I don't know about meds not working but I do know sustained release is no good.

Susan...I have the same issue with pain meds and how they work (or don't work) for post bariatric peeps. If you find an answer please let me know. It's so frustrating!
JoAnn

I don't know either, sorry. I know my doc and I chose the sleeve because someday, if necessary for my osteoarthritis, I may be able to tolerate NSAIDS, although I would still be at a high risk of ulcers with it.

I would talk to my surgeons.
This isn't advice but in my case they give me hydrocodone/norco for my back. It works pretty good. I get no special effects from it. I tried alcohol a few times. Still have a high tolerance. It isn't worth the risk to drink again.in my opinion.

I don't have RA. I do take Ambien CR for sleep issues. I asked my surgeon about it being a continued release and he said it was fine. According to him, there is still enough for it to be released and absorbed. Wish I could help, sorry. Good luck!

Like you, I'll get a buzz from just a little alcohol very quickly, and just as quickly, I'm sober (usually with a headache, so I don't often drink).

I only take tylenol for pain, so I can't speak to your issue directly, but I think it may be a logical thing to assume that if alcohol passes quickly through the system, that other chemicals may also move quickly through the system.

I don't know if there is a definitive answer in the medical establishment because we all react a little uniquely to the surgery. They may not be able to give you a good answer.

Have you tried alternative methods of pain management?

Thanks to all who answered. I was never able to take NSAIDs prior to surgery r/t strong family history of kidney failure in my family. My mom and dad both died of kidney failure related to diabetes. I have thirteen brothers and sisters, some who have kidney issues as well as nieces and a few great nieces that also have the same issues. So as far as the #1 pain reliever for RA being ibuprofen, Motrin, NSAIDs they have never been an option. As far as pain meds go I try to take no more than one a day. I alternate between vicoden, Percocet, and nucenta. I also take ambien at night. The sustained release are a no no for people with short gut because (as I was told) that it is designed to slowly release and with our stomachs being smaller and it moving faster to our intestines we can get too much or too little of the drug at once. The to little might not be a problem but when I was taking a sustained release nucenta I felt like I was loosing my drive to breathe. It was scary. My dr. Wrote me another script for the same thing and I took it back and said it was too strong. I rarely drink because alcoholism runs in my family. I try extremely hard to police myself with my pain meds. I have been to a point where I have gotten scared and made myself pull back on my own. So far so good, but just in case I tell someone that I'm having a little trouble and ask them to keep an eye on me. That is the hardest thing ever! Im a nurse and know I'm sliding down a slope. I have to put my meds away but I always make sure someone has my back. It has been my daughter, my husband, my niece (a RN) or my sister (a RN) . Just a phone call to make sure I'm aware of the world. I really want answers. Maybe I can cut my pills in half and just take half ever four hours during a flair up. I know this is RA problems but No one really understands the change in our body and how it affects everything else. Thanks for any help