Ibuprofin Alternative?

[newyorklady20 97]

Hello all.

I know that one of the issues that holds many people back - myself included - is not being able to take ibuprofin after surgery. I don't take it all the time, but I am prone to terrible Migraines and ibuprofin is the only thing that words for them. I also get terrible cramps for my period, and again, this is the only thing that works.

Are there any suggestions, or recommendations from experience, for what others have done for similar situations? I know its not good to take it regularly anyway, but sometimes you are just in pain and need some relief!! Is there anything that will be an option for post sleeve?

Thanks!

[billho 248]

Good question. All that I have been told I can take is Tylenol, which isn't really good enough. I am particularly interested in finding something better since I fell about 8 ft. through a shed roof over the weekend (long story...) and I am pretty sore.

Edited October 19, 2020 by billho

[newyorklady20 97]

Just now, billho said:

Good question. All that I been told I can take is Tylenol, which isn't really good enough. I am particularly interested in finding something better since I fell about 8 ft. through a shed roof over the weekend (long story...) and I am pretty sore.

Oh no!! I know, there are so many things that might happen that cause us all to need relief! I'm assuming that all pain relievers aren't bad, as people get pain meds in the hospital post surgery and it sounds like many people are sent home with some sort of pills. I'm hoping someone has a suggestion! Good luck with feeling better!

[Danny Paul 761]

For the muscle pulls and sprains I've been using Solonpas patches.There are two kind. One with Lidocaine 4% and one without. I first apply the Patches without lidocaine and if they relieve my pain I'm good. If not then I use the patch with Lidocaine. I get both at costco and they usually go on sale twice a year so I stock up. If it's a pain like a headache then I use Tylenol.

[BigSue 1,387]

15 minutes ago, Danny Paul said:

For the muscle pulls and sprains I've been using Solonpas patches.There are two kind. One with Lidocaine 4% and one without. I first apply the Patches without lidocaine and if they relieve my pain I'm good. If not then I use the patch with Lidocaine. I get both at costco and they usually go on sale twice a year so I stock up. If it's a pain like a headache then I use Tylenol.

@Danny Paul, did your surgeon approve the use of Salonpas Patches? I looked into those and found out that they contain an NSAID (methyl salicylate), and although they are topical, the NSAID is absorbed into the bloodstream and can increase the risk of an ulcer. It is probably less of a concern for gastric sleeve patients than gastric bypass, but still a good idea to ask the surgeon.

[Danny Paul 761]

I did and was approved. Once again in moderation not for everyday use.

[The Greater Fool 2,035]

Really, we are not Doctors. *AND* our Docs tell us different things. So don't make any decisions based on what a bunch of random voices say on the enterwebs.

My Doc has NO general prohibitions on ANY medication. We all have different issues and different needs the same as non-ops have different needs. We along with our medical team need to evaluate our needs, the drugs available for those needs, and the pros and cons of taking those drugs. Just like everyone else.

For instance, I take NSAIDs as a backup to narcotics for my chronic pain issues. I monitor and am monitored carefully for the possible complications of each. I also have liver issues, so I must be very careful with acetaminophen but even so I do take it occasionally.

If I didn't take these so called off-limits drugs, I would be in constant pain, which would be untenable.

So, again, every medication for every person as possible negative side effects along with the intended effects. DISCUSS it with your Doc. If they don't give you a solution for your issue, find a new Doc.

Good luck,

Tek

[RickM 1,747]

Does your surgeon specifically limit their use, or are you drawing from online forums? As noted above, doctors give varying advice; the RNY has some specific problems that limit the use of such medications which doesn't apply to the sleeve, but some doctors or programs give blanket advice to all of their patients regardless of which procedure they had, while others will vary it depending upon the procedure.

Since NSAIDs came off of prescription some twenty or so years ago, there has been a building opinion in the medical community that that was a bad idea and that they should have remained a prescription med owing to some longer term side effects that they can have with consistent use (this applies to all people, not just WLS or RNY patients) so some docs may publish in their guidelines that all of their patients should avoid them, despite the differing tolerances between procedures, but if consulted privately (as in patient to doctor, rather than in a group setting), they will usually give more specific guidance for that patient's needs.

[BigSue 1,387]

4 hours ago, RickM said:

Does your surgeon specifically limit their use, or are you drawing from online forums? As noted above, doctors give varying advice; the RNY has some specific problems that limit the use of such medications which doesn't apply to the sleeve, but some doctors or programs give blanket advice to all of their patients regardless of which procedure they had, while others will vary it depending upon the procedure.

I asked my surgeon about the use of topical NSAIDs and he said if I really need them, topical is better than oral, but it does still carry a risk of causing ulcers, so topical NSAIDs are not recommended. If I felt I really needed them, he wanted me to stay on pantoprazole (which I was allowed to stop taking 3 months after surgery). This advice can vary between doctors and depend on the circumstances of the patient, so I would recommend that anyone contemplating the use of topical NSAIDs ask his or her surgeon first. This especially applies to pre-op patients like the OP because it's best to work out this kind of detail before surgery.

[tarotcardreader 196]

13 hours ago, newyorklady20 said:

Hello all.

I know that one of the issues that holds many people back - myself included - is not being able to take ibuprofin after surgery. I don't take it all the time, but I am prone to terrible Migraines and ibuprofin is the only thing that words for them. I also get terrible cramps for my period, and again, this is the only thing that works.

Are there any suggestions, or recommendations from experience, for what others have done for similar situations? I know its not good to take it regularly anyway, but sometimes you are just in pain and need some relief!! Is there anything that will be an option for post sleeve?

Thanks!

Well heres what you can do for the Migraines. Get a referral from your primary care doc to a neurologist. There are now these shots you can get that last three or six months and many people are Migraine free with them. Its great. For period pain i used naproxen preop but post op honestly because i have lost quite a bit of weight probably the period Was lighter and way less painful. I was able to get by with just a heating pad so far. There are also medical options (several) for addressing your painful periods and any gynecologist can let you know those. Maybe make an appoitment to discuss. Some new meds out there are helping alot of people. I would say also that you could see a pain management doc if your pain is excruciating.

[GivinItMyALL 169]

Good question. All that I have been told I can take is Tylenol, which isn't really good enough. I am particularly interested in finding something better since I fell about 8 ft. through a shed roof over the weekend (long story...) and I am pretty sore.

Oh my goodness ... Glad you're okay (relatively. At least enough to post about it!)