Someone else was asking a question about pain medications and I didn’t want to hijack the thread, so I’m starting my own.
First of all, I have an appointment to see my surgeon and ask him this question. But I thought I’d see if there were any interesting tips/information from the Doper Doctors around here.
I had a gastric bypass. I’m not allowed to take Ibuprofin or aspirin for pain such as headaches or menstrual cramps. I can take acetaminaphin…er…Tylenol…I can’t spell the generic. However, it simply has never worked on anything I took it for. It’s crap for getting rid of cramps. And while I only have the occasional headache, I find Tylenol about as useful as swallowing an M & M.
I want to ask my physician what I can do, particularly about the aforementioned cramps. They get really nasty and I’m sort of stuck suffering through it. But I don’t know if I really believe narcotics are the answer either. Aren’t those just as hard on your digestive system?
I had this surgery to make myself healthier, so I really don’t want to take something that isn’t approved of by my doc or could be harmful or cause me complications.
Does anyone know of any alternatives?
L
Talk to your surgeon, and find out just how absolute the need to avoid NSAIDS like ibuprofen, aspirin, and related compounds are. It is possible your doc might not want you on them regularly, but an occasional dose could be acceptable.
If the risk of bleeding is too high to take standard NSAIDS, consider asking about whether Celebrex might be safer for you. Yes, yes, there is all the controversy about COX-II inhibitors and heart trouble, but unless you talk with your doc about it, you won’t know about the risks vs. benefits in your situation.
Otherwise, there’s not much else out thee for acute pain relief other than NSAIDS, acetaminophen, or narcotics.
So, ask your doc.
Thanks for the reply! I was hoping to hear from you!
I understand that in the great majority of cases there is a trade off of some type. There is either the potential for damage or for side effects (I work for a big pharmaceutical company so know a limited amount about this).
Also, I have no addiction problems, so if I have to take codeine for cramps once a month I don’t mind THAT much either. I just think it might be overkill and I’m unsure of what the side effects are.
I will ask my surgeon. The good thing is that after dropping 90 pounds due to surgery I don’t need to rely on NSAIDS the way I did before. Maybe you’re right and the occasional dose is okay. I am only 6 months post-op (that phrase always makes me think of transexuals). Maybe the “No NSAIDS ever” rule will stop applying to me as it becomes more obvious that I’m healed well and proper.
Thanks again!
L