New Medicines? - ThinnerTimes

C_Garcia · 07-25-2008, 04:33 PM

So... I can never remember what it is we're allowed to take after surgery.

I know aspirin is a really big no, but other than that I'm pretty much clueless.

I went to my PCP today to finally discuss some things I've been meaning to get around to for a while.

He gave me prescriptions for Ambien (sleeping pill), Wellbutrin (anti-depressant), and Mobic (NSAID for joint pain). Any of those raise a red flag to anyone? I think NSAIDs are something we're supposed to be pretty careful with because of the risk of stomach bleeding, but I've taken Naproxen since surgery with no problem.

Thanks, all.

offstringgirl · 07-25-2008, 04:55 PM

This seems helpful. Taking meds post-op. Some things you need to know!

MiladyB · 07-25-2008, 05:24 PM

Ambien is fine. The Wellbutrin has to be immeadiate release not time release or something like that. NSAIDs are something you have to be really careful with. With every dose you are running the chance of getting an ulcer. NSAIDs can cause ulcers for people that haven't even had surgery but after surgery that risk increases ALOT. If you need to be taking an NSAID please talk to your doctor about adding in Carafate or Cytotec. You really need something to protect that pouch. You start getting ulcers? Well you have the potential of having all kinds of problems.

offstringgirl · 07-25-2008, 05:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MiladyB

Ambian is fine. The Wellbutrin has to be immeadiate release not time release or something like that. NSAIDs are something you have to be really careful with. With every dose you are running the chance of getting an ulcer. NSAIDs can cause ulcers for people that haven't even had surgery but after surgery that risk increases ALOT. If you need to be taking an NSAID please talk to your doctor about adding in Carafate or Cytotec. You really need something to protect that pouch. You start getting ulcers? Well you have the potential of having all kinds of problems.

My doc has me on Asiphex for 6 months post-op and said it will protect against ulcers. Will an NSAID be okay along with Asiphex, or is that not a good enough of a blocker?

MiladyB · 07-25-2008, 07:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by offstringgirl

My doc has me on Asiphex for 6 months post-op and said it will protect against ulcers. Will an NSAID be okay along with Asiphex, or is that not a good enough of a blocker?

Aciphex is ok but it really is used to protect from getting an ulcer down in your small intestines. That is often where they find an ulcer soon after surgery. Not so much in your pouch. Personally, I would just stay as far away from using an NSAIDs unless there really is just no other choice. The Aciphex will give you some protection but it isn't really the best for protecting your pouch. Either Cytotec or Carafate are really the better choices for protecting the pouch.

My surgeon will put his patients on Aciphex, Carafate and Cytotec when they have ulcers.

Blueyz · 07-25-2008, 09:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by C_Garcia

So... I can never remember what it is we're allowed to take after surgery.

I know aspirin is a really big no, but other than that I'm pretty much clueless.

I went to my PCP today to finally discuss some things I've been meaning to get around to for a while.

He gave me prescriptions for Ambien (sleeping pill), Wellbutrin (anti-depressant), and Mobic (NSAID for joint pain). Any of those raise a red flag to anyone? I think NSAIDs are something we're supposed to be pretty careful with because of the risk of stomach bleeding, but I've taken Naproxen since surgery with no problem.

Thanks, all.

I was told NO NSAIDS....they are bad for us. I would ask your doctor for something different than Mobic.

Blueyz · 07-25-2008, 09:56 PM

I take Protonix in the morning and Prilosec at night. Achiphex gave me headaches. Anyway, I was placed on two acid blockers and they are supposed to help protect the pouch. Knowing this, I still will not take anything such as Ibuprofen, Aspirin, or NSAIDS. It is really risky. Beth has a lot of good information regarding this.

C_Garcia · 07-26-2008, 04:22 AM

I started getting ulcers right after surgery because I didn't have the medicine to block the acid; I was put on Nexium to both heal the damage and stop it from happening again. Does anyone know if this will help keep the NSAIDs from doing more harm than good? I have a follow-up appointment in not too long (wellbutrin is one of those anti-depressants that can cause more suicidal tendencies) and I'll be sure to ask about the Mobic then. Thanks you guys. For now though... time for me to test out an Ambien. Here's to a good night's sleep!

MiladyB · 07-26-2008, 10:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by C_Garcia

I started getting ulcers right after surgery because I didn't have the medicine to block the acid; I was put on Nexium to both heal the damage and stop it from happening again. Does anyone know if this will help keep the NSAIDs from doing more harm than good? I have a follow-up appointment in not too long (wellbutrin is one of those anti-depressants that can cause more suicidal tendencies) and I'll be sure to ask about the Mobic then. Thanks you guys. For now though... time for me to test out an Ambien. Here's to a good night's sleep!

Garcia, let me see if I can explain this.

Nexium is a good drug and is being used appropriately. It does help heal those ulcers but the thing is those ulcers probably aren't in your new little pouch. Early postop ulcers are more commonly found at one or two different places in our small intestines. These are called marginal ulcers. They are found on the margins of the connection between your new pouch and sm. intestines (on the sm. intestines side) and at the margin where your two limbs are brought back in together. "Y" Those are the most common places.

Nexium is a PPI (Proton Pump Inhibitor). It inhibits the production of acid. But remember that our new pouches don't produce much acid any more. Probably a little but nothing like before. With the re-routing, though, our sm. intestines normal environment has changed. It has gone from an alkaline environment to a acidic one. Thus the reasons ulcers are often seen in your sm. intestines and why the doctors are using PPI type drugs. Make sense

The things is those PPI drugs are probably not fully effective for any damage those NSAIDs might do to your pouch. They may give some protection but it may not be enough. Carafate and Cytotec are different kinds of drugs. They aren't PPI. So they work different. Both will kind of give a protective lining to your pouch. They are a protection against the damage NSAIDs may do to your pouch lining but they aren't an armour of steel. Damage can still happen just not as readily.

These drugs should not inhibit the effectiveness of the NSAIDs though. So if you HAVE to take NSAIDs do it, but I would make sure I'm on the best protection that I can be on. From my reading of research and talking to my surgeon, that would be Carafate and Cytotec.

C_Garcia · 07-27-2008, 09:05 AM

Well... a little update on the medicines. I last posted before I went to bed on Saturday.

At bedtime, about 6:15 Saturday morning after watching some TV, I took the Ambien so I could go to sleep.

I wasn't tired, so I thought I would watch some more infomercials until I went to bed. About twenty minutes later I was convinced I should buy a Rug Doctor, so I went to their website to check out how much payments and stuff were. This is where things went wonky.

I had been on the site maybe two minutes when I saw someone pop up behind my computer and cover the screen with his hands. He was laughing like crazy, and so pale he looked like he was made of paper. A woman on my right started laughing too, she was a greenish color. There was a big crowd around me now, and everyone was laughing, laughing, laughing.. They were pulling me down but I wasn't moving and they wouldn't leave me alone and I was begging and screaming and crying.

My sister woke up to me screaming her name and convulsing. She finally got me out of the computer chair and I was screaming so loud and still crying and shaking. My other sister and mom came over and took me to the E.R. because I couldn't stop or calm down. The staff immediately took me back to a room. I was still hallucinating horribly in the room and they took my blood with me screaming to get it out of my arm.

They eventually gave me three or four injections of medicine, and some sort of sedation pill. I was still having delusions when I left. I fell asleep at Wal-Mart while my mom's boyfriend was getting my prescription of stuff to give me if I was still hallucinating later. I slept until almost midnight.

My mom went to my house after a bit and found a typed suicide note on MS Word and we talked about it this morning. We talked about my depression, suicidal tendencies, and even the fact that I had a two-year sexual relationship she knew nothing about.

I don't feel any closer to her, but at least I don't really have anymore secrets. I made it very clear that I need counseling, and she offered to help me get help, even in-patient care if that's what I decide I want.

So... it was a terrible, horrible, scary day. But it ended with a conversation that was a long time coming.

I'm off both the Wellbutrin and Ambien until I can go back to the doctor. My PCP is on vacation for ten days, and wants me to go see one of his cohorts in a few days. I feel fine now, if still a little freaked out about yesterday, so I think I'm going to wait for a bit, until he gets back.

Just thought a little update in order. Any one else have some "Bad Acid Trip" reactions to the medicines?