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Hi all. I have. An autoimmune disease called polymialgia rheumatica. Took a long time to diagnose because the average age of first diagnosis is 70. And I was 46. I had actually lost 96 pounds on my own and was in the best shape of my life. But steroids for years has put me back up over 200. So I had the sleeve done 6 weeks ago. I am tapering off prednisone. May take a year. And my rheumatologist wants me to take methotrexate. I forget who mentioned taking that I know it's a chemi drug. Any bad side effects and did it work for you? Also the original poster mentioned eyesight problems. One of the side effects of polymialgia rheumatica is giant cell something and it can blind you. Pmr. Mimics other diseases and is hard to diagnose. Needless to say my weight loss after surgery has been slow. I don't eat. Much. My rheumatologist says that the steroids make your body hold onto the weight. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

That's just the thing- it was anecdotal findings. A bunch of surgeons and rheumatologists noticed that individuals with autoimmune diseases were showing fewer and fewer signs and symptoms of their diseases. Believe me, there will be more research into this. As I stated- I don't care what the modality of change was/is- I'll take it!!! I haven't had but a handful of pretzels over the last couple of months. So really, no gluten here either. As for Cymbalta- I was given that for an off-label symptom of the RA- peripheral neuropathy. I'm weaning off now. No need!!! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I have autoimmune thyroid issues (hashimotos) and psoriasis. I am 9 months out psoriasis is very mild now. Just a little patch on my scalp... I don't like putting stuff my scalp so that is without medication. It use to cover all 4 limbs and was considered severe. I only use a topical foam 2-3 times a week now and use to take Ortezla orally... It made sick as a dog. My fibromyalgia is almost nonexistent and I am off cymbalta (And many more Rx's as well). I don't think autoimmune can be cured but WLS has made it 95% better. But why? Was it weightloss alone? Low carb/ low sugar diet? No NSAIDs. And old Rx was making it worse? I don't know. I do know I am 99% gluten free. My NUT allows whole grain In appropriate quantities in maintenance but I have chosen not to bring them back. I gut tells me it is the gluten. I really think there is something to diet and autoimmune connection. I don't think I would have realized that without WLS. And maybe giving up dairy or soy would work for someone else. Dairy is my main protein source and I am clear while eating. I lost weight on medifast which high soy and had the worst psoriasis flare of my life so I know it is more than just weight loss.

I am an autoimmune nightmare. Literally. Started with APA and then Rheumatoid, then Sjogrens. You name it. Though SLE was in the cards but got lucky there. There was some anecdotal findings about people with severe RA having had bypass who went into remission. That's all I needed to hear. Sign me up. In 9 years time, I didn't have a day without pain, fatigue, depression, you name it. Couldn't walk to the bathroom without pain let alone to the corner. Well, I had the bypass in March. Six months ago. Guess what? I will not say I'm in "remission" ( the Rword!) BUT I also have literally been pain free/symptom free since that day. I have NO clue why, and frankly, I don't care. All I know is that these have been the best 6months in forever. I'll take it. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App I am an autoimmune nightmare. Literally. Started with APA and then Rheumatoid, then Sjogrens. You name it. Thought SLE was in the cards but got lucky there. There were anecdotal findings about people with severe RA having had bypass who went into remission. That's all I needed to hear. Sign me up. In 9 years time, I didn't have a day without pain, fatigue, depression, you name it. Couldn't walk to the bathroom without pain let alone to the corner. Well, I had the bypass in March. Six months ago. Guess what? I will not say I'm in "remission" ( the Rword!) BUT I also have literally been pain free/symptom free since that day. I have NO clue why, and frankly, I don't care. All I know is that these have been the best 6months in forever. I'll take it. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

These posts are so for me. I'm 39, about to get sleeved next month and my biggest worry are my mystery autoimmune diseases and fibromyalgia. I have sooo many health issues and on about 18 meds. I am in major pain all the time since my single digits and I need morphine daily to make me just comfortable enough to manage my days. I'm very worried about the exercise components even though I am a swimmer which is good. I, also allergic to the sweetener as per tame. The dietitian is going to be doing the food class with me one on one bc of that and the diabetes. I have been looking for others like myself and really happy I found this post Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-T807A using the BariatricPal App

Well, I've never used this forum on anything other than my phone- until today. Discovered status bars and VIP membership. Who knew? Most of you know who I am already, but my stats-- 49, female, married for 20 years 3 kids -19, 16,15 boy girl boy. Just got my oldest off to college for the first time. I live in the suburbs of Chicago- and grew up in the city itself. I practiced dentistry for almost 20 years before I became ill with an autoimmune disorder. My weight gain was directly related to this- high doses of prednisone combined with the inability to move around. The catalyst for surgery came from my rheumatologist who was reading anecdotal reports of people with RA who had bypass going either into remission or having a dramatic drop in symptoms. I didn't respond to any traditional or experimental meds on the market, so my thought was- the WORST case scenario for me would be less pressure on my joints. Luckily, I've not had any flares or RA symptoms since surgery. I got my life back. I'm contemplating returning to work now. I won't go back to active dental practice- I'm too scared, quite frankly. Worry of a relapse happening, my hands literally freezing up while working on a patient- so many scenarios of bad. People don't realize that RA can actually be deadly. They equate it with osteo arthritis. I'm an avid- maybe rabid?? Lol- hockey fan, and am thrilled beyond belief that my beloved Blackhawks are so Fricking amazing! Also- a huge college football fan (Go Wildcats!) That's that. I so appreciate the wisdom, wit and camaraderie here. These are my kiddos-- just cause I'm proud of them! Oldest is studying Sports Management at Iowa and plans on law school after. My daughter has an amazing voice and has been studying opera since 12, but wants to be an anesthesiologist-go figure! Youngest guy is the funny one, football player. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

@@LisaMergs Inside comments/jaunty banter is simply a form of familiarity. Not to worry- we have all been new here That said- what kind of surgery you have also has a TON to do with whether you can tolerate carbs or not- the "bad" kind, that is. Five and a half months out, I still can not tolerate a piece of banana. Others can. It is always trial and error. And maybe one day I'll be able to- who knows? Sleeve patients don't always experience "dumping" - when the sugars hit your intestines and are not able to be processed like before surgery. That is part of the "accountability factor" associated with bypass. Now some sleevers DO dump- and there are a handful of bypass pts that DO NOT. Typically that is not the norm. Same could be said for fatty foods/greasy fried foods. The point is- GOOD SOLID nutrition is ubër important for ALL of us to not only be successful with the WL tool we now have, but ultimately, to be successful at maintaining our loss. There are ways to "eat around" your surgery- namely by not following the no drinking while eating or for 30 min after you finish eating. I, personally, try and follow a ketogenic diet. Not all NUT will agree with this diet. However, because inflammation is a huge issue for my body- cellularly speaking- and the autoimmune issues I have, my docs and NUT are fine with this- and I have been symptom free since surgery. How cool is that??? One thing I will say- not ALL WLS patients have ready access to a NUT. Some see theirs only before and maybe once or twice after surgery, so if they were unclear about nutrition, and can't find what they need to know here or elsewhere on the internet ( lots of conflicting information out there), then the likelihood is they may be confused or unaware. And because we here all see different doctors- again- conflicting information- and debates ensue. What you need to do is work with your NUT and bariatric team, take what you need from here, and make an educated decision. Hope that helps! Lisa Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App Hi There! I just want to clear up one comment. Most gastric bypass patients DO NOT dump. Only 30% of bypass patients have dumping syndrome and many of that 30% clear up after around a year. Also, there are sleevers who dump as well although it is even less common.

Inside comments/jaunty banter is simply a form of familiarity. Not to worry- we have all been new here That said- what kind of surgery you have also has a TON to do with whether you can tolerate carbs or not- the "bad" kind, that is. Five and a half months out, I still can not tolerate a piece of banana. Others can. It is always trial and error. And maybe one day I'll be able to- who knows? Sleeve patients don't always experience "dumping" - when the sugars hit your intestines and are not able to be processed like before surgery. That is part of the "accountability factor" associated with bypass. Now some sleevers DO dump- and there are a handful of bypass pts that DO NOT. Typically that is not the norm. Same could be said for fatty foods/greasy fried foods. The point is- GOOD SOLID nutrition is ubër important for ALL of us to not only be successful with the WL tool we now have, but ultimately, to be successful at maintaining our loss. There are ways to "eat around" your surgery- namely by not following the no drinking while eating or for 30 min after you finish eating. I, personally, try and follow a ketogenic diet. Not all NUT will agree with this diet. However, because inflammation is a huge issue for my body- cellularly speaking- and the autoimmune issues I have, my docs and NUT are fine with this- and I have been symptom free since surgery. How cool is that??? One thing I will say- not ALL WLS patients have ready access to a NUT. Some see theirs only before and maybe once or twice after surgery, so if they were unclear about nutrition, and can't find what they need to know here or elsewhere on the internet ( lots of conflicting information out there), then the likelihood is they may be confused or unaware. And because we here all see different doctors- again- conflicting information- and debates ensue. What you need to do is work with your NUT and bariatric team, take what you need from here, and make an educated decision. Hope that helps! Lisa Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

It's an autoimmune disease that hypothyroidism is associated with. The other thing is - Biotin can increase TSH levels. Sent from my KFFOWI using the BariatricPal App

I'm not too certain if you mentioned having arthritis, but as I do suffer from it- both rheumatoid ( an autoimmune disease ) and osteo, as well as migraines. I didn't mourn the thought of not having certain foods, rather the loss of my best friend, ibuprofen. I literally lived on it- 4 at a time. The point is- I would not make your decision based upon the ability or inability to take it. I'm 5 months post op RNY, my RA has NOT FLARED (I fear the word remission still- will revisit that at the one year mark) and the only two headaches I've had post op were easily managed with a single Tylenol. So one never knows how many things will get better post op. Choose your surgical tool based upon what you think will hold you the most accountable and offers you the greatest chance of success. And, of course, you feel most comfortable with. Good Luck! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I never met a fat fruitarian! I think it depends on what else you eat along with fruit in a day. Too much Protein turns to carbs as well. We need the Fiber and the liquid in our gut. Many autoimmune patients with Hypothyroidism especially need to keep things moving. Sent from my QTAQZ3 using the BariatricPal App

Very sorry to hear about all your troubles! Pregnancy is a big trigger for autoimmune diseases. My understanding of celiac is that we are born with the gene for it, but it might not activate until it is triggered by something - pregnancy, a virus, stress. For me - I'm pretty sure it was stress. Fear of the increased risk of developing other autoimmunes and cancers is what has made going gluten free so easy for me. Also - the sleeve is a big big assist. I recommend you do the capsule endoscopy if you can. I like hard data and I'm really looking forward to seeing the difference in my intestines in 6 months. I'm hoping it's a dramatic change !

Hi there- I was also diagnosed with celiac from the endoscopy. My GI took an intestinal biopsy that came up positive. After that we did the antibody and genetic blood testing just to be sure. My doctor said the sleeve wouldn't interfere with celiac treatment- as @@OutsideMatchInside said the post-op diet is essentially gluten free. The main difference is we will never go back to eating grains at all in small amounts when our plans allow it. I actually have a lifelong allergy to ri ce as well so I'll be practically carb free from here on out, with the exception of fruits, veggies, Beans etc. If you are having gastric bypass or another surgery that changes your intestines it is a problem. Sleeve should be fine. My GI has me doing a capsule endoscopy- I swallow a pill sized 360 camera that photographs my intestines and the damage caused to them by celiac. I'll repeat the procedure 6 months later so we can conpare the photos and see if my intestines have begun to repair themselves under the absence of gluten. My one big regret regarding the sleeve so far (and it's a big one, it bugs me every day) is that I didn't try 6 months of a gluten free diet before getting sleeved. Celiac is autoimmune and doesn't just act on your intestines- you can have immune responses in almost every system in your body. It's entirely possible that my great difficulty losing weight was in part due to celiac and many of the other problems I had chalked up to obesity. Experts now believe up to a third of celiac sufferers are obese. But in the end does it really matter? No, because getting healthy by losing weight is the plan and I'm doing that already. If you want to talk more let me know. I'm only 6 weeks post op and still learning about celiac and the gluten free diet myself. But, God I feel so much better already and I really don't think it's just the sleeve to thank for that. I hope you feel better too. Oh! And besides the obvious stuff like bread and pasta- gluten hides in other places you wouldn't expect. Soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, anything with malt vinegar, some Vitamins. So keep an eye out.

So I have a fairly severe allergy to candida and also have autoimmune and need to take a daily probiotic to stay healthy. Is this something we can take post-op? If so, how do you take yours? Capsule, break the capsule, liquid form (if that exists)? Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

My surgeon required an upper endoscopy both for the imagery and pathology it provided as well as the h pylori test. I also did a breath test for h pylori. FWIW - my endoscopy revealed I had celiac disease, an autoimmune disorder that I'm now treating while recovering from sleeve surgery. So the endoscopy was hugely important to me.

I've seen rheumatologists before for other chronic pain issues but not for this. It would take forever to get into one, the last time took over six months, and I know for a fact that the ones here in town wouldn't entertain an EDS diagnosis. They'd want to send me to a geneticist and the wait list is two years long. My concern with the celiac thing is if I haven't been exposed to it for a few months, why would I be showing symptoms now? I've read many studies now where it does happen that celiac "activates" after major surgery and mimics gallbladder symptoms but the gluten component is missing. He also didn't say whether the villi were flattened. I tried cheese this weekend and confirmed that milk is an absolute no-go but it didn't cause as much of the gallbladder-y pain, just stomach and gas pain. I wonder if the GI doc will do some allergy and gluten testing anyway. Gluten seems to be in everything, so it's possible I was exposed without knowing it. I've had a chronically elevated SED rate for a few years now, slightly so, that the last rheumy blamed on being overweight after testing for inflammatory processes came back negative (his words.) Looking at autoimmune possibilities, lupus and spondylosis seem to fit the bill looking at the big picture, with Sjogren's a distant third. I've been tested for ankylosing spondylitis in the past based on chronic pain symptoms and was negative but now I see only 30-some% of people actually carry the marker for it. All of that really doesn't matter because the first-line treatments all seem to be the same: prednisone, which I can't have because of the gastric bypass. I asked my surgeon about it when I was in the hospital since he thought it was IBS and he said no because it's a steroidal anti-inflammatory. So yeah, now it's just seeing what the GI doc has to say.

I never had vomiting with my gallbladder. And the symptoms do sound like that. Regardless of family history the key risk factors are the F's-- fat, female, fair and fertile (child bearing years). And yeah ct scan can't see sludge. My daughter has EDS and while I know there are digestive issues involved (and she has some) it's rarely the acute symptoms you describe. As for celiac, you know they can't test for that when you are gluten free. And there is a simple blood test these days to look for it (my understanding is it still has to be confirmed but it's a strong indicator with this simple test.) Have you seen a rheumatologist? They are the ones who might be able to connect the dots--celiac, EDS, autoimmune. But the gallbladder seems like the culprit to me!

The results of my biopsies came back. The stomach ones were normal. The intestinal ones showed "acute lymphocytic infiltrates consistent with celiac disease." My surgeon said there are a few other markers to look for to be celiac and I don't believe I've ingested any gluten in a few months. It could also indicate something else autoimmune. Now I have to see the gastroenterologist. My surgeon said to keep doing what I'm doing if it works for me. *sigh*

I do have my gb. They checked both in the CT and said they were fine. My gb was also fine at my pre-op gb ultrasound. I'm not convinced, though. I have a long history of a set of the same specific reoccurring but long-lasting (four weeks plus) gb-type symptoms with varying vague diagnoses from different doctors. I've never had a HIDA scan, though. My family history is incomplete because I know nothing about my dad's side. My mom's side has no history of gallbladder issues so they look at that, the fact that I have no vomiting, and rule out gallbladder issues with normal CT scans. I also have severe GERD that is controlled by omeprazole. Complicating that, I have fibromyalgia, which several rheumatologists have said is probably secondary to another autoimmune disorder but they haven't found enough information in bloodwork to figure out what it is. I was recently told by another specialist that I likely have Ehlers-Danlos Hypermobility, something that was all ready suspected by my family doctor (who follows me for my fibro and laundry list of other issues) and myself. That can cross-type with other variants of EDS, some of which can cause issues with the digestive system, and that would also explain issues I have with my heart that my mother's side also does not have a history of. My mom's side actually has no history of any of my issues besides obesity. Sooooooooo...yeah. I woke up Thursday feeling a million times better but continue to have issues. The bowel issues are gone but the upper pain is still there. I'm struggling to eat but can stay hydrated. I follow up with my surgeon on Wednesday. If I'm still having issues I'm going to ask for a HIDA scan if he doesn't have his own plan of action. If he has no plan of his own and refuses a scan I will be presenting myself at a higher-level medical system. I can't afford to not be able to take in enough Protein for so long.

I drank Diet Pepsi for 34 years. During that time I gained 250 lbs and developed two life-threatening autoimmune illnesses. Went off it 8 years ago and eliminated both illnesses. My opinion of "diet" soda and anything else with artificial sweeteners is it's detrimental to health and well-being.

I see myself in your post.. I don't have the autoimmune disorder you do, but my name is also Amanda and in high school I was convinced that I was THE FATTEST PERSON IN THE WORLD. I've been considered "fat" since I was in middle school - if not earlier. But now, I look back at the photos, and I see a healthy, beautiful girl who had no idea who she was or how to love herself. I may have gotten fatter over my life, but at least I got smarter too!

Hi. I've been lurking for months, but this is my first post. I've come to an abrupt end of my pre-surgical rigamarole, and am just waiting for the bariatric clinic to call me in order to schedule an appointment with my surgeon for the final consultation before scheduling surgery - I wasn't expecting it to be so soon, as I only started the process on April 11th. My insurance - Excellus BCBS - requires a 6 month stretch of supervised weight loss only if they don't feel that your previous attempts at weight loss were serious enough. I guess 25+ years of constant struggle was adequate, because after my 2nd nutritionist follow-up (a group seminar and 2 follow-ups scheduled a month apart are my clinic's required minimum) I was handed my post-surgical diet info and was told to expect a call within a week. Yikes! Anyway. My name is Amanda, I'll be 38 in a month (sigh) and am 5'7" and currently about 282 (and an increasingly snug size 22.) I'm married and I have a 5 year old daughter and I live in Rochester, NY. I'm an MFA grad student and work (incongruously to the MFA) in inpatient pharmacy compounding services at the big hospital in town. I have been fat since I was about 6 years old. When I was a teenager, I was about 170-180 and thought I was the fattest thing on two legs. I look back at pictures of myself and my heart breaks for all that self-hatred, sadness, and lost time - not only because I realize now that I wasn't fat at all (you wanna see fat, 16 year old Amanda?? I'll show you FAT!! flubflabflub) but also because I realize how much it never mattered to my friends and family. This is stuff I still struggle with, though. I started gaining rapidly around 18, and have more or less hit peak mass. I was abut 245 when I met my husband 11 years ago, 270ish after having my daughter 5 years ago, and was 291 when I was weighed at the beginning of the bariatric surgery process. I've attributed my weight gain over the last decade to the insidious "domestic spread" - both husband and I have gotten fatter in that time. But that doesn't explain away all the years before that. I have a progressive, hereditary autoimmune connective tissue disease that is treated sort of like cancer - I get infusions at the cancer center every month through a port in my chest and take a low dose of oral chemo at home every week. Women with autoimmune diseases sometimes see a worsening in disease progression after pregnancy, and this was certainly my experience. I've been having to treat my disease aggressively over the past 5 years, and I've recently reached a really stupid cyclical point where the more I weigh, the less effective my treatments are, the more immobile and depressed I become, the more weight I gain, the less effective my treatments are, and so on. This decline in my health and quality of life is what pushed me to reserve a spot in a bariatric seminar in April. As the reality of surgery looms on the horizon, I've begun to worry about some stuff. Somehow I managed to avoid that certain heartbreak that is endemic to fat kids - I was never bullied for my weight (I was popular in my high school, even as a weird kid with green hair and combat boots,) I have never been (obviously, anyways) discriminated against because of my weight, I've always been lucky in love and never had a problem with finding romantic companionship, and so on. The only person that has ever had a problem with my fatness is me. It's been the thing that I've blamed for every disappointment or unhappiness in my life, even though, intellectually, I know that's total nonsense. I worry about what will occupy my thoughts once the fat is gone. What will it be like to thoughtlessly sit in a chair without anxious thoughts of weight limits and chair-smashing public humiliation? What will it be like to not have to obsessively strategize my wardrobe for maximum chub-concealment? What will it be like to simply take up less space? I feel as though I have never not been fat, and I have no idea what to expect. So, Hi!

Awesome! I have ZERO trouble avoiding meats. I was a vegetarian for a really long time, but I was the kind of vegetarian that would load up in starches (Mac n cheese, Pasta, etc.) instead of veggies. Even pre-op, I've only eaten chicken. I don't remember the last burger or steak I had...it could be never! I get so discouraged by my nutritionist's plan for significant amounts of meat first, THEN veggies. I'd so much rather fill up on Beans and vegetables. I actually have an autoimmune disease that responds very well with no gluten, so I've had to eliminate most of that, too. I'm really hoping that the post-op diet I'm on right now will reset me for a cleaner way of eating in the long run. I do loooooove good cheese, though! Sent from my iPad using BariatricPal

Yes!!!! Almost second guessing myself. I had my dietary appt yesterday and it got real! Surgeon pre-op on the 18th. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App What autoimmune do you have? Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Thank you all for your incredible advice!!!!! I learned alot!!! I have had issues with my knees since 1997! My knee issues really scare me because my dad had had a failed knee replacement last year. Little more than a year out the doctor is saying it should be redone. His first recovery was horrible and I can't imagine him going through that again. But it made me realize I need to face this issue before I need a replacement. Time to stop putting my head in the sand and being ignored by doctors! @VSGAnn2014. I have been complacent in my weight loss because I look good but really I could loose 20 more lbs and not look too thin. Maybe that is what my knees need and it worth trying. I have lost most of my weight with minimal exercise because of the knees.... Who knows how far I could go if I worked a little harder or how it could improve my health. My biggest goal is to be active and I am not there yet. I am going to look for a orthopedic sports MD. My rheumatologist is worthless. He told me to lose weight and totally ignored the fact I had autoimmune disorder that can cause arthritis and wouldn't even do an x-Ray! I am glad there are other specialist I can try. Finally I am going to give PT a try. I already have the referral and it can't hurt. @Valentina..... I looked up Synvisc... It is from chickens!!!! My dad had that a couple years ago and they called him chicken legs!!!