What pain meds work well for Gastric bypass patients?

@nataliejo and others on this thread, it always works best to take a liquid pain killer. Extended release mess don't work for us because they pass through our systems too fast after the surgery. My surgeon and the training team all told us that. Liquid Norco should work.

I'm wondering why you're all having pain? Is it stomach pain from the surgery? I've had several endoscopes since I've had pain at times. I have been diagnosed with gastritis (inflammation), but I think I was having it before the surgery. I now take Pantaprozole periodically when I get that pain and it works. Also, I was taking Tramadol 50 mg for back pain and it worked great for me. Thing is, even though you may become dependent on it, you shouldn't feel the need to take higher and higher doses of it. You may want to try it. It's a synthetic opioid so it acts differently from others like hydro and percoset. Personally, I would want to determine why you are having so much pain.

GailB
Volunteer Mentor

@lioness Both Fibro and arthritis are wrecking havoc on my poor little body. I'm from Florida where we've been getting lots of rain. Hope you feel better.

@layladixon @nataliejo @lioness
I have been on the fentanyl patch in 2014-2015. It worked great as far as relieving pain. I never feel high from opioids so I wasn't walking around like a junkie.
Fast forward to 2017.. I live in a different area with a different Doctor. He offers me the fentanyl patch but I opt for Percoset so that I have"room" to go in the event Percoset no longer work. On my last visit I told my doc the Percoset isn't lasting as long. He prescribed a new drug with the Percoset call Xtampza. It's a specially formulated time release Oxycodone safe for those of us gastric bypass patients. It's also made to minimize the chance of abuse. I like it so far. I take 18 mg one every 12 hrs with food.
If you have any questions, let me know.

Oh my you sound like me. It has been 13 years for me. Too. The pain I have is constant. I was taking norco 10 325 and switched to perocent 7.5. No help. It only last maybe 2 to 3 hours. With the opioids addiction in the news it is making it very hard for the folks that is living daily with pain. I wonder if the liquid would be better than the pills? I go back to the doctor on the 25 th. I will have to suggest that. I thought after losing the weight it was going to prevent issues when getting older. ☹️

Hi! I would write more if I were at my laptop, however I just wanted to quickly get out the info to you. I have suffered similarly and the butrans pain patch has been a life saver. Oxycodone in low miligram dosage takes too long to be absorbed before it is bypassed in my system and given a full affect. I finally have a great doctor that gave me that bit of knowledge as to why I had no relief. Please look it up.

@aprilarlady your previous post has recently come to my attention. Are you still having troubles with absorbing pain medication due to RNY?

@leona1966 hi I'm a retired nurse and all I know is before surgery they do a therapy about your diet .I know it's important for you to be prepared about your diet. I had for surgery and the Dr. cut the nerve accidentally and I have discomfort in 2nd toe but I would say go to surgeon and talk with him that's all I can suggest ,feel better

@leona1966

Welcome to the Mayo Connect community. I am a Volunteer Mentor and am not a medical professional. I can offer my experience and support for what you are experiencing. I also provide references for you to learn more about possible resolution of your issues. I'm sorry to hear that you're having an extended time of pain. I have some questions for you about your experience.

1. When was your gastric bypass surgery and what kind did you have?
2. Have you seen your surgeon about the pain that has lasted 5 years?
3. Are you taking your vitamins daily?
4. Have you had your vitamin and mineral levels checked since your surgery?
5. Do you belong to any other social media groups for people on the Gastric Bypass journey?

Please explain to the detail level you are comfortable sharing, more about your pain and any other effects you are having? I had RnY surgery 4 years ago. I don't have pain with mine, although I've had a couple of other things over the years that have bothered me. I have put on 6 pounds this winter that I'm hoping to get rid of this spring and summer.

Let us know how we can help you.

Gail
Volunteer Mentor

Hi!
I had gastric sleeve Oct. 21, 2014 at the age of 61-1/2. Since the start of my weight loss journey I have lost 80-90 pounds depending on the day. Although I still have about 10-15 pounds to go, I had excellent results with my health issues. I no longer need 2 knee replacements (at least not now), my blood pressure, cholesterol and triglycerides are now normal and I am no longer pre-diabetic. I am also sure that the issues I have with my cervical and lumbar spines would be much worse if I didn't lose the weight.

I have issues at all levels of my spine: buldging discs, displaced discs, spurs, cervical and lumbar stenosis, arthritis, tears. I've had fibro but I believe I pretty much have that under control. Besides the shots, I've done the following: chiropractor, therapeutic massage, acupuncture, aquatic and land PT and I take Gabapentin (300 mg-1 in am/2 in pm). No pain meds. None of my docs believe in it except when I have a painful procedure like radio frequency ablation. I do have pain meds for other reasons so I use what I have left. I have hydrocodone and oxycodone. Neither really helps. I have Tramadol left from when I had a tooth infection. I found that helped. Before WLS I used to take large doses of prescription Advil. That worked the best but as you know, after WLS you can't use that and Tylenol does nothing. Besides, the Advil ate away at my stomach.

I am now 63. I have issues up and down my spine. I had no relief with the attempts made by my pain doc so I had surgery done by a neurosurgeon. I had C5-6 disk replacement 10 weeks ago. So far, so good. I was having great success with shots in my lumbar spine until 2 shots ago. I am giving it one more try; if the shots don't work I will think strongly about surgery. I will see my neurosurgeon the week after my shot so I will know which way to direct the conversation.

Good luck!
Ronnie (GINSBERGr)

@kduran23

I understand some of what you've been going through as I had a RnY in July, 2014. I'm sorry to hear you've had such a bad time with your surgery! I have had a couple of issues over the years with 1 ulcer and chronic gastritis. However, overall I have had great success with it. I lost 85 pounds in 9 months and have stayed at that weight loss until this winter. I have gained 6 pounds recently, but I'm not worried as I just need to go back to the strict original diet to get back down.

One thing I know is that picking the right surgeon is the most important part of the surgery. It sounds as if you may have had a surgeon who messed up on your original surgery, followed by a second bad surgery. I have a few questions for you that may help us understand what's going on with you now.
1. Did you go thru a 6 month pre - surgery education program?
2. Did your surgery office provide you with an eating plan for post - surgery?
3. Did you see your surgeon during your fist 6 months at least 3 times?
4. Were you told to take vitamins daily and what kind of vitamins to take?
5. Did you follow the directions you were given?
6. What have you been told is your current problem/diagnosis?
7. How old are you? (I'm 69)
Answers to the questions will be helpful to see where you are right now, not to judge anything you have or haven't done. Thank you for sharing your difficulties with your sugery and pain levels with us. I have a feeling you will be helping me as well as yourself. I too have been a victim of chronic pain as you may read on this site. Mayo Connect has been incredibly helpful for me.

Warm regards, Gailb