Hi, Thanks for the reply. I appreciate it. Well since I posted this I found out that I do indeed have hypoglycemia. My endocrinologist diagnosed me. He says he sees it alot in people who have had the surgery and who are approaching goal weight. (at the time I was 162, just 10 pounds away). He put me on a 1900 cal/day high protein/low carb diet, eating every 2-3 hours. I dont know if I eat that many calories, and I try to eat every hour or so. The upshot is that I feel so much better. As long as I can keep my blood sugar about stable I can avoid the lows which is what was making me so sick. It took about a month, but I am fine now. I try to eat a lot of protein in the morning hours, and then start adding carbs in the afternoon when I start getting tired. I found out that I needed the carbs. No energy otherwise.

Was really upset that my regular doctor missed this. Grateful the endo saw it. Was really worried there.
Kim

Hello everyone.  I'm almost 3 years out from RNY.  I've over the past year developed painful joints.  Mostly my hips, which were never painful before wls.  It started becoming so frequent that I saw my primary in February and she ordered a MRI.  However, it showed nothing wrong.  Then about 4 months ago, I started getting pain in my elbows and thumb.  Which I finally went to see a new doc for since I moved.  Now they want me to see a rhuemy.  I go Oct 16th.  I was hoping that this board would educate me a bit about dealing with this after wls.  Now I've always wished I'd gone DS now as I'm reading your posts...I'm really wishing I would have. LOL  For pain management for now, I'm just taking loads of tylenol and using biofreeze to ease the pain. 

So anyway...HELLO everyone. 

Well, as far as I know, there isn't a good option for RNY'ers.  I myself have osteoarthritis and was on NSAIDs for years.  But I weaned myself off over the year before I had RNY surgery (June 25, 2009).  I wanted to see if I could survive without them before I committed to the surgery.  I really didn't think I could because I am 50 years old and had been on them for 20 years.  And indeed, my surgeon tried to get the VSG for me, but my insurance company called it an investigational procedure and would not allow it. 

Surprisingly, I did almost as well without NSAIDs (before surgery) as I had while taking them.  And an added plus, was the swelling that went away after about a month without them.  I was so overweight I didn't realize I had so much swelling until it was gone!  And my blood pressure came down a notch too. 

Now, 3 months post-op, I use tylenol occassionally for debilitating pain.  The main problem this has posed for me has been that it keeps me from walking for exercise like I would really like to be able to do.  Now, I can walk 25-30 minutes most days.  But for the first month or so, I was lucky to get 10 minutes in a day.  I do typically pay for it in my right knee for the rest of the day after I walk, and there are days that I simply cannot do it.  My hope is, that as my weight comes down, it will get easier and easier to walk with less discomfort following. 

Anyway, that's my story!  Good luck with yours!!  connie

I have a VSG.  I have osteoarthris, am taking a great med called Limbrel.  It is working really well for me.  My Surgeon wants NSAIDS as a last resort, and really doesn't want me taking them.  It is some kind of Biologic., no stomach issues.   I don't think this med works for RA.  I am having trouble getting my insurance to pay, my pain is greatly reduced.   I love the stuff and am willing to pay for it even if my insurance will not cover.  I plan on fighting with my insurer over it.

I was approved within 10 months, with a lawyer and a plee to my congressman.  I won on my 3rd apeal (court)