Ginakay...I know exactly how you feel. I had a work accident in 97 that caused a trauma to my right hand and I had a gangleon cyts grow down in my hand 4 cm after being drained a few weeks before. I had the surgery, but it didn't help me I have lost 70% lost of my hand. I have tendenitis...epilcondilitis..fms..polyarthritis and was on the boarderline for RA and lupus. Find you a good Rhumy so they can really do the testing needed. My pcp did one and nothing showed up and I totally know better than that. They didn't do a full panel. The Rhumy's if they are good will find the problem and treat it . I was on the liquid vioxx till it was taken away, celebrex is too hard on my pouch still 21 months out. Have you tried Biofreeze? My Dad found a ole timey shop that sells horse linament in a gell and I can tell the difference in it forsure. Somedays I use it 3 times, my shoulders have to be settled down before bed time so hubby has to rub and rub. The horse get smells like speremint gum. I can help you get samples if need be if you can't find any of it there. My pain is to the point of taking MS medicine to help deal with the muscle pain and I am on fentynal 25 mg now. This staying in the bed or my wheelchair, I hope your dr. finds something to give you some relief. I have been to the point to where I was crying and crying asking why me why me? but then why not me? I wish you luck on your surgery, the first 3/6 months are the worst, just trying to get everything in order and a time and food listing and remember to eat and drink drink. I have been in the hospital 3 times from dehydration from antibiotics. Please keep my posted and if you need someone to talk too email me personally at [email protected] hang in there many blessings are being sent your precious way Hugs my friend, Sandy

The only one I can take is a prescription called Arthrotec. I've tried all the others and have had adverse reactions (swelling, ulcers, etc). It has a painkiller and a buffer to protect the lining of your stomach.

Hi Elissa, I just found this forum regarding arthritis and saw your message. I hope your surgery was successful and you are well on your way to recovery. You were very brave to do two at once. I am leaning the same way. Someone at work heard I was considering knee replacement and said whatever I do, don't do 2 at once. Were you able to rehab at home or did you go to a nursing home temporarily? Any words of wisdom, since you have had the experience? I am not sure how much weight I should lose prior to the surgery. If I should delay having the surgery as long as possible. If I should go for two at once or one at a time. I am 48 and was told I have no cartilage left in my knees and my ability to bend my knees at this point is minimal and painful. I had WLS on 12/28/05 (286 lbs.) and was hoping my knee pain would improve as I lost weight. I think I have lost about 38 lbs. at this point but the knee pain seems worse not better. My mother had one knee replacement at the age of 66 and my uncle (a retired orthopedic surgeon), always on the slim side, has had one knee replaced. Another Aunt, as well, has had knee replacement. Bad knees seem to run in the family. Are you swimming again yet. I also do water aroebics but I don't think I could do all the laps you do. Need to try though. I was once a very good swimmer. Take care, Jenny

Hello, I have RA, OA and fibro. I had surgery in May 2004. I had to stop my meds which were MTX injections (equiv of 6 pills a week), Enbrel, Bextra and prednisone. I stopped a month before surgery. After surgery I only took Bextra. I had a NINE month remission...which was great. Since then I can no longer take MTX...it was making me vomit, constant nausea, and diarrhea. I have tried antibiotic therapy...doxycycline..but again it made me nauseated and then I started vomiting. So my current meds are plaquinil, Lodine (NSAID) and Nexium to protect my pouch when I have to take the lodine. I am suppose to try Humira in February...I am not looking forward to shots again. I would also caution you that if your choose gastric bypass....keep in mind that lots of people have problems absorbing there meds..also there is the problem with many of the RA meds causing lots of GI problems like nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. I have two friends with RA that chose gastric bypass and both are having terrible problems with folate and other vitamin deficienes as well as problems getting there RA under control due to malabsorption. Antoinette lapband 5/04

I'd also like to know where/what dr you see for knee replacement. I've had problems with my left knee since I was about 15, and when I was 39, I had surgery on it. Well- that made it worse!! The Dr took it to bone on bone, and now they tell me that I am too young for knee replacement. I also ended up with blood clots, and on blood thinners for 4 1/2 years I've tried the synvisc-- the first one worked for about 4-5 months, and the second one, the doc didn't get in the right spot, and it didn't work at all. Now, I can't even get the VA to do anything but hand me another bottle of pills. The pain clinic docs don't like me, cuz I tell them that I want something done about it. Well, I'm still waiting. Thanks!!! Melody