New - sleeve with autoimmune disorders

[angiem1973 11]

I am so glad to see this thread. While I don't have MS or Lupus (bless you all that do have it), I have debilitating Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. I am pre-op (March 27th!!) and I am hoping the loss of some of the weight will help the pain (it certainly can't make it worse)

[Clinton6 16]

I am excited to see this thread!! I also no not have MS like the OP. I do however have CRPS which causes me severe (fibro like ) nerve pain :/ surgery is the 25th and I am so interested so see what role my surgery plays in my daily pain. Will losing the weight offer relief that meds cannot?! Let's keep in touch and keep this thread going! I know we are all rooting for each other!

[Carin 6]

Hi New Life, I apologize for the delay in responding. I am also on Tysabri. It has been a blessing to me. Prior to Tysabri, I was on Avonex. After I had a relapse, I switched to Tysabri. I have my last doctor's visit next Tuesday. I am excited, nervous and scared. I know I will be thankful that I did it in the long run. Take Care.

[new.life.2014 17]

I just wanted to check in to see how everyone is going. I finally have a surgery date of May 20. Has anyone had surgery yet? If so how are you doing?

[Clinton6 16]

I'm post op!! My Surgery was on the 25th! Everything went great. I'm so lucky I have no vomiting, no nausea, no reflux, nothing!! I've not been able to tolerate Protein Shakes at all since surgery. My NUT is ok with me not having them, as long as I'm able to get my Protein in thru eggs, Greek Yogurt & ground chicken.

[mommamel 10]

Hi my name is Melissa and I'm new to the site. I have RA and hypothyroidism and most recently have been diagnosed with severe obstructive sleep apnea. Prednisone has been part of my nightmare as well gained 60+pounds since beginning in 2009. Not the only reason but a contributing factor none the less. I am scheduled for VSG surgery April 29th with Dr. Wasser at Virtua, Mt. Holly. Tomorrow I am beginning my two week liquid pre-op diet, and am so excited to be one step closer to my goal. My doctors have all been very supportive of my decision to have surgery, and my family as well. Only my best buds know I'm having surgery, so I'm still "in the closet." I'm hopeful that this will ease the burden on my already stressed joints and reduce the need for some of my meds (currently 15 daily and 2 weekly). I so happy to see so many others like myself.

[fabu1978 11]

Hi my name is Melissa and I'm new to the site. I have RA and hypothyroidism and most recently have been diagnosed with severe obstructive sleep apnea. Prednisone has been part of my nightmare as well gained 60+pounds since beginning in 2009. Not the only reason but a contributing factor none the less. I am scheduled for VSG surgery April 29th with Dr. Wasser at Virtua, Mt. Holly. Tomorrow I am beginning my two week liquid pre-op diet, and am so excited to be one step closer to my goal. My doctors have all been very supportive of my decision to have surgery, and my family as well. Only my best buds know I'm having surgery, so I'm still "in the closet." I'm hopeful that this will ease the burden on my already stressed joints and reduce the need for some of my meds (currently 15 daily and 2 weekly). I so happy to see so many others like myself.

Please keep us posted. I have very aggressive form of RA and thinking WLS. I have an appt with a doc in cherry hill tomorrow. Can you tell me what your first appointment was like with surgeon? How long did it take to get a surgery date?

[gamergirl 4,610]

I have RA and am hypothyroid ans I'm 9 months post op. I will say that the surgery has helped immensely. My thyroid meds are at a lower dosage. For 8 months my RA kept getting better and better. I then allowed myself one cheat day a week during which I ate grains and sugar. Bam! Two days later, my joints hurt again, I had to go back on shots etc. Stupid part is, it took me 2-3 weeks to figure out that the flare ups were related to what I was eating.

So I would say the surgery does reboot our immune systems which are largely in the gut, the weight loss dies help on joints, the reduced inflammation in our cells does get better.

But only if you do your part and stay away from the things that have historically triggered you.

[wardps 3]

I have just joined and went right to this thread. I have hypothyroidism (Hashimoto's Auto Immune) and am getting close to getting a surgery date...finally! I started this journey in July 2013. Went through all the surgeon's required testing an thought I was well on my way to getting this surgery approved. Then they called to tell me my TSH level was elevated and needed to follow up with my primary care physician. Started on levothyroxine and waited 3 months to have another TSH drawn....and it had increased dramatically! I was so down....and at a loss as to how to proceed and unfortunately had a primary care provider that just questioned whether I was compliant with taking the medication and ordered a small increase in dosage. Waited another 6 weeks or so and TSH had decreased somewhat but was still way high. Finally got into an endocrinologist.....long story short, my dosage was adjusted x2 and my TSH, while still elevated, is to a point where he and the surgeon have decided I can move forward with the process to get the gastric sleeve procedure! Yay! Now waiting to hear about insurance pre-cert, etc....

I am encouraged to read about some of your positive responses about how the surgery improved symptoms...especially since I have been suffering with terrible knee, ankle, foot pain for so long! It limits my activity and I know I will need to be able to be more active to have the best results post surgery!

Any suggestions or tips about shopping before the pre op and post op diet requirements? Did you stock up on things and were glad or do you wish you had waited before stocking up on certain things? Thanks!

[Luigi5144 29]

@@rensterness Can I ask if your antiphospholipid syndrome effected the surgery process? pre-op, during and post-op?

[Marge1927 3]

Hi Everyone!

I have been diagnosed with MS for 4 yrs. now. My surgeon recommended GS over banding and bypass surgery due to the MS. I had to skip the last two surgery dates due to a bad relapse in July as I had terrible vertigo and went numb on my entire left side. After two rounds of high dose steroids was able to come down from the vertigo. It was terrible with throwing up for 36 hours straight and not able to walk. Thank God after six months I am back to base line and walking, have short term memory loss but just meet with surgeon on Monday and said he will proceed with my WLS, he has it scheduled for Feb.3rd and I am very anxious but nervous at the same time, just want to recover with no complications or another relapse. Keep me in your prayers as I will you all as well, and glad everyone is doing well. Did anyone have any issues after the surgery that I should be aware of? Looking forward to a new year and a new me with more energy. I take Avonex once a week, but my bloodwork shows no antibody build up to the medicine so its the MS. God Bless and hope to hear back!