I was surfing the web and found something called Voltaren gel, with exceptionally great reviews.  I was wondering if anyone has used it, and how well it works.  It's a topical form of the anti-inflammatory drug Voltaren, which I used to take regularly.  Of course, it says you get all the benefits, but without it going through the stomach.  I have not taken ANY arthritis drug since 2 wks before my surgery, my doctor told me to take it as a last resort (and I am closer to that point now!).   I just had a cortizone shot in my left knee, which has helped a bit.   If the Voltaren gel works so well, I was wondering why I dont hear more doctors and patients talking about it ?

I am glad to hear what you had to say I to have hep C and I am looking into WLS.  Did they check your heart too?  I am waiting to hear if what Kasier has to say about the Hep C.

Goodmorning,
I am 6 years post op and for the last 8 months have been experiencing ankle pain, synovitis/tendonitis. 1. Has anyone experienced this condition? 2. Is there any type of NSAID out there that can be tolerated on a short term basis?  I have had 3 cortizone shots done PT and are wearing orthotics? Thanks for the input.

From what I have heard from so many different ppl who had the surgery and lost weight...the arthritis pain actually does get better.

I do know that the less you move your joints, the worse it gets.  So doing the chairdancing exercises are a great start!  How abou****er aerobics?  That is super low impact and is great for arthritis patients.

I am sorry you are depressed, have you seen your PCP about that b/c there are meds out there that can help as well as once you are less depressed you will be more likely to move more.

I hope you can get the motivation you need.

I had my RNY on August 10th, BECAUSE of my arthritis.   I'm 51, and my knees are shot, and I can barely walk through a grocery store.  I had a left knee injury about 12 yrs ago, and it was always stiff... but it has gotten progressively worse the past 2-3 years and as a result, I gained even more weight.   And more weight made it worse (catch 22?)  My surgery went fine, and the weight loss is going OK I guess, a little more slowly though, because I cant exercise.   I get very depressed, not being able to do ****  I am still home on short term disability for my surgery (I'm going back to work after labor day), and all i do is watch TV.  I hope and pray that when I lose enough weight, the pain will ease - but I've read posts here, that the pain gets worse!   I stopped taking my arthritis meds 2 wks before surgery, and it sucks that I can't take NSAID's.  My doctor told me to take them as a last resort (and believe me, I am almost there!).   I am going to start taking glucosamine, and I just bought a few DVD's from chairdancing.com.  It's a program to do chair exercises without putting weight on your feet.   Still trying to get motivated to actually do it everyday.   As soon as I can get my weight below 200, I'm going to get my left knee replaced (more fear!) - but I have no choice... unless I want to spend the rest of my life watching TV and going shopping in a motorized cart.