I have a hot tub, for other reasons, but my doctor wrote me a note and it cut out the sales tax. I know on your tax return, you can write off the cost of creating a place to put the hot tub (i.e., room addition, etc.) Check it out. Any little bit helps.

I am scheduled to have surgery on March 9, 2012.  I have been weighting to have the done for a long while now.  I have been overweight for about 6 years now.  I have high blood pressure and a hiatal hernia which has made my life miserable. 

I was diagnosed with RA about 3 months ago.  So this is all new to me.  I am not concerned about the surgery itself.  I am concerned about the internal changes and the affects it may have on my body long term.  I am currently taking Methotrexate.  The Dr. says that right now my RA is mild and we caught it early enough to treat it.

I have been reading some stories posted here.  I am VERY nervous now about my upcoming surgery and was wondering if people would mind sharing their experiences with RA and the sleeve, if you have already had this surgery.  Thank you in advance for you help.

I know how you feel about driving.  I am 4 weeks post op and won't be released until Thursday.  I think I will be taking someone with me when I drive for the first time.  I am so happy that it went well for you.  Get well real soon.


Jeanne

I have read all the posts, and thought I would let you know my story.. I was diagnosed with RA at 23 yrs. I fought it for about 5 yrs, then finally gave in. I REFUSE to take any steroids, because my mother had RA and took steroids and I watch them slowly kill her, her skin was so thin, if she cut herself, they couldn't put stitches in, because the skin just tore. And she died at age 54 from liver problems that they connected to her steroid usage over 30 yrs. Now me, I was, get that WAS, on Enbrel for 9 yrs. I will say during those years, i was down to taking just 1/2 a vicodine 500mg pill at bed time to help with restless leg. But after 9 yrs of usage, I developed pain, unbelievable pain in my tailbone area. AFter several tests, I was found to have a Chorndoma tumor on my tailbone area.. within 2 weeks they had me in surgery removing the S3,4,5 and tailbone area. I thank GOD everyday it was begine, but I now live with a 17 inch scar on my back side, and a hernia on the back side, that eventually one day I will end up with a colospocy (sp?) bag. All this is traced back to the 9yrs of Enbrel usage. NOW I am 45, and NEVER again allowed to use a TNF inhibitor. I have to use the BIG boys. The pain is unbelievable, I take 1000 mg vicodine, and lyrica for the nerve damage I now have after surgery. I am also taking methrotrexate by injection every Fri, because when you have the RNY gastric bypass, the body doesn't break it down fast enough, and it gets caught in the liver, and you get very sick.. I am also right now taking Rituxan. Which is a Chemotherapy. they give it for pain control now. But the side effect from this is a brain infection, so doctors have decided to take me off it, because I truly don't see it working. the pain is still overboard. So next since I can't take the Enbrel, and remicades. I have to take the newest thing-- IL6 inhibitor drugs. Aceterma.. it is suppose to be safer then the enbrel. The best I can tell you is PLEASE listen to your body, and your doctor. Please be careful. They always claim the drugs are safe, then after years of use, there is always something that comes up.. With the Enbrel, Bone cancer is a big thing. of course they won't advertise the problem with it, so please becareful.!!!! Well just my 2 cents..

 Hi there,
Well, on Monday I am having a wrist fusion done on my left hand, index finger. Really did not want to do this but not much choice, as my lumbar will be requiring surgery and need this hand to be functioning well first. A cast for 4 to 6 weeks, ugh, have had this done twice before for the thumbs. So tired of the pain issues, I have fibro as well.

Wish me well,
Thanks, Anna