Severe joint pain Post - op???

I posted this on the complications board, but, thought I'd repost it here... First, let me say that I do not know if this is related to WLS or not. I am trying to find out if anyone else has experienced this. Thanks! I am almost 7 months post-op lap RNY.I have lost 90 pounds and I am only 20 pounds from my goal weight of 145. Around 3 weeks ago I began having severe joint pain in my feet, ankles, knees, and wrists. I immediately went to the doctor and had full blood work done. Everything came back normal: including vitamin levels, Rheumatoid factor, Sed rate, ANA, uric acid, ect. I continue to suffer with this extreme joint pain, stiffness, and mild swelling. I am having to take Celebrex and Darvacet to function with permission from my surgeon but, obviously I am at high risk for an ulcer. In addition 1 week ago I blacked out and my PCP suspects a seizure. I therefore had a brain MRI, echocardiogram, carotid doppler, and Lyme disease test. I have not recieved these results back yet. I am desperate for answers!!! I feel like a 90 year old instead of 36. I'm thrilled with my weightloss but, feel worse than I ever have. Has anyone else ever experienced this??? Thanks for any input. Hugs Dru Lap RNY 11/10/04 254/165/145

Dru - I have not experienced this as a biproduct of the surgery - There is a family history of arthritis and gout and so it seems I began to have joint pains almost on the exact day I turned 40 (I'm sure they started before this - but I remmebr the morning of my birthday waking up, my feet it the floor & I went ogghhhhh with some before unrecognized ankle pain - I use Glucosimine that I get at Costco & just this week started HA - seems to help quite a bit - I wonder if it's just possible that you are experiencing the "joys" of aging - don't know what your age is.... just wondering if this is a possibility? Hope all tests results again come out well - Could be Lyme disease though if you're in an area of exposure - joint pain is definately a symptom.

Thanks Pam for the response. The lymes test came back negetive today. I have an appt. with a Neurologist Monday and a Rhuematologist the 17th. Yep, definately might be old age and the prior weight. I'm 36 years old. Thanks so much for your input Take care, Dru

I am going to be 50 in October so it may be aging, however, I am in constant pain. I take tylanol and when I can't sleep I take tylanol 3. Let me know what you find out, this is something else we have in common... lol Lizzi

Hi Dru, There is something called fibromyalgia you might want to check into. Some of the symptoms are extreme tiredness, muscle aches and pain, headaches, etc. I learned about this while researching medication my neurologist wants me to take for my neuropathy. I hope you start feeling better soon! Sincerely, Julie

Thanks everyone for your resonses. I insisted they do my blood work again and low and behold it came back abnormal, possibly indicating Lupus, fibromyalgia ect. So, anyway I see the Neurologist Monday and the Rheumatologist next Friday. I'll keep you posted. Thanks again! Dru

Hi Dru, As someone who suffers with this illness I just wanted to give you some information on the topic of Fibromyalgia. Please don't hate/ban me for this post! BUT.. Fibromyalgia gets mis-diagnosed SO many times. As of today there is not a blood test that 'proves' you have Fibromyalgia although they are researching a specific ANA test. Please review the symptoms of Fibro as I'm not trying to discount any pain or other symptoms you are having or saying you do not have Fibro, but I also don't like the fact that just because you are having pain in areas you didn't prior to surgery that that means you have Fibro. Believe me it is not something you want to have on your medical record as any creditibility you have with your doctors can go right out the window as there are still several doctors who feel Fibromyalgia (as well as CFS, etc.) are all in your mind. Also, unfortunately I've seen that doctors just diagnose a person with Fibromyalgia (like a catch-all diagnosis) when they can't figure out what's really causing pain or when they don't want to take the effort. Unfortunately this is more common than you'd want to know. Here are some questions to think about: Are you highly stressed? Do you lack sleep? Are you getting in all of your liquids? Are you getting in your protein? Are you taking all of your supplements? Are you exercising? Here's what I was told regarding joint pain (in areas that I didn't have pain prior to surgery or in areas where the pain was greatly reduced), light-headedness, dizziness, etc.: I consulted my doctor who informed me that due to the dramatic, speedy weight loss your body's center of gravity is off so body parts that weren't hurting prior to surgery now is constantly in pain as your body is trying to compensate for the changes. I highly suggest seeing a chiropractor or bio-mechanical doctor and get adjusted to see if that helps. Since I started having adjustments my body parts have gone back to more of my normal pain. If you blacked out and you are having joint pain in the joints you use the most it can be a nutritional deficiency. Even though your blood results came back 'normal' I would ask to see a copy of your results. Look to see if you are on the low side of any nutritional levels. I was on the low side of Iron at 3 months and later had an iron deficency. Dehydration and lack of food can make you pass out too. Also, you may want to see about your bone density as I've read about folks who for one reason or another are not absorbing the calcium they need to maintain strong bones. Good luck to you! Jennifer

Thanks again to everyone for their responces and well wishes I don't believe it's Fibromyalgia and won't accept that diagnosis because I don't have any muscle pain or trigger point pain. And as far as aspertame, I don't eat it. I have been to the chiropracter and a masage therapist with no releif. I will find out a diagnosis this week when I go to the Neurologist and the Rheumatologist and will update you then. Thanks to all Hugs, Dru

I have had some back problem and do have some problems in my joints. I have osteoarthritis, but what I wanted to say is this...A friend from church ask me if I was using products with aspertame..and I was. Look it up on the web. There are many side effects from using aspertame. My husband and I were drinking alot of the flavored drinks with nutrasweet. Nutrasweet is 100% asapertame. Might not be it...just a thought to concider. Hang In There! Rhonda

So sorry you're in such pain Dru! I totally agree with the Aspertame comment! I haven't touched the stuff since I read what it can do to you way back in 1997. As far as Fibromyalgia, a Rhumatologist will diagnose that or other arthritic conditions. I was tested years and years ago and I defiinitely have it though it's not as debilitating to me as to some other folks. With Fibromyalgia, you have peaks and valleys of pain. The bad days are called "flares". If you have Fibromyalgia you don't have arthritis necessarily but you can have both. Fibro is an inflammation of the muscles connected to the joints. You usually have pain a couple inches on either side of a joint. It can do everything from incapacitate you, to make you have a "foggy" brain. It's not in your head. It's a real disease that you can manage by learning how to take it easy on yourself and training others to help you manage it and learning what not to eat to trigger flares. Stress is a big trigger. By the way my Fibro is a lot better since I've lost weight. Good luck and keep us posted on how it's going. Alice From Dallas 11/10/04 285/184/?