So I've been cautioned that Aleve and Advil and other NSAIDS are forbidden. So what to do for a sore back? I've had a cranky back that acts up 2 or 3 times a year for over 20 years. In the past a week or two of Advil or Aleve and I would be good until the next time I moved furniture or weeded the garden. I am convinced Tylenol is a placebo since it has never helped me with aches or pains. What do other do for the occasional cranky back, twisted knee or tweaked shoulder?

I always say when in doubt, call the doctor. They know best. Before I lost weight with the band, I lived on Vicodins. My back is doing much better now that I try to work the muscles at the gym. Good luck. I even had the shots in the back. I use to go for PT 2-3 times a week in a heated pool and that was super. The rehab center closed the pool and I got lazy and never looked for another place.

I use(d) my share of NSAIDs pretty consistently since month 6 for a degenerative arthritic condition (will be getting it officially diagnosed by rheumatology in January 2014). Started on the store strength stuff like aleve, naproxen, and ibuprofen after getting blessing from VSG doctor. None of it worked. I then moved to prescription strength stuff like 800 mg ibuprofen and 20 mg piroxicam (blessing of PCP dr). The diflenac (pill or cream) does not work for me. Flector patch does not work. The only stuff that even remotely gives my poor neck and back relief is the piroxicam, sometimes it takes 2 for a few hours of no pain. I've been dealing with this residual pain of inflammation, that no pain is completely foreign to me. I am pretty young at 38. I am going to tell my doctor this next week this information about the piroxicam and see if we can find something gentler, but still have the impact. I use home acupressure and exercises I have learned from 2x a week PT a lot too every day, but that is only temp relief. This whole arthritic thing I just recently found out a few weeks ago because I just so happened to get an X-ray for something else. So even though taking prescription strength NSAID seems fairly risky, it is completely worth it to be free of the pain. I also want to say eating low inflammation diet and eating food that fights inflammation helps. I take 4-8 g of fish oil a day from stronger, healthier faster. That helps also to fight inflammation caused by working out as often as I do. The whole pain caused by inflammation thing started years ago, before I got into working out after losing weight from VSG.

Edited December 24, 201312 yr by Fiddleman

I'm right there with you on that. I have spinal stenosis and degenerative disc disease. I lived on 2 Aleve every morning when I wasn't on something stronger. I don't know what I'm going to do other than hope for my weight loss to alleviate my symptoms.

Good luck and let us know if you find something. Tylenol is useless for severe back pain.

I use Tylenol Arthritis, it's dosage is higher, maybe I'm just one of the lucky ones who Tylenol helps.

Have you tried things like heating pad, message ect?. My Dr prescribed a TENS unit for my back pain, I love it. I like to stay as medicine free as possible so when I told my Dr I wanted something other then meds to help with the pain he ordered me the TENS unit. If your insurance will cover it, I'd suggest one.

i highly recommend this. it works great. one or two cups for headaches or muscle soreness. works like a charm. (i was a motrin addict before surgery) it works so well i bought it for several people for xmas this year... people i know who either cant do NSAIDs or have chronic pain.

http://m.lostrivernaturals.com/Turmeric-Vitality.html

a friend of mine spent months formulating it and it tastes like chai tea, very yummy.

I use(d) my share of NSAIDs pretty consistently since month 6 for a degenerative arthritic condition (will be getting it officially diagnosed by rheumatology in January 2014). Started on the store strength stuff like aleve, naproxen, and ibuprofen after getting blessing from VSG doctor. None of it worked. I then moved to prescription strength stuff like 800 mg ibuprofen and 20 mg piroxicam (blessing of PCP dr). The diflenac (pill or cream) does not work for me. Flector patch does not work. The only stuff that even remotely gives my poor neck and back relief is the piroxicam, sometimes it takes 2 for a few hours of no pain. I've been dealing with this residual pain of inflammation, that no pain is completely foreign to me. I am pretty young at 38. I am going to tell my doctor this next week this information about the piroxicam and see if we can find something gentler, but still have the impact. I use home acupressure and exercises I have learned from 2x a week PT a lot too every day, but that is only temp relief. This whole arthritic thing I just recently found out a few weeks ago because I just so happened to get an X-ray for something else. So even though taking prescription strength NSAID seems fairly risky, it is completely worth it to be free of the pain. I also want to say eating low inflammation diet and eating food that fights inflammation helps. I take 4-8 g of fish oil a day from stronger, healthier faster. That helps also to fight inflammation caused by working out as often as I do. The whole pain caused by inflammation thing started years ago, before I got into working out after losing weight from VSG.

fiddleman, my friend with a degenerative autoimmune disorder and fibro (no NSAIDs) discovered a combo of tylenol, turmeric tea, low inflammation diet and anti inflammatory juice combo really did wonders for her.

the OP was about occasional back aches. for more severe pain i cannot say enough about acupuncture. it is amazing, wonderful and low cost if you can find a community acupuncture clinic by you. still cheaper than a doc and covered by many insurances.

the OP was about occasional back aches. for more severe pain i cannot say enough about acupuncture. it is amazing, wonderful and low cost if you can find a community acupuncture clinic by you. still cheaper than a doc and covered by many insurances.

I've never done acupuncture, but have done acupressure on a home mat. It really helps. How different would acupuncture be from acupressure (besides cost).

I use(d) my share of NSAIDs pretty consistently since month 6 for a degenerative arthritic condition (will be getting it officially diagnosed by rheumatology in January 2014). Started on the store strength stuff like aleve, naproxen, and ibuprofen after getting blessing from VSG doctor. None of it worked. I then moved to prescription strength stuff like 800 mg ibuprofen and 20 mg piroxicam (blessing of PCP dr). The diflenac (pill or cream) does not work for me. Flector patch does not work. The only stuff that even remotely gives my poor neck and back relief is the piroxicam, sometimes it takes 2 for a few hours of no pain. I've been dealing with this residual pain of inflammation, that no pain is completely foreign to me. I am pretty young at 38. I am going to tell my doctor this next week this information about the piroxicam and see if we can find something gentler, but still have the impact. I use home acupressure and exercises I have learned from 2x a week PT a lot too every day, but that is only temp relief. This whole arthritic thing I just recently found out a few weeks ago because I just so happened to get an X-ray for something else. So even though taking prescription strength NSAID seems fairly risky, it is completely worth it to be free of the pain. I also want to say eating low inflammation diet and eating food that fights inflammation helps. I take 4-8 g of fish oil a day from stronger, healthier faster. That helps also to fight inflammation caused by working out as often as I do. The whole pain caused by inflammation thing started years ago, before I got into working out after losing weight from VSG.

You night want to ask Dr about Meloxacam. I have degenerative disks and like you the flare ups happen about 3-4 times year. Doing a particularly prolonged one last year, he prescribed Omneproxale (Prilosec) one a day to coat stomach and meloxacam which is only taken ONCE a day. Like taking 4 sleeve or 8 Advil. Awesome and the Prilosec protects my stomach. I only use when have to but so much better for me. That and flexiril!

Hi All,

I appreciate all of the great suggestions. I am seeing my PCP tomorrow (my surgeon is in Dallas) and will call the bariatric NP while I am there and have a 3 way conversation. My sweetie gave me two heating pads for Christmas (isn't that romantic?); one especially designed for lumbar relief. I may consider acupuncture. I have had acupuncture in the past. For me it worked great for some things but not for everything.

So again , thank you for reaching out, this forum has been such a God send. Warmest wishes for a blessed New Year to everyone.

Jackie

I've never done acupuncture, but have done acupressure on a home mat. It really helps. How different would acupuncture be from acupressure (besides cost).

guessing it's like the difference between getting a massage with a LMT and a back rub by your friend. acupuncture is probably better for systemic results rather than symptom relief. just guessing here though. i would say, try it a few times and see. certain things it works great for. other things less so. but you wont know until you try.