How do you manage chronic pain/migraines post-op?

[Tokash]

Benadryl…huh. I wonder what that is impacting? I don’t doubt that it is effective. Migraines are mysterious things. I’ve been on toperimate before and didn’t seem to help anything. I wonder if it helps on its own or only in the mix of other drugs?

I took the toperimate on its own and it worked decent for awhile. Knock many many headaches a month down to 1-2 at most. The cocktail would be added when I couldn't kick it- i would give it 4 days and then go it(usually get yelled at for waiting so long, but I hate medications). Benadryl can reduce the inflamation.

 

[Tokash]

Ugh, seeing things is the worst! I get auras with my migraines so I have like 15 minutes to get in a dark space or it hits me harder. My whole mother’s side had migraines to varying degrees so I grew up knowing what it was about. I got my first one around puberty so I thought mine might go away when I transitioned and started hormone therapy. (Quick reminder, I’m trans, assigned female at birth, so I had the whole deal of female puberty.) Sadly, I was wrong about that. I don’t have a cycle anymore but I still get migraines.

The first experience I had was when I was in the middle of a work day and all of a sudden I couldn't see. My vision was like a TV channel that wouldn't come it. It was fun making it upstairs to my office.

ECT becareful with that....I have seen some horrible results

 

[Tokash]

Benadryl was par

I hope you saw the list in the link I posted above. Benadryl is not a harmless drug and you shouldn't take any OTC Med unless you clear it with your doctor. Benadryl can cause dementia and I really notice how much it impaired my memory when I was using it as a sleep aid. I have a big bottle I bought years ago and I won't throw it out but I definitely won't take it unless it's an emergency. It is a contraindicated medication for people who had weight-loss surgery.

Benadryl was part of the concoction that was given to me at the doc office...pretty sure doc approved it.

 

[Tokash]

I trust my doc and have worked with her for 9 years.

I am not a medication taker. I avoid it at most costs. I never took pain meds after either csection or after the sleeve. The couple of times a year I need the migraine meds I will deal with it. Sometimes benefits outweigh risk. Im not worried about dementia or other things. Its likely a part of my future anyway. I'll take the risk to get the occasional comfort from nasty migraine that leaves me not functioning.

 

[WazzuCoug]

That. Is. Frickin. Amazing.
I’ve started looking into some of the theories on systemic inflammation and there is some fascinating stuff. The theories about the physical effects are cool but what really hooked my mind was the mental health implications. I have severe, treatment resistant, debilitating depression and anxiety. When I say I have tried everything, I mean it. All the therapy, intensive hospitalization programs, and I’ve been in therapy every week for going on 15 years. I’m on SSDI because of my mental illnesses. To stay somewhat stable I’m on a cocktail of meds (some off-label) and I have resorted to both electroconvulsive therapy and Transcranial magnetic stimulation in the past when things get really bad. (ECT and TMS actually help but are not exactly something you can do continuously and have any kind of a life.) Anyway, there are some hopeful research on reduced systemic inflammation having a positive effect on mental health. It isn’t a cure. I don’t expect to suddenly be able to work again. Mental illness is too multifaceted to work like that. But any improvement would be welcomed!

You should also look into research on how much our microbiome influences our hormones and chemical signals, many of which link strongly with the brain. It is fascinating. 90% of our serotonin is made by our gut bacteria, if we aren't feeding our gut bugs well, it can alter the that level. There are many other facets to it, but the research coming how now showing how closely tied our brain is to our gut is amazing.

 

[Yeledov]

You should also look into research on how much our microbiome influences our hormones and chemical signals, many of which link strongly with the brain. It is fascinating. 90% of our serotonin is made by our gut bacteria, if we aren't feeding our gut bugs well, it can alter the that level. There are many other facets to it, but the research coming how now showing how closely tied our brain is to our gut is amazing.

Yes! My spouse is a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) and his biggest concerned with my upcoming surgery is the changes in my GI tract effecting my mental health, both in the microbiome changes and medication absorption. Thankfully he has about 15 years experience and some of his long time patients have had WLS. My PMHNP doesn’t know shit (pardon my language) about bariatric surgery so my spouse sends me with studies and such for her to read.

 

[Yeledov]

The first experience I had was when I was in the middle of a work day and all of a sudden I couldn't see. My vision was like a TV channel that wouldn't come it. It was fun making it upstairs to my office.

ECT becareful with that....I have seen some horrible results

I had ECT weekly for nine months. I did have some memory loss, short and long term. Some came back, some didn’t. For me, it was a risk that I was very willing to take. ECT saved my life. I firmly believe that. I was ready to take my own life because I didn’t want to suffer anymore even though my life pretty good and I had partners who loved me. I just couldn’t face the rest of my life feeling this way. Nothing was helping. ECT brought me back to myself. It gave me 2 whole years without another depressive episode and when I did have another depression, it wasn’t nearly as deep. When I was at the bottom of that hole of complete and utter despair, and the only other way out I see is dying, all the ECT risks in the world are worth it.

 

[JudyNY]

I had ECT weekly for nine months. I did have some memory loss, short and long term. Some came back, some didn’t. For me, it was a risk that I was very willing to take. ECT saved my life. I firmly believe that. I was ready to take my own life because I didn’t want to suffer anymore even though my life pretty good and I had partners who loved me. I just couldn’t face the rest of my life feeling this way. Nothing was helping. ECT brought me back to myself. It gave me 2 whole years without another depressive episode and when I did have another depression, it wasn’t nearly as deep. When I was at the bottom of that hole of complete and utter despair, and the only other way out I see is dying, all the ECT risks in the world are worth it.

I believe you always have to weigh the options of treatment, medication and/or surgery against the quality of life (or loss of life) if you don't take advantage of those options. I am so glad for you that ECT was helpful and as you said lifesaving. When my daughter was diagnosed with mental health issues at the age of 15 and was doing things that could cause her to lose her life, we chose to medicate her. I didn't like the side effects but I truly believed it was a life or death situation. That thinking can also apply to WLS. Yes it is risky (I was one of the ones who had life threatening complications post surgery) but in the end it probably saved my life and/or added more years to my life.

I am so glad you are here Jonah, you add so much to this group!!

 

[Yeledov]

I believe you always have to weigh the options of treatment, medication and/or surgery against the quality of life (or loss of life) if you don't take advantage of those options. I am so glad for you that ECT was helpful and as you said lifesaving. When my daughter was diagnosed with mental health issues at the age of 15 and was doing things that could cause her to lose her life, we chose to medicate her. I didn't like the side effects but I truly believed it was a life or death situation. That thinking can also apply to WLS. Yes it is risky (I was one of the ones who had life threatening complications post surgery) but in the end it probably saved my life and/or added more years to my life.

I am so glad you are here Jonah, you add so much to this group!!

Awww! Thank you!