Annie, I couldn't believe that in the year I had to see the nutritionist and the surgeon and the hundreds of times I was asked about my medications, that NO ONE said that I couldn't take Ibuprofen after gastric bypass.  I mean, how is this overlooked?   Especially with folks with RA!?  It was so disturbing and devastating to get there and have it cancelled.  I am so very happy that I was able to help you out in that regard.  Can you imagine if we HAD gone through gastric bypass only to discover too late that we couldn't have our RA meds?  It's so frightening.  As horrible as the whole thing was, I am glad that I didn't have it.  I am now going for the Lap Band and will see if that will work for me. Good luck! Amy

I had my rny surgery scheduled for 4/10 - and after reading your post - which I am so thankful I read!- I started doing some investigating and discovered that I would not be able to take my RA medicine after surgery. I was a bit surprised the surgeon did not tell me this, but we must be self-educated. I take Methotrexate, Humira, and Indocin SR - these are the meds that work for me that make me able to function on a daily basis and without them I cannot image what my life would be like. I did contact a surgeon who does only lapbands and they indicated that with a pill to coat the stomach - Nexium- I would be able to continue with my medications, though I would have to stop the Indocin 3 days before surgery. I hope you can find out about the lapband and that it will work for you. My insurance would pay for the RNY but not the lapband as it is considered experimental for a person with my BMI - over 50 so I will file an appeal with the insurance company and work on losing some weight to lower my BMI. Please let me know how things work out for you Annie

Congratulations on you knee repalcements! I can only image what being mobile and reduced pain can feel like.  I do have a question - I have severe rhuematoid arthritis and have joint detoration in my hand wrist - etc. My knees are also deformed - the ortho dactor says that he can only do a knee replacement if I am under 200 lbs -I am at 325- so he recommeded wls. My insurance will only cover RNY - do you know if you can still take NSAIDS after wls? What I have seen on the forum is no - I see my surgeon on Monady but was just wondering what your experience has been, Sorry this is so long - but I was excited and ready for the surgery then I read no NSAIDS - and to be hosent I do not think I could get by without the NSAIDS I take. Thank for you input Sincerely Annie

Annie, Thank you for your response.  It helps to know how others responded to the same medication.  We truly are all unique individuals! Does your doctor require monthly lab work with Methotrexate? I did talk with my doctor.  I had headaches, dizziness, gi problems, and a severe case of the blues (to put it mildly) on the initial dose.  He wanted me to give this medication a chance, so he agreed to me backing down to 1/2 the prescribed dose.  I only agreed to try 1/4 the dose after the initial experience I had.  There were no side effects with the 1/4 dose.  And so far, I have no side effects with 1/2 the dose.  If I do well through Monday, then I will go up to the 3/4 dose on Monday night.  With hope and a few prayers, I will tolerate the full dose the doctor prescribed this time. He hopes I will begin to feel better after 2 months of treatment on this medication.  I look forward to having more energy and easier breathing!   *****y_girl

I don't have arthritis.  But I have sarcoidosis and type 2 diabetes.  My pulmonary doctor usually prescribes prednisone for sarcoidosis.  Because of the diabetes and my efforts to lose weight, he prescribed the Methotrexate.  He didn't tell me anything about it and I didn't look up any information about it before I took the prescribed dose. I had side effects from it at the prescribed dose of 5 mg.  So I then took 1/4 the dose last week.  Monday I took 1/2 the prescribed dose and I am waiting to see if I have any side effects from it. Could some of you who take this medication or took it in the past please tell me the dose you take of it and whether you have side effects from it?  Did your doctor start you out on the dose he wanted you to take or was the medication introduced gradually? If you had side effects, what were they?  Did they settle down or go away eventually? Please let me know what your experiences are with this medication. Please tell me what you know that I maybe didn't think to ask. Thanks. Loretta "*****y_girl"