Recent Posts
Topic: RE: who's had a total knee replacement??
Hi Katie! I know what you mean about the posts scaring you, I feel the same way. Plus I've talked to people here in my hometown who've had the surgery. Some did well, others not so well. I doubt I will be having my surgery as planned though. I'm going through a divorce and will be losing my insurance at the beginning of August. I can't afford the $520 a month it would cost me to continue on my soon to be ex's insurance, so I'm just gonna have to live with this bum knee as long as possible. Mine is also bone on bone, has been for years. Losing 75 pounds has helped with the pain management, so I'm doing a little better now than I had been, but still have my bad days. Anyway, good luck to you, hope all goes well. You can still keep in touch and let me know how you're doing. Best wishes!
Diana
Diana
Topic: RE: who's had a total knee replacement??
Hi Lady Di,
I too am having a total knee replacement on August 18th! Wow reading all these post
are scaring me to death. I usually do really well with surgery but I know that the knee
sugery requires a lot of PT. I have no choice I have bone on bone and I have tried every
other method to no avail. Good Luck to you and keep in touch, we can comfort each
other.
Katie
I too am having a total knee replacement on August 18th! Wow reading all these post
are scaring me to death. I usually do really well with surgery but I know that the knee
sugery requires a lot of PT. I have no choice I have bone on bone and I have tried every
other method to no avail. Good Luck to you and keep in touch, we can comfort each
other.
Katie
Topic: RE: Anyone have relief w/ steroid shots ??
Hi!
I had the EPI one month ago seeking relief and it didn't help. At $200.00 a shot, I have decided to have the Fusion that I need. It's too disappointing expecting relief and nothing happens. Lots of luck.
I had the EPI one month ago seeking relief and it didn't help. At $200.00 a shot, I have decided to have the Fusion that I need. It's too disappointing expecting relief and nothing happens. Lots of luck.
Topic: RE: How Much Has WLS helped w Joint and Back Pain
Hi Joyce,
I was happy to see your post here. I was getting quite worried seeing how the other folks are still suffering with their arthritis. I have arthritis in my feet, knees and lower back as well and I 'm not sure what surgery they will do. The surgeon made me sign for both the RNY and the Sleeve just in case. I don't know if he realized how much I rely on my NSAIDS now to help me through the day. I was told however, that after 3 or 4 months we can return to using them with a stomach coaster such as Prevacid.
Lorraine
I was happy to see your post here. I was getting quite worried seeing how the other folks are still suffering with their arthritis. I have arthritis in my feet, knees and lower back as well and I 'm not sure what surgery they will do. The surgeon made me sign for both the RNY and the Sleeve just in case. I don't know if he realized how much I rely on my NSAIDS now to help me through the day. I was told however, that after 3 or 4 months we can return to using them with a stomach coaster such as Prevacid.
Lorraine
Topic: RE: ??? about first 5 days and what is typical?
Hi!
I am scheduled for Gastric Bypass 08/16/2010. I have had surgery in my neck because of the arthritis and I need surgery in my back because arthritis has caused a vertabrae to shift. I am hoping that losing the weight will help the pain. I am in pain all of the time. I take about four (4) Aleve twice a day to combat the pain. My Dr. had prescribed me with pain pills but frankly I am afraid of pain pills. Reading all of these posts about the arthritis and losing weight I have come to the conclusion that both will be a battle until the end. It's really scary to me but I'm about to get on board and deal with my health issues. I spoke with a young lady at work who uses miralax to help her with ther BM- I have already purchased my protein mix, Biotin, vitamins, Calcium Ciltrate and all the other things my Dr. says I will need. I am ready to get started because my goal is to get my back surgery in October. I will be sending updates as this is the only real support that I have.
I am scheduled for Gastric Bypass 08/16/2010. I have had surgery in my neck because of the arthritis and I need surgery in my back because arthritis has caused a vertabrae to shift. I am hoping that losing the weight will help the pain. I am in pain all of the time. I take about four (4) Aleve twice a day to combat the pain. My Dr. had prescribed me with pain pills but frankly I am afraid of pain pills. Reading all of these posts about the arthritis and losing weight I have come to the conclusion that both will be a battle until the end. It's really scary to me but I'm about to get on board and deal with my health issues. I spoke with a young lady at work who uses miralax to help her with ther BM- I have already purchased my protein mix, Biotin, vitamins, Calcium Ciltrate and all the other things my Dr. says I will need. I am ready to get started because my goal is to get my back surgery in October. I will be sending updates as this is the only real support that I have.
Topic: RE: RA questions
I've had RA for six yrs. 2 yrs ago I had lap-band surgery. It was my rheumatologist who encouraged me to have the surgery. I would not have done it without her approval. Talk with your rheumatologist and ask for a recommendation to a dr who will perform the surgery. Many of my rheum's patients have had WLS. Your surgeon and rheum will have to coordinate your medications before & after the surgery. Also, your Rheum might have to provide a letter to your insurance to document the co-morbidity.
Topic: RE: RA after RNY X-post
Hello Tamara..
You are describing symptoms that I had pre-diagnosis. It would often take me about an hour or so to "loosen up" every morning. My hands and feet were constantly aching. One day my wrist would be so sore I could barely move it.. The next day the wrist was better - the knee would hurt tho. I thought I was losing my MIND!! I didn't say anything to anyone about my "neck hurting, my hands hurting, my feet aching, my back in knots, my hips tightening, etc..." because I was afraid I would sound like a lunatic hypochondriac! Finally, while having a routine check-up I mentioned all my "aches and pains" to my family Doctor. He prescribed blood tests and x-rays and referred me to a wonderful and caring Rheumatologist.
Ibuprofen is a mask - a good pain reliever, but one that could possibly mask an underlying serious illness. RA has been found to cause serious internal damage as well as life long damage to bones and joints. Please see your Dr. if you are worried. A simple blood test and x-ray will let you know if this is causing your hurting.
Good Luck!
You are describing symptoms that I had pre-diagnosis. It would often take me about an hour or so to "loosen up" every morning. My hands and feet were constantly aching. One day my wrist would be so sore I could barely move it.. The next day the wrist was better - the knee would hurt tho. I thought I was losing my MIND!! I didn't say anything to anyone about my "neck hurting, my hands hurting, my feet aching, my back in knots, my hips tightening, etc..." because I was afraid I would sound like a lunatic hypochondriac! Finally, while having a routine check-up I mentioned all my "aches and pains" to my family Doctor. He prescribed blood tests and x-rays and referred me to a wonderful and caring Rheumatologist.
Ibuprofen is a mask - a good pain reliever, but one that could possibly mask an underlying serious illness. RA has been found to cause serious internal damage as well as life long damage to bones and joints. Please see your Dr. if you are worried. A simple blood test and x-ray will let you know if this is causing your hurting.
Good Luck!
Topic: RE: RA after RNY X-post
Hello Lady Bug!
I am new here and this is my first post! Anyway.. I have been diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis for 5 years now. It IS an auto-immune disease which causes the body to "attack" joints, muscles, organs...
After my diagnosis I was put on methotrexate and anti-inflammatory medication. All the methotrexate did was cause my immune system to drop to about nothing! From there I was placed on 50mg of Enbrel injections once a week. Enbrel has been a miracle for me! I am still "stiff" in the morning, and when it's cold - but NOT as bad or as long as I was pre-Enbrel.
My Rheumatologist gave me a prescription for prednisone - which I haven't had to take for over 3 years now (since I've begun taking the Enbrel). The Prednisone is prescribed to help me get through "crisis" points should I ever need it. Thankfully, I haven't needed it.
The interesting thing about RA - as opposed to Osteo-Arthritis is that the MORE you use your joints the better they feel! After a round of golf, I feel better than I had throughout the whole day! So, with proper exercise, proper medication and a good Rheumatologist, I have found that my RA is manageable and that life still goes on!
Good Luck!
I am new here and this is my first post! Anyway.. I have been diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis for 5 years now. It IS an auto-immune disease which causes the body to "attack" joints, muscles, organs...
After my diagnosis I was put on methotrexate and anti-inflammatory medication. All the methotrexate did was cause my immune system to drop to about nothing! From there I was placed on 50mg of Enbrel injections once a week. Enbrel has been a miracle for me! I am still "stiff" in the morning, and when it's cold - but NOT as bad or as long as I was pre-Enbrel.
My Rheumatologist gave me a prescription for prednisone - which I haven't had to take for over 3 years now (since I've begun taking the Enbrel). The Prednisone is prescribed to help me get through "crisis" points should I ever need it. Thankfully, I haven't needed it.
The interesting thing about RA - as opposed to Osteo-Arthritis is that the MORE you use your joints the better they feel! After a round of golf, I feel better than I had throughout the whole day! So, with proper exercise, proper medication and a good Rheumatologist, I have found that my RA is manageable and that life still goes on!
Good Luck!
Topic: RE: my first post ,, sorry wrong
nathsmommy: I bet you mean osteoarthritis rather than osteoporosis. Osteoporosis is something totally different. It is due to loss of calcium from bones. It is a "silent disease" meaning that there is absolutely no pain until you break your bones.
Osteoarthritis (also called degenerative joint disease) more commonly would cause back and knee pains. There are numerous therapies available to include systemic and topical medications, exercise, cortisone injections, hyaluronic acid injections (the "chicken" shots noted above) as well. The best person to treat it nonsurgically would be a rheumatologist of which there are many in the Baltimore area. Just ask your doctor for a referral. (An orthopedist is best when you actually need surgery done, so it is best to start with a rheumatologist).
Good luck!
Osteoarthritis (also called degenerative joint disease) more commonly would cause back and knee pains. There are numerous therapies available to include systemic and topical medications, exercise, cortisone injections, hyaluronic acid injections (the "chicken" shots noted above) as well. The best person to treat it nonsurgically would be a rheumatologist of which there are many in the Baltimore area. Just ask your doctor for a referral. (An orthopedist is best when you actually need surgery done, so it is best to start with a rheumatologist).
Good luck!
Don
Topic: RE: my first post ,, sorry wrong
Highest weight 406, Surgery weight 350
I have had osteoathritis for years, basically the joints are worn out.
I have had cortisone shots, "chicken" shots and pain medications. None of which have done much good.
For my knees and shoulders the doctor said I should have joint replacements, which I guess I am going to start with my shoulder in November and see if that works, if it does, I guess it is on to the knees.
I have had cortisone shots, "chicken" shots and pain medications. None of which have done much good.
For my knees and shoulders the doctor said I should have joint replacements, which I guess I am going to start with my shoulder in November and see if that works, if it does, I guess it is on to the knees.
Highest weight 406, Surgery weight 350
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