Banded on 3/24/08 have lost 48lbs since the liquid diet 10 days before. My problem is that I have some arthritis in my lower back but now my left hip is constantly bothering me in the evening hours. Has this happened to anybody else, and what did you do/take for the pain that does'nt upset/corrode our tiny pouches. Thanks for any help.

I know exactly where you're coming from. I have had two back surgeries and have been on prescription dose of Ibuprofen for years to control inflammation. My primary doc says I just won't be able to take it anymore. He said my options are narcotic type pain meds or tylenol. I'm opting for the tylenol. He did give me some prescription patches - kinda like bengay or icyhot patches. They're called lidocane patches. They numb the area that's affected. I haven't tried them yet, but maybe your doc can give you a sample - that's what I did.

I was also told to expect that I'll have various pains because as we lose the weight the pressure points are being relieved. I'm planning on calling them "losing pains" so that I convince myself it will go away.

Good luck with this problem. I hope you get some relief - I know it can be bad. :rolleyes2:

Barbara

I asked my surgeon's PA this exact same question. I have been taking aleve every day for my knees and was wondering about a substitute because of what I've been reading on the boards about nsaids. She said that the moratorium on nsaids actually should apply to only RNY's, sleeves and the like because they are prone to ulcers at their incision points. I've also read elsewhere that if you take the nsaid with something that decreases the stomach acid that you'd be OK.:thumbup:

I'm really confused. I'd hate to give up the relief I get fom aleve but don't want to take chances on ulcers, either.

Peej

The lastest research shows that NSAIDS do NOT erode the band and can be taken. I have severe arthritis in my knees (need them both replaced) and take Aleve with breakfast and another with dinner. For severe pain, I have vicodin but rarely take it.

I live on ibuprofen(600mg) and soma(muscle relaxant) for fibromyalgia and arthritis. If you take a little food with it, it doesn't just "sit" there alone. I use to get heartburn before the band when I would take the meds, but haven't had it a day since.

I used my tylenol with codeine at night quite a few times during the first few months post-op, then with 50 lb lost I didn't have as much knee pain - yea! I had another round of inflammation recently and my band surgeon told me I could take liquid ibuprofen and wash it through with Water.

I'm interested to read that NSAIDs might not be as big a problem as they thought. I'll definitely keep an eye on that - I'd like to use ibuprofen or naproxen more frequently... Right now I'm just toughing it out, using a percussion massager, and losing weight to take off some of the pressure...

Banded or not, I would be worried about taking ibuprofen or any NSAIDs regularly - erode the band or not, they do damage the stomach and intestines.

Have you tried Glucosamine and Fish Oil in combination?