Why no NSAIDS ?

[MrsKarenC2008 622]

Hey there everyone!

I have bone on bone arthritis in my knees ... and before surgery was on an inflammatory for that ... which was golden!

But when I began the process ... I was told I couldn't take that after surgery - or ever again ...

Someone please help me understand why ...

I'm 6 weeks out today ... all has gone well so far ... but I'm hurting so bad in my knees ...

Yes, I take pain medication .. Which I crush of course ...

But the stiffness associated with the arthritis isn't touched by pain medication ...

My knees was the biggest reason I had the surgery ... and I know that as I loose more weight ... hopefully the symptoms will improve a bit ...

But right now ... I need some relief ....

Any ideas ?

Thanks all !

[JamieLogical 8,697]

NSAIDS are very tough on your stomach. They can cause ulcers and stomach bleeds even in a normal stomach. Post WLS, your stomach is much more delicate than it was pre-op and the risks of long-term NSAID use become too high. Here's a snippet from WebMD about the stomach-damaging effects of NSAIDS. Remember, these comments are for people with NORMAL stomachs. So imagine how much worse it could be post-WLS.

These drugs can bother the GI tract in a number of different ways, says Robert Hoffman, MD, chief of rheumatology at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine. "Gastritis, esophageal reflux disease [heartburn or GERD], and bleeding ulcers are all problems that can develop from NSAIDs."

Though there are a few things you can do to reduce stomach upsets, there are no guarantees that serious problems won't develop - serious enough to mean hospitalization and even death, he adds. Older people with other medical problems are at especially increased risk.

"If you're taking NSAIDs on a chronic basis, there's a very high percentage risk that you will develop significant symptoms," says Hoffman. The bottom line: "Don't treat an arthritis problem on your own. See a doctor."

[Miss Mac 6,262]

My big giant old stomach was pre-ulcer because of chronic use of ANSAIDS. The best relief for my knees was to just give in and get knee replacements, one in 2007 and the other in 2011. I can't imagine getting them both at the same time, but some people do. What I found out with the first one was that I also had a torn miniscus and a cyst behind my knee as a result of trying to tough it out for too long.

Steroid shots and pain meds are not going to repair the problem, they just mask the pain.

I feel for you - I have been there.

[MrsKarenC2008 622]

@JamieLogical - THANK YOU for taking the time to post your reply ... that information is very helpful

I have an appt today with the pain doc ... so I'm going to have to discuss other options ...

Thank you again !

[MrsKarenC2008 622]

@Miss Mac ... I have been dealing with this since 2006 ... and of course just gets worse ... I knew that the weight didn't help ( of course ) ...

I tried to get a knee replacement a couple of years ago ... but the doc said he couldn't do it because he couldn't bend my knee as far as it needed to be during surgery because of my fat ( to put it bluntly ) and because of my lymphedema ... double whammy there ...

So I had the sleeve surgery .. with the HUGE hope of buying myself another couple of years ...

The pain medication only does so much ( as you know ) ...

Before surgery I had to resign myself to the fact I just couldn't do all that I needed to do / had to do / wanted to do ... because of these knees ...

I am one tough cookie and I do push and push and push myself further than I should ... just because things have to be done ( laundry, house cleaning, etc ... ) Hubby is a huge help when I ask ... but I hate to ask ... because he's got his own things to do ... I mean we both work full time ... THANK GOD we don't have kids ... that would seriously put me in a physch ward ! LOL

Thank you for your reply ... I appreciate your time and your honesty

[Inner Surfer Girl 12,015]

Definitely loop your surgeon in with your pain doc. My surgeon warned us that other docs not understanding your surgery can unwittingly cause problems (for instance prescribing steroids, even a long time after surgery, can cause leaks).

Not to scare you but you need to be very cautious.

[CloserToFine 172]

@@MrsKarenC2008 I'm sorry for your pain. I have arthritis/MCL pain in the left knee that is usually helped by taking a high-quality Omega-3 fish oil supplement. When take it consistently, the pain goes away. Have you ever tried them?

[Babbs 14,680]

This whole no NSAID thing has really been a pain in the butt for me, and I have to say, I've had to break it BIG TIME because of these ******* doctors who are SO AFRAID of prescribing pain pills!

I've had a running injury that was prescribed muscle relaxers (worthless), and after some major dental work and subsequent dry socket, basically was refused any more pain medication and told to take Advil, even after I told them I can't take it. I was forced to resort to it just so I wasn't living in excruciating pain.

Any suggestions for other, non NSAID pain meds (Tylenol doesn't work well for me) or how to handle these doctors that are so terrified to prescribe pain meds because all the junkies ruined it for the rest of us?? I still have more dental work ahead of me, and i'm really not looking forward to being in any more excruciating pain! I SWEAR when I tell them I can't take NSAIDS because of the surgery, they think I'm drug seeking....

[MrsKarenC2008 622]

@@MrsKarenC2008 I'm sorry for your pain. I have arthritis/MCL pain in the left knee that is usually helped by taking a high-quality Omega-3 fish oil supplement. When take it consistently, the pain goes away. Have you ever tried them?

Hello !

Yes, I've taken fish oil ... and the Glucosamine/Chondroitin ... and the Osteo Bi-Flex .... and then Move Free ... you name it ... I've wasted so much money on those things ...

I've had shots in my knees ... I've gone 'round and 'round ...

They are just too far gone for a simple quick fix ...

I guess I was just spoiled before surgery with my NSAID medication ... that now .. I've been without it for 8 weeks ... and with many storms in the area and colder weather coming ... I know I'm in for a lot of really stiff and sore days ...

I thank you so much for your time and the information !

[CloserToFine 172]

@@MrsKarenC2008 I'm sorry for your pain. I have arthritis/MCL pain in the left knee that is usually helped by taking a high-quality Omega-3 fish oil supplement. When take it consistently, the pain goes away. Have you ever tried them?

Hello !

Yes, I've taken fish oil ... and the Glucosamine/Chondroitin ... and the Osteo Bi-Flex .... and then Move Free ... you name it ... I've wasted so much money on those things ...

I've had shots in my knees ... I've gone 'round and 'round ...

They are just too far gone for a simple quick fix ...

I guess I was just spoiled before surgery with my NSAID medication ... that now .. I've been without it for 8 weeks ... and with many storms in the area and colder weather coming ... I know I'm in for a lot of really stiff and sore days ...

I thank you so much for your time and the information !

I wish I had better suggestions, but I'm sooooo glad you have a pain doctor. We have specialists for everything else; why not pain management?? Sending good wishes your way

[Inner Surfer Girl 12,015]

This whole no NSAID thing has really been a pain in the butt for me, and I have to say, I've had to break it BIG TIME because of these ******* doctors who are SO AFRAID of prescribing pain pills!

I've had a running injury that was prescribed muscle relaxers (worthless), and after some major dental work and subsequent dry socket, basically was refused any more pain medication and told to take Advil, even after I told them I can't take it. I was forced to resort to it just so I wasn't living in excruciating pain.

Any suggestions for other, non NSAID pain meds (Tylenol doesn't work well for me) or how to handle these doctors that are so terrified to prescribe pain meds because all the junkies ruined it for the rest of us?? I still have more dental work ahead of me, and i'm really not looking forward to being in any more excruciating pain! I SWEAR when I tell them I can't take NSAIDS because of the surgery, they think I'm drug seeking....

Even my surgeon said he runs into this with other docs. He had someone post-op, out of town, at an emergency room and spent a great deal of time on the phone trying to educate the doc who wouldn't prescribe narcotics. I don't know what the solution is other than seeing if you can get your surgeon to advocate for you with your other docs.

[JamieLogical 8,697]

This whole no NSAID thing has really been a pain in the butt for me, and I have to say, I've had to break it BIG TIME because of these ******* doctors who are SO AFRAID of prescribing pain pills!

I've had a running injury that was prescribed muscle relaxers (worthless), and after some major dental work and subsequent dry socket, basically was refused any more pain medication and told to take Advil, even after I told them I can't take it. I was forced to resort to it just so I wasn't living in excruciating pain.

Any suggestions for other, non NSAID pain meds (Tylenol doesn't work well for me) or how to handle these doctors that are so terrified to prescribe pain meds because all the junkies ruined it for the rest of us?? I still have more dental work ahead of me, and i'm really not looking forward to being in any more excruciating pain! I SWEAR when I tell them I can't take NSAIDS because of the surgery, they think I'm drug seeking....

Even my surgeon said he runs into this with other docs. He had someone post-op, out of town, at an emergency room and spent a great deal of time on the phone trying to educate the doc who wouldn't prescribe narcotics. I don't know what the solution is other than seeing if you can get your surgeon to advocate for you with your other docs.

That is what I was going to suggest. Try putting your surgeon in touch with you other doctors so they can fight it out amongst themselves.