Hi everyone, I am here sitting at my desk obsessing about the fact that I just took a pulverized excedrin because my head was killing me and I have an urgent meeting in one hour and didnt have time to go get some tylenol which is the only pain med my dr allows. I am so worried that I might mess up my pouch (I had my surgery 12 days ago). I never take any meds so I hadnt even thought about getting some tylenol. Does anyon know why the restriction on the rest of the pain meds?

Thanks!

I have no idea why your doc limited you to tylenol but I do know that asprin is hard on your stomach and can thin your blood. That could be the reason. I think you are totally fine with the excedrin. I was never restricted like that and excedrin is not asprin so I definitely wouldn't stress about it. As long as you crushed it you should be ok. If your really that worried you could talk to your doc but I'm thinking at this point there is nothing you can do about it and you shouldn't stress yourself.

Thank you, so far I have not felt anything weird and hopefully I will be ok. I will go buy some tylenol today just in case.... Thank you so much for easing my stress!!

I start mushies tomorrow so I am very very happy!!!

I suffer from migraines and one hit me about a 3 weeks after surgery. I was at work and the pain was coming on FAST! I was freaking out because my doctor said to only take Tylenol.

But for those who suffer migraines, we all know tylenol does NOTHING! So I tried to be compliant and took 2 tylenol. It did nothing. About an hour later, I took 2 Aleve. Still in PAIN! About an hour after that, I was desperate - getting nauseous, and in pain big time, and working on a project (spreadsheets) :redface:

I called my husband and told him what I was about to do (just incase something happened) said a prayer and took 2 Excedrine Migraine...and I was fine. Headache went away in about 20 minutes. And I have taken it twice since then have been fine.

I think you will be ok! :thumbup:

Good luck to you! Did your headache at least go away?

Edited July 11, 200818 yr by .lexy.

Drink a lot of water afterwards. You don't want it sitting in your pouch for too long. The water will flush it through quickly and helps to minimize the risk.

Hi everyone, I am here sitting at my desk obsessing about the fact that I just took a pulverized excedrin because my head was killing me and I have an urgent meeting in one hour and didnt have time to go get some tylenol which is the only pain med my dr allows. I am so worried that I might mess up my pouch (I had my surgery 12 days ago). I never take any meds so I hadnt even thought about getting some tylenol. Does anyon know why the restriction on the rest of the pain meds?

Thanks!

Moni, I just went for my post op appt, 13 days out, and the Dr. said I could go back on aspirin. I think you'll be fine, but just double check with him at your appt before taking more. Don't worry. :thumbup:

I have no idea why your doc limited you to tylenol but I do know that asprin is hard on your stomach and can thin your blood. That could be the reason. I think you are totally fine with the excedrin. I was never restricted like that and excedrin is not asprin so I definitely wouldn't stress about it. As long as you crushed it you should be ok. If your really that worried you could talk to your doc but I'm thinking at this point there is nothing you can do about it and you shouldn't stress yourself.

Actually, Excedrin is a combination of aspirin, acetaminophen (tylenol), and caffeine. Maybe you should look that up next time. :thumbup:

Probably pretty hard on a 12-day-out stomach between the aspirin and the caffeine, but I imagine you'd have discomfort more than anything.

My doc actually had me take 2 advil two days after my surgery because I had a slight infection from where the IV was. I think that as long as it's not something you do on a regular basis, or only extreme situations, you should be okay. Like others have said, it's just harder on your stomach.

My doc actually had me take 2 advil two days after my surgery because I had a slight infection from where the IV was. I think that as long as it's not something you do on a regular basis, or only extreme situations, you should be okay. Like others have said, it's just harder on your stomach.

My understanding is stuff that are NSAIDS (ibuprophen, aspirin, etc) are to be avoided as much as possible because they are very harsh on your stomach and if they sit up in your pouch and don't pass through (if have really good restriction etc etc) they can be harmful and possibly a cause of erosion down the road. However, for that to be of a concern I would imagine you would have to have some pretty regular use of them for it to do any harm. One here and there should be nothing to worry about!

My understanding is stuff that are NSAIDS (ibuprophen, aspirin, etc) are to be avoided as much as possible because they are very harsh on your stomach and if they sit up in your pouch and don't pass through (if have really good restriction etc etc) they can be harmful and possibly a cause of erosion down the road. However, for that to be of a concern I would imagine you would have to have some pretty regular use of them for it to do any harm. One here and there should be nothing to worry about!

This is what my doctors says and also that they have a higher risk of causing ulcers.

You are fine. I'm an Excedrin user, too.

Not good for everyday, prolonged use...but every once in a while isn't going to hurt anything.

Ask your doc.

These are all good points, number 1 reason to avoid NSAIDs is gastric ulcers. There have been studies that show prolonged exposure to NSAIDs can cause ulcers and even increase acid reflux which is an issue especially with sleeve patients and may result in a second surgery to preform a roux en y to prevent reflux or fix ulcerations. I have seen over 2000 surgeries and each patient is different. Asking your doctor is key when consuming these or any medication. On average most surgeons do allow use sparingly but on need based cases usually. Someone mentioned advil due to a slight infection at the IV site, which is generally helpful in preventing full inflammatory responses such as cellulitis or thrombophlebitis. It may not hurt for one time use but please don’t put yourself at risk and continue use without consulting your surgeon. As one of the unlucky ones with a roux en y conversion that actually resulted in a full gastronomy (stomach removal) and 3 extra Anastomosis points, (connections of colon to other parts like colon or esophagus) 25 years in medicine and proof that everyone is different. Yes I did have permission to use excedrine as I was allergic to most all other NSAIDs, I did not follow instructions and used daily vs sparingly. 5 years later I am 3 months out from the most terrifying experience of my life. The surgeons I work with saved me but now I know it’s better to ask them then a forum. Even if your background is medical.

Yes we are told to avoid NSAIDs because they are so harsh on everyone’s tummy nit just ours because of our much smaller tummy the effect is concentrated & a greater risk of ulcers. In the first months we’re not eating anywhere near enough solid food to provide any sort of protective barrier in your tummy either.

Excedrine does contain a NSAID as well as aspirin & caffeine. (Remember we’re often told to avoid caffeine too at least for a while).

Contact your surgeon & ask about alternatives pain medications you could take like maybe the triptan meds (e.g. imigran/sumatriptan) which are prescribed specifically for migraines. I find paracetamols & aspirins useless too - might as well have a tic tac. My surgeon allowed me to take NSAIDs at the two year mark with my sleeve: one tablet at a time, not on consecutive days and always, always with food in my stomach. I don’t need to take them often, < 5 x a year & usually only need one, which is why I think he said I could take them.

Don’t beat yourself up about it though. Sometimes we just have to make the best decision we can at the time. It was once so you should be okay.