What pain meds work well for Gastric bypass patients?

I’ve in same boat but not on pain meds. Six years out and have had multiple surgeries from complications. After surgeries had same problem
Your pain med comes in liquid form which gets immediately absorbed try that but be careful good luck

I'm sorry to hear about your pain. Prior to having my gastric bypass, I took hydrocodone as well. Like you, it did nothing for my pain and like you I have a lot of different areas and ailments causing my pain. I took the medication exactly as directed and never increased my dose - twice a day. Even taking it like this, especially because it was for a long time, I think some addiction can occur or rather did for me. If you decide to get off of it, they will probably tell you to gradually cut down. I cut down on the medication much much slower than the doctors recommend and I had no ill effects from it. My pain wasn't better or worse after getting off the meds but everyone saw a difference in me - not seeming like I was zonked out all the time. Some things that you might attribute to being older might go away as a result of getting off the meds. That's how it was for me. The only thing that has helped my pain has been physical therapy and keeping up with the exercises. Your pain may not be able to be relieved by physical therapy, but if it is an option for you, continue looking until you find the right therapist for you. I have gone to many different places over the years and have finally found what works for me. I have been blessed. I still have pain, but it's more tolerable and not putting my life on hold. I plan on trying CBD and anti-inflamitory diet because of hand pain. I hope you can find relief for your pain and experience peace and blessing dispite your pain.

I am 19 years out gastric bypass
I only take Tylenol arthritis pain reliever
I use a pain patch for hip pain
There might be other meds that are not nsaids
Cortisone shots

I tested positive yesterday, wondering if I can take ibuprofen intermittently with acetaminophen for fever control?

Hi @arichards198317 and welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. While I can't offer actual medical advice, I can tell you from personal experience that I have used NSAIDS VERY sparingly in my time since having the surgery in 2007. A high dose of prescribed ibuprofen sent me to the ER in 2010, but we later found out that I had gastric ulcers and the medication caused my ulcer to perforate. I went septic and it caused peritonitis.

According to some studies, there is not a lot to be said about reported cases though.
"Conclusion: NSAID use in our bariatric surgery population is high despite an institutional policy to prohibit their use across all bariatric patients. Despite the high incidence of NSAID use in our patient population, we could not identify a single case of an NSAID-induced gastrointestinal complication in our retrospective review. NSAID use after SG may be a safe and viable pain management strategy that needs further evaluation." --- The use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs after sleeve gastrectomy: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33353863/

Tylenol (acetaminophen) is normally better for keeping fevers at bay and may be easier on your stomach.
Have you discussed with your doctor at all?

Gailb,
I appreciate your response as I’m determine d to lose weight I’ve been carrying for decades. Your questions have answered some of mine.

I have severe lower back pain and have been told for almost 13 years you will need a fusion and wait as long as possible your to young. I have been through everything possible to try and reduce my pain with no success. Every spine doctor or surgery even Mayo Clinic agreed. I am highly allergic to all NSAIDs (with bypass we should avoid) I have tried every pain med out there and nothing provides relief. And yes even chiropractors, yoga, all natural/healthy lifestyle, etc.

I am scheduling the fusion finally after so many years of suffering. FYI L3-4 L4-5
My question “plea for help” has anyone found something that will help with control the pain? Certain med, combination of meds, way it is administered. TIA

Hi @dulfam4, welcome. Wow, dealing with back pain for 20+ years. That's a long time.

You'll notice that I moved your question about pain management to this existing disucssion:
- Pain meds for Gastric bypass patients https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/pain-meds-for-gastric-bypass-patients/

I did this so you can read previous posts and connect easily with other members like @ealeonard1214 @claytamos @mrsdiehl @fourof5zs and more. Like you @grandmar is dealing specifically with back issues and is a bariatric surgery patient. I hope she'll pop in to offer thoughts and her experience.

Dulfam, I surely hope your upcoming spinal fusion surgery helps. You might also be interested in connecting with members in the Spine Health group here: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/group/spine-health/

In fact, here's a related discussion that @grandmar started:
- Cervical disk replacement surgery: What helps with the pain? https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/cervical-disk-replacement-surgery/

Hello,
I am 6 years out from being sleeved.
I also take Tylenol Arthritis Pain Reliever.
It doesn't always work but it will help me when the pain I am experiencing is not a 10.
I get shots in my hip for bursitis.
I get shots in my cervical spine, but now they are not helping.
I've had lower and upper spine surgery, too.

Hello @dulfam4,
I suffered for lower and upper back pain for more years I can remember. I tried shots for over 10 years with not much success.
Six years ago, I had WLS (sleeve) and lost 90 lbs. I thought the weight loss would help, but it didn't! It was also recommended to me to wait as long as possible for surgery, but I had no quality of life.
About 4 years ago I decided it was time for surgery. First, I had cervical surgery on C5/6. My neurosurgeon suggested disk replacements. The odds of success were excellent, but of course, there can always be an issue. Sadly, I am having issues again. The bones started to fuse where they shouldn't. Now, I need to have the replacements taken out. The first surgery was an easy recovery. I was on oxy for just a couple of days and I was fine.
Six months later it was time for the lumbar spine, L3/4. I had what was called an x-lift fusion. For me, it was a horrible and painful recovery. I was on oxy for quite a bit a time. I cannot remember how long. I had pain and spasms. However, I still do not have pain (other than what a 'normal' woman in her late 60s gets). By waiting so long to have the lumbar spine done, I developed severe nerve damage in both my legs that will NEVER get better. I walk with a cane and I cannot walk far as my legs just give out. I also have non-diabetic neuropathy.
So as I said, surgery with pain meds is the only things that helped. Sorry I can't be of more help.
Best of luck!
GrandmaR
Ronnie