Are pain killers different for you now?

[vegasneon 181]

I've been having major issues with my back and other things lately and I am not getting any relief from Oxy, Naproxin or Tramadol but Codeinne still helps. Has anyone else experienced this or has anyone been told that pain meds will work differently with a little stomach? I know we arent suppossed to take Naproxen anymore but I was desperate and it used to help somewhat- now nothing. I know we can take Tylenol but its always been too mild for my back when its at its worst.

TIA

[OHHLALA 11]

Oops I took naproxen the other day. I do notice I don't need a higher dose if a medics before it was like 3 500mg of Tylenol now it's only one 500mg and I'm good.

[mistysj 1,939]

I know we arent suppossed to take Naproxen anymore but I was desperate and it used to help somewhat- now nothing. I know we can take Tylenol but its always been too mild for my back when its at its worst. TIA

Barring a specific recommendation from your surgeon, NSAIDs are just fine for sleevers. RNY patients are the ones who shouldn't take NSAIDs.

[vegasneon 181]

Barring a specific recommendation from your surgeon, NSAIDs are just fine for sleevers. RNY patients are the ones who shouldn't take NSAIDs.

I thought I had read again and again we shouldnt take them either. I did ask my surgeon, I told him I relied on them a lot and didnt know what I would do without them and he said just wait 4 months. Now I have a PCP and he agreed with no NSAIDS but he isnt a Bariatric specialist either. Anyway the 3 times I have taken them since I was over 4 months they havent done a thing for me.

If I cant find something that works for me besides Codeinne I may have to re-consider having my back fused. Blech, and that still leaves me with Sciatica that needs relief sometimes.

[xmarycontraryx 234]

When can we go back to ibuprofen? I used to take 800mg a day for my back pain and I miss it terribly.

[AtlantaRed 651]

I was told we're not supposed to take NSAIDS due to the fact that they can cause ulcers in anybody but with our stomachs being so small, there us less room for us to develop an ulcer. We were told we could take it vert, very sparingly but definitely not regularly.

Edited December 18, 2013 by AtlantaRed

[HHHappy 225]

My surgeon told me I could take Excedrin Migraine but to drinks LOTS and LOTS of Water after taking it.

[mistysj 1,939]

When you have questions about medications, talk to your surgeon. The internet is not the right place to get medical advice.

[thinnerdaysahead 48]

I am permanently disabled due to an upper back injury - I take Norco, Lyrica, soma, and oxycodone. The way my body metabolizes these drugs has definitely changed since surgery. The doses are the same, but the effect doesn't last as long. That has been a real issue for me.

[xmarycontraryx 234]

Vegasneon- When were you sleeved? I ask because I had spine fusion surgery four years ago (L1-L5) and am still dealing with increasing pain with any activity. My back surgeon and primary doctor have both told me that my weight is a definite factor so I had the sleeve 12/2 and am waiting for another 50+ lbs to come off before considering any more treatments. I do take hydrocodone 10/325 which relieves a lot of the daily pain.

Have you tried steroid injections? I had them prior to surgery and then again six months ago. I wouldn't say they're a cure-all but it definitely alleviates some pain.

Hope you find some relief.

Mary

[vegasneon 181]

When you have questions about medications, talk to your surgeon. The internet is not the right place to get medical advice.

I respectfully disagree. I am asking for other patients personal experience, therefore this is the correct place- a forum for VGS patients to share thier opinions.

I am permanently disabled due to an upper back injury - I take Norco, Lyrica, soma, and oxycodone. The way my body metabolizes these drugs has definitely changed since surgery. The doses are the same, but the effect doesn't last as long. That has been a real issue for me.

Thank you, that was useful info. I would have guessed that meds would work better for us now but I guess not! I'll have to ask/research those first 3. In all these years I have only been prescribed oxycodone, hydrocodone, codienne & percoset & Tramadol. I think the first 4 of those are pretty much the same thing.

Vegasneon- When were you sleeved? I ask because I had spine fusion surgery four years ago (L1-L5) and am still dealing with increasing pain with any activity. My back surgeon and primary doctor have both told me that my weight is a definite factor so I had the sleeve 12/2 and am waiting for another 50+ lbs to come off before considering any more treatments. I do take hydrocodone 10/325 which relieves a lot of the daily pain.

Have you tried steroid injections? I had them prior to surgery and then again six months ago. I wouldn't say they're a cure-all but it definitely alleviates some pain.

Hope you find some relief.

Mary

I was sleeved over 6 months ago. I probably wasnt clear that I turned down fusion surgery but now wonder if I should re-examine that option. I wouldnt do it until I was at goal weight for awhile if I still have all the same problems then. I'm not real hopeful though because it started when I was 17 and has been the same through many different weights. It seems from people I know, thin or fat that fusion seems to be hit or miss regarding relief.

Hydrocodone 10 used to work for me too but now does nothing. Its very weird. I never did have steroid injections- thanks for that idea. I see a new Dr next month for back & neck issues so I will ask about that.

Thank you all

[SueRN 50]

Please tell me the 3500 of Tylenol was taken throughout entire day and not all a once or multiple times a day? 4000mg is the max daily divided dose for Tylenol. It is extremely toxic to the liver.