Re: Gastric Bypass & RA

[Guest guest]

Hello! I had bypass about 5 or 6 years ago- although I had what I now recognize

as mild symptoms prior to surgery, my RA came on fully within a year post

bypass. I lost only 65 pounds (I lost 35 prior to surgery) and have kept 50 of

that off.

~Marie

[Guest guest]

Hi...I had a type of gastric bypass in April 2004. I went from almost 400

pounds to just over 200, and have been weight stable for 18+ months. I have

recently started eating healthier and moving more so I can to get the last

pounds off. Surgery is only a tool for most, but it was, in my condition, a

lifesaver as well. Now I have to lose weight just like anyone else.

I have, so far, had less flares since the time of my surgery, but I am sure that

has to do with the fact that Humira and Mtx. combo weekly, rather than 2x a

month, has worked well for me.

Congratulations on the baby! I had my third granddaughter this August...of

course I didn't lose weight that way lol : )

Hope...

Cheryle

[Guest guest]

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

[Guest guest]

--- 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.

>

HI MY NAME IS MELYNDA.IM 38 YRS OLD WITH SEVERE RA, OSTEO & NEUROPATHY.I

HAVE BEEN SICK SINCE I WAS 5 YRS OLD.I TAK SEVERAL MEDS INCLUDING

PREDNISONE WHICH HAS MADE ME GAIN WEIGHT. I HATE MYSELF B CUZ IVE TRIED

TO GET OFF BUT I CANT, ITS 2 HARD.IS GASTRIC BYPASS SAFE? A FRIEND OF

MINE HAD IT DONE A YEAR OR 2 AGO, SHE REALLY DID NOT LOSE THAT MUCH

WEIGHT.HAS YOUR PAIN OR SYMPTOMS BEEN DIFFER?MELYNDA<mapgamez2.COM>

[Guest guest]

You will find that each doctors opinion and attitude toward gastric bypass

is different. My rheummy was against any sort of weight loss surgery. However

my weight loss surgeon was against gastric bypass for patients with

auto-immune disease. His reasons was that because require we require life long

meds

and due to mal-absorption there may be issues absorbing meds.

There was also the issue of b-vitamin deficiency which I already had from

from MTX dispite folic acid and folinic acid therapies. Because of the

deficiencies and the permenent changes in digestion my surgeon discouraged RNY.

I am assuming you are in copperas cove texas. if so contact me off the

board. I am i your backyard. LOL.

I have never been on long term steriod therapy. My rheumy will not use long

term steriods due to side effects and risks. heart disease, heart attack,

ostseoporisis and other issues.

There is a group that details may of the unspoken things about gastric

bypass and other weight loss procedures. Its a group called

OSSG_gone-wrong.

Toni

_Re: Gastric Bypass & RA _

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Posted by: " Pedro Gamez " _mapgamez@... _

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

_

(mapgamez)

Tue Jan 22, 2008 9:23 pm (PST)

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@..._

(mailto:mapgamez@...) >

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48)

[Guest guest]

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 _

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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.

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[Guest guest]

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.

>

[Guest guest]

For what it's worth, my symptoms began about the same time I got a gastric band

6 years ago. A friend even suggested my body was reacting to a foreign body. (

I was diagnosed last Nov.)

However I asked the 'experts' on my bandster list and they've never heard of

being banded causing/triggering RA. I am more active after losing 85 lbs, (and

didn't have a clue I should rest often,) so that would perhaps contribute to my

episodes in a roundabout way. On the other hand, wouldn't having a thinner,

healthier body make coping with RA easier for my body?

A Question:

I won't see the Rheumy until Apr and this list seems to be the only place I

can get any answers. Are there books in the Library I can go find to learn

about what I can be doing for myself? I get here mostly that I should just

take it easy and rest after activities. Anything more I can be doing for me,

is there any dietary things to be avoiding? I don't have any joint pain yet.

Thanks, robin in Mesa AZ

[Guest guest]

Hello Kolleen! Glad to meet you! I live in Traverse City. I know

Sturgis as we almost bought a house there when I was a kid. I grew up

in Buchanan. It sure is a small world! Good luck with your

appointment. I am not able to go to a rheumy yet due to some

insurance problems...but hope to go soon. Jeanette

> >

> > 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.

> >

>

>

>

>

>

>

> ---------------------------------

> Be a better friend, newshound, and know-it-all with Mobile.

Try it now.

>

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Lou! I LOVED your post! It gave me great hope for my

sister...who is waiting to hear about having RNY..She currently

weighs 425 pounds and has fibromyalgia. A doctor that I work with at

the hospital feels that fibromyalgia is a physical change in the body

that is caused by chronic stress. I know this could be true in my

sister's case. I think fibro is one of those things we are still

learning about. I am interested in hearing how your disability

process goes...as it is something I may need in the future. A very

good friend of mine has recently been approved for disability. We all

had a good laugh...as this person is a spared quad..meaning he has

gross movement of his upper extremities and is paralyzed from the

waist down...well the social security examiner called him and

said " We have determined that you ARE disabled. " hahaha!! He

said " What was your first clue?' He also has glaucoma and severe

diabates...but his first claim was denied. The moral here is never

give up...if your claim is denied..appeal it! Nice to meet you!

Jeanette

--- In , " Lou " <cindylouwho777@...>

wrote:

>

> 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

> ~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~

>

[Guest guest]

First I think you are confused. I did NOT have gastric bypass. I am a

lap-band patient. My digestion has not been altered by cutting of stomach or

intestines. Lap-band is a restrictive type of surgery. I believe my remissions

came from major lifestyle changes and major reductions in my stress levels that

also includes changes in diet along with exercise.

I can not hold as much food. So in my case I am NOT suffering by any means

from starvation or malnutrition. Because of these issues is the reason I

choose NOT to have gastric bypass surgery. Also because my rheumatologist did

inform me that there is medical evidence that people who have gastric bypass

later have serious long term complications and in many cases develop various

types of auto-immune disease as a result of shortening the gut.

I agree that malnutrition and starvation will aggrevate auto-immune

disorders. The malabsorption creates serious problems for many because they can

not

absorb their meds properly.

There is an excellent group that is very graphic is nature...but

details all of those who have died or are he walking dead from gastric bypass

complications. its called OSSG-gone_wrong.

Toni

_Re: Gastric Bypass & RA _

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

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

_shihtzumom _

(shihtzumom)

Fri Jan 25, 2008 12:54 pm (PST)

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.

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[Guest guest]

Hey its great to see another bandster on the list. I was banded in 2004 and

it was the best decision I have ever made. I was dx'd 2 yrs before I had band

surgery. I was on a ton of meds for RA, OA and fibro. Currently I am on

Lodine and that is it. I gave up on the rheummies in my area. So far the

choices

are very limited and they are all quacks. My symptoms have been minimal and I

have gone from disability back to work fulltime!

Toni

_Re: Gastric bypass & RA _

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Posted by: " Robin er GMail " _nibor44@... _

(mailto:nibor44@...?Subject= Re:%20Gastric%20bypass%20 & %20RA) _niblet444

_

(niblet444)

Sat Jan 26, 2008 3:55 am (PST)

For what it's worth, my symptoms began about the same time I got a gastric

band 6 years ago. A friend even suggested my body was reacting to a foreign

body. ( I was diagnosed last Nov.)

However I asked the 'experts' on my bandster list and they've never heard of

being banded causing/triggering RA. I am more active after losing 85 lbs,

(and didn't have a clue I should rest often,) so that would perhaps contribute

to my episodes in a roundabout way. On the other hand, wouldn't having a

thinner, healthier body make coping with RA easier for my body?

A Question:

I won't see the Rheumy until Apr and this list seems to be the only place I

can get any answers. Are there books in the Library I can go find to learn

about what I can be doing for myself? I get here mostly that I should just take

it easy and rest after activities. Anything more I can be doing for me, is

there any dietary things to be avoiding? I don't have any joint pain yet.

Thanks, robin in Mesa AZ

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

(http://music.aol.com/grammys/pictures/never-won-a-grammy?NCID=aolcmp00300000002\

5

48)

[Guest guest]

Hey Robin,

My RA jut flushed out after double hip replacements. Yes, I agree with you.

>

> For what it's worth, my symptoms began about the same time I got a gastric

band 6

years ago. A friend even suggested my body was reacting to a foreign body. ( I

was

diagnosed last Nov.)

> However I asked the 'experts' on my bandster list and they've never heard

of being

banded causing/triggering RA. I am more active after losing 85 lbs, (and didn't

have a

clue I should rest often,) so that would perhaps contribute to my episodes in a

roundabout way. On the other hand, wouldn't having a thinner, healthier body

make

coping with RA easier for my body?

>

> A Question:

> I won't see the Rheumy until Apr and this list seems to be the only place I

can get any

answers. Are there books in the Library I can go find to learn about what I

can be doing

for myself? I get here mostly that I should just take it easy and rest after

activities.

Anything more I can be doing for me, is there any dietary things to be avoiding?

I don't

have any joint pain yet. Thanks, robin in Mesa AZ

>

>