Lupus meds and RNY

My RNY is scheduled for Sept. 28. The surgeon says I will never be able to take Mobic or prednisone again! I am willing to do just about anything to have this surgery, but missing one or two days of my NSAID makes me very grumpy from the pain increase so I'm concerned about the 2 weeks before and the time after surgery. My rheumatologist is letting me increase my Ultracet to 4 a day when I go off the Mobic and my surgeon is fine with the Ultracet. My SLE is under good control right now and I feel better that I have in a really long time, but I am concerned the the stress of the surgery will make me flair. What have been others experiences with going off the NSAIDS both before and after the surgery?

Since NSAIDS are a no-no FOREVER following RNY, we've switched to Darvocet.  Darvocet is my new best friend.  It does the trick when I need it now.  And fortunately, I haven't needed it much.  You'll just have to find what works for  you.

I do use Vicodin on occasion when things get too bad, but I really don't like the idea of taking the narcotics and having to function at full capacity. I suppose I will have to if I need them. My rheumatologist scheduled my next appointment 4 months after my surgery, but I'll go back sooner if I need to.

That seems kind of long.  Mine wanted to see me 1 month post-op.  Come to think of it...all my specialists wanted to see me 1 month post-op.

Just keep track of how you are feeling and get in sooner if needed.

I would seriously consider having the duodenal switch instead of RNY if you are dependent on NSAID's. They are not contraindicated, and since you have a higher BMI, you would be more likely to lose more weight. I don't know if your surgeon does the DS or not, but it is definately worth a long, hard think before you have surgery...

I have SLE and am 16 days post op from RNY.  Amazingly, I've had little to no joint pain since the surgery.  I had to stop my glucosamine a week before surgery and dreaded the thought of the joint pain I was sure to experience afterwards.

It hasn't happened.  I take Plaquenil once a day 3 days a week and twice a day on the 4 days that I do my cardio workout or water aerobics.  Haven't yet had to touch the Ultracets post op.

While my experience may not be "normal", it has been a godsend to have this kind of pain relief already with just a 15 pound post op weight loss.

Big ole congrats to you!!!     I decided on the Sleeve just in case.   I take my 7 mg of prednisone daily, my 2 Plaquenil daily, and my other things as needed but I did not want to take a chance on anything after the surgery etiher.  

Glad you are doing so well.    Do you have any updates siince your last post?

Still doing well.  I'm now down to taking the Paquenil once a day every day.  I'm now down 66 pounds and continue to have no joint pain from the Lupus -- BUT about the time of my last post, I was able to start back into the warm water therapy at the Y, and that has been a Godsend in keeping me mobile and flexible.

It's very seldom that I have to take anything for pain, but the Ultracet is in the cabinet -- just in case.  I also added back the Glucosamine when I "graduated" from chewables/liquid meds post op to pills -- about 3 weeks' out.  So far, so good.  I can't wait to see my rheumatologist at my checkup the end of May and see what the bloodwork shows -- I hope it turns out to be as good as I feel.  

Mommie-Mouse:
I have SLE, Fribromyalgia, MCTD and Reynaud's.

I took Mobic for a short time pre-op ( I have the DS), but my insurance wouldn't cover it, so my pain med was Tramadol (same as Ultracet).  Post-op, Tramadol is my second-line pain med, and I use it if for some reason, the Lyrica and Cymbalta aren't doing their jobs.

I know lupies are warned away from the DS because of the malabsorption, but my dosages of Plaquenil, Lyria and Cymbalta were actually decreased  after my weight loss.  I can take NSAIDS if I need to, but I am now enjoying a 9 month remission.  I have not had to use a prednisone taper since my surgery, and though I was expecting the trauma of the surgery to trigger a flare, it did not.

Prednisone had pushed my weight to an all time high of 405.  I am now within 41.8 pounds of my goal of 145.

I am off my CPAP, I no longer have high blood pressure or restless leg syndrome.

I still must pace myself to make sure I have all the energy I need  to complete my day, and, I am looking at coming off disability.  I am participating in Social Security's Ticket To Work/Self-Sufficiency program. My first degree was a BA in Communications, and I worked for 20+ years as a radio news reporter.  Unfortunately, that job is now too physical and stressful for me to resume with SLE.  This fall, I will return to college to train for a new profession.  My state Voc-Rehab will stick with me for 5 years until I become a RD, then go on to complete an MS in Nutrition.  I plan to specialize in bariatric nutrition. 

Jazzbabe:  just to let you know.  Mobic (meloxicam) is now very cheap to get if your pains increase.  Just ask your doc for a 3 month prescription.  Even without insurance, if you take it to Wallmart, it is only $10 for a 90 day supply.