Re: Re: Gastric Bypass & RA

January 22, 2008

HI TONI MY NAME IS MELYNDA IN C.C. TX.DO U SUGGEST THIS SURGERY TO RA PATIENTS?

I TAKE 4MG OF PREDNISONE EVERY DAY SINCE I STARTED I HAVE GAINED 50 POUNDS.

THATS TOOOO HEAVY 4 ME. ANY SUGGESTIONS? MELYNDA< mapgamez@...>

aclavern33@... wrote: I am not a gastric bypass patient. I am a

lap-band patient. I was

diagnosised with RA before I had surgery. However I have had a serious decline

of my

symptoms and problems post- surgery. I have had remissions since having been

banded as long as nine months. I was banded 3 yrs ago and I have lost 85 lbs

and I have about 50 more left to go.

Toni in Texas

**************Start the year off right. Easy ways to stay in shape.

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January 22, 2008

I wanted to have the lap band done, but no one will take my insurance... I too

thought it might help my RA

Pedro Gamez <mapgamez@...> wrote:

HI TONI MY NAME IS MELYNDA IN C.C. TX.DO U SUGGEST THIS SURGERY TO RA

PATIENTS? I TAKE 4MG OF PREDNISONE EVERY DAY SINCE I STARTED I HAVE GAINED 50

POUNDS. THATS TOOOO HEAVY 4 ME. ANY SUGGESTIONS? MELYNDA< mapgamez@...>

aclavern33@... wrote: I am not a gastric bypass patient. I am a lap-band

patient. I was

diagnosised with RA before I had surgery. However I have had a serious decline

of my

symptoms and problems post- surgery. I have had remissions since having been

banded as long as nine months. I was banded 3 yrs ago and I have lost 85 lbs

and I have about 50 more left to go.

Toni in Texas

**************Start the year off right. Easy ways to stay in shape.

http://body.aol.com/fitness/winter-exercise?NCID=aolcmp00300000002489

January 23, 2008

My rheumatologist took me off the steroids and put me on methotrexate and

now remecade. She said you shouldn't be on steroids for a long time and

that the other meds were the long time versions that would do the same

thing.

As for gastric bypass or lapband for RA, I wouldn't count on it helping RA

at all. RA is an autoimmune disorder, which will more than likely be

aggravated by the surgery, not help it. The only arthritis that could be

helped is osteoarthritis of the knees, etc because loss of weight would take

pressure off those joints which are damaged.

Re: [ ] Re: Gastric Bypass & RA

HI TONI MY NAME IS MELYNDA IN C.C. TX.DO U SUGGEST THIS SURGERY TO RA

PATIENTS? I TAKE 4MG OF PREDNISONE EVERY DAY SINCE I STARTED I HAVE GAINED

50 POUNDS. THATS TOOOO HEAVY 4 ME. ANY SUGGESTIONS? MELYNDA<

mapgamez@...>

aclavern33@... wrote: I am not a gastric bypass patient. I am a

lap-band patient. I was

diagnosised with RA before I had surgery. However I have had a serious

decline of my

symptoms and problems post- surgery. I have had remissions since having been

banded as long as nine months. I was banded 3 yrs ago and I have lost 85 lbs

and I have about 50 more left to go.

Toni in Texas

**************Start the year off right. Easy ways to stay in shape.

http://body.aol.com/fitness/winter-exercise?NCID=aolcmp00300000002489

January 25, 2008

So, you admit yourself then, that your remissions were not from the gastric

bypass, but from dietary changes and exercise.

As for the autoimmune properties of RA, malnutrition will aggravate that.

And gastric bypass is malnutrition by starvation. That's what we paid for,

and what we got. If you don't believe me, ask your rheumatologist.

[ ] Re: Gastric Bypass & RA

I have to disagree with on this one. due to the dietary changes and post op

regiment of diet and exercise. I obtained a 9 month remission of all

symptoms immediately after surgery. Then two years later another 6 month

remission.

I am currently in remission with no symptoms and on no meds after for the

past month after many months of constant cycling flares.

Anytime I make changes that decrease the stresses on the body, it results

in

remission or a decrease in my symptoms.

So keep in mind that each person is different in their disease and they

respond differently to various kinds of stressors.

I was diagnosised with RA and fibromyalgia in 2002. I have had

osteo-arthritis since I was a teenager.

Toni in Texas

_Re: Gastric Bypass & RA _

( /message/108168;_ylc=X3oDMTJydHRxYj

dvBF9TAzk3MzU5NzE1BGdycElkAzEwMTQ3OARncnBzcElkAzE3MDU

wNjE0OTgEbXNnSWQDMTA4MTY4BHNlYwNkbXNnBHNsawN2bXNnBHN0aW1lAzEyMDExNDMxNjA-)

Posted by: " Shihtzumom " _shihtzumom1@... _

(mailto:shihtzumom1@...?Subject= Re:%20Gastric%20Bypass%20 & %20RA)

_shihtzumom _

(shihtzumom)

Wed Jan 23, 2008 3:35 am (PST)

My rheumatologist took me off the steroids and put me on methotrexate and

now remecade. She said you shouldn't be on steroids for a long time and

that the other meds were the long time versions that would do the same

thing.

As for gastric bypass or lapband for RA, I wouldn't count on it helping RA

at all. RA is an autoimmune disorder, which will more than likely be

aggravated by the surgery, not help it. The only arthritis that could be

helped is osteoarthritis of the knees, etc because loss of weight would

take

pressure off those joints which are damaged.

**************Biggest Grammy Award surprises of all time on AOL Music.

(http://music.aol.com/grammys/pictures/never-won-a-grammy?NCID=aolcmp0030000

00025

48)

January 25, 2008

Jeanette,

I also agree that it is not an easy fix to have the RNY. I had RNY in Oct-2001

everyday is hard. I have lost 131#s. I was down 155#s but I was so unhealthy and

needed to gain weight. I wea recently diagnosed in Nov. 2007. I will see a

Rheumatologist 2-12 I am sure he will have a lot to say about the RNY. What

part of northern MI? We are in Sturgis...SW michigan.

Kolleen

Jeanette <grrtlvr@...> wrote:

Hello everyone! I am pretty new to this group, but wanted to post on

this topic. I had RNY on March 8, 2006. I was just recently diagnosed

with Rheumatoid and with osteopenia in my hips. On one hand I am glad I

had the RNY as I lost 126 pounds and have kept it off. On the other

hand the malabsorption has caused some problems for me not the least of

which is I have a hard time finding meds that work for me, not just for

the Rheumatoid and Osteopenia...but when I get an infection such as a

sinus infection...I have a hard time getting over it..even with several

bouts of anti biotic. I am not against the RNY and I am happy with my

results...but I would warn anyone considering it to go in with your

eyes wide open...it is by no means an " easy fix " . I was not diagnosed

with Rheumatoid or Osteopenia until two years after the RNY. I do not

know if there is a connection. I am new to all of this and am wanting

to learn all I can. I am a 50 year old grandmother to 5 gorgeous

grandkids. I am an LPN and work at our local hospital. I live in

Northern Michigan. Nice to meet all of you! Jeanette

--- In , " hymanshouse " <hymanshouse@...>

wrote:

>

> Hello everyone, I too am a gastric bypass patient and just had my 5

> year anniversary. I also noticed symptoms after my surgery, but they

> just recently became more prevelent. So I just wanted to start a new

> post to find all the Gastric Bypass patients out there!

>

> By the way, I lost 105 lbs, had a baby and have maintained 85 lbs.

> off. Okay, i know, that was a nice way to say that i gained 20 lbs.

> back.

>

---------------------------------

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January 25, 2008

Hi...I had weight loss (bariatric) surgery in 2004 and have lost and kept off

almost 200 pounds. First of all, any weight loss surgery has its dangers and

possible complications. And it is a tool, and a temporary one at that. I can

tell my story, and it is not without problems, but losing that weight made

tremendous, positive differences in my life. I spent 52 years trying, and

trying, and trying to acheive something close to a normal healthy weight, long

term, to be met with failure everytime. I object strongly when anyone paints

weight loss surgery with either negative or positive 'broad strokes'. We are all

individuals and personal experiences run the gamet. I belong to several weight

loss surgery support groups both on line and in person. The people who would do

it over again FAR outweigh the number of people who would not. That being said,

anyone thinking of doing this should research, research, research and KNOW what

they are doing. It is serious, and in my opinion, sh

ould never be used by any but those who are extremely morbidly obese and

experiencing life or death comorbidities.

Yes, malabsorption is a part of the gastric bypass and the duodenal

switch...both types of weight loss surgery. And, with diligent behaviors in

getting in nutrients and supplements, most folks do not have serious, long

lasting problems. If you do these surgeries and do not follow the mandates for

adequate protein and vitamins/minerals, you are asking for disaster.

This entire experience has to be looked at from a benefits/risk standpoint. Are

you so ill and disabled from extreme obesity that the risk of surgery is less

than the risk of doing nothing? Is your life in danger? Or, are you relatively

healthy and can take the time necessary to attempt to get the weight off with

eating more healthy and exercising more? Have you tried every non-surgical

option?

In addition, much research is happening and, for some folks, no amount of

ordinary 'dieting' will ever work to a sufficient degree. There is the genetic

component that is just beginning to have some understanding, and the 'wonderful

world' of messed up hormones some of have that make traditional weight loss next

to, if not, impossible. I would never presume to say to any morbidly obese

person that they 'should' have surgery. It is too serious and individual a

matter for me to push on anyone. And, I would never tell someone who is

morbidly obese that they 'should not' have it.

In regard to RA, again, I can only tell my story. At nearly 400 pounds nothing

seemed to work. At that high weight I was started on Humira, twice a month, and

Methotrexate weekly, which did begin to help, though I had flares probably every

few months. Because of the flares I started weekly Humira with weekly

Methotrexate. It was helpful! Since the weight loss surgery and weight loss I

had a remission for a couple months after surgery and have done really well

since. Now, it could be solely the benefit of the meds, it could be the extreme

change in my body chemistry due to the huge weight loss, or a combination

thereof.

As with anything, we are all individuals and 'YMMV'-'your mileage may vary'.

Hoping the best for all...

Cheryle

January 25, 2008

I am a new member here, just being diagnosed with fibro last month after

years of pain. I was diagnosed with rheum. Arth. Last year. I am a 44 year

old NJ gal, recently widowed, and I had gastric bypass surgery 9 years ago.

I must say that the benefits far outweighed the detriments. I was 530 lbs

when I had my surgery, and now, 9 years later, I maintain a weight of

195-200 lbs - call me Twiggy now! LOL! (go here to view my before/after

photos: http://i239.photobucket.com/albums/ff245/cindylouwho777/38f8ab01.jpg

)

Anyway, I did a lot of damage to my body being that obese for most of my

adult life, and I am paying for it now. Yes, there are a problems resulting

from malabsorbtion, and I have to compensate for that with supplements. I

also have to argue with doctors all the time trying to make them realize

that ONE pill might be proper dosage for a person with normal intestines,

but will do nada for me. I always run out of my medication way before it's

time to refill, which makes the last week of the month pure hell. Thank God

a doctor FINALLY diagnosed me last month and FINALLY prescribed something to

help with the pain.

Maybe fibro is all in the head like someone said earlier. If it is, then

TREAT MY HEAD!! So many illnesses that doctors didn't " believe " in years

ago now have celebrities raising money and wearing baseball caps supporting.

Remember when Lyme disease was imaginary???

I am in the process of applying for disability. After no word from them

for 7 months, I contacted a local congressman and low and behold now I have

3 appts. For a physical, mental and xray exams next month! Thank God there

are some politicians who actually DO something for their constituents!! (Jim

Saxton, NJ, btw(

I hope to learn from all of you and maybe help some of you as well. We all

need each other, right?

Blessings,

Lou

~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~

" Given the choice between the experience of pain and nothing,

I would choose pain " ~ Faulkner

~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~

January 26, 2008

HI, !!!!! This is Chrissie. Glad to finally hear something about how

you are doing. Everyone asks about you, and I don't know what to tell them.

How is Charlie?

It is weird how many of those of us who have had gastric bypass go on to

have RA also, but we are proof of it, even when doctors won't admit it.

Glad to hear from you. Keep in touch.

PS: It was because of and her success, that I had gastric bypass.

Chrissie

Shihtzumom1@...

RE: [ ] Re: Gastric Bypass & RA