Any MS patients out there?

Are there any MS patients out there? I have posted on the main site and my state of NC site as well. My hubsband is concerned since I have MS,and about how the surgery will affect me.He wants to know if anyone who has had MS has also had this surgury and if they have how they did. Did they have any complications? Any input would be helpful. My neurologist is the one who suggested this surgery. I am going to call his office later today. Betty

Hi Betty, Welcome to the board. My name is Virginia and I hang out here quite often..too often probably...it's allittle addicting if you know what I mean. I am pre-op..I'm a lady in weighting so to speak. I do not have MS but my husband does. My husband was diagnoised 8 years ago so I do know first hand the problems and issues that you deal with on a daily basis. Remember, I am not a doctor but from what I understand about MS...It is so important in order for your treatment program to be successful, losing weight is very helpful. The catch 22 of the whole thing is.. the pain in the limbs and trying to not get overheated..and let's not forget how exausting it is for you physically. From what I understand MS happens like a short-ciruit in your brain. And the surgery happens in your stomach region. If you pass all the clearances..Cardio..Pulmo..and your MD thinks that your MS wouldn't be an issue..I'd go for it. My husband doesn't realize it yet but I'm gonna work on him getting the surgery after I am done. I just see how it would benifit him so much physically and mentally (depression) My husband also has type 2 diabetes which make his nueropathy in his feet really bad...at this point I am more worried about his diabetes than his MS. After the surgery most people go off their diabetic meds. That's good enough reason for me!! Listen Betty, if you have any questions you can check out an MS website..I'm sure you get literature from your neurologist, but you can e-mail me anytime privately..hopefully more people who have been there..done that.. will respond better than me..I do tend to ramble on...Good luck on your journey! Virginia

Hi Betty, Betteanne here... I don't have MS but I do have Lupus... which is another autoimmune disease prone to flares and remissions. Here's what I did for mine... I am about 10 months out.... here goes 1. Tell your rheumy what you are thinking about doing so he is aware and can get on the same page with the surgeon ( you really need a cohesive group to care for you post-op). 2. Let your surgeon know that you have MS and there are some meds you may have to take to keep you out of trouble... ask how you can work around this (sometimes I have to take Zantac before some meds... some I have had to change format from pills to gel caps... you get the idea?? We don't always have the luxury of abiding by the "avoid these meds" rules. We often need anti-inflammatories... and sometimes even steroids. 3. Too... don't plan on recovering as fast as those who haven't got another serious disease on board - I got back to work too fast and ended up back on disability - it took me almost 6 months and I am still struggling 4. i don't know what meds your doc gives in hospital - but mine gave "toradol" IV along with the morphine.... it turns out that it is an anti-inflammatory along with a pain reliever ... did better for me than the morphine and I felt better after surgery than I did before... of course after the IV came out... it was back to the vicodin... just not the same. 5. Keep asking for fellow MSers... try the main board.. there is a lupus board.. but I am not sure about MS... try under communities..... 6. the great thing is..... IT DEFINITELY FEELS BETTER MOVING THROUGH SPACE WITHOUT 100 LBS ATTACHED!!!... I don't have to think about going upstairs like i used to... i just do it now without thinking... what a joy! 7. When I really did rest like I was supposed to.... I actually had some PAIN FREE days!!!! YIPEEE!!!! I have more of those these days than I ever did before God Speed Friend B

Betty, I gal who hangs out on the Virginia board also has MS... I know that she would welcome conversation with you. Her name is Betsy and her profile is http://www.obesityhelp.com/morbidobesity/members/profile.php?N=G1114472800 Good luck! Patti