Re: gastric bypass/knee

[Guest guest]

Debby,

I was diagnosed with lupus in Oct 96, 5 years before I had the gastric bypass (December 2001). I had acute pancreatitis for the first time in January 2000, almost two years before the gastric bypass. I was diagnosed with my second autoimmune disease, the antiphospholipid antibody syndrome, which causes a clotting disorder, in July 2002. However, my previous rheumy never bothered to test me for it, so when I first saw my current rheumy in July 2002, that was the first time I was ever tested for it. I'd probably had it for years. I was diagnosed with AIH and type II diabetes in January 2003, 13 months after the gastric bypass. None of my doctors think any of my health problems have anything to do with having the gastric bypass. I had no complications from the gastric bypass and all of my doctors tell me I would be much sicker if I had not gotten the excess weight off since being overweight is very hard on your pancreas, liver, and kidneys. My rheumy also says that getting the weight off is helping to keep my lupus under better control. I'm sure if I were still 100 lbs overweight there would be no way I could even begin to keep the diabetes under control without medication. With being on prednisone, it is hard enough to keep it under control even without being overweight.

I have a pretty strong family history of autoimmune diseases. I have an uncle and three male cousins with rheumatoid arthritis and my 21 year old daughter was diagnosed with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis at 15. My sis has an appt with my rheumy next month. We are pretty sure she has lupus because she tested positive to the anti-smith antibody, which is pretty specific for lupus.

As for your knee, have you considered the synovist gel injections? They told my mom about 3 years ago that she would have to have a knee replacement within the next several months. She decided to try the synovist gel injections instead. I think they do a series of three injections a few weeks apart. It worked wonders for her knee. She went about 2 years with no knee pain at all. When the knee began acting up again, she had another round of the injections. It's now been about a year since the second set of synovist gel injections and her knee is still going strong. You might want to look it up on the internet and discuss it with your ortho doc.

W

[Guest guest]

, thanks for your response. I have had the synovial injections twice. The first time it helped, the second was a wash. I have had 6 knee surgeries on that knee and two ankle surgeries on the same let....all the right leg. LOL.....the knee gives out, but the ankle doesn't move! OH WELL! I just laugh!

It is interesting. The thought crossed my mind - could the autoimmune problems be aggrevated by the surgery. I won't say the surgery caused it because that doens't make sense to me.

Then, you mention the anit-smooth muscle. Mine came back positive years ago, and the doctor said it was drug induced lupus. Right now, I can only find the SM antibody test, but I know that the anti smooth is there somewhere. I am going to have to find that one.

Thanks for all the info. Again, congrats on your tremendous weight loss!!

Debby

Re: [ ] gastric bypass/knee

Debby,

I was diagnosed with lupus in Oct 96, 5 years before I had the gastric bypass (December 2001). I had acute pancreatitis for the first time in January 2000, almost two years before the gastric bypass. I was diagnosed with my second autoimmune disease, the antiphospholipid antibody syndrome, which causes a clotting disorder, in July 2002. However, my previous rheumy never bothered to test me for it, so when I first saw my current rheumy in July 2002, that was the first time I was ever tested for it. I'd probably had it for years. I was diagnosed with AIH and type II diabetes in January 2003, 13 months after the gastric bypass. None of my doctors think any of my health problems have anything to do with having the gastric bypass. I had no complications from the gastric bypass and all of my doctors tell me I would be much sicker if I had not gotten the excess weight off since being overweight is very hard on your pancreas, liver, and kidneys. My rheumy also says that getting the weight off is helping to keep my lupus under better control. I'm sure if I were still 100 lbs overweight there would be no way I could even begin to keep the diabetes under control without medication. With being on prednisone, it is hard enough to keep it under control even without being overweight.

I have a pretty strong family history of autoimmune diseases. I have an uncle and three male cousins with rheumatoid arthritis and my 21 year old daughter was diagnosed with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis at 15. My sis has an appt with my rheumy next month. We are pretty sure she has lupus because she tested positive to the anti-smith antibody, which is pretty specific for lupus.

As for your knee, have you considered the synovist gel injections? They told my mom about 3 years ago that she would have to have a knee replacement within the next several months. She decided to try the synovist gel injections instead. I think they do a series of three injections a few weeks apart. It worked wonders for her knee. She went about 2 years with no knee pain at all. When the knee began acting up again, she had another round of the injections. It's now been about a year since the second set of synovist gel injections and her knee is still going strong. You might want to look it up on the internet and discuss it with your ortho doc.

W

[Guest guest]

Debby,

I suppose the gastric bypass could have aggravated the autoimmune problems in my body, the same as any surgery or traumatic/stressful event could. Won't ever know for sure.

The antibody I mentioned my sis tested positive for was the anti-smith, not the smooth muscle antibody. I have had a positive ANA since the first time it was checked back in 1995. It ranges from 1:80 to 1:320. The hepatologist at Vandy did an anti-smooth muscle on me last month and it was 1:40, which they said is considered negative.

Take care of that knee and ankle. Sorry to hear the synovist injections didn't help last time. My mom had shoulder replacement surgery on Dec 30, 02 and I sure hope I never have the pleasure of having joint replacement surgery!

W