Fusion and meds you cant take

[ihavtwins]

Hi, I know that after a fusion you are not supposed to take any ibuprofen. What does everyone take when you get a headache?? Tylenol does not get rid of my headaches.

Also, is it safe to take supplements now and vitamins? I was told pre op to not take vitamins and supplements 2 weeks prior to surgery but it says nothing about after surgery.

One last question. Can i take a joint supplement like glucosamine / chondroitan?
Or will this mess with my fusion since my facet joints are fusing?

I think I need to take glucosamine because I have had joint problems in the past, with my knee, and now my facet joints, so I am thinking I need to start supplementing before another joint goes bad, any thoughts??

Thanks!
Jen

[Justoneofus]

Well Jen, these questions truly need to be run by your doctor.

If your questions were directed as me the person, my doctor would have said it was fine to take the vitamins and minerals you posted. These are good for the body per me and my surgeon.

As to the headaches.. not sure on that one. I would ask your doctor and see what he/she can offer.

[Moldova]

You can't take anything which has Aspirin in it (like Advil, Ib, Motrin).
Tylenol is usualy OK since most narco meds containg Tylenol in it.
I agree that you have to ask your Dr about it though: too much Tylenol can affect your liver.
Good luck to you on your recovery!

[BlueAtlas]

I took all my vitamins in for my hospital pre-op visit with a nurse. She looked at them all and told me they were all fine except not to take the Omega 3, as it's a blood thinner just like Ibuprofen.

After surgery, I was allowed to take any vitamins and supplements except, again, the Omega 3.

Tylenol does nothing for me, either, but the other stuff in the Percocet and Vicodin did pretty well for me for headaches.

If in doubt, don't hesitate to call and ask the nurse at your doctor's office. She'll know.

Take care,
Emily

[SpineAZ]

Just for clarification of a previous post, it is usually advised that you not take any NSAID (non steroridal anti inflammatories). This icludes ibuprofen (advil), naproxen (aleve), or aspirin. There is no aspirin in advil or aleve - but they are also NSAIDs.

There are also some herbal medicatinos that are natural anti-inflammatories. You'll want to avoid these as well.