RA pain

First off I want to say I am so excited that I found this forum-- I've been on OH for a while now and had no idea this was even here!

I had my sleeve on March 20th and ever since my surgery I've been inflamed all over! Even after starting all my meds up again. I feel constantly uncomfortable-- no major flare ups just inflammation everywhere.  I'm on humira, methotrexate & piroxicam-- which before really kept me out of pain (except occasional flare ups every other month or so).  I thought 46lbs off of my joints would help. It's been really hard for me to exercise with all this pain-- which is making me stall! GAH haha I have been swimming which is pretty much the best exercise EVER anyways but I don't have much motivation because of the pain.

Does anyone else have RA here?

I have RA for about 7 yrs, I also have ostio and psoriatic arthritis. I was on Humira for 18 months over 2 yrs ago, but lost my vision in one eye, I have since regained about 75% back. I am on Metho, and Rituxan infusions and my pain is still pretty bad. I had lap band on 5/6/9 and so far have lost 19 lbs. I walk and that is really all my body can handle at this point... 

Hey Blonde- I see you posting over on the VSG Board- I had VSG on 4/21.  I also have Psoriatic Arthritis, which is similar to Rheumatoid Arthritis.  I go in for IV infusions of Remicade every 8 weeks and take Methotrexate too.  I had my first remicade treatment since surgery 11 days ago- but by last friday I started having a flareup again.  I am going to see Rheumy again Thursday. 

I wonder if the surgery was trauma enough to upset the balance of things in our bodies?

Let me know how you are doing- I just found this forum also.

Robbi

I have severe RA and had gastric bypass 4/08.. I still get my usual flare ups.. I am on Rituxan and I always feel "achey".. I think maybe our bodies are trying to recoup from the surgery and weight loss.  I don't know either, sorry I can't help you.. But contrats on your weight loss and excercising.  I don't do any excercise but I know I should...Good luck on your loss.

Boy am I glad too know I'm not alone. My surgery was March 07 in March 08I had my band removed because it slipped twice. At that time my doctor did the sleeve for me. All was great and by May 08 I'd reached 140 lbs. My glee was short lived when in June I began having severe flare ups, not knowing anyone with arthritis let alone RA I had no idea what was happening to my body. when it was first suggested that it could be RA i was in complete disbelief as well as deep denial. Needless to say one year later 50lbs heavier I've come to accept that RA is in fact what I'm living with. It has changed my life completely, I was forced to retire due to the inability to perform my job duties. Prior to my initial band surgery I was taking hypertension medication. when I reached 170 I was taken off. I now take 14 pills a day and a humira injection every other week just to function. I've been swimming daily for about two months now and it's made a huge difference in my daily pain. It also helps if you have access to a sauna and steam room. I treat myself with topical ointments on a nightly basis, it's as if my new job is taking care of  me, which isn't so bad.  My struggle is letting go of the steroids that were given to me for the flare ups. (if your rheumatologist even suggest you taking PREDNISONE say no thank you. and try to find another way to cope with the flares.) It's like I'm starting over with the weight loss, I'm not giving up!  Today I'm 191 ( l'm soooo depressed ) 
Another form of exercise which I've begun is pilates some of the routines are quite gentle  on your joints. i purchased the pilates chair I love it. I hope you find a way that works for you. I also hope that my information has been of some use to you.  United in the struggle  :)  Marty 

 Hey Live blonde, just wanted to let you know when I was experiencing that lack of motivation it turned out I was really depressed. I started taking Cymbalta and a week later I had the desire to get up, get out, and not give in to this. We're fighters, even when we are knocked down, we get up and keep going. Best of luck to you.

I too have RA and have the Remicade infusions and use Methotrexate and Ibuprofen.

Somewhere on another board I read a post about someone getting a flare up after surgery. I hope this doesn't happen to me but it does seem very likely.

Feel better soon.

 It is so good to hear from others with RA.  I thought for a while there maybe I was alone.  I am having my RNY on December 2.  I am in so much pain already that I can barely move.  I will be on the lookout for worse flair ups after the surgery though thanks to your info on here.  Best of luck to everyone who deals with this painful and debilitating condition.

Oh my God, I to am sooo glad to find this formum.  I have RA & fibromyalgia.  I take Enbrel, was on methothrexate(it really messed up my liver so they took me off) and Lyrica, Tramodal and Zoloft.  I'm really not doing well.  My rhumy was going to increase my enbrel to two shots but I came down with a severe case of shingles.  Oh my God the pain!  Now the rhumy says if i increase the enbrel the shingles will return.  I don't know what to do because the enbrel isn't holding the RA.  Anyone help Me?  Thanks, Sheilaz