Hi ladies, l needed some suggestions on what to do about fairly severe menstrual cramps and back pain. Before I was sleeved, I would take Aleve or some form of Ibuprofen for some relief. Post-op, these are a no-no per my surgeon's orders. I've always had a hard time managing pain during that time of the month, but at least was able to dull it somewhat. My surgeon's office suggested Tylenol, but unless I take twice the recommended dose it has no affect at all. I also feel like the pain has worsened since being sleeved almost 9 weeks ago. Have any of you other sleeved ladies had to deal with this? If so, how did you manage it?

Yea mine got pretty severe after surgery. This will sound lame but working out really helped me and also wearing a menstrual cup. I had never thought of doing these things before but I noticed after the third month that my symptoms were greatly relieved and my periods were a lot shorter where was super helpful. Try intaking more water too. Good luck mine was pretty bad and I hope you work it out!

I am lucky because my surgeon is ok with me taking NSAIDS occasionally. He just advised I take a PPI or stomach protectant like sucralfate if I take them long term. He Actually send patients home with sublingual NSAIDS for 5 days postop. The reduction of surgical inflammation outweighs the small risk of short term NSAID use.

You could ask your doctor if tramadol might help. It does wonders for my neck and back pain, but not sure if it works for menstural cramps. You may also do a google search for holistic alternatives to take the edge off the cramps. Traumeel is a natural pain reliever that I've also used, so there might be something similar for menstural pain.

Are you on birth control? I've been on depo for most of my adult life and it completely eliminates a time of the month, so no cramps! Past that, my doctor didn't have any restrictions on what drugs I could take after surgery so for other types of pain Excedrin seems to work the best for me. Also, the old school heating pad on the stomach always helped me the few times where I had a random cycle and was in miserable pain.

I had very Bad cramps and back pain when I started my menstruation. It was so bad it woke me in the middle of the night. I never had a problem with this ever in my life. I did take tylenol and when I went to the doctor they said I should check with my OBGYN to check if I have a cyst. UM, I was like really! I cant be the only one. I hate when Drs past the buck. If I had a cyst wouldnt I have continuous pain rather it was the time of the month or not? Its so irritating sometimes. Anyway I just dealt with it and praying it dont happen again this month.

Mine also have been severe since surgery i could barely walk had to do hot showers heating pad Tylenol wasn't working so had to take 1/2 a norco leftover from surgery

Thanks for the replies and suggestions. I did try working out, as Veronica suggested, which helped for about an hour after I stopped. I will see if being consistent helps in the long term. Because of blood pressure issues, I can't take birth control; I've tried several, all of which aggravated my HBP. I haven't heard of Tramadol, but I will have to ask my doc at my next visit. I also thought about using my leftover pain meds from surgery, but they make me so sleepy and I need to be able to drive. I have always had pretty tough periods, but it seems like since surgery, they are unbearable for two solid days. I will just have to deal with them too and maybe look for some homeopathic remedies. Thanks again for your imput.

Glad to know I'm not the only one experiencing this. I was diagnosed with ovarian cysts a while back, and since the surgery, I'm pretty sure they've returned with a vengeance. Every other day, my ovaries feel like they're rioting inside of my body with little pitch forks. It's definitely something I plan on discussing with my surgeon once I see him again.

Ask your doc for tramadol.

Before I was sleeved, I would take Aleve or some form of Ibuprofen for some relief. Post-op, these are a no-no per my surgeon's orders.

I can't help with advice for menstrual cramps, but as a serious arthritis sufferer I have been on NSAID's (Diclofenac) for years. I literally could not move without it. And when I say literally, I mean literally. Some people say that and mean figuratively, I do not. Since the surgery and losing weight, I have been able to cut my frequency in half. But I am still taking it everyday. I just have to take sucralfate like was mentioned above.

Talk to your doctor about diclofenac. I swear it is the greatest NSAID on the market. Or at least for me. Some people can handle Meloxicam better as far as heartburn, but both work as well for inflammation.