Multiple Sclerosis and the Sleeve

[BANANA PANTS! 60]

I am wondering if anyone out there has MS and has had the sleeve? I have MS and am set for surgery on 12/17/12. I do the three times a week interferon injections (Rebif) for my MS disease modifying drug and although my neurologist instructed me to keep taking it - I am a bit worried about delayed healing time and possibly higher probability for a leak due to the immunomodulation effect of the medication. It takes forever for even a paper cut to heal for me (at least 2 weeks) due to the interferon.

Anyway - all my doctors are on board with the surgery so I will just keep my fingers crossed.

[DanaInNewOrleans 513]

banana PANTS!" data-cite="BANANA PANTS!" data-ipsquote-timestamp="1355341389" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="232392" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic">

I am wondering if anyone out there has MS and has had the sleeve? I have MS and am set for surgery on 12/17/12. I do the three times a week interferon injections (Rebif) for my MS disease modifying drug and although my neurologist instructed me to keep taking it - I am a bit worried about delayed healing time and possibly higher probability for a leak due to the immunomodulation effect of the medication. It takes forever for even a paper cut to heal for me (at least 2 weeks) due to the interferon.

Anyway - all my doctors are on board with the surgery so I will just keep my fingers crossed.

Hi,

I have MS and am on Avonex ( 1x weeky interferon injections). All my docs gave their ok for the surgery. But I did not think to ask about Avonex specifically. Hmmm, you raised a good point. I am also on Plaquenil, which is also a immunosuppressant, for Lupus. My surgery is 12/21.

And your post made me remember another thing that I forgot to ask my surgeon when I saw him last week---what about all the other medication I take? No one has discussed anything relating to my medication with me. I've read many people here are instructed NOT to take pills for a period after surgery. I MUST take my meds... guess I'll have to call my surgeon to find out his instructions....

Good luck on the 17th!!

~Dana

[BANANA PANTS! 60]

Yay - someone else out there like me! I'm actually going to be taking my interferon the night of my surgery in the hospital - that's how important it was to my neurologist that I keep taking it. They basically told me to crush all my pills the day of surgery and take with a small amt. of Water. I'm leaving out the provigil that day since it is for fatigue and a little fatigue will probably be ok on the day of surgery. Also - according to my neurologist - the sleeve is the best for MS patients due to the amount of NSAID's we take (steroids, etc) which require normal gut function to break them down. The pre-op testing people who you talk to before surgery should tell you all of this but keep a list of questions so you don't have to call them back like I did to ask about bringing my own meds to the hospital.

[DanaInNewOrleans 513]

I see you just joined VST yesterday... this is such a great place for information and support. VST rocks!

[DanaInNewOrleans 513]

I forgot to ask, where are you from? I'm in New Orleans..

[CCCross 31]

I dont have anything to add except I commend your strength going through with the surgery. I had Guillen Barre syndrome (think fast acting MS) and I only had to deal with the weakness fatigue etc for a year. I wish everyone the best of luck and my lingering nerve issues have gotten much better as I've lost weight (ironically gained by gabapentin and steroids use).

[BANANA PANTS! 60]

Wow - they thought I had Gullien Barre initially in 2006 when I was diagnosed - I had ascending paralysis. It was not fun. Teh steroids killed me with weight gain and are a major part of the reason I gained most of my weight (well steroids and immobility and stress and...).

Dana - I live in Northern Virginia - right outside of Washington, DC. I need to finish up my profile and add pictures and all that stuff.

[eclipse 67]

My husband has ms and is scheduled for surgery on the 19th. He takes daily copaxone injections.

[BANANA PANTS! 60]

My husband has ms and is scheduled for surgery on the 19th. He takes daily copaxone injections.

I hope your husband is doing well. I can tell you that the support from my significant other has been invaluable to me since I was sleeved 12/17. I think going through MS together has certainly helped but he still struggles to see me in pain.

Sent from my iPhone using VST

[rubycat718 0]

I just saw this post as I have MS and am having the sleeve in the next 6 weeks or so. I will start Tysabri infusions about 6 weeks after the surgery as my MS doc wants me to be able to heal normally after the surgery. Just wondering if any of you experienced any issues (positive or negative) related to the surgery & MS.