Update Re: Cervical Fusion coming up

[Guest guest]

Hi :

I was happy to read your surgery went well. As for your RA flare, I

would definately call your Rheumy. I had a total knee and total hip

replacement, and I didn't stop my MTX. I healed wonderfully, and have

no more pain at all.

Everyone heals differently, I have been very lucky in this area. My

doctors biggest worry was the RA, and how I would fare with the surgery.

I sailed right through it, and my RA didn't bother me at all.

I hope your recovery is good, and I hope you get your RA under control.

I also take 10mg. of Prednisone daily. I can't seem to get off of it,

but it works great for my RA. Do you take Prednisone daily?

Wishing you pain free days.

Hugs,

Barbara

--- In , " cynthiadew1 " <cynthiadew1@...>

wrote:

>

> I thought I would update the list on my surgery. The Surgery went

> very well. Very little pain, well I was pretty doped up, called my

> boyfriend at 4 in the morning. lol Apparently I am quite the clown on

> painkillers. I read the surgeon's notes when I went in for my follow-

> up with my doc's PA, everything when well, did a bit more work than

> he orginally thought he would, hmmmm more bone spurs that even the

> MRI showed. Mainly the appointment was to take off the steri-strips,

> and check the incision. Should end up with hardly any scar. Even now

> it is a very thin line. Don't worry about seeing the PA after

> surgery, My doctor is on vacation, and I will see him on the next

> visit. Took x-rays at the visit and everything is where it is

> supposed to be. I have been trying to find the words to describe how

> I feel. I don't think I have any pain remaining from the surgery,

> and my hands feel 'light' and very mobile. If that makes sense.

> Before I couldn't do certain movements without pain, and that pain

> isn't there anymore. I was hoping to be able to try some of my

> artwork in a month or so, was has happen since, is a bit worrisome to

> me:

>

> I do have a question for others who have had surgery of any type and

> have RA. I stopped my NSAID (sulindac) about 2 weeks before, and a

> couple of doses of MTX. I didn't stop my Remicade, and do not plan

> too. I have since restarted both sulindac and MTX. I know that my

> spine surgeon will want me off the sulindac for 6 months to help with

> the healing of my spine, but.... I have started to have one whammy

> of a RA flare. It started the day after Xmas, and have gotten quite

> a bit worse. Almost ALL my joints are involved, toes, feet, hips,

> shoulders, collar bones, thumbs, fingers and hands, and my jaws. I

> literally can't open my month. The only thing I have done is be a

> passenger from Orange County to San Diego for Xmas dinner at a

> friends. Oh, and a quick trip to one of the small malls to but a new

> winter coat, and pick up a couple of Rx's. Even my boyfriend noticed

> I was having a hard time walking. If I had told him how much pain I

> was in he would have when straight home. Is having a flare of your

> RA 'normal' after surgery? I'm planning on calling my Rheumy

> tomorrow, as I think he will be in at least part of the way.

>

> Well, at least no one has to tell me to take it easy. Can't move

> anyway.

>

>

>