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What pain meds work well for Gastric bypass patients?
Bariatric Surgery & Weight Loss | Last Active: Dec 11, 2023 | Replies (131)Comment receiving replies
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
Replies to "I have severe lower back pain and have been told for almost 13 years you will..."
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
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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/