Advil

You might get away with it. In addition to the usual side effects of NSAIDs, they seem to make J-pouchers more prone to pouchitis.

Agreed. My CRS said they increase pouchitis flares AND stricture risks. 

My daughter has indeterminate colitis and is told to avoid NSAIDS, as they increase flares in IBD patients (which makes sense about the pouchitis).  

I was able to tolerate high dose ibuprophen for years before it caused liver inflammation and pouchitis. I still take NSAIDs occasionally for my enteropathic arthritis, but limit it to two week courses. By the way, Achilles tendinitis was one of the early manifestations of my enteropathic arthritis. Putzed around with podiatry, ortho, and PT for a few years before being refered to a rheumatologist after sacroiliitis set in. Glad I did not opt for foot surgery!

But, just because I could take it for a long time, it does not mean you can. Just be aware of GI symptoms and be ready to stop it if necessary.

Jan

I have been on it for years...

Like Jan, I started out with severe Achiles tendonitis and then moved on to sacroilitis...I have tried to get off of it without success.

I take naporxin sodium for 2 weeks when the flares are really bad (like now) and then dial it down to advil when things stabalize.

Not sure how my liver is doing, need blood work but I am terrified of what they are going to give me the day that NSAIDs are off the list.

Becareful when taking them and contact your doctor if you find any alarming side effects.

Sharon

It was recommended to me by my doctor to avoid all NSAIDs/ibuprofen. But I tried it a few times and they give me a wicked belly ache. 

Another point of view  - My Internist has many IBD patients and does not condone the use of NSAIDs. She is also my pain management doctor.  NSAIDs shouldn't be taken if you have any internal condition that can bleed, such as stomach ulcers and IBD. It is too bad we shouldn't take them as they are non steroidal anti inflammatory medications.  I think of it as similar prednisone.  It helps immediately but is worse for our bodies the longer we take it. My GI's have always said not to take NSAIDs too.

There are just times when you have to do what is necessary and take them.  

You will find conflicting information on this, but generally the long term use or high dosages of NSAIDs are not recommended in IBD patients. Some physicians will tell you that they should not be taken at all. That being said, my own surgeon prescribed a month supply of Celebrex, an NSAID, after my colectomy as I am allergic to codeine, which certainly limited what pain relief meds I could take post op.  Luckily I didn't need to take it for more than a week; I found that once I was weaned off the morphine drip I didn't need much for pain relief other than plain Tylenol.

As to whether or not you should use NSAIDs, both my GI and surgeon have said that a couple of tablets of ibuprophen here or there for menstrual cramps or headache, for instance, are generally fine, but have cautioned against using it too much or too often. However, neither has ever told me not to take it outright. But considering their advice and general guidelines, I would think that 8 tablets per day for a month would probably be meandering into the riskier territory. You should know that there has been a correlation between NSAID use and the occurrence of pouchitis, as well as intestinal bleeding. NSAIDs  can also exacerbate diarrhea and long term use/high doses can lead to kidney damage, which we may be at higher risk for as we are already more prone to dehydration that the average population.

The point is, I would check with your surgeon or GI first before you go on this regime. There may be other treatments that are more appropriate for you.

I am surprised to hear so many people have taken NSAIDS without problems. I'm also extremely glad for them that they didn't have the effects I did when  took them. The very few times I risked it back in the early 2000s I had a bad pouch reaction. So I stay away from them like I would from a mediation that I am allergic of. I've been able to get a narcotic RX for the few times I was in severe pain, like from dental work, because of my reaction to NSAIDS. Otherwise I use heating pads and ice packs for muscular pains. Good luck to you!

tulsamom,

I think it's like anything else - we all have different tolerances. Some of us may be more sensitive to the affects of NSAIDs than others. Also, I would imagine if you have taken high doses in the past, you might also be more sensitive. As for me,  I seem to be able to tolerate NSAIDs, but then again I have never taken high doses nor been on them for an extended period of time.  Currently I may take no more than 4 to 6 tablets per month of Advil, if even at all.  I typically use Advil for menstrual cramps and/or premenstrual headaches, for which Tylenol has been pretty ineffective for me. My GI is fine with me taking that much. I generally try to take as little medication as possible.

I have no problems taking NSAIDs with my j pouch. I don't take them daily but Advil is usually my go to pain reliever. No issues what so ever. Just like anything else....everyone is different.