It figures that two days after I post about not getting TOM because of my birth control, mother nature decides to assert herself as if to say "oh yeah? Watch this!". This is my second cycle in a year and by George it sucks!

Is Midol an NSAID? I'm trying to figure out what I can take for these monsterous cramps!

I know we're not supposed to take ibuprofren but my cramps were killing me and it was either that or have to leave work so I took them. I'm hoping that taking them only during the first day or so of my TOM will be allowable once I talk with my surgeon.

Yes. It contains naproxen which is an NSAID.

It figures that two days after I post about not getting TOM because of my birth control, mother nature decides to assert herself as if to say "oh yeah? Watch this!". This is my second cycle in a year and by George it sucks!

Is Midol an NSAID? I'm trying to figure out what I can take for these monsterous cramps!

Unfortunately that's not a quick answer. Some Midol products contain NSAIDs, some do not.

Midol Complete - acetaminophen, caffeins, pyrilamine maleate <- no NSAIDS

Midol Extended Relief - naproxen sodium <- NSAID

Midol Teen - acetaminophen, pamabrom <-no NSAIDs

Midol liquid Gels - ibuprofen <- NSAID

Midol PM - acetaminophen, diphenhydramine citrate <- no NSAIDs

With that being said, I never received anything specific to NSAIDs and have been taking them (I had a sinus infection last week, maxillary sinuses - so it was causing tooth pain too... NSAIDs are routinely the only thing that helps with that pain... I was cleared for 800mg 4 - 6 hours).

With some WLS there's a "real" reason why you can't have them, e.g. when you have a stoma. I didn't take them at all when I had my band. But when we don't have stomas, and we have normal digestion function, the only reason I can think of why we wouldn' be allowed NSAIDs is because if it did cause ulcertaion, our stomachs are so small that any injury or scar tissue might cause some problems. So it would be purely "just in case" rather than "because of this and this." But that's just my rationale. I'm not a surgeon, and I don't even play one on TV - so if you have a no NSAIDs rule, then I'd just say clear it with your doctor first.

(I'm pretty sure VSG is the recommended weightloss for people who have to take NSAIDs, like arthritis sufferers, because we don't have the pouch/stoma/etc. issues)

Wheetsin, I am one of those arthritis sufferers and chose VSG in part due to being able to take NSAIDS afterwards. BUT... I had to go off all NSAIDS for one week pre-op and six weeks post-op. My surgeon said that NSAIDS can slow or stop the healing process and regardless of severity of arthritis would not permit any exceptions.

He also stopped hormones one month pre-op and 3 weeks post-op, plus all steroids 30 days before/after surgery.

Wheetsin, I am one of those arthritis sufferers and chose VSG in part due to being able to take NSAIDS afterwards. BUT... I had to go off all NSAIDS for one week pre-op and six weeks post-op. My surgeon said that NSAIDS can slow or stop the healing process and regardless of severity of arthritis would not permit any exceptions.

He also stopped hormones one month pre-op and 3 weeks post-op, plus all steroids 30 days before/after surgery.

That I would def. agree with. I had a weird allergic reaction to something I was given while in the hospital. The reaction started literally as I left (the day after getting sleeved) and I ended up getting prednisone shots in the ER about 3am the next morning. When they told me they were giving me an Rx for prednisone pills I told them they'd have to clear it with my surgeon. He approved but required me to take Sucralfate prior to the Prednisone. Sucralfate sort of binds to the lining of the stomach, giving it some degree of protection. I wonder if that might be an option to help you or others, or something like Misoprostol (similar to Sucralfate, but IIRC more effective against NSAIDs).

GENERIC NAME: misoprostol

BRAND NAME: Cytotec

DRUG CLASS AND MECHANISM: Misoprostol is a synthetic (man-made) prostaglandin that is used to reduce the risk of stomach ulcers in patients treated with nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs, for example, aspirin, ibuprofen, etc.) that are used for pain and various inflammatory conditions, for example, arthritis. Misoprostol is used primarily in patients at high risk for stomach ulcers when treated with NSAIDs, for example, the elderly, patients with concomitant debilitating diseases, and patients with a history of ulcers. Prostaglandins are chemicals that are made within many organs of the body including the stomach. In the stomach, prostaglandins are believed to protect the inner lining of the stomach from the ulcer-producing effects of NSAIDs. Scientists now believe that NSAIDs produce ulceration by preventing the production of prostaglandins in the stomach. Synthetic prostaglandins such as misoprostol given orally "replace" the prostaglandins whose production is inhibited by NSAIDs and have been shown to protect the lining of the stomach from NSAID-induced ulcers. Misoprostol was approved by the FDA in December 1988.

PRESCRIPTION: Yes

GENERIC AVAILABLE: Yes

PREPARATIONS: Tablets: 100 and 200 mcg.

STORAGE: Tablets should be kept in a dry area with temperatures at or below 25 C (77 F)

PRESCRIBED FOR: Misoprostol is prescribed for the prevention of NSAID-induced gastric ulcers in patients at high risk for ulceration when treated with NSAIDs. Off-label (non-FDA approved) uses include fetal abortion, cervical ripening procedure during delivery, duodenal and gastric ulcer, and postpartum hemorrhage.