Question on NSAID's

I am having an ablation on the 10th of December. I just was told by the OB nurse that the meds they give me before the procedure and after are NSAID's, and a pretty high dose. When I told her I could not take those, she said she doesn't know what the doc will want to do then. Now I am worried I won't be able to have this procedure done- and I desperately need it done (if you know what I mean ladies :))- it has been really bad for a few years now- it's time to do something about it. Has anyone ever experienced needing NSAID's and what did you do about it? How bad would it hurt my new pouch if I were to have them for the one time procedure?

 

I had to have nsaids for a short period of time and the doctor who was treating me did so after she spoke with my surgeon. I was given prevacid prescription strength to take to protect my stomach and was monitored closely. Perhaps this is an option for you as well.

I have a friend who cannot have NSAIDs (non WLS related), and she had an ablation in 2010.  They simply gave her an opiod/Tylenol mix drug (like oxycotin/tylenol but I don't recall the exact prescription).  They prefer the NSAID but should (atleast  in her case) work around it.

Thanks Megan. I will ask about that an an alternative- I definitely don't want any ulcers. I am nervous about the oxycotin, but I guess it's okay as long as it is short used :)

 

oh thanks for replying missmom! That makes me feel better. I have a prescription for prilocec already so hopefully I will be okay. I am going to call my bariatric doc when he is in on Thursday to see what he thinks. It will only be for the day before and the day of the procedure- so hopefully it will be okay.

They gave me tylenol 3 after mine.  But there was no reason to skip NSAIDs at that time.  It just hurt like a bear as I had a tube tie at the same time.  Best wishes - hope all goes well for you. 

An explanation about NSAIDS......

 

Most docs tell patients not to take NSAIDS (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) after RNY but they don’t always explain why.

NSAIDS put you at risk for ulcers. They do that to everyone, not just RNY folks.  But ulcers are particularly dangerous to us.  If you get an ulcer in your pouch, even a small one, since your pouch is a lot smaller than a normal stomach, it will cover a much greater percentage of your pouch.  If you get an ulcer in your old stomach, docs can’t even do an endoscopy to see it.  They’d have to do surgery.  Also taking a medication designed to coat the stomach wouldn’t help an ulcer in the old stomach because nothing you take by mouth goes in there.

We really, really don’t want an ulcer.

NSAIDS can cause ulcers because they cause the lining of the stomach (the old stomach and the pouch) to thin out.  This does NOT happen when the medication enters the pouch or touches the pouch.  It happens when the medicine enters your blood stream.  That’s why you can get ulcers in your old stomach.  NSAIDS taken by mouth don’t touch the old stomach but can still cause ulcers there.

Any way you take an NSAID – pill, liquid, shot, IV, patch, gel – it gets into your blood stream.  If it does not get into your blood stream, it will not give you any pain relief or relieve inflammation.  Many docs don’t seem to understand this, though I don’t know why since they have to take pharmacology in medical school.

Many docs that are not bariatric surgeons also don’t know RNY patients should have not NSAIDS so be very vigilant about what other docs try to give you.  I finally started saying I am allergic to NSAIDS.  They seem to listen to that more.

Some surgeons say it’s OK to take NSAIDS on a very limited basis if you really need them as long as you also take Nexium or something like that to help protect your stomach.  Others say it’s never worth the risk.  A few say it’s OK to take them whenever you want, but I think they are nuts.  But what I really think is that we need to weigh the benefits of taking them against the risks.  Is the pain of your bad back or menstrual cramps or whatever worse than the pain of an ulcer would be?  If so, take the NSAID.  But take it with something to protect your tummy.

Now, how likely it is that taking NSAIDS, especially rarely, will cause an ulcer, no one can say.  I know people that took just one dose and got an ulcer.  I know people that took them many times and had no problem.  So it’s just a matter of whether or not you wanna chance it.

Thanks for responding- I really hope they can give me something else- I don't want to chance it at all. I have been doing so well and really want to keep it that way :) I think if they have to give me something else, it won't be able to be done at the office, it would have to be done at the hospital.

It might be a good idea to print something about not being able to take NSAIDS and the reasons for it. So many doctors are afraid to prescribe narcotics because "drug seeking" is so prevalent in todays society.

Edited to add: there is no reason they couldn't give narcotics in the office, you just would have to have someone drive you home.