dealing with arthritic pain - ThinnerTimes

minime · 01-03-2007, 01:04 AM

Hi folks,

I'm18 months out and this surgery has been wonderful for me. I have lost about 110 lbs. My question/problem is that I never considered the fact that I would not be able to take any kind of antiinflamitory drug after surgery. I don't know if noone told me or if I just didn't consider it much when they did. I have no cartlidge left in my knees and was in constant severe pain before surgery. My doctor said that he had expected things to be a whole lot better for me after surgery. It has been better, but instead of being in constant pain, I don't start hurting until around 2 or 3 p.m. ( I'm a teacher and on my feet most of the day) Sometimes when I get home from work I'm in pretty severe pain. The only way I can get relief is to get in a hot hot bath and take LorTab Elixer. My doctor has been prescribing it for about a year now. I take approximately 6 to 8 teaspoonfuls on really bad days. 2 to 4 on not so bad days.

Does this sound like something that could be a problem for me? My doctor doesn't think so. I'm 49 and really don't want to replace my knees anytime soon. I don't exercise other than walking the halls and the classroom most of the day.

How do others deal with arthritis pain. I'm starting to get it in my right shoulder also.

Thanks a bunch.

Minime

LyndasRoom · 01-03-2007, 10:25 AM

I have no answers for you, but am sorry you're in such pain. I simply could not do the drugs you're doing--I get weird dreams. My mom had both knees replaced over the past year (she is a retired teacher), and it has been a tremendous help, now if they could fix her back, she'd be rockin'.

MILA · 01-03-2007, 11:13 AM

I am in the same boat you are ... two bad knees, three knee operations, and a prognosis that both knees will require replacement some day. One of the main reasons I had GB was to see if the dramatic weight loss would help the knees - it has considerably but the arthritis does occasionally flare. Not being able to take NSAID meds was a tradeoff we took ( I guess ) and my doc refuses to continue to prescribe any kind of long term narcotic med for the pain because he doesnt want to have to pay for rehab someday haaaa so I guess I am stuck living with the knee pain until it gets to the point that I can no longer avoid a replacement

good luck to you

ready4achange · 01-03-2007, 11:33 AM

Sorry you feel so bad. My hips at times keep me awake at night. My surgeon said I could take ultram(pain) and I also take celebrex. (arthritis) It has been helping a little. You may want to ask your doctor about either one of those to see if they would be ok for you.
Sandy

Losin'it · 01-03-2007, 01:53 PM

Hi, minime!

I had my RNY the same month/year you did. Well done!

When I have patients who cannot take NSAIDS and have had trials of PT, and other conventional modalities, I have had great success with high quality, fairly high gauss magnetics and/or ceramic infrared wraps. In addition there is topical cream w/ cetyl myristoleate that is also quite helpful.

I am a PCP practicing conventional medicine, however I also use alternative modalities when seeing patients not in my practice conflict of interest w/ the feds....

If you would like more info, just email me:
colleen.nadolski@gmail.com

Take care. Moist heat is your friend!

minime · 01-04-2007, 03:57 PM

Thanks for the responses. I would like more info on the magnetic stuff. Both my PCP and my GB doctor say no to celebrex. I keep thinking that if I excersized I would get stronger and be able to stay up longer but I just don't do it. Do the Dr.'s really have to pay for rehab? ha ha

Thanks again.

Minime

Lori P · 01-04-2007, 04:26 PM

Have you tried Tylenol for Arthritis? I've read on another board that it works for a lot of things aside from arthritis. As for celebrex, my dad was perscribed that and told his doctor that he wouldn't take it as one of the higher up side-effects was death.

Lori

Losin'it · 01-04-2007, 09:00 PM

Hi, Minime!

Cetyl myristoleate (CM) cream was studied at Univ of CT, where folks w/ known osteoarthritic changes to their knees, and applied this cream to their knees. Differences in time it took to walk up and down stairs, get up from a chair, lower foot/leg from 1 stair to lower stair and back up, and a few other measures all improved significantly in 100% of persons studied within 30 minutes of use. If you would like more info about the studies, or how to obtain this product, please email me. I think it is worth a try, esp if you have limitations in taking conventional medications. I have some samples that I would be happy to send to you.
colleen.nadolski@gmail.com

With regard to magnetics, I know this sounds off the wall, but I have seen too many folks who have gotten better, and have read the studies that show improvement in movement and symptoms of peripheral neuropathy w/ the use of high quality magnetic products. With knee problems/osteo, I recommend almost any combination of magnetic insoles, and infrared knee wraps, and /or wraps that have both magnetics and wraps. But initially, I would start w/ the CM cream. If you are a person who does not drink water, you should start. Your joints/cartilage tissue is mostly water, so drinking about half your body weight in ounces of water/day (if you have no medical reasons restricting water intake) will also help. After my RNY, I still struggle to get in enough water......

I know this all sounds a bit unusual. As a conventional practitioner, I was quite skeptical. But now I consider complimentary modalities when appropriate for patients.... that being said, please be careful of sham products. Utilize products from reputable sources.

Hope this helps!

goingslimfast · 01-05-2007, 09:15 AM

I can relate BIG time. I have arthritis along with a bone spur right on my sternoclavicular joint. And when the arthritis flares up - I'm literally handicapped. This was the main reason that I had WLS - to eleviate the weight strain from the arms onto the joint. Crazy huh? But I do have days, that I'm in so much pain, that I'm worthless, so I would also like to hear more about a magic solution to help in arthritic pain. Anyone? Also, I can not have surgery on the bone spur since the spur is right on the Aorta - would be a risky surgery. I can only pray that WL cures the pain.

twodogsmom · 01-08-2007, 07:34 AM

How about a biologic-like Enbrel or Humira or Remicade-an injectable or IV that doesn't go thru the stomach? Don't know if this is feasible for you-ask your doc. On the upside, before my GBP I lived on 4-6 Vicodin a day for arthritis pain, not being able to tolerate NSAIDS and having failed all the DMARDs. Now, down 100 lbs I am pain free and take NO meds at all for arthritis.