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Topic: RE: How Much Has WLS helped w Joint and Back Pain
Hi there
I had surgery 5 years ago. before surgery I had degenerative disc disease and my lower back was killing me. I also had/have osteo arthritis in my knees
My back is amazing now, doesn't hurt at all. My knees were better but I guess being 50 and having bad knees all my life doesn't help lol
I want to exercise and was seeing a personal trainer but my knees just can't handle it. I have to find some water aerobics
I had surgery 5 years ago. before surgery I had degenerative disc disease and my lower back was killing me. I also had/have osteo arthritis in my knees
My back is amazing now, doesn't hurt at all. My knees were better but I guess being 50 and having bad knees all my life doesn't help lol
I want to exercise and was seeing a personal trainer but my knees just can't handle it. I have to find some water aerobics
Joyce----Today is the first day of the rest of your life
Topic: RE: RA after RNY X-post
Hi Tamara!
I have an immune system problem that underlines all my health issues. I go for infusions of a blood product every 3 weeks to keep me healthy. I takes me forever to recover from sinus problems or infections. That said, I ask my infusion Dr. why my hands and feel were stiff in the morning. (Silly me, I thought it was years of working on the computer 10 hrs a day!) He sent me to a RA Doc. After loads of tests, he said it was tied to my immune deficiency. At first we tried Tylenol RA for a month, then he tried to talk me into steroids. He said a low dose would not produce the ugly side effects I had experienced pre-surgery with sinus problems. WRONG! Now he wants to up my dose and I just wont compromise my weight and am exploring different "****tails of drugs" to help with the pain and stiffness. I don't believe it is related to my surgery, only that I cannot take NSAIDS as inflammation control.
As far as the ibuprofen killing your tummy, you might want to ask your surgeon about Carafate. Its like a pepto bismol for your pouch. I have to take it b4 any medication. Its really gritty, but better than ulcers!! It takes me at least 1 1/2 hours to loosen up in the am. Today I noticed that my hands were hurting while I was making my mini-muffins. (later in the day) .So its not getting better just steadily worse. Sure hope I can find some answers! take care and keep in touch! By the way I'm 52. To young for all this crap. I feel like I'm 102..lol
Amy
I have an immune system problem that underlines all my health issues. I go for infusions of a blood product every 3 weeks to keep me healthy. I takes me forever to recover from sinus problems or infections. That said, I ask my infusion Dr. why my hands and feel were stiff in the morning. (Silly me, I thought it was years of working on the computer 10 hrs a day!) He sent me to a RA Doc. After loads of tests, he said it was tied to my immune deficiency. At first we tried Tylenol RA for a month, then he tried to talk me into steroids. He said a low dose would not produce the ugly side effects I had experienced pre-surgery with sinus problems. WRONG! Now he wants to up my dose and I just wont compromise my weight and am exploring different "****tails of drugs" to help with the pain and stiffness. I don't believe it is related to my surgery, only that I cannot take NSAIDS as inflammation control.
As far as the ibuprofen killing your tummy, you might want to ask your surgeon about Carafate. Its like a pepto bismol for your pouch. I have to take it b4 any medication. Its really gritty, but better than ulcers!! It takes me at least 1 1/2 hours to loosen up in the am. Today I noticed that my hands were hurting while I was making my mini-muffins. (later in the day) .So its not getting better just steadily worse. Sure hope I can find some answers! take care and keep in touch! By the way I'm 52. To young for all this crap. I feel like I'm 102..lol
Amy
At Goal! 
Dance of happiness! 
5/08 280 lbs Size 26
9/08 199 lbs Onederland! 
7/09 135 lbs Size 9! GOAL!! Whoopie!
Holding on to anger is like grasping a hot coal to throw at someone else,,you are the one who gets burned! Buddah
Topic: RE: RA after RNY X-post
Hi Ladybug1211,
Your post got my attention...how did you discover all of this? I have had some symptoms that I am trying to make sense of and often wondered if my surgery has had anything to do with it. Every morning it takes an hour or so to "loosen" up my joints. I live on ibuprofen (which is killing my stomach). My hands are very weak. My hands and and arms up to my elbows often ache.
As for the steroids, I am so sorry! Steroids are awful, but at times so necessary. I hope you find an alternative.
Tamara
Your post got my attention...how did you discover all of this? I have had some symptoms that I am trying to make sense of and often wondered if my surgery has had anything to do with it. Every morning it takes an hour or so to "loosen" up my joints. I live on ibuprofen (which is killing my stomach). My hands are very weak. My hands and and arms up to my elbows often ache.
As for the steroids, I am so sorry! Steroids are awful, but at times so necessary. I hope you find an alternative.
Tamara
Topic: RA after RNY X-post
I have lost a total of 150 lbs since my RNY surgery in 5/08. I am really happy with my success! Now I have been told I have RA in my hands and feet. This is a complication due to a suppressed immune system. The RA doc wanted to put me on steroids for the inflammation. I hate steroids and what they do to me. Increased hunger, ie weight gain etc.. After many discussions with other professionals, I was told 5mg/dly would not produce the side effects. I have been taking them for a couple of weeks now. They have not been working! (silly me for even thinking it would help) Now he wants to increase to 15mg/dly and I won't do it! Does anyone know of any other meds that will help with the stiffness and pain??
Thanks!
Thanks!
At Goal! Dance of happiness!
5/08 280 lbs Size 26
9/08 199 lbs Onederland!
7/09 135 lbs Size 9! GOAL!! Whoopie!
Holding on to anger is like grasping a hot coal to throw at someone else,,you are the one who gets burned! Buddah
Topic: Barrett's Esophagus
Barrett's is a condition created mainly by heartburn and acid reflux. The cells in the esophagus change and it is not reversable. From what I have read so far most docs recommend the gastric bypass for Barrett's patients. Recently I have been given the green light for the sleeve as long as I am aware of the risks, the main risk being the reflux following the surgery. I was told that if the meds did not stop the rflux I would have to get the bypass. I am curious to know if anyone has had an experience with the meds not controlling reflux and what they did about it. I have been taking two 20 mg Prilosec (or generic omeprozole) for almost 6 years and it seems to work if I am careful about what and when I eat. I would like to try something different because my last endoscopy revealed stomach polyps which the doc believes are being caused by the Prilosec. Does that make any sense to anyone? Does Nexium work as well or better than prilosec? Does it cause polyps?
My surgery is tentatively scheduled for July 28.
My surgery is tentatively scheduled for July 28.
Topic: RE: RA questions
I am on Methotrexate and Enbrel. I used to be on Remicade but it did not work for me.
Age at RNY: 55, Height: 5'4", Consultation Weight: 331 lbs-12/1/2009, RNY Surgery Weight: 281 lbs-3/22/2010, Goal Weight Reached: 141 lbs-6/23/2011, Lowest Weight: 126 lbs-12/11/2011,
Current Age: 61, Current Weight: 161 lbs-5/20/2016, Total Weight Loss Maintained: 170 lbs 
Topic: RE: who's had a total knee replacement??
Hi Lady Di,
I had replacement surgery Jan/08. That was the 12 orthopeadic surgery I've had so far. When I had my RNY I didn't know what to expect because it was the abdomen. I can tell you they are nothing alike. With orthopedic surgery it is very painful, I chose to go to a in-patient therapy facility 3 days after the surgery. Stayed for 3 1/2 weeks working all day, every day getting my knee ready for life. It is the only way to go. If you go straight home your care isn't the same, the pt isn't the same and I believe you don't get the best results. I forget often that this knee isn't mine!
Good Luck!
I had replacement surgery Jan/08. That was the 12 orthopeadic surgery I've had so far. When I had my RNY I didn't know what to expect because it was the abdomen. I can tell you they are nothing alike. With orthopedic surgery it is very painful, I chose to go to a in-patient therapy facility 3 days after the surgery. Stayed for 3 1/2 weeks working all day, every day getting my knee ready for life. It is the only way to go. If you go straight home your care isn't the same, the pt isn't the same and I believe you don't get the best results. I forget often that this knee isn't mine!
Good Luck!
Anna
Topic: RE: ??? about first 5 days and what is typical?
Hi Kathie,,, so losing weight didn't help the arthritis pain? i ahve arthritis in my hip but the pain is in my leg,,, i am hoping losing weight will make a difference,,,, do you go to any of Dr Q's support meetings???i keep forgetting until its too late to go,,,, but i plan on trying a few take care jeani
Topic: RE: ??? about first 5 days and what is typical?
Hi Amy,,, i am 3 weeks post op with the sleeve, and i had a really easy time of it, was really suprised i thought it would be much worst,, i was up and about fairly soon,,,, i had a problem with no bms and so i got some fiber choice which is a chewable fiber made from fruits and vegetables,,, i ate these before the surgery and then i started eating a lot of brown rice and didn't use them for a while since brown rice has lots of fiber,,,now no more brown rice so i got a bottle of the fiber choice and now i go every day,,, not as much as before but i'm not eating as much as before,,, but i go every day,,,, i took 2 weeks but probably could have gone back after one,,, i think it depends on how you feel and how strenuous your job is,,, i had a problem with fatigue,,, still get really tired easily but this is typical,,, that's nice your not hungry,,, i get hungry but once i eat a little something it goes away,,,, and it does get easier each day out,,, take care sounds like you are doing really well,,,jeani
Topic: RE: How Much Has WLS helped w Joint and Back Pain
long term
SW 303/ lapband/ 244 /335 pre-op/ revision 4/11
Hi,
I had the realize band in Feb 2009, when i lost the first 30lbs wow it made a differnce then i was at 50 and the pain had returned. I have stalled in my weight loss partly due to the fact that my exercise is limited. have the lower L1 and 2 which are buldging and pinching my siatic nerve; also have OS of my hip. Yesterday i saw a pain management doct. luckily this doc seems to know what he is doing. He understand the rollercoaster i am on and his plan is to get my pain in order then exercise plan for me. I hope this will help. I guess the key is going to be to find a doc who understands what we go though not just a doc who says we need to do what we clearly know what needs to be done. Hope my rambling makes sence.
Good luck on ur journey
Janice
I had the realize band in Feb 2009, when i lost the first 30lbs wow it made a differnce then i was at 50 and the pain had returned. I have stalled in my weight loss partly due to the fact that my exercise is limited. have the lower L1 and 2 which are buldging and pinching my siatic nerve; also have OS of my hip. Yesterday i saw a pain management doct. luckily this doc seems to know what he is doing. He understand the rollercoaster i am on and his plan is to get my pain in order then exercise plan for me. I hope this will help. I guess the key is going to be to find a doc who understands what we go though not just a doc who says we need to do what we clearly know what needs to be done. Hope my rambling makes sence.
Good luck on ur journey
Janice
long term
SW 303/ lapband/ 244 /335 pre-op/ revision 4/11
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