Question:
HOW HAS WLS CHANGED /NOT CHANGED YOUR RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS?

ARE YOU STILL ABLE TO TAKE YOUR RHEUMATOLOGY MEDS? WERE YOU REALLY STIFF AND SORE RIGHT AFTER THE SURGERY? ANY INFO ON THIS SUBJECT IS GREATLY APPRECIATED. THANKS!    — PRETTYGRL (posted on September 19, 2003)

September 19, 2003
My surgeon and my rheumatologist worked together to make sure I was comfortable....and I was given 50 mgs. of Prednisone before my surgery so that helped a lot! I have been off my RA meds since 3 months after surgery, and I am in "remission". THe only reminder I have is some early morning stiffness, but I have decided since my joints look great and there is no sign of deformities I am not going to take any meds at this time. I was able to maneuver in and out of the bed in the hospital just fine and the toilets are raised with rails so that was no problem. Hope that helps, email if you have any more questions
   — Linda 1.

September 19, 2003
I don't know if my arthritus is "rheumatoid or not. But pre op it was in my knees, shoulders and neck. My neck got so bad I'm seeing a chiropratactor. However I NEVER had arthritus in my hands/fingers, but since wls it has gone there. It is one of the most painful things I've ever had and I can't take pain meds anymore. Vioxx and Arthrotec50 were godsends BEFORE wls. I think I caused an ulcer back in the summer of 2002 when I was taking codiene for back pain. Now pain meds, especially arthritus ones, put me in agony of stomach and back pains. So some of my athritus has improved, and part of it has spread since wls. I guess it is all luck. At least it seems that way.
   — Danmark