Ibuprofen after fusion?

[beachgirl01]

Hey all,

Quick question for you guys. Does anyone know if it's okay to take Ibuprofen following fusion? I asked the pharmacist and they said no, So I decided to call another pharmacy and they said yes it's fine. However I think I remember my surgeons nurse telling me that I probably would be able to go on Ibuprofen following surgery and for a while to come because it can compromise the fusion.

Does anyone know for sure and if so where did you get your info from? I am seeing my surgeon in a while but I have a lot of joint pain and other pain so I would like to be able to take it if it's not going to jeopardize anything.

Any advice is always appreciated. Thanks a bunch. Take care all. Beachgirl.

[zeroman]

my doc said No. some docs think its OK but the majority say its not. I figure better safe than sorry.

[janx]

My Dr. also said no. I have been using Tylenol Arthritis. It helps some with the misc. aches and pains.
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[feelbad]

from what i have been told,its a no no, as it actually does inhibit bones from attaching and fusing.i think if it was used like a one time only or possibly one dose per week that would be acceptable.the thing is,they do not want to set a serum level where this is constantly in your blood.

when i had horrid inflammtion post op about two weeks after my fusion,i was rather suprised when my very very knowledgable NS who had been the one who told me not to use the ibu,actually Rxed that medrol dose pack,which causes the same exact problem.when i questioned him on it he said that to use this at a one time shot,which this was over about a week,he still insisted that it was okay.i think they just want you to avoid this on a consistant basis and used as your only source of actual pain control.but before doing anything,you really should speak with YOUR neurosurgeon about this.just call the office and speak to his nurse,they surely would know what the surgeon normally prefers.she could also possibly offer you other pain control options.but your own surgeon would be ideal really.good luck and i hope things fuse for you.Marcia

[BlueAtlas]

Yes, ditto everyone. What Marcia said about an occasional dose makes sense, but, as she suggested, check with your doctor to be sure.

Here's my Ibuprofen story: because I've had such back pain for years but didn't want to take meds that would interfere with driving, my job, and caring for my kids, I popped Ibuprofens 3 at a time 3 times a day or 2 Naproxens at a time 3 times a day. Did that for years! It helped a little, but at age 46 I was diagnosed with osteoporosis. When I found out that NSAIDS interfere with bone growth, I started wondering if I brought on this osteoporosis myself by all the Ibu's and Naproxens I took for so long. Maybe it's not related, but it's a question I've got for my ob/gyn next time I go in. I'm also wondering if the medication I take for the osteoporosis, Fosamax, has helped in getting some bone growth in my fusion. At only 6 weeks post op, my x-rays were showing bone growth around one of the cages. If the Fosamax is part of the reason I'm showing bone growth so early, maybe all fusion patients should be taking it! That's one I'm going to pursue with my surgeon. Especially for those with failed fusions, it seems like it would at least be worth a try.

So to make a long story short, I agree that it's best to stay away from Ibuprofen until your fusion is solid. Not worth taking the chance.

Blessings,
Emily