auto immune disorders and the sleeve

[akarigger 7]

i just wanted to see how others made out after receiving the sleeve. I have auto immune disease and i am kind of worried about post surgical symptoms. My surgery is June 12th and i am scared and excited at the same time.

[Indigo1991 1,612]

I have an autoimmune disease (psoriatic arthritis, little psoriasis but severe arthritis) and was sleeved five weeks ago. I don't want to give you or anyone else false hope, but the surgery has put my condition into remission.

No-one can understand why, not even my rheumy. I was on two immune suppressant treatments just to keep everything at bay - methotrexate (chemo drug) for last 7 years (max dose for last two years) and had been in discussion about cutting back - I stopped it 7 weeks ago and currently don't need it. Also inject a biological therapy once a week. Rheumy restarted it 3 weeks post surgery to stay ahead of my immune system starting to attack my joints again and, touch wood, all is going well.

So down to one jab a week and my life has been transformed. I know it may return with a vengeance so am taking things week by week. Bariatric centre and rheumy watching with interest.

Good luck with your surgery, I wish you the very best and a good outcome for you!

[courtoomp 107]

I have lupus and have noticed an improvement in my symptoms. I take hydroxychloroquine and haven't had a flair since sleeved Jan 23.

This surgery seems, somehow, to put ppl into remission or seriously lessen the symptoms. It is unknown why. Kinda like how autoimmune disorders frequently remit during pregnancy.

So be open with your rheumy but I don't think an autoimmune disorder is a reason not to get the sleeve. I think it may be more of a reason to go for it (and the added bonus to easier arthritic control with increased weight loss)!!

[akarigger 7]

thanks for your responses ladies. It puts MRI nerves a little more at ease to know that there is hope. I have been diagnosed with both lupus and multiple sclerosis and am hoping that i have the same success.

[LadyKatie 61]

I have rheumatoid arthritis. I was sleeved may 22 and I have been off my meds for 4 months now and I feel wonderful! It sucked being off the meds pre-op but as soon as I HDTV the surgery I felt fantastic. I don't know how long I'll feel this good, but for now I will stay off my meds and enjoy every minute of it. The surgery was the best decision of my life. I know I am not far along, but I know it will be. The main reason I got it, was in hopes of helping my RA. Less weight on my joints=feeling better hope this helps!!

[Indigo1991 1,612]

Kcolli28, I hope you continue to keep well and that u stay off meds for as long as possible :-)

[Indigo1991 1,612]

Akarigger, hope your surgery went well, let us know how you are doing.

[LadyKatie 61]

Kcolli28' date=' I hope you continue to keep well and that u stay off meds for as long as possible :-)[/quote']

Thank you!! I do too!

[O2BSkinny 247]

I have lupus and had a smooth surgery.

[CodyJ4040 0]

I have lupus I'm a 32 yrs old female and nervous about sleeve, scheduled to have it done in August. You guys helped me a lot...any other advice?

[Melixxa 125]

I have been diagnosed with both lupus and multiple sclerosis and am hoping that i have the same success.

Lupus and MS are a lot to manage...Maybe taking obesity out of the equation will make life simpler? I'm sending best wishes for excellent health!

[Denise Smith 6]

I have Chron' s FIBROMYALGIA,lupus....I am a diabetic, with gastroperisis neuropathy of the legs and bladder. I have been a diabetic for 23 years. The reason I am having this operation is because I am unable to digest food.< /p>

[jayker 20]

New. In fact my first post. Found this thread wkile lurking. I have ankylosing spondylitis. I take Humira. I have constant moderate pain in my SI joints and a recent complication is peripheral neuropathy in both feet and spreading up one leg. I get home from work and crawl into bed.

Desperation and my wife have brought me to vsg. Went to a seminar last week. Dr. Consult next week. Scared anxious hopeful worried 59 and wanting to have the loss of 100+ lbs give my joints some relief and allow me to enjoy my grandkids and get through a couple more years of work.

Hi

[Dobeigh 69]

I have ankylosing spondylitis and fibromyalgia (caused by my ankylosing spondylitis). I take Enbrel injections weekly. I'm also on a number of other medications to manage my pain. I had my surgery February 26 and was off all my meds for about a month but had to go back on them because my pain started to go back to the way it was before. For almost a month, I was able to live without my meds. I've lost 56 pounds and I thought my pain would get better but right now I'm flaring and having the worst pain I've had in a very long time. So losing weight for me hasn't helped. I still have a lot of weight to lose so maybe losing more weight will help my pain. My ESR is normal though! So that's good!

[Melixxa 125]

I have constant moderate pain in my SI joints and a recent complication is peripheral neuropathy in both feet and spreading up one leg. I get home from work and crawl into bed.

I've lost 56 pounds and I thought my pain would get better but right now I'm flaring and having the worst pain I've had in a very long time.

My heart goes out to you guys. I'm sending best wishes that the pain eases up soon!