Taking a Poll - NSAIDS Post ADR

[Poncho]

Okay, Since having ADR I have improved substantially. ADR was my 3rd invasive procedure and I am thankful for my results thus far. Not totally pain free - Low back aches and pings of sciatica here and there - still need to take ibuprofen - but no need for narcotics like I was once on prior to surgery.

For those of you on the other side of ADR, are you still taking some sort of anti-inflammatory? If not, how long did you need to be on it?

Realistically, I knew going into this that I can not expect to be totally pain free...Then again, I am 9 months out soooo there is potential room for improvement.

Thanks

[mmglobal]

Poncho... sorry I didn't respond to email... here is my reply...

I still take Bextra. I purchase 20's and normally take 1/2.

When I'm good, I can skip days... but find myself with low level LBP or minor numbeness in foot... look at my organizer and am relieved to see that I've missed a few days.

When I sustain a high activity level, I take 20mg and may supplement aspirin or ibuprophen later in the day.

I've tried several times to stop the anti-inflamm's... but always go back.

When I run out of Bextra, I'm going to try OTC's.

Mark

PS... remember that what I describe is at a really low level... sometimes gone, sometimes mildly annoying... once in a while, very rarely, it will really bug me.

[wbaker68]

I personally take nothing and have taken nothing since my trip to Colorado 12 weeks post-op. I sometimes wonder if I should take some at night time that may help with morning stiffness, but it hasn't concerned me enough to start taking pills again.

[queenofhearts]

I take ibuprofin often - started it again for my neck, but it helps with any other aches and pains I might get, especially when I work a lot of overtime.

[Poncho]

Thank you all for the replies thus far.

Perhaps, I should switch back to Mobic or something along those lines when we change over insurance. (again).... I am finding myself taking ibuprofen 800mg around the clock - mostly for the back aches. I have had this since ADR - but didn't need to take NSAIDS this often until recently. I haven't done anything different to to cause it. - I haven't started working (yet). I am hoping this is some sort of flare from whatever - a lot of weather changes here lately or something like that. I guess the good news is that this is taken care of with NSAIDS and nothing stronger than that.

I feel like a "weeny" posting this, but just curious to see where the other post-ops are at.

[wbaker68]

Its interesting that you say your just starting to take this more often. How long have you been off the Mobic? Is it that the Mobic was just a better anti-flamatory for you, and the switch is just causing you to need more of the ibuprofen?

Take care and hope things settle down before you start working. As you can imagine that change will likely cause some aches. Are you going to start right off at 8 hour shifts or longer?

[Poncho]

Thanks Bill,

I went off the Mobic and changed to Ibuprofen about 2 months ago give or take couple weeks. Only reason was because my husband's health insurance changed and the coverage is not very good ( 2,000 deductable per person up front for everything - MD visits, medications, & etc - then will start paying) - Needless to say - we are switching over to my insurance where I will be working......

However,when I changed over - I didn't notice an increase in LBP immediately after that. Hummm - I am hoping this is just one of those flares that some patients get post ADR...

As soon as I can, I will switch over to the Mobic again and see how that works out.

Yep, working 8 hour shifts. I don't think I could tolerate 12 hour shifts anymore. It will be the night shift - much less lifting or I wouldn't consider it.

[Poncho]

Doreen,

Thanks for sharing the info. Does the lumbar still give you some woes like mine?

How is your neck & arm pain since the foraminatomy? I hope you are gaining your strength back in you arm again.

[myprodisc]

Pre-op I took celebrex. None since surgery. An occasional tylenol or aleeve. A couple of times I've used the hydrocodone.

[florihupf]

Taking, Ibuprofen 800mg... every 2-3 days, 12month post-op. I have the feeling I need less over time, but sometimes I really have to...