Pain meds after surgery and thyroid meds

[Decant]

Hi

I'm just this evening back from bilateral hernia surgery. They've given me a bunch of pain meds and I'm wondering if I should try (pain willing) and avoid them as best I can as I think I might have read somewhere here how they can affect thyroid or other blood markers?

I've been given co codamol and senna and also ibuprofen and Omeprazole. I don't want to take them longer than necessary anyway but I will take them to allow sleep. I'm just wondering if I should grin-and-bear it more, as I've recently been getting my thyroid levels to a better state and I don't want to lose that momentum.

 Many thanks



[Regenallotment Ambassador]

Hi Decant, good luck with your recovery, I hope you had a comfortable first night.

Someone will correct me if I’m wrong but I’d take the co codamol pain meds 4 hours from Levo (-assuming you are on Levo). I’d take them regularly to keep on top of the pain and avoid stressing the body further, and personally I’d avoid the Omezaprazole (most of us have low stomach acid not high). I also avoid Ibuprofen as it wreaks havoc on my gut. Senna - do you need to help things move with the hernia ops? I’d only take that if constipation is likely.

How are your vitamin levels? Do you supplement? I’ve heard Vit C is good for recovery. Worth having a read and seeing if you think it would help you.

Wishing you a speedy recovery 🦋💚🦋

[Decant in reply to Regenallotment]

 Hi Regenallotment

My first night was surprisingly good, I was expecting discomfort to keep me awake.

My nutrient levels are good having been supplementing D3 (+ co factors) and B complex. I have recently started a low iron+C dose as my ferritin could be a bit better. I shall research about bit C and recovery.

I sometimes get a bit of reflux and took a gaviscon last night as I ate late when I got home.

I'll take the pain meds in a few hours as I only took levo an hour ago. Thanks for the reminder.

Many thanks for replying!

[jimh111]

I would discuss this with your doctor. I suspect the senna is to counter the constipating effects of co-codamol and the omeprazole to avoid potential acid effects from ibuprofen. Maybe you could get good pain relief from e.g. just the ibuprofen without the need for omeprazole.

I'm just a patient but I suspect you should take some painkiller because they are also anti-inflammatories and will help with recovery. So, I think you need some specialist advice and should not avoid taking pain killers but maybe get a simpler treatment.

[Decant in reply to jimh111]

Hi. I had a good first night.The senna is for constipation. I have no issue there generally.

The anti-inflammatory aspect was stressed yesterday so maybe I should just follow their advice for the 5 days. I'm taking D3+co factors, a bit of iron, B complex, and my levels were recently very good (fT3 still a little low), so I should be fine.

hanks for your help

[Batty1]

Why suffer in pain if you don’t need to.

[Decant in reply to Batty1]

As in my original post, I thought I read somewhere here that taking the pain meds might cause thyroid or supporting nutrient levels to drop. I don't want pain either, but nor do I want my slowly improving thyroid-related to suffer either!

I say might as I am possibly wrong and wouldn't want others to suffer after

Thank ou for letting me clarify.

[Batty1 in reply to Decant]

Just take the meds a few hours after you take your thyroid meds …. Its just short term and shouldn’t cause issues .. I take PPI everyday 3 hours after my thyroid meds and I take a bunch of meds for psoriatic arthritis always 3 to 4 hours after my thyroid meds and Ive been fine.

The only meds that can cause issues no matter when you take them is antidepressants they just interact with thyroid meds…

[Decant in reply to Batty1]

Thanks Batty1. As you say it's only short term, so I shall take them as necessary and away from my Levo. Thanks for wise words.