I take Remicade & Methotrexate for RA looking to get banded early May. Anyone take the drugs?? Did you have to skip any doses before surgery? If so how did your RA hold up with out the drugs? I have an appointment to talk to my RA doctor about what to do before I get banded. Did you heal ok after you had it done?

Also if you have been banded and lost weight with RA have you seen improvment with the RA?

Excited to get Banded! :cheers2:

I have ankylosing spondylitis and will be going back on methotrexate shots post surgery...I am concerned about not being able to take my NSAIDs after surgery...I am waiting to hear from my doctor regarding all of this...I certainly know where you are coming from on this! I would be very interested to know what your doctor says. I am dreading going off my meds pre-surgery...I might not be able to move for the pain and stiffness!

Good luck!

I went and spoke with my Doctor last Friday - he advised me to go off the methotrexate one week before and one week after surgery and to have it done when I am due for my Remicade (so it at the point when it's out of my system) and wait a week to get the Remicade - I think I will wait 2 weeks if I can. I'm worried about being in pain with out all my meds.

Good luck to both of us :regular_smile: I'm hoping losing weight will help with the pain as well as everything else!

I have Reactive Arthritis and Osteoarthritis and take Azulfidine for it. I finally was able to get off prednisone Jan 25, 2008. I am getting banded April 23 and have been wondering if I can take the azulfidine without cutting or crushing it. (since it's enteric coated) Any thoughts?