New to this all (29F w/RA)

Hi Leone!  That's bittersweet news! I am glad they were able to diagnose you, but it's a shame to hear that you have that. hang in there!  Yeah, prednisone and Remicade are my biggies, but they keep me up and going. I am on a very low dose (2.5 mg a day) of prednisone, but I used to be on up to 20mg a day and that is when my rapid weight gain and inactivity started :( Good luck with the psychatrist! Let me know how that goes :) I meet with the enrollment coordinator at the WLS clinic on Monday and I am NERVOUS!!!  Take care!  Michelle

Hi Michelle..

well I got word from the doctor and yes it is RA and also my blood sugar was low. I have made the appt to see the rhumetologist but he cant see me until 2 weeks! ughhhhh!!

My primary doctor told me he might put me on presidone... you know I am child bearing age and hope that when I want to start having children this will not affect the unborn baby!! I am trying to read up as much as I can... this pain is unbearable! Irene

Hi Irene! I am glad you got a diagnosis and that you are reading up as much as you can. Please don't let some of the information scare you though, some of it out there is kinda scary. The best thing I was told is that there are a lotof up and coming medicines to minimize the effects of the disease, and they like to talk about or show worst case scenarios online.  Did he give you anything to help with the pain in the meantime? I think when I had to wait to see my rheumy the first time he gave me some naproxen or aleve, and that kinda helped.  As far as the baby, I know whenever I am put on a new drug, I always ask if I was to get pregnany, what effect on the baby would this have. So far my rheumy has told me if I wanted to get pregnant, my meds would have to be changed and adjusted, and I would have to wait before I conceive. I think the only one I am on right now that would be a problem would be methotrexate.  Just make sure you ask questions, a lot of questions!!!  Hang in there...it will get better :) Michelle

Hi michelle, No nothing for the pain i dont see him until 2 weeks from now, but honestly i cant wait that long.. h e has another office thats closer to my house and possibly he has soemthing open much sooner than 2 weeks... My reg dr told me to take advil but its not doing much Yes I have LOTS of questions... ttys! irene

Hi michelle! Hope you are doing good.. well the rhumetologist sqeezed me in on Monday and i finally have a defiante diagnosis of what I have: Rhumetoid Arhtris and finally was able to get some meds to take care of this. he gave me presidone 5mg  1 a day and Planequil 200 mg 2 times a day. The presidone takes a while to kick in, its still kinda hard to get out of bed and do my regular morning routine.. I am probaly going to change my hours at work... it takes me alot longer to get ready.... and he also said I have water in one knee which is why that particular one is killing me! But overall at least I got the help I needed. How is your lapband quest coming along? Irene

Hi Leone here. Sorry about your diagnosis Irene. RA doesn't sound like fun. Michelle - my actual diagnosis at this point is fibromyalgia - so I'm hoping it stays that way.  The doctor I see next week is not a physciatrist as in head shrinker. It's with a physiatrist, who is a doctor that specializes in treating the whole body with different therapies. I'm putting a lot of faith in this appt., so wish me luck. Goodnight.

I'm so sorry to hear about everyone's pain and diagnosis. I've been batteling RA for 34 yrs, since I was 5 yrs. old. I was also diagnosed with Fibromyalgia 2 yrs. ago. That said, I've been through my share of meds. Since having my RNY on May 7th, I've been having a flare up, but don't let that discourage you. I wouldn't change my WLS for anything. Having 70lbs less to carry around has made a huge difference, despite the flare up. I'm in the process of adding a few meds to my current ****tail. I've been having Orencia infusions for 16 months. WLS has had no effect on this treatment. I'm also on 10 mg of Prednisone, which I'm tapering from 20mg. I'm adding Methotrexate and Lyrica for my Fibro. Finding the right ****tail is key. Don't despair. I know the pain is relentless and consuming. Be kind to yourself and start learning to ask for help. Good luck and God bless Rita

Hi everyone!  I am so sorry, I hope you didn't think I abondoned you all! I've had a rough few weeks, but I am doing a lot better now!  I went for my first consult visit on the 4th...it was cut short because my insurance requires documentation to show that your BMI was over 35+ for longer than 5 years. I only had 3, but I did some digging and I was able to find my records going back that showed I was BMI 35+ for 7 years! SO I go back on Friday 9/21 to talk to them again.  I also go see my Rhumy for my 8 week Remicade on Monday the 24th and I plan on discussing it with him then.  Again, I am so sorry, I will try to keep in touch better!  Take care,  Michelle

Good news!!! I have my intake appointment today and I was admitted into the WLS program!!! I'm on my way!  I have my psych eval and 1st nutritionist appt on November 6th! I can't wait!  Bad news...because of my kidney surgery on Friday Sept 28th, I needed to cancel my Remicade infusion for Monday :( Rheumy said it is too risky with the antibiotics that I am on :( But he gave me permission to up my prednisone by 2.5 if the pain get too be too much... So we'll see... Hope all is well :)

Keep us posted!!! You're almost on the LOSER side!! YEAHhhhh Irene