS can I take post-op??
I currently take Anaprox DS 550 mg for my headaches, as needed. Since they are a coated pill, I don't know if I will be able to continue to take them. Is their a liquid or chewable form that will be just as effective? OTC meds really have not worked (i.e. Aleve). I have never had any ulcers or any other stomach problems with this medication. — RhondaShoemaker (posted on October 16, 2004)
October 16, 2004
From my doctor, it is my understanding that NSAIDS are off the list
forever. I took Vioxx pre op, and never resumed post op. You may want to
see how the pain meds they give you work out.
6 Months post op, I still prefer the Loritab Elixir - it works for pain, it
is liquid, doesn't upset my stomach. This is what they gave me after the
PCA was removed, and what they sent me home with. It is mild narcotic, but
if the use is only occasional, that should not be a problem.
And you may find your headaches are reduced/eliminated with the dietary
changes post op.
Good luck!
— brinkman_d
October 16, 2004
The headaches are a combination of migraines and epilepsy. When FIVE Extra
Strength Tylenol didn't kill it (within a three hour peroid), I knew I had
troubles.
As I satated, some of the OTC stuff I have tried doesn't work.
— RhondaShoemaker
October 16, 2004
NONE. NSAIDS are forever off our list to take.
— Delores S.
October 16, 2004
I was told I could never take NSAIDS again. Once they are in your blood
stream, it puts your stomach at risk.
— Cathy S.
October 16, 2004
Please be careful Rhonda! I have had 3 friends who needed to be transfused
because of use of NSAIDS after WLS. ALEVE is an NSAID too. Five Tylenol
are too many - can cause liver damage. Please talk to you doctor and find
an alternative. Of all the things I miss, NSAIDS would be at the top of my
list (actually, it's the whole list!) I'm sorry you have such horrible
headaches - glad you're asking about this now before you get into trouble
with NSAIDS. Good luck!! Bette
— [Deactivated Member]
October 16, 2004
If you are having an RNY - then NONE.
— star .
October 16, 2004
Rhonda I am a chronic migraine sufferer and am on Topamax with wonderful
results it is new for migraines and will not make you gain weight in fact
will help lose weight it is also used for seizure control. I know of a
lady who took aleve after surgery and burned a hole in her pouch and later
died so DO NOT TAKE NSAIDS, IBUPROFENS, or ASPIRINS. IF you will e-mail me
I have detailed list of what we cannot take. Ask your Dr about Topamax...
Nancy
— nefish
October 16, 2004
My surgeon will only allow me to take Celebrex or Bextra. I am on Celebrex
currently due to severe inflammation of TMJ that occured as a result of
being put to sleep. Other than those two everything else if off limits.
— jnetk
October 16, 2004
Ok, I want to assure you all that (1) when I took five extra strength
Tynenol in a five hour period, it was BEFORE my headaches were diagnoised.
This was about 15 years ago.
I only take the Anaprox DS when I have a headache, and sometimes it will
only be once every 3 months or 3 times in one month. It varies like you
wouldn't believe. I have had no stomach troubles or bleeding ulcers, and I
have taken this medication since 1989. Sometimes I am able to ride the
headache out, but not very often. I'm one who takes medication when I need
it. I DON'T take meds for every little ache and pain that I have, but I am
also smart enough not to wait three days before finally taking something!
— RhondaShoemaker
October 17, 2004
There are some who think they can take such meds and are having no
problems, only to discover later that they have a bleeding problem from
NSAIDS. I don't know what to suggest. I used to take Naproxen for my
headaches (substantial dose at a time) and fortunately have not had a
migraine since surgery 10 months ago. I no longer have NSAIDS in the
house. Sandra
— Arizona_Sun
October 17, 2004
There are some that take chances with NSAIDS, taking them occasionally with
some acid reducer like Nexium. I don't care to take chances like that, but
I do understand your need for pain relief. Might a better course of action
be to explore what is triggering your headaches and try to eliminate the
trigger. I don't know what triggers your headaches, but many have food or
environmental causes for their headaches. Might be worth exploring.
— Cathy S.
October 17, 2004
Cathy: In 1989, a tumor was found on my brain, and it was THOUGHT that it
could be a cause of the headaches. I was put on Anaprox DS at this time.
In March 1990, the tumor was removed, but unfortunately, the headaches were
still there.
— RhondaShoemaker
October 17, 2004
You need to be working with your WLS and asking this question. The Good
Standard answer is NONE! The real answer is that sometimes choices need to
be made in order to handle life. I am one of those people. I have
significant Fibromyalgia. In addition I have lots of muskuloskeletal
problems including cervial stenosis and degenerative disc disease in 4
discs in my low back and knees that suck to high heaven. The knees are as
bad or worse now that I have lost 252 lbs, so losing weight doesn't always
solve everything.
<p>My surgeon gave me the okay to use some prescription
anti-inflammatories at about 1 month PO. My fibro flared up and I was
miserable. While it wasn't his first choice he said it was critical that I
kept moving. I had taken Bextra before WLS so he okay'd taking that.
Since it is small he asked that I break it in half and place each half into
chewed food before I swallow it. I have had to use the meds a few times
since surgery. Each time for about a month. Now most days I take 1 to 2
doses of extra strength tylenol. It doesn't do as much as the Bextra but
usually helps me keep moving. There is another woman in our support group
who is in the same boat and he gave her the same okay.
<p>Yes we are taking a risk, but it became necessary to balance the
risks. In my life to say I can never use an anti-inflammatory the rest of
my life is insane. But I do respect the fact that taking that kind of med
is not a great thing after RNY and use it sparingly. Almost every
medication a person takes has some risk. Each person and their doctor need
to decide which are the appropriate risks and minimize the risk as much as
possible. I have had zero problems when I have taken the Bextra and I did
not take any stomach meds with it.
<p>I'm guessing your are pre-op by your post. If that's the case
then do a wait and see because for some strange reason many people who
suffer from bad headaches before WLS end up headache free. I used to get
horrible intense stabbing pains in my temples. Definitely not normal
migraines and did not respond to normal migraine meds. I did a therapy
with Depakote for about 3 years and I was able to get off of it and be
headache free. Now if I get a headache, which is rare, I take 2 Firocet
and it usually kicks it out the door. You always need to be careful of
getting a rebound headache. I went through that at first by using meds too
often and not just when I had the really horrible ones. I basically had to
resensitize my brain so that when I did use the Firocet it worked and
worked well. Please work with your WLS on this. Also, if you are not
under a neurologist's care then you need to be and make sure there isn't
something else factoring in here. Good Luck!
— zoedogcbr
October 17, 2004
I say - ASK YOUR OWN DOCTOR AND FOLLOW THAT ADVICE. No one here is
qualified to tell you you can "never" take NSAIDS again. (I don't
believe any one has ever sited any serious studies of whether NSAIDS truly
pose a risk to post RNY patients.)Most docs will err on the side of
caution, saying not to take them. I am nearly 2 years post RNY, and have
been taking Vioxx the entire time on an "as needed" basis with my
WLS surgeon's blessing), with no Nexium or other medications, with no
problems whatsoever. Tylenol is a waste of time for me, for any pain.
Besides, there is to potential for liver damage from taking Tylenol, so
what is a person to do? Again - follow your own doctor's advice!
— koogy
October 18, 2004
Rhonda, You can continue taking NSAIDS if you have the duodenal switch
(DS). If you have the RNY, you won't be able to take them at all. You may
want to investigate the DS if NSAIDS are something you want to continue
taking. Many people have made the choice to go with the DS for that very
reason. You can investigate further by checking out the DS message board on
this site, or you can read my profile, or you can check out
duodenalswitch.com (be sure and type www in front of it). Best wishes.
— artistmama
October 19, 2004
My neuro has us take 400 mgs/day of vitamin B2 (Riboflavin)for migraine -
every day, this is prophylactic. Magnesium can also help migraines.
And acupunture works very well for some. I take Imitrex for them, also.
Good luck
— RWH G.
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