Surgery is Scheduled!

Well my Creaky Friends,

The pain has won, I have given in and have opted to go for the tendon release surgery in my left elbow. Down fall here, I will not be able to type for 6 weeks, so I will be on from time to time but limited. I have gotten the Dragonly Speaking V 9.0 working on my machine so I am hoping that will help just getting it used to my voice. It is difficult for someone like me who talks a mile a minute the software can't catchup sometimes.

The surgery is scheduled for December 15th around 12PM (I have my Rheumy appt same day at 9AM, yes I am nutz).

Has anyone been on Enbrel and be instructed to halt it for a week or two prior to a surgery? My primary and Orthro are insisting I speak to the Rheumy about it immediately to make sure. Would appreciate anyone else experiences. 

Tess

Tess!

While I can't give advice on the specific meds or surgery, I send you all my best!

Renee'

Hmm, it might depend on how invasive the surgery is. I stopped it about two weeks before my foot surgery, but not for my ablation.

Good luck!! You'll be starting to type again right about the time I have my finger worked on (Dec. 1).

Hi Tess,

I know it was a tough decision to make but I believe you will feel much better as a result.  I know when I did my knee replacement it was a difficult decision to make but the best one.  My knee works much better than it did before.  I joke that it's the only part of me that does work and that's because it's not mine.  When they did my knee replacement they monkeyed with my Remicade dosing so that I had as far away from the surgery as possible so that as soon as it was possible I was on crutches coming for an infussion.  I wish you well and hope that the pain eases while you are waiting.  I place elbow pain high on the intollerable list.

bigted

Thank you all for your input and advice. The surgery isn't too invasive but it is open joint surgery and there will be about a 6 inch scar, to match the one on my right elbow.  The primary is so concerned about infection and to be honest so am I, but this too shall pass after I get a hold of the Rheumy. 

I did the math today and I will be only working 16 days in the rest of 2008!! Not too shabby I guess.  (I am going to go NUTZ).

Well Renee, this surgery will put me on Darvocet and Diazipan, though I have to make sure what i have to do about the Celebrex and Cymbalta since they also has pain meds in them and I don't want to overdose by accident. (Wouldn't be good).

Thanks again ladies, I knew I could count on all of you for support.

Update Rheumy wants me to stop MTX and Enbrel two weeks before and two weeks after the surgery.  Dozey told me on Yahoo not to worry about it, I should be able to adjust quickly when I go back on.  I just have to find a volunteer to assist me in preparing the syringe for the Enbrel since I wont be able to do all of it by myself with one hand! 

Thanks everyone for your support and advice.  Take care.

Oh! good luck! I'm sure you'll be fine- I had to stop my meds for almost 2 months this summer when I got Lyme, and it was actually less bad than I thought- I guess it takes a while for them to get out of your system so it took a while for it to be problematic. (which was a big surprise to all of us!)

keep us posted!

-k

Thanks Kate!!  I will as we get closer, not sure why I am waiting so long except my feeling of guilt for missing so much work!! 

Creaky Friends,  Tomorrow is the day.  The surger is at Noon eastern time so after that I will have limited availability to be able to log on and type.  I will try the Dragonly Speaking software but it has been annoying. I'll do my best.

Hope everyone has a great holiday season, if I don't get to type before then.

Thanks for all your support!

Previously TessaD wrote:

Creaky Friends,  Tomorrow is the day.  The surger is at Noon eastern time so after that I will have limited availability to be able to log on and type.  I will try the Dragonly Speaking software but it has been annoying. I'll do my best.

Hope everyone has a great holiday season, if I don't get to type before then.

Thanks for all your support!

 

 Tessa,

Your last communication was 12-14-2008. Are you OK?  I hope all went well! 

 I am scheduled for a knee surgery 3-3-09.  I know I have to do it, (both knees need it badly), but I'm afraid of the pain and of not having enough help at home post surgery.  I may go to a rehab center after for PT and more help. 

Carol T. 

Carol,  I am doing pretty good, still limited on what I can do since the RA is effecting the healing process in my elbow. 

I have heard from the rest of the folks on the board that when they have gone through replacement surgery it actually has been a great improvement. Unfort. mine was not replacement only scrapping of the joint and tendons that the RA is effecting. 

I wish you well on your decision and if you feel a Rehab would be the best place go for it!! I have two sons that still live at home so I was lucky to have them to help with all the driving cooking etc. 

Keep us posted.

Tess,

We will miss you on here when you go!

I was on Humira when I had gallblader surgery 2 years ago.  I came off for only one injection, since you give yourself one every 2 weeks on Humira.  The surgery went fine.  Not to worry.

Keep us posted.

- Kati

I hope the surgery goes smoothly and that you are back on line soon.  I will be thinking of you and missing your kind and encouraging words on creaky.