Re: surgeries/life changes

[Guest guest]

Dear RA Support Family...I'm having a bit of a tough time. My RA is

doing wonderfully well, as is my PA. For that I am so grateful. If I

was flared like I was a few months ago, I could never go through the

things that are happening now.

I've talked about the herniated disk L4/L5...the first PT said he

couldn't help after 2 sessions. The neurosurgeon wrote the Rx for 12

sessions. My neuro. was unhappy with him, and asked if I'd be willing

to find another PT clinic. I found one, and started Wednesday.

This PT has an entirely different attitude...she says PT may not prevent

the surgery, but it will strengthen me so I can better handle the

surgery. I will see her 2 X weekly for 5 weeks. Then, the neuro. will

do a CT Myelogram and decide if the microdiskectomy is still

necessary.

Of course the fibromyalgia flares up due to the physical/emotional

stressors. I hurt from the PT and I hurt from the fibro, and I am so,

so tired from having to drag my right leg everywhere.

After 50 years of having tonsils... " too huge for your frame... " the ENT

wants them out. They are interefering with my breathing. He sent me to

a Respiratory Pulmonologist who concurred. The ENT said he can

coordinate with the neuro. to do the surgeries at the same time.

The consensus is also that I should strongly consider a gastric bypass

bariatric surgery. I had thought that was not an option for me because

of my insurance, but I learned today they will cover it with medical

necessity and prior authorization. The ENT is talking to his friend who

happens to be the big-wig of bariatric surgery at OHSU here in Portland.

On one hand I am really feeling hopeful. My diabetes is doing pretty

well, as is the RA & PA. On the other hand I think I am just overwhelmed

not only by all the potential surgeries, but about the HUGE changes in

my life I will need to make. Can I really do all I'll need to do to get

healthier? I hope, and pray. I feel blessed that I might have these

opportunities, and I want to give them prayful attention. And, I'm

scared.

Any thoughts, feelings, experiences & prayers are dearly needed. I have

grown to feel so at home here with you all. I am so glad I can talk

with you. Love & hugs & prayers for you all.

Tess

[Guest guest]

it sure sounds like you have your hands full and have many options to choose

from. seems like alot of people are going the gastric bypass way. i knew

someone in the early 80's that had her stomach stapled. she lost about 150

lbs. i saw her a year or so later and she had put it all back on. i have 2

friends now that are goin g through the process of gastric binding. one is

having problems getting it approved. the other says she has been approved and

i think is going to do it in may. i'll be curious to see how these go before

i would consider that for me. i would worry about combining the othe

surgeries. since for your back you will be on your stomach and for the

tonsils you'd need to be on your back. can your body handle the trauma of 2

surgeries? i tried to get them to do it with my son's knee and his pylonidal

cyst. but his knee was over 5 hrs. it is hard on your body. please ask for

lots of information before commiting to 2 surgeries at once. i had my carpal

tunnel and my scafoid non union. they took a piece of bone from my hip and

put it in my wrist. but same hand. i was in alot of pain and i stayed

overnight on morphine when i should have been outpatient. good luck. it does

sound encouraging tess!!! kathy in il

[Guest guest]

Dear Tess,

Wow, that does sound overwhelming! Its a lot to think about at once. I'm

happy to hear that the RA seems to be under control. It may help to take on

only one of these problems at a time. All together they sound gigantic, but

if you take one at a time it may not be as overwhelming. It sounds like the

disc problem is what is bothering you the most right now, so that may be the

place to start. Then when that is taken care of, move on to the next

bothersome problem. I have a low back problem also. I am waiting for the

results of my MRI. I just got a message on my machine to call the rheumy's

office on Mon, so I guess he knows. I hate waiting. Its raining here today

and every joint is complaining about it. But right now the problem is that

my foot itches terribly and I can't bend yet (stiffness hasn't worn off yet)

to scratch it. I need to find a ruler or something. lol. Know that you are

among friends here. We know how you feel.

Hugs and Prayers

Stacey in PA

[Guest guest]

Dear Tess,

Thinking about all that potentially lies ahead of you must be

overwhelming. I'm glad that part of you feels hopeful that these

changes, should you choose them, may help you to lead a healthier life.

It's a good thing that your physicians seem to be interested in actively

helping you, not just standing by and letting you suffer. Good news,

too, that you have a new, better PT.

Of course you are scared, but I think you can handle it. You seem very

strong and positive. And we'll be here to back you each step of the way

to better health. Have you expressed your fears to your physicians?

Maybe they could offer you further reassurance.

Re: [ ] surgeries/life changes

> Dear RA Support Family...I'm having a bit of a tough time. My RA is

> doing wonderfully well, as is my PA. For that I am so grateful. If I

> was flared like I was a few months ago, I could never go through the

> things that are happening now.

>

> I've talked about the herniated disk L4/L5...the first PT said he

> couldn't help after 2 sessions. The neurosurgeon wrote the Rx for 12

> sessions. My neuro. was unhappy with him, and asked if I'd be willing

> to find another PT clinic. I found one, and started Wednesday.

>

> This PT has an entirely different attitude...she says PT may not

prevent

> the surgery, but it will strengthen me so I can better handle the

> surgery. I will see her 2 X weekly for 5 weeks. Then, the neuro.

will

> do a CT Myelogram and decide if the microdiskectomy is still

> necessary.

>

> Of course the fibromyalgia flares up due to the physical/emotional

> stressors. I hurt from the PT and I hurt from the fibro, and I am so,

> so tired from having to drag my right leg everywhere.

>

> After 50 years of having tonsils... " too huge for your frame... " the

ENT

> wants them out. They are interefering with my breathing. He sent me

to

> a Respiratory Pulmonologist who concurred. The ENT said he can

> coordinate with the neuro. to do the surgeries at the same time.

>

> The consensus is also that I should strongly consider a gastric bypass

> bariatric surgery. I had thought that was not an option for me

because

> of my insurance, but I learned today they will cover it with medical

> necessity and prior authorization. The ENT is talking to his friend

who

> happens to be the big-wig of bariatric surgery at OHSU here in

Portland.

>

> On one hand I am really feeling hopeful. My diabetes is doing pretty

> well, as is the RA & PA. On the other hand I think I am just

overwhelmed

> not only by all the potential surgeries, but about the HUGE changes in

> my life I will need to make. Can I really do all I'll need to do to

get

> healthier? I hope, and pray. I feel blessed that I might have these

> opportunities, and I want to give them prayful attention. And, I'm

> scared.

>

> Any thoughts, feelings, experiences & prayers are dearly needed. I

have

> grown to feel so at home here with you all. I am so glad I can talk

> with you. Love & hugs & prayers for you all.

>

> Tess

[Guest guest]

Dear ...you are so right. First things first, otherwise...Ahhhhh

%#$@ & %!!!!!!!!!!! Thank you for the kindness & encouragement.

Please keep us apprised of your MRI results. Yes, this is a great group

of friends to be among.

Hugs of Hope...

Tess

[Guest guest]

Hi ...after several years of feeling 'bah hum bug' on

therapy/support groups, I just found one I tried a few days ago. There

are only 4 other women with many similarities to me, and I believe I can

make good use of their support. I did also tell my ENT I was

scared...he says scared, within reason, is a GOOD thing...keeps you

aware, questioning and seeking answers.

It is such a blessing to be with you all...each of us on our different

yet so similar journeies.

Much love & many hugs to all...

Tess

[Guest guest]

Dear Kathy...You are so sweet, and thoughtful. You have given me some

good things to think about. I think the ENT is thinking one less time

for general anastesia if I do both at once, but I am thinking it

through.

I've got friends who have had good & bad experiances with bariatric

(obesity) surgery. One thing that stands out is the ones who have had a

good amount of pre-surgery & post-surgery support, education and

information, do better than the ones who just go in for surgery and then

are basically on their own. This isn't something to do without help.

Thanks for your kindness, Kathy.

Hugs of Hope...

Tess

[Guest guest]

Great idea, Tess! Glad you found those four other women. Can't have too

much good support.

I'm happy to hear that you've voiced your fears with your ENT. His

response leads me think he's a very good doctor. Lucky you!

We're blessed to have you here,

Re: [ ] surgeries/life changes

> Hi ...after several years of feeling 'bah hum bug' on

> therapy/support groups, I just found one I tried a few days ago.

There

> are only 4 other women with many similarities to me, and I believe I

can

> make good use of their support. I did also tell my ENT I was

> scared...he says scared, within reason, is a GOOD thing...keeps you

> aware, questioning and seeking answers.

>

> It is such a blessing to be with you all...each of us on our different

> yet so similar journeies.

>

> Much love & many hugs to all...

>

> Tess