Rheumatoid Arthritis???? - ThinnerTimes

rockette · 01-16-2007, 04:00 PM

Do any of you have RA and did losing the weight seem to help? I am pre op and I'm praying that I will have a better handle on the pain after I take my weight off. Any thoughts?

MILA · 01-16-2007, 04:07 PM

I have degenerative disc disease in my spine and both knees ... and associated arthritis. My weight loss has improved my pain considerably - especially my knees. That is good because most docs frown on WLS loss patients using NSAID medications, as their long term use tends to cause stomach problems. If you rely heavily on NSAIDs now for relief from your arthritis, make sure you consider this aspect and discuss it fully with your physician.

Dyann · 01-16-2007, 04:08 PM

I do not, but I was wondering if you take steroids?? They would be very tough on the pouch. I can only imagine it would make it improve.

Heavenlyhands · 01-16-2007, 04:19 PM

Hi
Iam also pre-op
Iam on several RA meds. My surgeon sent me to my Rhuematologist to go off of the RA Meds before surgery. My Dr. said I only have to go off of them one week prior to surgery. Then I can go back on them 2 weeks after the surgery. I am on Enbrel, methotrexate, and hydroxychloroquine. I also take celebrex 2 times a day. I am not sure when I need to go off of the celebrex, or if I will be able to take it post-op. I am hoping the pain meds they give you after surgery will help with the RA pain.
Christina

jfrie130 · 01-16-2007, 05:18 PM

I don't have RA, but I do have arthritis in both of my knees. I have lost 63 lbs. since my surgery in Oct. and I have really noticed a difference. My knees really killed me when I would go up and down the stairs, now I almost feel like normal.

gearjmr711 · 01-16-2007, 05:42 PM

I have 2 herniated discs in my back, a torn SI ligament and thorasic outlet syndrome in my shoulders with arthritis in my rotator cuffs. Just the near 40 pounds I've lost so far has had a great improvement in all of my pain levels.

brookscn · 01-17-2007, 01:00 PM

I have arthritis in my knees - women's knees apparently don't handle weight (and age) as well as mens do - has to do with the way our bodies are shaped. I went to an orthopedic surgeon and explained that I can't take any aspirin products (I had bleeding complications during surgery, and have been told to stay off that stuff, and Tylenol just doesn't work).

When I had the surgery, I thought it was going to be a magic bullet, and all of my knee issues would just mysteriously go away. Not the case - the damage was done.

Before surgery, I took 4 Aleve a day. But post-surgery, no painkillers - I needed to find something to help.

The orthopedic surgeon did a series of 5 shots of this stuff directly into my knee - one a week for five weeks. I think the stuff was called Supline. It's really thick, and hurts like all hell when it's shot into the knee, but after about 30 minutes, the knee feels better. And each shot got easier (they still hurt like hell, but I bounced back faster). I'll be honest - I passed out after the first shot because it hurt and I got up too fast off of the examining table.....but after the rest of the shots, I just layed there for 10 minutes and got up slow.

I had my last shot on Jan 2, and honestly, I've had no issues with the knee whatsoever. Maybe it works! I'm going to have to do the other knee eventually, but I'm waiting for it to start acting up again.

You're just going to have to play the wait and see game....but, remember that the surgery is going to drastically improve your health! Good luck to you.