I was sleeved with may 22 and I haven't been on my rheumatoid medication in over 4 months. I feel great, which is rare for me, considering I live in Ohio (terrible weather) and summer is the worst for me. I was diagnosed at 14 years old(I'm 22 now) and could only move being on my 18 pills and monthly IV. I have only lost 18 lbs so far (which I'm stoked about), so I am wondering if my improved RA is short lived. I'd love to hear from others!!

I don't have RA but I have lupus another autoimmune disorder. Had surgery in Oct 12 I've been off my lupus meds since. My labs have been normal and lesser episodes of joint pain.. surgery or should I say weight loss helped control my lupus best thing I ever did..

Thats fantastic! Lupus is very similar to RA. I hope I'm able to stay off mine for awhile atleast. I haven't talked to my rheumatologists though. I should probably let her know what's going on. I feel she would suggest I take the medicine as a precaution, which I'd rather hold off on because of the side effects.

I have had aggressive RA since age 20....Im now 41....with some pretty bad joint deterioration ect....had surgery april 22 ....have lost 51lbs...more active than Ive been in years....walking daily....yoga and some weights....been off my meds (which were plenty) for 4 weeks without issue......still nervous but excited that maybe this is finally my ticket!!....havent done panels yet....but three months before surgery my factor was 347........yuck!!......

I posted on another forum on this site a few days ago. I was trying to get a support group together for RA and other autoimmune disorders. I'm pre-op and am very happy to see that you seem to be doing better post-op. I typically take about 1800mg of ibuprofen daily (I know, I know), and it terrifies me how disabled I might become if I can't take NSAIDs post-op. Any advice, encouragement will be greatly appreciated. I have decided to have faith that as my obesity decreases, my inflammatory levels will decrease, and my hands and feet will not be as swollen and painful.

I posted on another forum on this site a few days ago. I was trying to get a support group together for RA and other autoimmune disorders. I'm pre-op and am very happy to see that you seem to be doing better post-op. I typically take about 1800mg of ibuprofen daily (I know' date=' I know), and it terrifies me how disabled I might become if I can't take NSAIDs post-op. Any advice, encouragement will be greatly appreciated. I have decided to have faith that as my obesity decreases, my inflammatory levels will decrease, and my hands and feet will not be as swollen and painful.[/quote']

I was terrified about that too. I take 2000 naproxen, remicade, methotrexate, folic acid, and during most of winters and summers I've had been put on large doses of prednisone. I was TERRIFIED to go off my meds, but I did it. Pre-op it sucked!!! I'm not going to lie, but after I have felt better than ever and it feels cool to wake up and only take my antidepressant. I am not sure how long I'll be off my meds, but I want to feel how I feel now forever (or even feeling better than I do now). i haven't had any inflammation or pain. I had one day where my fibromyalgia acted up for about an hour but I just walked and felt better. I promise you this will be the best decision you ever make!! I also, haven't had labs, but I probably should just to see where my levels are!

I have had aggressive RA since age 20....Im now 41....with some pretty bad joint deterioration ect....had surgery april 22 ....have lost 51lbs...more active than Ive been in years....walking daily....yoga and some weights....been off my meds (which were plenty) for 4 weeks without issue......still nervous but excited that maybe this is finally my ticket!!....havent done panels yet....but three months before surgery my factor was 347........yuck!!......

I hope your levels are down, and you keep feeling great!!! Also, congrats on 51 lbs lost!!!

I have lupus and was sleeved on June 10. I also have chronic high blood pressure. I think I'm ready to get off of my blood pressure meds.

I also have Lupus and June 26 is my one yr surgiversary! I have lost 101 lbs so far. However I can't say that it has helped a lot with my joint pain and fatigue. But some days I feel like I have more energy. I'm very happy I had the surgery. It saved my life. I went off two of my lupus meds and doing ok one ur out. Labs are the same for a year. Good luck with everything.

I have RA and Fibromyalgia and I have been feeling wonderful. I don't take meds for it but cymbalta. I even questioned if I truly have it because since surgery I have not had a flair up at all. I was sleeved on 4-29.

Lupus, fibromyalgia, RA, Celiac's and other autoimmune diseases. Sleeved May 15. Feeling so much better. Down 30 and no flairs since surgery. Stopped several meds 10 days before surgery and have not restarted them. It has been a Good thing...

I don't have RA but I have lupus another autoimmune disorder. Had surgery in Oct 12 I've been off my lupus meds since. My labs have been normal and lesser episodes of joint pain.. surgery or should I say weight loss helped control my lupus best thing I ever did..

Agreed_ diagnosed with Lupus at 26 now 43, only one flare up since surgery, not even that bad. I do get tired a lot, but I am late to fall asleep and early to get up, so that would be more the reason.

I have RA and Fibromyalgia and I have been feeling wonderful. I don't take meds for it but cymbalta. I even questioned if I truly have it because since surgery I have not had a flair up at all. I was sleeved on 4-29.

That's really good to hear. That gives me a lot of hope for my RA and fibro!!

I'm another one with Lupus...So glad to hear that some of you are feeling better since the surgery. For those who aren't, I'm sending you best wishes for glowing good health and soon!

I'm set to have my surgery on July 2. I'm lucky because I have no major organ involvement with my Lupus. My only symptoms are sore joints and muscles (not even usually bad enough to take pain killers), a malar rash, lots of hair loss, and pretty hard-core fatigue. The fatigue is the worst. I sleep about 10 hours a day, plus naps, and can't keep up with a full-time job. I'm an elementary teacher, but I only work half time. Holding up my coffee cup is tiring!

My parents are worried that the surgery will complicate the Lupus stuff. But I keep thinking that if nothing else, walking around 100 pounds lighter has got to help with the tiredness....I mean, if I was carrying around 100 pounds of potatoes and someone lifted them off me, I would be a whole new woman, right?

By then I would be a bald woman, of course...

But if that's the deal, I'll take it!

I have RA. It didn't get better after surgery. In fact, I wasn't even diagnosed till post-op. When the weight came off and the Dr. could see how badly swollen some of my joints were, they did more tests and I was diagnosed.

I'm on methotextrate (6 pills once per week) and 2 sulfazines, twice per day. I haven't had any more flareups since starting the sulfazine. My hands won't close all the way but the Dr said that damage may be permanent.

Lynda

Aw Lynda, I'm sorry to hear about your poor hands. RA is a $#@*#.

It's ironic that it took weight loss to get a diagnosis. I often wonder how many of my Lupus symptoms might actually just be a result of obesity. But then, how much of my weight gain is due to Lupus...I guess it's a chicken and egg question.

Have you ever found certain diets helped with your pain, Lynda? There are lots of people saying that low carb helps, or gluten-free helps, or vegan helps...

I once had a remission coincide with a low carb diet, but I don't know if the two were related. And I can't seem to stick to any diet anymore so I have quit trying.