Taking meds post-op. Some things you need to know! - Page 2 - ThinnerTimes - Gastric Bypass Forum, Lap Band Forum, and Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy Forum

marine · 10-17-2007, 12:49 PM

Very precious information Beth, thanks very much. Great research.
Cheers
Marine

sdgrrl · 10-18-2007, 12:03 PM

I have found one way to help the enteric coated meds to work, and it's probably not the best thing, but it works. I use a file or scissor blade to scrape off some of the coating on each side to give the med a chance to break down in my system. I can tell that it works. I haven't done it for SR or ER or timed release meds, as there are too many variables, but for the run of the mill meds--i.e. benedryl, scraping off a bit of the coating gives them a chance of absorption.

I have told my back doctor's idiot PA no less than 12 times that I can't take SR meds, but she insists on writing the Rx for them anyway. Then I have to have her rewrite the Rx, which infuriates her, and you can just imagine the high quality of care I enjoy there. She's terribly rude and I have now insisted that she not have anything to do with my care, which pisses off the office. So far the back doc has been mildly okay with me just seeing him, but he STILL has her write the Rx, so the game continues. I have a feeling that when I am healed from the surgery they are going to fire me as a patient, as I am "too difficult." It's a very tense situation, and I post about it as a cautionary tale regarding doctors' ignorance to our special needs with SR meds.

MiladyB · 10-18-2007, 09:00 PM

You're right, Donna. So many doctors really aren't aware of restrictions on Bariatric patients when it comes to medication. One of the reasons I felt it was so important to post this information. We ALL need to be aware of it and basicly make a point of teaching the medical profession around this. I know that I will be going to my pcp with a handful of articles about medications post wls. I'm lucky that he is very open to learning and really embraces the fact that I come to him with information.

AprilShowers · 10-21-2007, 11:58 AM

I did not know any of this information.. it seems that if its so important your surgen should inform you.. as I have been taking Aleve quite often. Any information on what it actually does which can cause damage?

Hello Katie · 10-21-2007, 12:16 PM

It was sort of ironic that I read it here and within days I was reading the SAME thing in my 3 hour required nutrition consult. I think it's also in the book I'm reading WeightLoss Surgery for Dummies. Maybe give you doctor a call and see what he/she thinks?

MiladyB · 10-21-2007, 02:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AprilShowers

I did not know any of this information.. it seems that if its so important your surgeon should inform you.. as I have been taking Aleve quite often. Any information on what it actually does which can cause damage?

April, Aleve is a NSAIDs. It can cause ulcers in your pouch. Actually it can cause ulcers for ANYONE but because we have so much less stomach surface it just magnifies the damage to the pouch lining. It can eat right into the lining of the pouch.

We should NEVER be taking any NSAIDs without some kind of protectant like Carafate.

AprilShowers · 10-22-2007, 02:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MiladyB

April, Aleve is a NSAIDs. It can cause ulcers in your pouch. Actually it can cause ulcers for ANYONE but because we have so much less stomach surface it just magnifies the damage to the pouch lining. It can eat right into the lining of the pouch.

We should NEVER be taking any NSAIDs without some kind of protectant like Carafate.

It would seem to me that this is the sort of information that the doctor should be giving you. I was never told about this. Due to the fact I am in England right now I do not have my book on hand which they give you.. but on return I am going to look through that to see if by chance I missed it. I dont see where I could have but I will look. If I dont see it.. this is something I will for sure be pointing out as that is something I would of avoided all together, natually.

Thank you for the information.. this is why its so important for us all to share and help others.

jerseygrl684 · 10-22-2007, 05:23 AM

These meds are gonna be my downfall. Now, does anyone suffer from migraines because I know that most migraine meds do have NSAIDS in them.

And also, I have terrible knee pain, I am going through physical therapy right now and UP until the day of surgery I will continue to... but they have me on Naprosyn for the inflammation. I know I'm going to continue to have this knee pain even after surgery, and i should contact my doc... but is/has anyone else gone through this?

Liquid vicodin? uckkkkk

marine · 10-22-2007, 09:48 AM

Dear Jersey Girl,
I do not know which is the problem you have with the knee. But I can only talk about my problem.
I had also a lot of pain in my knee (diagnosis, degeneration of the back meniscus, that could require surgery, if I want). Now after 4 weeks post-op, and 28.6 pounds less, when I walk I do not have pain anymore. However the pain is when I twist or do other moves. therefore wait to see, the lesser weight the better for all our joins. concerning the naprosyn, it is one of the classical NSAIDS, and not recommended after GBP, you will have to discuss about this with your physician. To replace the painkilling effect, paracetamol molecule is fine, to replace the antiinflammatory component, the physician will let you know which are the most appropriate drugs.

Take care
Marine LAPRYGBP Sep 21 07

MiladyB · 10-22-2007, 10:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AprilShowers

It would seem to me that this is the sort of information that the doctor should be giving you. I was never told about this. Due to the fact I am in England right now I do not have my book on hand which they give you.. but on return I am going to look through that to see if by chance I missed it. I dont see where I could have but I will look. If I dont see it.. this is something I will for sure be pointing out as that is something I would of avoided all together, natually.

Thank you for the information.. this is why its so important for us all to share and help others.

I think what may happen sometimes is that the doctor tells their patient NO NSAIDs.....but most patients don't have any idea what drugs are considered NSAIDs. You hear so much about Motrin or Ibuprofen but you have to realize that many over-the-counter meds have Ibuprofen in them...Aleve being one of those. I really think all surgeons should be providing a list of over-the-counter and prescription meds that fall under the NSAIDs catagory. It is very important info!