A setback

Jun 10, 2010

As you may have noticed, I haven't been on in quite a while. I've been down and discouraged. I won't be having surgery in July afterall. I was diagnosed with Ankylosing Spondylitis last month and was started on sulfasalizine. Immediately I had an allergic reaction to it. So then my rheumatologist started me on Plaquenil. I took it for two and a half weeks, getting worse every day, but I wouldn't give up, as long as it kept me off the NSAIDS.  Then one day, I began to notice dark red bruising all over my body. The next day my face and airway began to swell rapidly causing me to be unable to breathe. I called an ambulance and was rushed to a nearby hospital, where I spent the next 5 days. After that allergic reaction, I had to go back on the NSAIDS. Therefore my gastric bypass was cancelled as I am no longer a candidate.  I DO NOT want to have lap band surgery.  My surgeon has recommended the gastric sleeve now, but Medicare does not cover it yet.  So my plans are on hold.

I saw my rheumatologist Monday, and he recommended I start Enbrel injections.  I took my first today. I've got my fingers crossed!  Has anyone else out there had Medicare pay for the gastric sleeve?

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