Nsaids????

[KathyM 14]

I have been on a prescription NSAID for years for my arthritis in my knees. I resumed it 2wks postop and haven't had any probs as of yet. Just as Tiff said, I always make sure I take it with food. I seriously couldn't live without it and over the counter medications like ibuprofen don't cut it. I am hoping I won't need it after I lose my weight.

[Donna4545 13]

If you have severe osteoarthritis like I do, and there simply is no cartilage to cushion, the pain won't go away as you lose weight. I specifically asked this question of my orthopedic surgeon. He said the less pressure on the knees the better, in terms of wear & tear, but if your cartilage is gone, you will be in pain until you are old enough to get a knee replacement. Hopefully your situation is not as bad as mine. I have the cartilage of an 80 year old, he told me.

[ouroborous 519]

From what I understand, it's a mechanical thing; if the NSAID pill pushes up against the wall of your stomach, particularly the staple line (which, being scar tissue, isn't lined with productive mucosa), you can ulcerate.

So, as my surgeon recommended, it may be better to stack the decks: take a chewable, liquid, or sublingual preparation, where there isn't a risk of a pill lodging right up against the staple line for a period of time. Also, make sure you're on an acid blocker, and try to take it with food or Water (to increase overall gut motility).

I am not a doctor, but the sense I get is that "once in a while" NSAID's are probably okay, but for regular use -- like arthritis, etc. -- you're probably better off with a non-NSAID, or at least a non-pill NSAID.

[KathyM 14]

Donna -

I hear you, I had to have a total knee replacement when I was 40. I had NO cartilage in that knee it was soooo painful and so awful!

[cscake 8]

I discussed Ibuprophen with my surgeon at 8 weeks out. I have alot of sciatic nerve pain down my legs at times. The only thing that has even helped was 800 mg of ibuprophen. He asked me to try tylenol but if that did not work to use the Advil Gel tabs as they dissolved faster and were a liquid so would disburse faster and not sit in one place. I started with two (400 mg) and it seems to work. I always take it with food and nexium. I have a history of ulcers so I need to be careful but being down to 400 mg seems to work.

Good luck