Autoimmune Issues and VSG?

[LadyKatie 61]

As much as the vanity aspects are wonderful' date=' decreasing the RA symptoms to be able to keep active and work were my primary goals. If it can keep me working even a few months longer, it will have paid for itself, even being self pay. I was disappointed afew months back when I was hoping for a major long term remission and it wasn't happening. Feel great now! Granted, it's summer and I switched to a desk job but I'm hoping I've hit the threshold where the meds are able to control with the lower weight. Joints feel good 90% of the time now. Pray it will stay this way. Blessing to you all fighting the battle! Stay stubborn and strong![/quote']

Thank you so much for your encouragement! RA sucks. All autoimmune diseases suck. Hearing how well you are doing gives so much hope!! I like "stay stubborn and stay strong" you do have to be stubborn to fight RA

[LadyKatie 61]

I have lupus and RA as well. I have to stop the methotrexate injection 3 weeks before and 3 weeks after surgery. Is there anything out there that would help with the pain? I'm terrified of flair ups and the pain that I know I will have.

My doctor said I could take Tylenol, but to me Tylenol doesn't do crap so I just rested when I needed too and didn't push myself too hard. Sorry that's not much of a help. You can talk to your surgeon or your rheumatologist and they may suggest some other stuff.

[ladybug112000 114]

My doctor said I could take Tylenol' date=' but to me Tylenol doesn't do crap so I just rested when I needed too and didn't push myself too hard. Sorry that's not much of a help. You can talk to your surgeon or your rheumatologist and they may suggest some other stuff.[/quote']

I'm the same way, Tylenol doesn't help as much as my OxyContin. I see my rheumatologist tomorrow, hopefully he can come up with something. Thank you!

[Aline728 301]

I have been off my methoxtrate since may cause my date for surgery was the 28th then they moved it to June 18th. I never went back on it, cause I wanted the best chance for healing...I've loss some weight which helps, and I'm taking tylenol its help some so far and I'm determine ..so glad I found this group...

[ladybug112000 114]

I have been off my methoxtrate since may cause my date for surgery was the 28th then they moved it to June 18th. I never went back on it' date=' cause I wanted the best chance for healing...I've loss some weight which helps, and I'm taking tylenol its help some so far and I'm determine ..so glad I found this group...[/quote']

Do you have to go off of the folic acid too? Never thought if that until just now?!?!

[IrishEyes 59]

I find that cortisone injections help me the most. Actually, closest I feel to normal, ever. Dr gives them to me right in office. They are systemic so works on all joints. I look forward to them and since I can only get them 4 times a year (and they only last a few weeks) I sometimes strategize timing like when i need to go out of town for work, vacations, etc. Now I don't know how these shots are handled before surgery. May need to avoid preop and a little postop. If you haven't tried these shots, I strongly recommend you ask your Dr. Does more than any pain pill. And just an FYI to preops, after surgery you can no longer take NSAIDS... (non steroidal anti inflammatory drugs) like Aleve, my old favorite. Wayyy too hard on little tummy. Only Tylenol (and pain meds).

[LadyKatie 61]

Do you have to go off of the folic acid too? Never thought if that until just now?!?!

I never had to go off my folic acid, but I did just to be safe. I was only off that a week prior to surgery still off it now,

[Heather Meyer 103]

Im on gabopentin for fibromyalgia...the pain i have every day is unbelievable...i get migranes almost every day and pain in my major joints and muscles and the fatigue just makes me so exhausted after only being awake for a couple of hours...sigh...i cant imagine the pain you all go throughwith RA...im thankful i dont have that

[Aline728 301]

@ ladybug, I stayed on the folic acid, its helps the body rebuild a bitumen my doctor said..

[Aline728 301]

Oops rebuild...and I'm off this week also prior to surgery just in case...

[Phoenix79 452]

I have AS and use Remicade to help with symptoms, given by IV every six weeks. I'm just starting on my pre- surgery diet for surgery in late June (no date yet- just submitted to insurance). My rheumatologist told me they wanted my last infusion to be at least four weeks before surgery and I can restart Remicade two weeks after surgery. I have been very stable and almost no symptoms since starting Remicade and I'm so excited to be able to exercise after surgery- crew team here I come! I have also been told that the band is contraindicated for folks with autoimmune issues so it's good that you folks are switching to sleeve! Small silver lining about having AS, Lupus, RA etc is that we're already used to lots of pain- chronic, which can be worse than acute and we'll probably have a better pain tolerance right after surgery and that IV will be a piece of cake!

[LadyKatie 61]

Im on gabopentin for fibromyalgia...the pain i have every day is unbelievable...i get migranes almost every day and pain in my major joints and muscles and the fatigue just makes me so exhausted after only being awake for a couple of hours...sigh...i cant imagine the pain you all go throughwith RA...im thankful i dont have that

Hey fibromyalgia is not fun either. I have both RA and fibro. I can tolerate my RA pain but when my fibro is bad I have a hard time. I've also never found a medication that has helped

My RA so I rely on just knowing what bothers me and working out, which is hard to do with RA.

[Heather Meyer 103]

Well i thought 600mg of gabapentin was helping but i was wrong..im going to try a higher dosage..so far T3s are what dull it out enough...its bad..just about ended up in hospital ER cause my pain gives me lots of migranes..

[Brenda0928 145]

I have AS and use Remicade to help with symptoms' date=' given by IV every six weeks. I'm just starting on my pre- surgery diet for surgery in late June (no date yet- just submitted to insurance). My rheumatologist told me they wanted my last infusion to be at least four weeks before surgery and I can restart Remicade two weeks after surgery. I have been very stable and almost no symptoms since starting Remicade and I'm so excited to be able to exercise after surgery- crew team here I come! I have also been told that the band is contraindicated for folks with autoimmune issues so it's good that you folks are switching to sleeve! Small silver lining about having AS, Lupus, RA etc is that we're already used to lots of pain- chronic, which can be worse than acute and we'll probably have a better pain tolerance right after surgery and that IV will be a piece of cake! [/quote']

I was thinking the same thing this morning...it is good to be used to a higher level of pain and to have a high tolerance for it when it comes to surgeries if for nothing else, lol....we will all do very well!!!

[Brenda0928 145]

Well i thought 600mg of gabapentin was helping but i was wrong..im going to try a higher dosage..so far T3s are what dull it out enough...its bad..just about ended up in hospital ER cause my pain gives me lots of migranes..

Hopefully the surgery and resulting weight loss will help all of us and our auto immune disorders!! I want my body to focus on healing itself instead of fighting and destroying itself for a change, forever!