Hi Irene! I am glad you got a diagnosis and that you are reading up as much as you can. Please don't let some of the information scare you though, some of it out there is kinda scary. The best thing I was told is that there are a lotof up and coming medicines to minimize the effects of the disease, and they like to talk about or show worst case scenarios online.  Did he give you anything to help with the pain in the meantime? I think when I had to wait to see my rheumy the first time he gave me some naproxen or aleve, and that kinda helped.  As far as the baby, I know whenever I am put on a new drug, I always ask if I was to get pregnany, what effect on the baby would this have. So far my rheumy has told me if I wanted to get pregnant, my meds would have to be changed and adjusted, and I would have to wait before I conceive. I think the only one I am on right now that would be a problem would be methotrexate.  Just make sure you ask questions, a lot of questions!!!  Hang in there...it will get better :) Michelle

Hi Leone!  That's bittersweet news! I am glad they were able to diagnose you, but it's a shame to hear that you have that. hang in there!  Yeah, prednisone and Remicade are my biggies, but they keep me up and going. I am on a very low dose (2.5 mg a day) of prednisone, but I used to be on up to 20mg a day and that is when my rapid weight gain and inactivity started :( Good luck with the psychatrist! Let me know how that goes :) I meet with the enrollment coordinator at the WLS clinic on Monday and I am NERVOUS!!!  Take care!  Michelle

Hi Irene,  Hang in there! I am sorry to hear you are in much pain...the pain won't last forever! Once your doctor finds out what is causing the pain, he/she will better know how to treat it! Have you tried a hot bath/shower before bed? That would help me sometimes for the pain.  I'm just starting my WLS journey, and actually I haven't even met with the coordinator yet, so my lap band seems ages away :( I hope you feel better soon! Keep in touch :) Michelle

Thanks so much for your reply.   I have to do some research to see what would be available to me.  I know I will be much better off getting them done ASAP.

Hi ya'll.   I have psoriatic arthritis and have had it since 1990.  I can relate to the pain that you have and am scheduled to have RNY on 9/12/07.  I currently take Indomethacina and Enbrel (a shot) for my disease.  I asked my surgeon during preop last week about whether I will still be able to take the Indomethacine and he said sure, since I have not had any problems with my current stomach from it before, then my pouch will probably do fine.  The Enbrel is an injection so there are no worries about that one either.  I am so looking forward to changing my life and to get rid of most of this weight to make my joints feel better!