Autoimmune Issues and VSG?

[Aline728 301]

@tonyamac...thank you for sharing, i take six pills once a week, and this info hélps me soooo much.

[Aline728 301]

@ Irisheyes...this was one of my concerns, thx for sharing

[Tjohnson322 26]

Thank you, everyone! My hope is that the weight loss will help the meds work a bit better, and help with my overall fatigue and aches!!

[LadyKatie 61]

Oh! I forgot to mention' date=' I felt great for 4 weeks after surgery! Went into total remission. I imagine my over active immune system finally had thing to do other than mess with the RA. It was wonderful![/quote']

Yikes!! I had surgery may 22, and I feel WONDERFUL off my meds for my rheumatoid arthritis. I am 17 days post-op and feeling wonderful, but I read your post and got worried that my RA will flare up after 4 weeks or so. I have been off my meds for 4 months now.

[LadyKatie 61]

Yikes!! I had surgery may 22' date=' and I feel WONDERFUL off my meds for my rheumatoid arthritis. I am 17 days post-op and feeling wonderful, but I read your post and got worried that my RA will flare up after 4 weeks or so. I have been off my meds for 4 months now.[/quote']

I forgot to add originally I had 18 pills and an IV once a month.

[Brenda0928 145]

Yes' date=' on Humira. I was told to stop two weeks prior and resume two weeks after although I stopped a few days early and didn't resume until 4 weeks so I could get maximum healing.[/quote']

I am on Enbrel and was told I would not have to stop taking it preop and that It might be revised afterward....but I might need to switch to injected methotrexate instead of the tablets.

[Brenda0928 145]

TonyaMac-- my weight went way up.after my diagnosis too' date=' and I'm pretty sure its from the on/off prednisone use over the last 10 year's...[/quote']

Same here....RA since 2008 and have gained 60 pounds since then and was overweight to start with....between the meds, Flareups and pain, exercise and weight loss are so difficult...my drs say I am fighting a losing battle and not for lack of trying.....this tool should help me immensely and I cannot wait!! Getting sleeved on June 26th!!

[LadyKatie 61]

Same here....RA since 2008 and have gained 60 pounds since then and was overweight to start with....between the meds' date=' Flareups and pain, exercise and weight loss are so difficult...my drs say I am fighting a losing battle and not for lack of trying.....this tool should help me immensely and I cannot wait!! Getting sleeved on June 26th!![/quote']

Me too! I gained 100 lbs from the meds over a period of time. I know it was the prednisone and Remicade. I was so afraid to do the surgery because I worry if ill regain it because of my meds. My doctor assured me I'd lose the weight!

[Brenda0928 145]

Thank you' date=' everyone! My hope is that the weight loss will help the meds work a bit better, and help with my overall fatigue and aches!![/quote']

I an right there with you!!

[Brenda0928 145]

Yikes!! I had surgery may 22' date=' and I feel WONDERFUL off my meds for my rheumatoid arthritis. I am 17 days post-op and feeling wonderful, but I read your post and got worried that my RA will flare up after 4 weeks or so. I have been off my meds for 4 months now.[/quote']

I have had Ra since 2008 and have failed on humira; am on enbrel now and 8mtx per week...starting to fail enbrel now but not making changes until a few weeks after surgery...friends talk about remission but I have never had that luck and relief....maybe this will help me get there and get rid of the sleep apnea among other things too!! Wishing the best for all of us autoimmune sufferers!! And everyone else too, of course!

[Brenda0928 145]

Me too! I gained 100 lbs from the meds over a period of time. I know it was the prednisone and Remicade. I was so afraid to do the surgery because I worry if ill regain it because of my meds. My doctor assured me I'd lose the weight!

my stomach growls ALL the time, especially when on the prednisone!! Therefore I eat more, stretching out the stomach....my dr said after my egd that my internal stomach is "huge" so he will have to remove more than normal to make it a "normal" post op size...crazy! As long as it won't growl so much,I will be happy. All of my drs--primary, pulmonologist, and rheumatologist all recommended the sleeve over a year ago. Took me that long to research it and make my commitment to change my life! Now I am ready and can't wait!!!

[LadyKatie 61]

Good! That makes me feel better. I'm 22 and was diagnosed at 14, but suffered with it since 2nd grade (labs didn't show it). I have always hated ring overweight, but my main goal is to get my RA under control. My doctors tell me I pretty much have no chance of remission except during pregnancy. I want to prove them wrong. I want to know what it's like to wake up and feel good!!

[SusieK710 130]

As much as the vanity aspects are wonderful, decreasing the RA symptoms to be able to keep active and work were my primary goals. If it can keep me working even a few months longer, it will have paid for itself, even being self pay. I was disappointed afew months back when I was hoping for a major long term remission and it wasn't happening. Feel great now! Granted, it's summer and I switched to a desk job but I'm hoping I've hit the threshold where the meds are able to control with the lower weight. Joints feel good 90% of the time now. Pray it will stay this way. Blessing to you all fighting the battle! Stay stubborn and strong!

[ladybug112000 114]

I have lupus and RA as well. I have to stop the methotrexate injection 3 weeks before and 3 weeks after surgery. Is there anything out there that would help with the pain? I'm terrified of flair ups and the pain that I know I will have.

[Brenda0928 145]

As much as the vanity aspects are wonderful' date=' decreasing the RA symptoms to be able to keep active and work were my primary goals. If it can keep me working even a few months longer, it will have paid for itself, even being self pay. I was disappointed afew months back when I was hoping for a major long term remission and it wasn't happening. Feel great now! Granted, it's summer and I switched to a desk job but I'm hoping I've hit the threshold where the meds are able to control with the lower weight. Joints feel good 90% of the time now. Pray it will stay this way. Blessing to you all fighting the battle! Stay stubborn and strong![/quote']

Susie, thank you for the encouragement and info on meds and pain levels...I would not wish my RA pain on my worst enemy...luckily I have a high threshold for pain....but if reducing my weight will improve my symptoms, that is my number one reason for the surgery, and then overall better health, activity, and any cosmetic improvements that come with it will not be turned away either