Recent Posts

Stephanie M.
on 7/25/10 2:06 am
Topic: RE: How Much Has WLS helped w Joint and Back Pain
With 30 lbs gone (-45 from highest weight in 2008) my back and knees have responded positively.  One thing I did notice is that my upper back muscles tend to spasm because of my shifting center of gravity.  My chiropractor is my lifeline and gets me back to almost pain free for up to a week at a time.  He said to expect my back and knees to respond this way throughout my weight loss journey as my body adjusts to the fat loss in different areas of my body.  I also expect to have knee replacement and panni removal in the future.

 

  6-7-13 band removed. No revision. Facebook  Failed Lapbands and Realize Bands group and WLS-Support for Regain and Revision Group

              

Stephanie M.
on 7/25/10 1:59 am
Topic: RE: Anyone have relief w/ steroid shots ??
I have had three epidural cortisone injections into my spine...have a pinched nerve at L4/L5 and sacro-iliac dysfunction...helped for about 36 hours each time.  When the long acting anesthetic wore off the pain was back.  I have also had the synthetic synovial fluid injected into my left knee which needs replaced and had arthroscopic surgery to clean up and remove damaged tissues.  This helped for about a year...plan to have the knee replaced as soon as my BMI will allow and hope that my back will respond positively.
Back and knee issues are the first problems I have had that I haven't been able to resolve medically or surgically and it is really frustrating!!

 

  6-7-13 band removed. No revision. Facebook  Failed Lapbands and Realize Bands group and WLS-Support for Regain and Revision Group

              

LadyDi50
on 7/23/10 8:22 am
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
lassley_55
on 7/23/10 7:45 am - Anaheim, CA
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
sassy60
on 7/20/10 8:49 am - Dallas, TX
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.
murphy10
on 7/17/10 8:52 am - Hamilton, Canada
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
sassy60
on 7/14/10 8:25 am - Dallas, TX
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.
karemi
on 7/7/10 10:34 pm
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.  

Elisa C.
on 7/7/10 4:01 pm
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!
Elisa C.
on 7/7/10 3:51 pm
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!
Most Active
Recent Topics
Bone Density Low
nesterpoe · 0 replies · 411 views
Intense knee pain?
Nknerr · 2 replies · 2727 views
Butrans patch
mermaidoz · 5 replies · 3884 views
Exercise where to start???
fiercebynature · 6 replies · 5199 views
×