Doc,
Thank you so much for suggesting NSAIDS which are less likely to cause ulcers. I appreciate it and will be writing these down for future consideration. I appreciate it.

I have a question for you. How likely is it for RA to be present if the RF test was negative? My PCP also did another test but I can't recall the name of it. A Rheumatologist  examined me and said I didn't have RA, said the joint pain was bacterial in nature.

It has been 6 months since the primary "RA" blood tests. Since then, my symptoms have worsened; joint pain spread from feet to hands and shoulders (symmetrical). I believe I read somewhere that in about 15 percent of the RA cases, the normal tests to detect RA may be negative. Should I be tested again for RA? Anti-biotics do not seem to be improving the joint pain (eradicating the bacteria). I just want to make sure I don't have RA before they reverse my RNY. My bariatric surgeon does want a second opinion to eliminate RA before he agrees to reverse. My PCP seems to be sure we have already eliminated RA and don't need to send me back to confirm this.

My last X-rays (feet) were 8 months ago, and I never had my shoulders or hands X rayed. Should this be done again?

As a general rule, NSAIDS are a no-no, but there are cases where they may be necessary to treat complications. I also suffer from arthritic joint pain and my bariatric surgeon and PCP both advised I take an anti-inflamatory (peroxicam) because the alternative (not taking them) meant arthritic flare ups so bad I could barely function. I did develop an an anastomotic ulcer after 4 months of NSAID use, but I took a month off from the Peroxicam, started on 2 anti-ulcer meds, and resumed the NSAID to relieve joint pain. Today (3 months after discovering the ulcer) I am happy to report my scope yesterday revealed the ulcer had healed despite taking daily doses of the NSAID peroxicam. So, I'd say consult wiht your Bariatric surgeon and see what he says. For me, it was worth the risk of taking the NSAIDS because the daily benefit of pain relief ouweighed the risk and eventual setback of an ulcer.

Well, duh---I'd have known that if I'd bothered to go back and read the whole thing, wouldn't I? (*grin*)
What sort of anti-bacterial treatment have they done, and have you tried adding probiotics to build up your 'good' bacteria? Do they think that perhaps you have a partial obstruction, causing the Blind Loop problems? Do you have any gut pain? Blind Loop Syndrome was one of the scarier things I learned about when I was researching WLS.

I have been suffering for years and have been diagnosed (and undiagnosed) with everything from fibromyalgia to narcolepsy.  Now a new doctor has started in my PCP's office and she actually took the time to listen to what is going on with me and how much worse things are getting.  I have now been diagnosed with Reynaud's in my hands and feet and she is pretty confident that I have polymyalgia rheumatica.

Anyone have any experience with this?  I know I am rather young for this but with my family history of autoimmune complications and my past medical history I guess it isn't too far fetched.

We are also still looking at lupus.  We did some more hardcore lupus testing in stead of just a screening plus rheumatoid arthritis, scleroderma, mixed connective tissue tests, polymyalgia rheumatica & other autoimmune/connective tissue tests, retesting all vits & minerals & thyroid plus some "poop tests" for c diff & some other bacteria & tummy issues. Results should be in next week. Lowered beta blockers because of severe hypotension (on them for migraines), added pills for fibro, adjusted migraine meds. Back in 3 weeks.  Doc was concerned about dehydration due to the amount of diarrhea I have been having and said no amount of Powerade type drink was going to replace what I was losing in electrolytes and it was probably making the hypotension worse.  I'm under strict orders to head to the ER at the first signs of dehydration or if the diarrhea continues even with the meds they are giving me (they are suppose to call it in I don't know what it will be yet).  My resting heart rate is in the 40's and when I stand up my BP drops to 80/60.  So that's been my last few days!  Instead of Lyrica they put me on Neurontin.  Anyone here tried that before?  I'm starting out on 300 mg three times a day.  I also take Topamax 50 mg twice a day.  Maybe I should just list my meds?

 

PRN (taken as needed for migraines)

Treximet 85-500 mg & Compazine 10 mg & Benadryl 50 mg taken together (this is a new treatment for me and I am still waiting on the prior auth to go through on the Treximet)

 

**OR**

Fioricet 50-325-40mg

Lomotil for diarrhea

 

Daily meds

All Vits and supplements plus Digestive Advantage IBS Formula Probiotics

Neurontin 300 mg 3x a day (for fibro)

Inderal 40 mg 2x a day (beta blocker for migraines- just reduced from 80 mg 2x a day)

Flexeril 10 mg at night for muscle pain

Prozac 20 mg

Topamax 50 mg 2x a day (for migraines)

Jolivette (birth control for migraines)

 

Ritalin 10 mg 3x a day (for sleep disorder- delayed phase sleep disorder)

Singular 10 mg (allergies)

 

I also have Vicodin from my surgeons office that I take when I need it from my stomach pain.  My stomach narrowed and I was in pain for 5 months and couldn't eat solid food and could just eat mushy foods.  After CT scans and GI scans and scopes the only thing he could see was I had some narrowing in the bottom of my stomach but he said that couldn't be my problem and dismissed it.  He finally did an endoscopy and stretched my stomach 2 weeks ago.  It has been much easier to eat since then.  I need to go in for my follow up with him though at this point I don't have much faith in his aftercare abilities.  He did tell my friend that took me to the procedure that I would need to have it done several more times before it would stay stretched out.  FUN!

Last night my left hand kind of curled into a claw and the muscle were weak and I had such intense pain but my hand was numb!  I had no idea what was going on!  I was talking to my Mom on the phone and she suggested running my hand under ho****er and it actually helped some but my hand was so sore.  It still hurts today actually.

Any thoughts or suggestions would be so helpful right about now.  This stuff is really freaking me out!

Yes, the diagnosis for now is Blind Loop Syndrome with  a bacterial overgrowth which has migrated and settled in the joints, causing the swelling and pain.. It most closely resembles blind loop syndrome, even though I don't technically have a blind loop.