Autoimmune Issues and VSG?

[Brenda0928 145]

I took my last Enbrel and Methotrexate a week ago last Friday. That means it's been 11 days since my last doses. Typically I start to feel it in my joints on shot-day. I don't know if my body is just busy recovering from the surgery and therefore releasing endorphins naturally or what' date=' but thankfully, no pain yet.

Not naive enough to believe it won't come, just grateful it's not here yet![/quote']

I have not yet felt any RA pain, 6 weeks out, but I did start back on ENBREL and mtx shots about 2 weeks ago so maybe that had made a difference?

[Marivdb 22]

I'm really praying it does make a difference....Really struggling with the current self-imposed flare. I had a functional capacity exam for my disability paperwork, and I wanted a more accurate showing...so I worked hard all weekend. Paying for it today. Praying daily that this surgery helps give me some quality of life back. I know it isn't a cure, but praying for improvement.

[Brenda0928 145]

I'm really praying it does make a difference....Really struggling with the current self-imposed flare. I had a functional capacity exam for my disability paperwork' date=' and I wanted a more accurate showing...so I worked hard all weekend. Paying for it today. Praying daily that this surgery helps give me some quality of life back. I know it isn't a cure, but praying for improvement.[/quote']

I totally understand.....I can tell you in the 6 weeks since I had surgery, I have lost 36 pounds, and 46 inches, and have gained a new lease on life!! I have been more active, more willing to go places on my own, and more willing to try new things! My son and I even inner tubed down the springs and river on Saturday for 5 hours!! I am bicycling, walking a lot, and am starting a Zumba dance class this week!

There is hope after this surgery!!! It may take a few weeks before you can do much more than small walks, and if you are like me you will live for naps, lol.....but about week 4 is when my energy really kicked in and I have been going petty much non stop ever since....I took a full 6 weeks off work and I am so glad I did....I have graduated to regular foods now, I have my foods and Vitamin routine down pat, and now I am ready to focus on my job again.....then I will hit the Y on the way home each night.......You will do great, just keep a positive attitude!! :-)

[gamergirl 4,610]

I totally understand.....I can tell you in the 6 weeks since I had surgery' date=' I have lost 36 pounds, and 46 inches, and have gained a new lease on life!! I have been more active, more willing to go places on my own, and more willing to try new things! My son and I even inner tubed down the springs and river on Saturday for 5 hours!! I am bicycling, walking a lot, and am starting a Zumba dance class this week!

There is hope after this surgery!!! It may take a few weeks before you can do much more than small walks, and if you are like me you will live for naps, lol.....but about week 4 is when my energy really kicked in and I have been going petty much non stop ever since....I took a full 6 weeks off work and I am so glad I did....I have graduated to regular foods now, I have my foods and Vitamin routine down pat, and now I am ready to focus on my job again.....then I will hit the Y on the way home each night.......You will do great, just keep a positive attitude!! :-)[/quote']

Wow 36 lbs in 6 weeks! That's fantastic. I love inner tubing and snorkeling etc. One of my main motivators for this surgery is to be able to learn how to scuba dive. Good to hear of your progress. Congratulations!

[ladybug112000 114]

SURGERY DAY!!!!!!!!! This girl is nervous!!!!!!!!!

[Blessedfun 89]

SURGERY DAY!!!!!!!!! This girl is nervous!!!!!!!!!

Praying for a quick recovery! Walk! Walk! Sip! Sip! it really is true! Blessings!

[Aline728 301]

My surgery is August 7th. I've been off methotrexate shots for two weeks and I feel pretty good. I'm taking OxyContin throughout the day' date=' but not too bad!! Hope everyone is doing good.[/quote']

I'm getting ready to start the shots since sleeved now...can u tell me a little about How this is done...

[gamergirl 4,610]

I'm getting ready to start the shots since sleeved now...can u tell me a little about How this is done...

Did you check with the rheumatologist? I was told to not get back on them until the incisions had healed. He also said to check with the surgeon and see at what point the risk of infection was almost non-existent. The surgeon said to wait until 3 weeks after surgery to start them again. So worth checking with rheumy I'd say.

[Marivdb 22]

I totally understand.....I can tell you in the 6 weeks since I had surgery, I have lost 36 pounds, and 46 inches, and have gained a new lease on life!! I have been more active, more willing to go places on my own, and more willing to try new things! My son and I even inner tubed down the springs and river on Saturday for 5 hours!! I am bicycling, walking a lot, and am starting a Zumba dance class this week!

There is hope after this surgery!!! It may take a few weeks before you can do much more than small walks, and if you are like me you will live for naps, lol.....but about week 4 is when my energy really kicked in and I have been going petty much non stop ever since....I took a full 6 weeks off work and I am so glad I did....I have graduated to regular foods now, I have my foods and Vitamin routine down pat, and now I am ready to focus on my job again.....then I will hit the Y on the way home each night.......You will do great, just keep a positive attitude!! :-)

Thanks Brenda....you give me hope. Still stuggling with this flare, and so ready to be on the losing side!!!!

[Marivdb 22]

I'm getting ready to start the shots since sleeved now...can u tell me a little about How this is done...

pretty easy, but I agree that checking with your RD is the best choice. Good luck!!

[Marivdb 22]

SURGERY DAY!!!!!!!!! This girl is nervous!!!!!!!!!

YEA for you!! praying it went smoothly and looking forward to hearing from you on how it went!!

[Marivdb 22]

I have a question....did any of you have to go off of your prednisone before surgery? I am in the middle of a huge flare and really could use just a touch of pred to get me over it. I don't want to be as miserable as I am now going into my surgery. Any thoughts? Help!!

[gamergirl 4,610]

I have a question....did any of you have to go off of your prednisone before surgery? I am in the middle of a huge flare and really could use just a touch of pred to get me over it. I don't want to be as miserable as I am now going into my surgery. Any thoughts? Help!!

You should really call your Rheumy on this. Mine had definitive ideas on when to get off what. I wasn't on prednisone but he looked at my drugs and calculated how long they last in your body, and therefore how soon before surgery I had to quit etc. what I'm saying this is a serious question for a trained professional.

Someone posted earlier on how much acupuncture helps her during a flare. Might work for you? It's in this thread somewhere.

[Marivdb 22]

Yeah

You should really call your Rheumy on this. Mine had definitive ideas on when to get off what. I wasn't on prednisone but he looked at my drugs and calculated how long they last in your body, and therefore how soon before surgery I had to quit etc. what I'm saying this is a serious question for a trained professional.

Someone posted earlier on how much acupuncture helps her during a flare. Might work for you? It's in this thread somewhere.

yeah...I really would like to ask him...but the day after my last appointment, he quit the practice and none of the other dr's in the practice are going to cover his patients. Prednisone wasn't on my sugeon's list of no no's, but I think I will call his office tomorrow and ask. My RD is opening an new practice, but not seeing patients yet. Kinda stuck between a rock and a hard place.

Thanks tho....

[gamergirl 4,610]

Yeah

yeah...I really would like to ask him...but the day after my last appointment' date=' he quit the practice and none of the other dr's in the practice are going to cover his patients. Prednisone wasn't on my sugeon's list of no no's, but I think I will call his office tomorrow and ask. My RD is opening an new practice, but not seeing patients yet. Kinda stuck between a rock and a hard place.

Thanks tho....[/quote']

My surgeon was equally helpful on the meds so I think calling him/her is a great idea.