I’m 15 years post surgery. I’ve never taken any pain reliever other than Tylenol. Has anyone else’s doctor suggested an alternative to pain relievers? I was told they were working on an Ibuprofen cream years ago but I haven’t really found something that works. Is anyone else worried about the future with pain as we age? I’m 55 years old and have been very lucky to have minimal body aches. Please let me know if any long term bypass people have solved this.

My team allows the use of Aspercreme.

Tried it. I need stronger. Especially for a headache.

I have pain due to a spinal injury that causes inflammation. As time goes on, it gets worse. To combat pain and inflammation before surgery, I was taking naproxen sodium before bed, every day. I explained this to my surgeon and he said I could start back 6 months post surgery.

I know that oral steroids can help a migraine.

My team allows occasional use, as needed. I use it when my migraine rescue meds need an extra kick. Tramadol is an option, but it is by Rx only. For topical pain relief, possibly Diclofenac cream (it is an NSAID, but I think any risk of ulcers is essentially null when using topically).

As the need arises, definitely talk to your doctor. There are options out there and there is no need to live in pain!

For my chronic pain from DDD, arthritis, and joint degradation, I use good 'ol narcotics.

Good luck,

Tek

3 hours ago, Sleeve_Me_Alone said:

My team allows occasional use, as needed. I use it when my Migraine rescue meds need an extra kick. Tramadol is an option, but it is by Rx only. For topical pain relief, possibly Diclofenac cream (it is an NSAID, but I think any risk of ulcers is essentially null when using topically).

As the need arises, definitely talk to your doctor. There are options out there and there is no need to live in pain!

this came up yesterday on another forum, so I googled it and found an article on one of the medical sites (may have been an NIH page - can't remember). It said topicals can potentially cause GI issues, but oral NSAIDs are much more likely to.

I’m allowed occasional use too - not full dose & not for continuous days. But I have a sleeve & bypass could be different. Can you still give your surgeon a call & ask if you can?

I rarely have need to take pain relief either, thankfully, but non nsaid meds like paracetamols don’t help at all if I do. I did try Voltaren gel for back pain but as my pain isn’t muscular (oozy discs) it didn’t help at all.

Edited March 17, 20233 yr by Arabesque

14 hours ago, catwoman7 said:

this came up yesterday on another forum, so I googled it and found an article on one of the medical sites (may have been an NIH page - can't remember). It said topicals can potentially cause GI issues, but oral NSAIDs are much more likely to.

Interesting! Definitely good to be aware of!

I got into trouble with ibuprofen and naproxen post operatively. I was told to stop them preoperatively. After I had lost 80 lbs, I started taking it again. I have arthritis and have 2 total knee replacement surgeries ( weight loss was required before the ortho would operate.) Things were going good but then I developed 2 ulcers in the jejunum and one perforated! Gravely ill, ambulance ride, emergency surgery, massive elephant gun IV antibiotics, blood replacements.

WELL! I'm back to normal now and the bariatric surgeon and the gastroenterologists have forbidden Aspirin, Ibuprofen, and Naproxen oral products forevermore. I am only allowed Tylenol and occasional Tramadol. I am allowed use of the voltaren gel cream and its analogs SPARINGLY. Knees and Stomach doing well now. All this happened in the third-year post op gastric bypass. I am presently 70 years young . As some have said, this is not completely effective for chronic pains, so I started a regime of Turmeric and Glucosamine Chondroitin supplements at the ortho's suggestion. It's not a miracle cure but I am much more comfortable.

On 3/16/2023 at 12:49 PM, Lisa XO said:

I have pain due to a spinal injury that causes inflammation. As time goes on, it gets worse. To combat pain and inflammation before surgery, I was taking naproxen sodium before bed, every day. I explained this to my surgeon and he said I could start back 6 months post surgery.

I know that oral steroids can help a migraine.

Steroids may be a no no also. My surgeon wants me to avoid them and I can’t because I had a kidney issue so they are getting me off of them asap and I am taking a large dose of protonix. Also I take them with food.

On 3/16/2023 at 12:13 PM, 15 Years Out said:

I’m 15 years post surgery. I’ve never taken any pain reliever other than Tylenol. Has anyone else’s doctor suggested an alternative to pain relievers? I was told they were working on an Ibuprofen cream years ago but I haven’t really found something that works. Is anyone else worried about the future with pain as we age? I’m 55 years old and have been very lucky to have minimal body aches. Please let me know if any long term bypass people have solved this.

For sure I am worried about it now. My immunotherapy I’m on for cancer causes inflammation which means pretty significant joint pain and I got a glimpse into what the future most likely holds and it isn’t going to be fun. My NP suggested Tumeric for inflammation. Not sure how will it works because I didn’t get to run it by oncologist yet but I’m on steroids now so I feel great until I’m back off of them I’m sure

They really should warn people about this issue. Doctors Are so afraid to Prescribe pain meds that they will just make you suffer through things that they usually would recommend alieve for and honestly I sort of get it because Tylenol based pain meds don’t really help too much if the problem is inflammation anyways. They do have steroid shots that I’ve had doctors suggest saying they should be okay. Maybe ask bariatric surgeon about that.

Depending on where you’re pain is, have you tried anti-inflammatory creams like Voltaren, Nurofen gel, feldene gel, etc. because they’re applied topically you’re abounding your digestive system so they shouldn’t be an issue but do check with your surgeon or their team first.

I know what you mean @ShoppGirl . Here they often say just take a Panadol (paracetamol) or they just give you those in hospital. I think they’re useless. A tic tac would have the same effect on any pain for me.

On 3/16/2023 at 5:13 PM, 15 Years Out said:

I’m 15 years post surgery. I’ve never taken any pain reliever other than Tylenol. Has anyone else’s doctor suggested an alternative to pain relievers? I was told they were working on an Ibuprofen cream years ago but I haven’t really found something that works. Is anyone else worried about the future with pain as we age? I’m 55 years old and have been very lucky to have minimal body aches. Please let me know if any long term bypass people have solved this.

There are many alternatives to chemical painkillers that you can get from your doctor. But there are also plants that can relieve pain, such as white willow bark, cloves, tea tree oil, etc.