Tegan I suffer the same problem. I found such a wonderful Dr. Dennis White. But he is in Asheville, North Carolina. He did the 3 steriod shots and gosh I had a life for 6 months...then they quit working. Then in August he did the Lumbar Epidural. Sorry to say it only caused me to not have any feeling when I had to pee...poop. But nothing to my back where it was killing me. He decided to do a RFL to burn the nerves from my tailbone all the way around my hip inward. He told me my leg would be weak but from August/Sept when he did the RFL I drug my leg with a cain and rolling walker. I got so weak from just doing that in the house I couldn't do anything. I ended up in CCU because my Dr. took the FMS shoulder straining for a heartattack but the test were ok. But I still couldn't use my left leg. But they sent me home and when they "tryed" to get me in the car I couldn't stand up like I had told them before. So I had to be readmitted and stayed 5 days with test after test and still couldn't put my weight on my leg. They released me to send me to Asheville by Ambulance to Dr. Whites office only to be sent to St. Joseph for more test. Only to be sent home with a wheelchair and well wishes. I have been in bed since...I am like you 10/15 minutes and that is it. Dr. Whites assistant called me and told me they were releasing me and I got upset, and sad surely you are not just leaving me in this shape? I mentioned contacting a lawyer and he said he would talk to the Dr. and see what he could do if anything. I had never talked to him like that he knew I ment business, I have took my limit. He called back and said they would do another si joint block. And do you believe that helped some! Then they released me from their care. But something just hasn't been right with them. I got on my pcp to find me a Dr. I am seeing Dr. Kate Trate in Boone, NC now. I am on zanaflex and fentanyl patches but still have major pain issues. Check with your Dr. and see if he can do the RFL. If not get him to get you with a Pain Rehab Dr. that can give you meds to ease you . I know what pain is and when nothing helps I say John 3:16 over and over...when the pain is so bad I have to start it over again. But do whatever you can to try and get your mind off hurting. I was told to think of good times and memories, bu taking ambien my mind doesn't work like it should. I wish you the best, I hope you can find peace, if you just need someone to talk to I am [email protected] Sweet Blessings, Sandy

Ginakay...I know exactly how you feel. I had a work accident in 97 that caused a trauma to my right hand and I had a gangleon cyts grow down in my hand 4 cm after being drained a few weeks before. I had the surgery, but it didn't help me I have lost 70% lost of my hand. I have tendenitis...epilcondilitis..fms..polyarthritis and was on the boarderline for RA and lupus. Find you a good Rhumy so they can really do the testing needed. My pcp did one and nothing showed up and I totally know better than that. They didn't do a full panel. The Rhumy's if they are good will find the problem and treat it . I was on the liquid vioxx till it was taken away, celebrex is too hard on my pouch still 21 months out. Have you tried Biofreeze? My Dad found a ole timey shop that sells horse linament in a gell and I can tell the difference in it forsure. Somedays I use it 3 times, my shoulders have to be settled down before bed time so hubby has to rub and rub. The horse get smells like speremint gum. I can help you get samples if need be if you can't find any of it there. My pain is to the point of taking MS medicine to help deal with the muscle pain and I am on fentynal 25 mg now. This staying in the bed or my wheelchair, I hope your dr. finds something to give you some relief. I have been to the point to where I was crying and crying asking why me why me? but then why not me? I wish you luck on your surgery, the first 3/6 months are the worst, just trying to get everything in order and a time and food listing and remember to eat and drink drink. I have been in the hospital 3 times from dehydration from antibiotics. Please keep my posted and if you need someone to talk too email me personally at [email protected] hang in there many blessings are being sent your precious way Hugs my friend, Sandy

The only one I can take is a prescription called Arthrotec. I've tried all the others and have had adverse reactions (swelling, ulcers, etc). It has a painkiller and a buffer to protect the lining of your stomach.

Hi Elissa, I just found this forum regarding arthritis and saw your message. I hope your surgery was successful and you are well on your way to recovery. You were very brave to do two at once. I am leaning the same way. Someone at work heard I was considering knee replacement and said whatever I do, don't do 2 at once. Were you able to rehab at home or did you go to a nursing home temporarily? Any words of wisdom, since you have had the experience? I am not sure how much weight I should lose prior to the surgery. If I should delay having the surgery as long as possible. If I should go for two at once or one at a time. I am 48 and was told I have no cartilage left in my knees and my ability to bend my knees at this point is minimal and painful. I had WLS on 12/28/05 (286 lbs.) and was hoping my knee pain would improve as I lost weight. I think I have lost about 38 lbs. at this point but the knee pain seems worse not better. My mother had one knee replacement at the age of 66 and my uncle (a retired orthopedic surgeon), always on the slim side, has had one knee replaced. Another Aunt, as well, has had knee replacement. Bad knees seem to run in the family. Are you swimming again yet. I also do water aroebics but I don't think I could do all the laps you do. Need to try though. I was once a very good swimmer. Take care, Jenny

Hello, I have RA, OA and fibro. I had surgery in May 2004. I had to stop my meds which were MTX injections (equiv of 6 pills a week), Enbrel, Bextra and prednisone. I stopped a month before surgery. After surgery I only took Bextra. I had a NINE month remission...which was great. Since then I can no longer take MTX...it was making me vomit, constant nausea, and diarrhea. I have tried antibiotic therapy...doxycycline..but again it made me nauseated and then I started vomiting. So my current meds are plaquinil, Lodine (NSAID) and Nexium to protect my pouch when I have to take the lodine. I am suppose to try Humira in February...I am not looking forward to shots again. I would also caution you that if your choose gastric bypass....keep in mind that lots of people have problems absorbing there meds..also there is the problem with many of the RA meds causing lots of GI problems like nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. I have two friends with RA that chose gastric bypass and both are having terrible problems with folate and other vitamin deficienes as well as problems getting there RA under control due to malabsorption. Antoinette lapband 5/04