Pain management without NSAIDs

[India928 81]

Hi all.

I am wondering what the pain management of inflammation or body aches/pains is post bypass. I have MS (Multiple Sclerosis) and after taking my injection (Plegridy) I take two to three Advil/Ibuprofen to ease the side effects (flu like symptoms). Also, I have arthritis issues and have knee inflammation that requires an occasional dose.

What do you take and is it effective?

Thanks for your feedback

[Sajijoma 1,324]

I'd like to know as well. I use ibuprofen-5 caps at a time- to deal with Migraines in between my other meds since I can only use them 2x a week because of toxicity. Especially now, while I'm weaning and my hormones are all over the place-I use it almost daily for Migraine pain. I can't imagine living life without my giant bottle of ibuprofen. What do people use?!

[zanderman 42]

I was told only to take Tylenol. Oddly enough, my Migraines have almost gone away since my surgery. Now, my body hurts from exercise. I guess I should have appreciated being 20 when I had the chance - lol.

[Charm82 18]

As a chronic pain and Migraine sufferer I had this concern too which is one of the reasons I started out wanting the sleeve. I stopped taking my motrin 800mg about 3 months ago to see if i could manage without them. My surgeon said I can still take motrins but I have to be careful when I do and not take them a lot like I was. I started using tylenol like my surgeon suggested, for most of my pain (not my migraines) taking 1 to 2 500mg tablets helps by either taking pain away completely or it'll just take the edge off enough where I can function a bit but it takes longer to kick in. I'm hoping as I loose weight after surgery I won't have as much pain.I also have a prescription trans-dermal NSAID cream for my joint pains that works great.

I've suffered from chronic Migraines for over 17 years and when they get bad I end up in the E.R on demerol, I'm on a preventative regimen and sometimes my migraine meds work sometimes they don't but my surgeon said I'll still be able to take those after surgery after I heal up.

[Lovelyorchid 16]

This is a great topic! I suffered a back injury at work and I'm pretty sure it's a herniated disk. I wouldn't know for sure until I see a specialist after my RNY. But they have me on tramodal. I told my occupational doc I was going to have this done and I can't take the NSAIDS. He agreed and gave me tramodal. I only take it when Im in a lot of pain. I usually do my exercises and get into a warm pool to help with pain. Then if I can't do anything even take my tramodal for pain because of work, then I take a Tylenol. Pain is no joke but I'm trying to manage it with out pills. It's hard! Best of luck to you!

[snowkitten 371]

It's possible you could take steroids for your injections. I do infusions and I have to take steroids for the symptoms (also flu like).

[Dub 9,922]

Great topic. I'd honestly not realized how much I relied on medications.... both prescription and otc.....until listing everything for the initial bariatric program paperwork.

I'm hoping that we will all be able to reduce our medications needed to a great degree once we lose the weight.

I'm dealing with a herniated disc and umbilical hernia. Just got my first steroid injection this afternoon for the back.

Hoping this is resolved prior to surgery. Trying to lose 75+ pounds by the date of bypass surgery.

Arthritis in knees and back is something I've used ibuprofen for......will be glad to be able to give it up.

I really hope those of you having Migraines will see benefits on these.

[Lovelyorchid 16]

I can't agree with you more Dub! I'm sorry about your back and knee! Herniated disc pain is no joke at all! I hurt my back and my knee began hurting really bad after as well! The doctors kept saying it's my weight but for this particular injury it is not. Does weight increase your risk for injury? Yes. But that doesn't mean it was the cause of injury if you do that certain activity day in and out. Now having a 200lb+ person pull you down unexpectedly that's an injury!

I've had been considering this since I was 13 yo! I hated being the "big girl" all the time. The last straw came when that doctor said that to me! And of course all the other fast medical issues arising. But this back and leg pain is really debilitating!

I'm hoping this surgery will help reduce the pain and prove it is not my weight too. All I know is this is for me and my future health!

I have been needing to take my tramodal these past 2 days but I'm trying to tough it out. And it's hard! I'm just focusing on the benefits of having surgery! Good by pain! At least to some degree.

Good luck guys! Let's beat this pain!

[Dub 9,922]

I can't agree with you more Dub! I'm sorry about your back and knee! Herniated disc pain is no joke at all! I hurt my back and my knee began hurting really bad after as well! The doctors kept saying it's my weight but for this particular injury it is not. Does weight increase your risk for injury? Yes. But that doesn't mean it was the cause of injury if you do that certain activity day in and out. Now having a 200lb+ person pull you down unexpectedly that's an injury!

I've had been considering this since I was 13 yo! I hated being the "big girl" all the time. The last straw came when that doctor said that to me! And of course all the other fast medical issues arising. But this back and leg pain is really debilitating!

I'm hoping this surgery will help reduce the pain and prove it is not my weight too. All I know is this is for me and my future health!

I have been needing to take my tramodal these past 2 days but I'm trying to tough it out. And it's hard! I'm just focusing on the benefits of having surgery! Good by pain! At least to some degree.

Good luck guys! Let's beat this pain!

Back in 2010 I had surgery on right ankle to repair a torn ligament. Went back to work after 3 months off but it hurt like a beast.

Decided then to do something about carrying all this extra weight around.

Atkins (induction phase extended) and lots of daily walking for 8 months and I lost 120 pounds. Gained every bit right back within 3 years......but for a while.....a short while......during the lighter weight......there was no knee pain....no back issues.....no ankle pain......everything felt great. Doc took me off the arthritis meds, blood pressure meds.....and every other medication I was on.

I am so very grateful for that experience.

It allowed me to glimpse.....and enjoy......how good I'm soon going to feel again. The cool part is that I hope to blow by that 120 lb mark and exceed 200 lbs lost.

My knees are both going feel brand new again.

So is my back.

So is everything else.

I can't stress how easy it was to spring out of bed.....get moving......stay active on long work days and come home ready for yard work and other fun stuff.

Life is better when lived leaner. I have seen it.

I know I can kill it on the pre-op diet.....but then the new tool arrives that will really help me get things dialed in. If I do my part I will be able to maintain a good healthy weight forever.

I am absolutely convinced that proceeding with bypass is the right thing.

Edited July 18, 2015 by Dub

[woo woo 872]

Why would you not take your tramadol if you need it for 2 days? Tramadol is not an nsaid.

Regarding weight and pain, I recently suffered 2 herneated disks (first time ever for disk trouble) and have the bad leg and knee pain.

This all happened for the first time in my life 9 months out from surgery and pretty close to goal. Bmi around 25.

And you aren't kidding about the pain, it's terrible.

[choosehope 233]

I can't take NSAIDS because of a clotting disorder. My doctor recommended Botswellia Serrata. Might want to ask your doc and check into it.

I am currently discontinuing pain Meds I have been on for about six years. I have chronic Migraines, cluster headaches, arthritis, spinal spondylitis, Dupuytrens and fibro. Worried about not having pain meds but hold out hope that I will feel so much better after I lose weight that I don't need it as much as I do now. I feel pretty sure that I won't be going to bed with aching ankles, knees, and hip! ????

[Lovelyorchid 16]

I'm sorry to hear about your back and knee pain woo woo! I hope it lets up! I decided to not take the tramodal because of the possibility of Constipation after surgery. I know my ability to take in my 64 oz of Fluid orally will be difficult fresh post and I will be provided pain meds during my stay at the hospital. But, the type of pain medication depends on my surgeon. Which I'm sure will be narcotics and those as well can cause constipation. I'm afraid of complications and don't want to leave anything to chance. They told us in our pre op class people can go a week or more with no BM. That opened my eyes. I don't want to be uncomfortable with constipation on top of a fresh surgery. Straining is not good. I know this is TMI but those medications cause that now imagine when im struggling to just stay hydrated. Not good.

So I'm just pacing myself with last minute chores and taking breaks to stretch and rest my back. It's so debilitating and frustrating not being able to do things everyone else doesn't think twice about.

[red37 116]

While I don't have the same medical conditions, I do have a back injury. Tylenol does nothing for the pain! My best friend has been the heating pad. I have also been able to move around a bit more and stretch-that is helping a little.

[Ilikeme 5]

Tylenol is the only non-nsaid pain reliever I know of the is non-narcatic . I have degenerative disc disease, and have a pain pump implant. It feeds dalaudid directly to my spine twenty-four/seven. I also take it orally when needed. Since I have lost 28 lbs in the last few months, that has been a lot less often. I am hoping with the surgery, I can have the pump removed completely when it comes up for replacement in about a year, but both doctors are doubtful as the injury to my back is permanent.