Arthritis and Meds

[keiko 1]

I'm going to be banded Wednesday and have had to stop taking my anti-inflamitory medicine for my arthritis, so now I'm just taking Tylenol, and boy do I hurt! My entire body aches and various arthritic points are really aching. How has anyone else dealt with their arthritis after lapband surgery? Can you ever go back on meds or do I have to stick with Tylenol for the rest of my life? I didn't ask the doc that when I saw him last week because I wasn't off my meds yet.

I'd appreciate any advice or comments.

[Betsyjane 2]

Yep. Been there. I have Lupus and my arthritis from it is bad! I never thought I'd survive on Tylenol. I've heard that some folks work with their doctors to figure out a way to take NSAIDs with something to hlep their digestion. My experience is that after a brief period of having the band, my arthritis paid decreased enough (odd, eh?) that Tylenol is plenty, and sometimes I don't take anything! It's been a real surprise.

[beachgirl 2]

They put me back on my loritab immediately after surgery. I'll be on it for the rest of my life or something similiar. They test me periodically to make sure everything is alright and so far so good and been taking it almost a year. I take prevacid with it just as a precaution. I've never had acid reflux or anthing yet. I bet they can work something out for you. I would literally die with my ruptured discs and from my previous neck and back surgeries. My body isn't adapting well for some reason with all of the metal rods, plates, screws and things that go all the way down my back. I have to take it. Good luck to you.

[GR8 1]

I told my doctor at my pre-op appt how much pain I was in and he perscribed VICODIN ES -(I took 1/2 tablet 2x a day)- that was tremendous. He also told me after surgery (2 days after) I could start my arthritus medicine again.

I use to take it 2x aday or paid for it -- now 1x is doing great 9 out of 10 days.

BEST WISHES

Gina

[WASaBubbleButt 41]

They put me back on my loritab immediately after surgery. I'll be on it for the rest of my life or something similiar. They test me periodically to make sure everything is alright and so far so good and been taking it almost a year. I take prevacid with it just as a precaution. I've never had acid reflux or anthing yet. I bet they can work something out for you. I would literally die with my ruptured discs and from my previous neck and back surgeries. My body isn't adapting well for some reason with all of the metal rods, plates, screws and things that go all the way down my back. I have to take it. Good luck to you.

Lortab isn't an NSAID, it is Tylenol and Hydrocodone. Due to the addictive nature of this drug many docs won't prescribe it long term. NSAIDs are great for arthritis but not all band docs will give it to banded patients.

[Daisalana 33]

A lot of my back pains stem from a crooked spine and inflamed muscles that never die down.. so I normally take 4-10 advils daily (pre-op). Tylenol does not help the muscle pains at all.. I was told not to take NSAIDS, so I've just been 'toughing it out' and hoping with weight loss it will get better.. only really bad part is at night in bed, it hurts a heck of a lot to lay down, so I take liquid tylenol night time stuff to help me pass out and not feel it. During the day when it flares up really bad I take some of the liquid lortab I was prescribed from post-op. I only have about 1 dose left, and I tried liquid tylenol for the pain during the day with no result, so not sure what I'll do! I guess pray I lose enough weight to reduce the pain rather quickly

[Betsyjane 2]

Getting the weight off might also assist with the pain!

[GR8 1]

A lot of my back pains stem from a crooked spine and inflamed muscles that never die down.. so I normally take 4-10 advils daily (pre-op). Tylenol does not help the muscle pains at all.. I was told not to take NSAIDS, so I've just been 'toughing it out' and hoping with weight loss it will get better.. only really bad part is at night in bed, it hurts a heck of a lot to lay down, so I take liquid tylenol night time stuff to help me pass out and not feel it. During the day when it flares up really bad I take some of the liquid lortab I was prescribed from post-op. I only have about 1 dose left, and I tried liquid tylenol for the pain during the day with no result, so not sure what I'll do! I guess pray I lose enough weight to reduce the pain rather quickly

Have you seen a PAIN specialist -- my husband has a tremendous doctor that has helped him.

I have also seen a specialist and have the crooked spine - that they gave me special shoe inserts that has helped tremendously to realign and relieve the pain!

just a thought.

Gina

[Daisalana 33]

Gr8- Yup.. been getting injections in my spine for the past 4 years.. this last one I got (was in March), did not work at all. Normally it works enough to get me through the day, like now, but never took all the pain away.. still took Advil. But since this last shot didn't work and I knew I was getting banded, I was being optimistic that I'd lose weight before the excruciating pain came back!

[LoriPA 4]

I was taking Lodine for my knees pre-op, and also getting cortisone shots. I had my last shot April 25, and only get them on an as-needed basis now, whereas before, I got them every 6-8 weeks. Since being banded, I have been off Lodine, but have found a GREAT alternative in glucosomine and chondroitin supplements. You can find them at just about any Vitamin store or pharmacy. And they don't irritate my stomach, either.

[GR8 1]

Gr8- Yup.. been getting injections in my spine for the past 4 years.. this last one I got (was in March), did not work at all. Normally it works enough to get me through the day, like now, but never took all the pain away.. still took Advil. But since this last shot didn't work and I knew I was getting banded, I was being optimistic that I'd lose weight before the excruciating pain came back!

Sorry to hear the injections are not working -- I know that can be frustrating. My husband gets them (they only allow 3 in a calendar year which is also frustrating but that is due to the fact they can breakdown your bones or something) and they work very well for 1 week then gets worse - and worse.

I think you made the right choice to be BANDED -- and and hoping and praying you get some RELIEF soon - very SOON.

Have a great day!

Gina

[Elisabethsew 50]

Talk to your surgeon. I need two knee replacements and cannot rely on Tylenol to manage the pain. I take one Aleve in the AM with mylanta and another at night with Nexium as prescribed. My arthritis MD gave me a Rx for Vicodin to take if the above treatment plan is not working but I have not needed any.

Most surgeons realize that not all patients can stay off NSAIDS and will allow you to take them but most will prescribe an acid blocker such as Nexium, etc. The good news is, every pound you lose relieves 3 pounds of pressure on weight bearing joints. Good luck to you!