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Shell...... you know the frustration of not being dx'd (or misdx'd)....it can be frustrating and even depressing when you try to research your own health issues....because YOU know something is not right. Of course, you are exactly the expert now.....autoimmune can present as vasculitis, and pericarditis etc.....they can all be inter-related if you have an autoimmune disorder. The doctors were all looking into a connection with me thinking that it would highly unlikely to have two RARE dx's in the same month! (well, I was just lucky I guess) Lupus, Sjogren's syndrome..all those were in my workup (I did have a high cardiolipen so they were going down the list of all the autoimmune dx's and also having a history of mild pericardial effusion) if there was "any" chance of vasculitis which was not fully ruled out...this is what the docs said " most likely, we believe you have Moyamoya...and although we don't feel you have vasculitis...we cannot fully rule it out......we will know for sure when we go in and preform the brain bypass.....the artery being bypassed will disintigrated / disolved if you have vasculitis"......(just something to think about LOL) Now that would have really put me up a creek without a paddle! My hubby never slept a wink the night of the first surgery.....I went in very calm......I just knew it would all go smooth.....I just had an inner peace about the whole thing. well, you all got a book.....chapter by chapter.....but with a happy ending! smiles to all.....diane : )

I am so sorry to hear that you are going thru this right now. I have only been coming to the board a short while and will be banded on Sept 22. I have walked the land of uncertanty with my health and at 28 was unable to function more then a few hours a day. I suffered head to toe body pain and sever headaches and fatigue along with daily fevers, yes a fever everyday for 2 yrs. Well thru this process I learned a few things: 1) Never be afraid to question a Dr. opinion. 2) Listen to what your instinct is telling you. 3) Never except and "I dont know" Search until you hear the words "We found out what is wrong with your. 4) Always give yourself permission to react the way you need to. Dont let others decide your response to your situation. After 3yrs, 3 Rheumatologist, 1 Infectiouse disease Dr, 1 pain DR and getting a new family Doctor. After 3yrs of being looked at like I was crazy and told I was just fat and depressed, I got the answer I had been looking for. Mrs. Lambert we know what is wrong with you "Your Fatiuge is due to Chronic fatigue syndrom, Fibromyalgia and "Oh ya you have a sister sickness to Lupus and it is called Sjogren's syndrome". This is an autoimmune disorder. If I remember right Lupus patients can have Pericardidits, Vasculitis, Kidney and liver problems. It basicly can effect your whole body. A great resourse to learn about Auto Immune disorders is Web MD. THey dont have individual message board for each Auto Immune disorder so people with just about every kind of AI disorder go there. When the DR thought it was in my head, the people on that board keep me from loosing my mind. I am now on an Anti malarial med used for Auto Immune disorders called Plaquinel. Aften they use high doses of prednisone for AI disorders. One thing that just came to mind was my step grandmother has temporal arthritis and she was miss diagnosed over a year ago with Vasculitis and now she is loosing her sight. Make sure if you have any doute that they have the right diagnosis that you ask to see another Dr even if it is just another Dr at the same facility. I ended going to Brigham and Womens hospital in Boston Mass. It took me 3 yrs but I now have the answers to my puzzle and am well enough to work again which I could not do for 2 yrs. Sorry if this got kind of long or became about me. I didn't mean it that way. Just dont give up and keep your chin pointed high..... For

I have not had the band yet but I just wanted to mention that you sound like me a year ago. I was so sickly feeling I spent alot of time in bed and I had a low grade temp all the time that made me feel like I was always coming down with something. I was tested for lupus but it was neg and but it can take years for the blood work to catch up with what your body is telling you. Anyways after 2 1/2 yrs of having all kinds of blood work and my ANA (anti nuclear antibodies) tested several times and always negative, last Aug my ANA was positive and that was the clue we were waiting for. The ANA shows autoimmune issues. Turns out I have sjogren's synrome. A sister sickness to lupus. Good luck and I hope you get answers soon.....

Meee too! I have spent the last couple years taking care of everyone else, and lost track of ME. My husband, who is 7 years younger than I am, developed brain cancer a few years ago with a million life-threatening complications. We have two teenage daughters, adopted from Russia, and the older one freaked out and started huge behavioral problems when my husband got sick. The younger one has had six major surgeries, and five body casts, because of having polio as a baby. My dad developed a rare autoimmune disease and died while he was taking care of my mother, who had Alzheimer's disease. I ended up having to go back to work full time a year ago (my husband will never work again), and it was a shock how much younger and fitter everyone else was. Everything is more or less on an even keel right now (no hospitals or police), so it is finally my time to take care of myself again. Yesterday I got a manicure and a pedicure, and today I took a nice long nap.... and ate that last cupcake. No more cupcakes in this house, they are like heroin to me!!!!!

Searc here for a thread called "Things to ask your surgeon" or something like that. There's LOTS of really great suggestions on questions you might want to ask. I don't have autoimmune so I can't comment. Oh, BTW - I had pretty much made up my mind to do this, knew my insurance would cover it, and then got a job offer with another company that I couldn't refuse. I didn't let the operation stop me from taking it, so here's what I did: ASAP look over the insurance options you have (I had like 13 to choose from, it was a nightmare!) and write them down. Then search here and OH for insurance companies known to be "band friendly". (If the other options don't make it too attractive, in my case I could have just hopped on to DH's policy, which did NOT cover the band, but would have given me everything else and the measly amount I pay for insurance would have been sooo worth it for the band alone). Cross off the others, leaving me with 3 or 4 possibilities. Bring those back in to work and review the SPD for each looking for any exclusions around bariatrics, bariatric surgery, gastric banding, etc. One had an exclusion listed so I crossed it off, leaving me with 2 or 3 choices. Called my HR rep and asked if the company had bariatric exclusions on the policies for either of those carriers, found out they did not. Called a rep from each insurance company and asked them, specifically, if the lap-band was covered for my potential policy. (I had to ask about "adjustable gastric banding" or something, b/c "Lap-Band" isn't in their literature). So in the end I had 2 or 3 choices that I was 95% sure would pay for it, so then I picked my policy based on the overall features I preferred, out of pocket for surgical costs, etc. So changing jobs didn't impact me in the slightest. This was all in June of last year, and I went to my seminar in November. The one caveat I'll add is that the company I'm at is huge, so I felt confident that I'd have my choice of carriers. If I had been going to a small place, I may have done things differently, so that I didn't end up going some place only to find out they only offered 1 policy and it didn't cover WLS. And we had the means to pay out of pocket, too, as a back-up plan so it didn't "matter" if insurance covered it or not, but heck - that little bit of work & research was SOOO worth $16k. Hope this helps.

I have just begun the process for the lap band surgery. However, in the last 4 weeks, I have been having proximal muscle pain, in the shoulders, hips, knees and elbows. I read somewhere that hypothyroidism can manifest as a myopathy or muscle pain that is very similar to my symptoms. Have any of you had this experience? Was the pain severe? I just completed my blood work for the surgery which tested my T3 T4 and TSH, and the nurse at the office said that my bloodwork was normal. I am not sure if I should see a Endocrinologist or Rheumatologist. I was hoping on having the surgery the beginning of august, but now I am worried that it might be some sort of autoimmune connective tissue disease, which I read is a contraindication to the lap band. Does anyone have any advice? Thanks!!! Jillian:help:

I'm Hypothyroid - diagnosed with Autoimmune thyroiditis. Antibodies are attacking my thyroid. My levels have been good since January of this year I take 100mcg of Levothyroxine and 5mcg 2X a day of Cytomel. That helps my energy level. I'm losing weight pretty good too! Good luck. Thyroid takes time to get under control. I felt like crap for 10 years until I insisted on going to a specialist. My GP kept saying my levels were good. The specialist said I was too high. Figures!! I'm glad I insisted on getting the referral to a specialist.

I don't think erosion has anything to do with immune tolerance. I think it's a mechanical thing, like why does a pothole appear at a certain place in the road - it's a combination of factors from the road, the traffice it gets, the weather it sees, etc. As far as why autoimmune disorders are a contraindication, it might be because those patients sometimes have problems with esophageal dysmotility. Dr. C Cincinnati, Ohio www.TheBandDoctor.com 877.442.BAND DISCLAIMER: I am not your surgeon, any comments made by me are not meant to be taken as medical advice, just general guidelines. Contact your surgeon about your specific problem!

Hi Amy~ I have Crohns disease ( an autoimmune disorder). My doc said she would never ever ever do GB on me, but that the band would be perfectly safe. No issues in one year !

Can you- anyone please answer? ... or tell me where I can find the answer? I've searched & looked & SEARCHED. I get different answers. 1) What causes band erosion? Does anyone really know? Is it related to immune tolerance? 2) Why is there a contraindication for : You or someone in your family has an autoimmune connective tissue disease.... The same is true if you have symptoms of one of these diseases. (this taken from the inamed site: http://www.allerganandinamed.com/products/obesity/us/patient/lapband/risk.html Thank you to anyone who replies. Feel free to PM or email at evanesce@rcn.com Amy

hello I also had this problem after surgery and doctor and I both thought it was thrush. I was given the diflocan and the mouth rinse but things seems to get alittle better but then for no reason then it would be back and sometimes worse. Finally after 4mos. of on and off different meds and several different doctors and dentists I went to an oral surgeon and he did a biopsy on my gums low and behold it wasn't thrush at all it was an autoimmune disease call pemphigus. This is brought on by trauma my trauma was my band surgery. Its very rare and more than likely not what you have. I just thought I would throw that out to you just in case you don't respond to the thrush meds and they can test you for it if it doesnt clear up.

WOW! You guys are so "on the ball" with responses!! Thanks so much! Okay, you've given me hope! Honestly, I felt "lame" for asking... like, how lazy am I that I'm questioning having to "work"? But, if I had any willpower left, I wouldn't be considering altering my body, risking gallbladder trouble and future autoimmune disorder possibilites. If, like I've seen so many people do, I could exercise for more than 6 months, and ALWAYS win the head hunger battle, and NEVER EVER over indulge, I wouldn't be doing this. So, thanks for the answers. I really could use the help that the band will offer. I call it my "internal control" because it won't let me overeat no matter how much I want to. There will be immediate and swift consequences when I give in, and I need those. Instead of the pounds that slowly creep on, how about some major pain? Now that's a reason not to overeat. Hopefully I won't be a slow learner!

Hi everybody. I'm new to the website so I thought I'd say hi to introduce myself. I was banded in January 2004 and had a lot of success. I lost 65 pounds in the first year. Then, last year I came down with aseptic meningitis and was VERY ill for months. Not only did I get meningitis, but I also came down with pneumonia and several other bacterial infections at the same time too. I was completely bed-ridden for three months (due to dizziness, vertigo and weakness). My doctors were concerned that I wasn't eating enough and had me increase my calories using juice and other high calorie, easy to eat foods. My weight started creeping back on during this time. No surprise - I was eating more and not working out AT ALL (I used to work out 4-5 hours a week). Anyway, long story short, I've continued to suffer from weird symptoms over the past year. I get bad headaches, dizziness, vertigo, weakness and persistent fevers. It seems I might be having recurrent meningitis, and my doctors don't know why. I saw a rheumatologist who said that my symptoms seemed similar to an autoimmune disease, but that I didn't have an autoimmune disease (not enough evidence - mostly normal blood work). She said some autoimmune diseases can cause meningitis (like lupus), but she said there was no evidence of lupus in me. She said that my symptoms seemed more like a foreign body reaction. I told her I had a LapBand, and she was concerned. She was worried that I might be having a weird reaction to the band. I spoke with my surgeon who said there has only been one case of a person having an allergic reaction to the band, but the patient presented with very different symptoms (she had a weird rash). My one worry is that I have a lot of allergies, including allergies to metal. I was assured at banding that titanium is not reactive in humans, but I've heard conflicting reports since. I'm even allergic to stainless steel (I can't wear stainless steel earrings). I recently found out that in addition to the titanium in the band, the band also contains stainless steel in the form of a connector in the port tubing. Could I be allergic to the band? And could this be causing my meningitis? Despite my surgeon's doubts, she felt the band should come out just in case. So I ended having the band removed last Tuesday (May 9th). It's too early to tell if this is the cause of my symptoms. I really hope this helps - but who knows. I'm freaking out now though, over the past year I've gained back all of my weight plus 5 (I'm up 70 pounds). I feel pretty empowered though. I was able to gain and lose all of this weight WITH the band. It really shows me that it was all of my hard work that made me lose weight, and not just the band. I know when I get better, I'll be able to lose the weight again. I'm just not that worried right now - my health is my current concern. I'm wondering if anyone has heard of people having a foreign body reaction to the band or similar complications. I know the manufacturers warn of this in their brochures, but I'm pretty sure this is to cover their @$$#$. I'm feeling pretty alone (if there is only one other person with this complication). I'd love to hear from some of you that have had band complications and removal and who have decided not to have further WLS. JennyJ 298/302/175 banded 1/04 298 - 1/2004 230 - 3/2005 band removed 5/06 302 - 5/2006

Wow, this is a very interesting thread. I'm still in the "I don't know" stage, but I swear my gut tells me to go the RnY route. The first reason is that I already have an autoimmune disease which puts me at greater odds of rejecting the band. I also just had plastic surgery so I'm not too awful worried about sagging skin. It's so tight right now I can hardly breathe. I'm not necessarily wanting to lose it faster.....just want to lose all of the weight. I've also been eating right for over 11 years now with not a whole lot to show for it. I was always scared to cheat too much because I thought I would weigh 400 lbs instead of the 200 that I do. It's only been recently (past 6 mos or so) that I have been eating things I shouldn't because inside I just gave up losing weight. The fight was so hard and nothing to show for it. I exercise everyday........I eat right.....nothing. At this point in time, it is so easy to talk myself into doing the wrong things and I'm scared I'll do that with the band. I could easily tell myself that once I started losing weight I'd get my willpower back, but what if I dont?

Yes, it is made of a material that is supposed to minimize the possibilities of: 1)the band getting eroded 2)autoimmune rejection of the band. But long term data still hasn't determined the long term risks of band slippage, or esophageal dilatation. So who knows, what the probabilty of having an erosion or a slip 30 years post-op? The hip replacement seems more risky long term since it involves moving parts and a more complex mechanism. The lap band is a very simple device, and it certainly is very possible and in fact likely (in my opinion) that it can last for a very long time in some people.

Newbie located just north of Houston - Lots of Questions I am considering the surgery. Have been researching the different types and trying to make up my mind for a couple of years.:confused: I currently have HMO Blue of TX and am wondering how that will work out for me. Anyone with experience on that one? The good news is that I can change my insurance carrier each fall. I am considering a couple of doctors - if they take my insurance. Dr. Spivak and Dr. Robert Marvin with Obesity Surgery Specialists in Houston. I spent a lot of time thinking I wanted the Duodenal Switch, but then decided that I should try the least invasive procedure to start - and hopefully it will work for me. We'll see... I have been overweight since I was born. :baby:9 lbs 11 1/2 ozs. Went to a weight loss doctor several years back - did the lose and gain back thing...:phanvan I am currently flirting with 300 lbs at the age of 48. I have had rheumatoid arthritis since I was 27 and suffer from a "relaxed esophagus," which I am told is sometimes a side affect of the rheumatoid. For those of you that don't know - rheumatoid arthritis is not an arthritis - it is an autoimmune disease. Don't know if the relaxed esophagus issue will be a stumbling block for the procedure or not. I do know that the medications I take for the rheumatoid - as well as the rheumatoid itself - can retard the healing process. Well, there's my book. Look forward to reading the input from all of you. Thanks, Bobbi.

I am considering the surgery. Have been researching the different types and trying to make up my mind for a couple of years.:confused: I currently have HMO Blue of TX and am wondering how that will work out for me. Anyone with experience on that one? The good news is that I can change my insurance carrier each fall. I am considering a couple of doctors - if they take my insurance. Dr. Spivak and Dr. Robert Marvin with Obesity Surgery Specialists in Houston. I spent a lot of time thinking I wanted the Duodenal Switch, but then decided that I should try the least invasive procedure to start - and hopefully it will work for me. We'll see... I have been overweight since I was born. :baby:9 lbs 11 1/2 ozs. Went to a weight loss doctor several years back - did the lose and gain back thing...:phanvan I am currently flirting with 300 lbs at the age of 48. I have had rheumatoid arthritis since I was 27 and suffer from a "relaxed esophagus," which I am told is sometimes a side affect of the rheumatoid. For those of you that don't know - rheumatoid arthritis is not an arthritis - it is an autoimmune disease. Don't know if the relaxed esophagus issue will be a stumbling block for the procedure or not. I do know that the medications I take for the rheumatoid - as well as the rheumatoid itself - can retard the healing process. Well, there's my book. Look forward to reading the input from all of you. Thanks, Bobbi.

There was never any proven connection between silicone and autoimmune diseases. My dr definately told me that banding wouldn't be a problem with RA in my family. Of course, dr.s are there to make money, so they don't have any $ loss if we lose our bands.

Hmm.. lol. Okay.. So what does this mean?? "Contraindications The LAP-BAND System is not right for you if: You have an inflammatory disease or condition of the gastrointestinal tract, such as ulcers, severe esophagitis, or Crohn's disease. You have severe heart or lung disease that makes you a poor candidate for surgery. You have some other disease that makes you a poor candidate for surgery. You have a problem that could cause bleeding in the esophagus or stomach. That might include esophageal or gastric varices (a dilated vein). It might also be something such as congenital or acquired intestinal telangiectasia (dilation of a small blood vessel). You have portal hypertension. Your esophagus, stomach, or intestine is not normal (congenital or acquired). For instance you might have a narrowed opening. You have/experienced an intra-operative gastric injury, such as a gastric perforation at or near the location of the intended band placement. You have cirrhosis. You have chronic pancreatitis. You are pregnant. (If you become pregnant after the BioEnterics® LAP-BAND® System has been placed, the band may need to be deflated. The same is true if you need more nutrition for any other reason, such as becoming seriously ill. In rare cases, removal may be needed.) You are addicted to alcohol or drugs. You are under 18 years of age. You have an infection anywhere in your body or one that could contaminate the surgical area. You are on chronic, long-term steroid treatment. You cannot or do not want to follow the dietary rules that come with this procedure. You might be allergic to materials in the device. You cannot tolerate pain from an implanted device. You or someone in your family has an autoimmune connective tissue disease. That might be a disease such as systemic lupus erythematosus or scleroderma. The same is true if you have symptoms of one of these diseases. "

no the website says that people with autoimmune gastro intestine problems should not have the lap band. Thats for people with GI problems or Crohns disease. You should not say this, there are many people with lupus, or rheumatoid arthritis that might flip out over this false information

I have wodered about this b/c I POSSIBLY have Systemic Lupus. I have tested +1 ANA ONCE in five years. My doctor at this point calls it an inflammatory arthropothy. I take Plaquanil and have no symptoms as of right now. My symptoms have never been life or death. I've never had any organ involvement. As a matter of fact, I NEVER had even one symptom until five years ago when I gained weight for the second time. In my case, I think my body isn't liking the 100 lbs. of extra fat. I have a feeling that the band is going to help. I am very glad to see other autoimmune people having good luck with the band. I haven't gotten mine yet, but I will soon :eek: The doctors office I went to before was going to do it. The doc that I am going to didn't seem to think it would be a problem and has done this surgery on several auto-immune people. I am also curious, what happens when the body rejects the band?

I have systemic lupus. The first doc I consulted said an emphatic 'NO', the one who eventually banded me felt if I had had a more severe history it might have been a problem. Nearly 3 years out, I can only tell you my health is 100% better thanks to the band and the change in lifestyle. Can I wake up tomorrow with a severe flare of my autoimmune disorder? Yes. Could I have without the band? Yes. Would it have been worse with an additional 150lbs ? Most definately.

Hi Delarla, your last post rang a bell with me- I work with women after breastcancer surgeries - many of them have or had reconstructions. Guess what - their implants were mostly made out of Silicone. That's were all the big controverse started- if the silicone or a leaking implant can cause autoimmune disease or make an excisting one worse. I am wondering if that is what they are referring to in a roundabout way - since the band contains silicone - could that in some cases make an excisiting auto immune problem worse? Just my thoughts and 2 cents.

There are many kinds of auto-immune diseases. some are indeed contra-indications for banding. I think the nurse did not mean EVERY one is - but caution still must be used becuase lots is still not known about the band. Some of the people here have rejected their bands becuase of autoimmune disorders they did not reveal before surgery. Hashimoto's is sometimes ok, if it is very well-controlled and you are stable. I think It is up to your surgeon and family doctor to decide if you are a good risk for banding. Renee

Here's what Inamed says: ***Number 18 talks about auto-immune disorders but does not mention thyroid problems. Contraindications The LAP-BAND System is not right for you if: You have an inflammatory disease or condition of the gastrointestinal tract, such as ulcers, severe esophagitis, or Crohn's disease. You have severe heart or lung disease that makes you a poor candidate for surgery. You have some other disease that makes you a poor candidate for surgery. You have a problem that could cause bleeding in the esophagus or stomach. That might include esophageal or gastric varices (a dilated vein). It might also be something such as congenital or acquired intestinal telangiectasia (dilation of a small blood vessel). You have portal hypertension. Your esophagus, stomach, or intestine is not normal (congenital or acquired). For instance you might have a narrowed opening. You have/experienced an intra-operative gastric injury, such as a gastric perforation at or near the location of the intended band placement. You have cirrhosis. You have chronic pancreatitis. You are pregnant. (If you become pregnant after the BioEnterics® LAP-BAND® System has been placed, the band may need to be deflated. The same is true if you need more nutrition for any other reason, such as becoming seriously ill. In rare cases, removal may be needed.) You are addicted to alcohol or drugs. You are under 18 years of age. You have an infection anywhere in your body or one that could contaminate the surgical area. You are on chronic, long-term steroid treatment. You cannot or do not want to follow the dietary rules that come with this procedure. You might be allergic to materials in the device. You cannot tolerate pain from an implanted device. You or someone in your family has an autoimmune connective tissue disease. That might be a disease such as systemic lupus erythematosus or scleroderma. The same is true if you have symptoms of one of these diseases. Some surgeons say patients with a "sweet tooth" will not do well with the LAP-BAND System. If you eat a lot of sweet foods, your surgeon may decide not to do the procedure. The same is true if you often drink milkshakes or other high-calorie liquids.