Question:
anyone else experienced muscle spasms?

I am 1 month post-op and have been having severe pain in my upper left abdomin behind my rib cage. It started 3 or 4 days ago and it usually only occurs in the middle of the night (it wakes me up), but yesterday it happenned on 3 seperate occasions during the day. It doesn't seem to be related to eating. I called my surgeon's office and the conclusion was that it was muscle spasms and I should take motrin or advil for it. However, I thought we couldn't take ibuprofen anymore, so I'm not sure what to do. Has anyone experienced this? If so, what did you do? Thanks for any advice you may have!!    — Jill M. (posted on July 23, 2003)

July 23, 2003
My Dr says NO to asprin, motrin etc. Tylenol is fine tho I had to reak them in 1/2 to swallow them at first. I have not had muscle spasms but I have heard many compalain of them. My friend did tho. Jamie
   — Jamie M.

July 23, 2003
I have read in a few posts, that the spasms are due to the fact that the rib cage gets moved during surgery. When those muscles settle back into place, they can cause pain and spasms. Good Luck!
   — doglover

July 23, 2003
I had bad muscle spasms right after surgery, but with the morphine and demerol, they were more a nuisance than hurtful. Then at home they continued especially at night, but they gradually lessened over time. When I asked the surgeon, he said they were caused by the equipment they used during lap that had to go through the muscles. I'm wondering if you are just getting off the meds they give you after surgery but your muscles haven't completely healed. Have you tried liquid Tylenol? I use that exclusively now for pain. Tastes yucky so I only take it when I really hurt. Do you have a family doctor you could ask? I too have heard that ibuprofen is not good for gastric bypass patients.
   — Carole V.

July 23, 2003
Jill, I had the same spasms, but on my right side in the middle of the night and then again several times during the day. My doctor told me beforehand that sometimes the stitches on the inside get hooked on the nerves the cut that are re healing. It is also the tissue and muscle that are stretching back into place. Do not be alarmed. He said it is normal for this to go on for 4-6 weeks. Pressure and heat, along with Vicoden help. I also asked about Motrin, they never want you taking more than 800mg. a day or you can get ulcers, but most doc's just say don't take it. Do what you want. But don't worry about the smasms they are normal.
   — Michele B.

July 23, 2003
Be careful with Motrin or Advil, especially being such a new post-op. I have a constant battle with muscles in my back since surgery and my doctor gave me muscle relaxers to take when I needed and it seems to control the problem. NOt a cure, but does pretty good in the meantime.
   — Cathy S.

July 24, 2003
I was having abdominal muscle spasms 1 week post op and my surgeon also told me to take liquid Motrin which really helped me. I'm now 10 weeks out and have no problems with taking Motrin (now pill form). I do however take it on a full stomach. I was shocked when my surgeon said "Motrin" but I placed my life in the man's hands and he is a skilled and knowledgeable surgeon who has done hundreds of RNY procedures, so why wouldn't I listen to him? I do suggest if you were sensitive to Motrin pre-op I would avoid taking it post-op as well. Hope you're feeling better soon...
   — adeas