Taking meds post-op. Some things you need to know! - Page 10 - ThinnerTimes

MiladyB · 05-15-2008, 09:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sandi Eckberg

I'm four days post op and looking for info. about everything, so thanks for the info. about the drugs. My docs actually gave me a prescription for
Celebrex. I haven't had it filled and I guess I won't. Any other suggestions on vitamins and supplements? I take two chewables a day now.

You're welcome, Sandi. For me I did the chewable vitamins for the first 3 weeks postop. After that I was allowed to swallow pills, so I was taking a prenatel vitamin along with starting on Calcium Citrate. Since then I have started using the Building Block vitamins. They are vitamins developed specifically for wls patients. Here is the site where you can find them:

Building Blocks - Essential Bariatric Supplements

They have chewable and capsules, whichever your preference is. I personally feel we absorb the chewable better so that is what I use, at least when it comes to the multivitamins. The site also has recommendations listed about what vitamins are suggested and dosages.

So now I take a multi vitamin, iron, calcium citrate w/ vit. D and B-12. I am just over 2 years postop and all of my labs are normal along with my bone density test that I recently had. So for now it appears that my body is getting what it needs.

Rain · 05-17-2008, 07:58 PM

Thanks you for explaining so muc. I hadn't had headaches in years and have had to take liquid Tyneol...and I don't even take a full dosage and I fall asleep, I tried some head colds pills and same thing I fell asleep. When I had my kidney infection my Dr gave me capsuls and that helped to digest had to take longer she said but they worked. I guess the body changes with the surgery as I never fell asleep with meds like this unless it was suppose to make me sleep. I suffered with ulcerative colitis for years and my last visit dr said its gone. So I do watch my drug intake. Thanks again for explaining everything.

MiladyB · 05-19-2008, 10:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rain

Thanks you for explaining so muc. I hadn't had headaches in years and have had to take liquid Tyneol...and I don't even take a full dosage and I fall asleep, I tried some head colds pills and same thing I fell asleep. When I had my kidney infection my Dr gave me capsuls and that helped to digest had to take longer she said but they worked. I guess the body changes with the surgery as I never fell asleep with meds like this unless it was suppose to make me sleep. I suffered with ulcerative colitis for years and my last visit dr said its gone. So I do watch my drug intake. Thanks again for explaining everything.

You're very welcome, Rain.

I've found that pain medication and some other meds certainly hit me much harder postop too. I suspect it is due to a couple different things. You have to remember that after a RNY we don't have all of the gastric juices in our pouch plus we can't eat as much food, so the meds aren't diluted down to the extent that they were before surgery. Also we don't hold the drugs in our pouch as long so it goes more quickly into our system. We feel more of a 'punch' so to say from the drugs, just like if we drink alcohol it doesn't take much for us to feel the effects. Make sense?

CanuckDiva · 05-22-2008, 07:19 PM

Beth,

Thank goodness for you and that you are still checking this thread. I have a question about pain meds... as you know I've fractured my ankle... and the worst pain is actually in my shoulders. I was having shoulder pain prior to my mishap and then after it has gotten worse (I must have put out my arms to break my fall and the trauma did not set in until a bit later), plus using the crutches... so the combination is making my life hell, to say the least.

I went back to the hospital because the pain was so bad and the Tylenol 3's with codeine were not really addressing it at all. I was given Oxycocet and am now wondering how much of this I can safely take. They know I've had GBS and that I cannot have NSAIDS. The prescription was 1-2 pills every 4 to 6 hours. Honestly, while I am awake I am taking 2 every 4 hours (trying, at times, to drag that out by icing my shoulders which does somewhat help the pain). Is this too much? If so, I'm not sure what I'll do, I'm living for the minute I can take more meds as prescribed so the pain will dissipate.

I trust you hands down, Beth, so anything you can tell me I know will be the right advice and I hope to see you posting soon.

Hugs,
Kimberly

MiladyB · 05-23-2008, 10:36 AM

Kim, Oxycocet isn't an NSAIDs, so you are fine there. It is a tylenol based combination medication. It is 5 mg of oxycodone and 325 mg of acetaminophen (tylenol). What you do have to be attentive to is how much tylenol you are getting in over a 24 hour period. The maximum that is safe is 4000mg of Tylenol per 24 hours. Each pill has 325 mg of tylenol so you can safely take 12 pills in 24 hours. So if you are taking 2 every 4 hours you are getting in 4000mg in 24 hours. So you are fine. Just don't take any Tylenol in conjunction with it or you will be getting too much Tylenol.

Deirdrea · 05-23-2008, 12:11 PM

At my support group on Tuesday they were talking about a new patch that is/has come out that is ibuprophin based. I don't know what the name of it is or really anything about it but for people who live with constant pain from arthritis or other ailments where swelling is an issue this may be worth a call to the pcp about. I know that the dietitian said that there is one woman who is currently using them to help manage arthrits pain and that she is very happy with them.

teresagogo · 07-12-2008, 08:23 PM

I'm concerned about taking my Welbutrin after surgery. It cannot be crushed or chewed as it is time released. The bariatric nurse looked at it and thought it would be okay to swallow afterwards. I have trouble swallowing pills anyway, and sometimes need plenty of water to get it down and not stuck in my throat. After surgery will that be a problem?
Lastly, I can't just quit welbutrin, you have to wean off of it. Surgery is in 4 days.

Duckie · 07-12-2008, 08:54 PM

Have them switch you to the regular, NON time released version. I take it daily.

MiladyB · 07-12-2008, 08:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by teresagogo

I'm concerned about taking my Welbutrin after surgery. It cannot be crushed or chewed as it is time released. The bariatric nurse looked at it and thought it would be okay to swallow afterwards. I have trouble swallowing pills anyway, and sometimes need plenty of water to get it down and not stuck in my throat. After surgery will that be a problem?
Lastly, I can't just quit welbutrin, you have to wean off of it. Surgery is in 4 days.

Teresa, you will want to get your Wellbutrin changed to an immediate release formula. The sustained release takes a greater amount of time to be absorbed but because of the malabsorption component you run the risk of it passing on threw you without full absorption. I would recommend talking to either your surgeon or whoever prescribed the medication and get it changed. There is an immediate release form of Wellbutrin you will just have to take it more than once a day.

Add: hehehe...looks like Miss Duckie beat me to it.

teresagogo · 07-12-2008, 10:19 PM

Thanks so much for the info! I had no idea there was a different form. I've just been told there was no liquid. I had talked to my pharmacist about this, and he didn't mention anything about this form of the drug. But when I just talked to the pharmacist, they said, oh yeah, there is another kind and you can also crush it. Sounds like just what I need!