Auto Immune Disease

DeLarla · June 23, 2004

I was told people with autoimmune diseases should not be banded. But I just read what the literature actually says, which is Contraindication #18: "people with autoimmune connective tissue disease such as lupus" should not be banded. Who is our autoimmune expert around here? Penni, Nightengale, Sandy... are you there?

I have Sarcoid Disease aka Sarcoidosis. Dr. Lopez knew I had this before implanting the band. How can I find out if my autoimmune disease falls in this category? Why would Lopez give me a band if he knew I had an autoimmune disease?

Did I max my quota of posts for the day?

Love you!

Penni60 · June 23, 2004

Lisa:

http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/public/lung/other/sarcoidosis/sarcoid.pdf

Here is an article that describes Sarcoidosis and how it affects the body and what organs it can attack. In the article it does not mention the Gastrointestinal system as one of the systems it affects.

On page 8 of the document it states:

"Some organs are affected more often than others. Sarcoidosis occurs most often n the lungs. It also most commonly affects the skin, eyes, lymph nodes, and liver. Less commonly, it affects the spleen, brain, nerves, heart, tear glands, salivary glands, and bones and joints. Rarely, it affects other organs, such as the thyroid gland, breasts, kidneys, and male and female reproductive organs."

I can only speculate that Lopez banded you knowing about your autoimmune disease thinking that it would not affect your recovery since it does not attack the G.I. system. Other autoimmune diseases would be a major concern in that respect. Again this is only speculation on my part. The person to ask of course is Dr. Lopez or your current doc.

Hope this helped.

DeLarla · June 23, 2004

Thanks, Penni. I had my current doc on the phone last night but had so many questions that I decided to leave this one till next time.

I heard that people with autoimmune diseases have problems fighting infection. I wonder if Sarcoid is the same. They found masses on my lungs. My lung specialists said they don't treat it since it's laying dormant, but I heard that getting banded could actually wake up the disease. That would be the end of the line for me since the only treatment is Prednisone, which would bloat me up bigger than the Incredible Hulk. Thanks again.

leatha_g · June 27, 2004

I have systemic lupus and have been banded for one year. I don't know if that's good or bad, however, I also had a history of dvt/pe and my weight was surely not helping that situation.

My weight loss has been slow and I've recently found out I have 'slippage'. I do not think my autoimmune disease had anything to do with that, but I know I'm far more healthy than I was at 250lbs.

I wish you luck with your current issues.

Leatha

DeLarla · June 27, 2004

Leatha, I'm sorry about your slippage. Thank you so much for sharing. Will you come back when you find out more? I'm curious to see if your Lupus has anything to do with your band problems. Thank you so much!