Post surgical flare
In the past eight months I’ve had two major surgeries. The end of August I had a complete right knee replacement, it went very well, but I was taken off my biologic for two weeks prior then post. It put me into a flare but I got through it, then in January I was rushed into the hospital for a small bowel resection, again off the biologic. I now have taken my 5th weekly shot and I’m in misery. I’m on Enbrel, plaquinel , and 10mg prednisone. This is getting worse , I’m going to Rheumatologist tomorrow, but why is this happening? This surgery has made my life hell.
Oh, my heart goes out to you,
! I can hear how miserable it has been for you since having to be off your biologic due to your knee replacement. I wish I could tell you why this has been happening but hopefully your appointment with your rheumatologist goes well tomorrow and you come up with a plan and some ideas for you to get some relief. Hopefully your doctor can give you some insights as to what is going on and how you can feel better! Please let us know how it goes! Sending you gentle hugs. -- Warmly, Christine (Team Member) 
Hi
. First, let me say that I hope the recovery from the surgery has been o.k. Second, I know that, for some, after an extended break from a particular biologic it may not work the same when one goes back on it. I don't know if it is an antibodies thing or something else. Hopefully your doctor can provide further information today (if the appointment hasn't already happened). I do want to share with you this article from our patient leader Kelly (full disclosure - I'm her husband) on signs it may be time to switch medications: https://rheumatoidarthritis.net/living/when-to-change-medications. Hoping you get some answers and relief soon and please feel free to keep us posted on how you are doing and to ask additional questions. Best, Richard (RheumatoidArthritis.net Team) Thank you Richard. I did have my visit with my rheumatologist (whom I adore) and the immediate plan is to stay on the current course for a bit longer, to see if the Enbrel kicks back up. Having two major surgeries in eight months, and not being able to be on has shocked my system, both physically and psychologically. The side effects of most of the others can really hit gastrointestinal, and just having the bowel resection, you get the picture.
oh I'm so glad that your visit with your rheumatologist went well (and that you adore them)! It makes sense that two major surgeries has shocked your system! I imagine anyone's system would be in shock, but having an autoimmune condition in addition to two major surgeries certainly could add an additional layer of complexity to recovery. I'm crossing my fingers that you start to get some relief soon. Sending you gentle hugs. -- Warmly, Christine (Team Member)
I too have issues with surgeries/procedures and don't heal as doctors say, for instance, I recently had a large lipoma removed from neck (it grew from neck surgery within a month or so ). They said I should have done procedure done at hospital under anesthesia. Said I had more numbing med they had ever seen. I'm 93 pounds. I wasn't supposed to scab but, I did. Connective tissue disorder. I just don't want anymore. Have upper GI in a couple of weeks. Ugh. I wish you well 😊
I cannot tell you how many times I have heard things like, "well, we are off the map here," or "we are re-writing the textbooks," or even, "yes, you said that would happen but we didn't believe you." Doctors not only don't like to listen when we tell them things like, "I am a special case," but even when it happens they still act surprised. I am actually the opposite of you - I heal so well and so fast that bone overgrowing after surgery is a real concern and has screwed up one ankle surgery already. They didn't believe me, of course, and the surgeon even said, "I didn't expect you to heal this fast or this well." I said, "even though I told you exactly that?" We just have to keep advocating for ourself as much as possible, just for the few times they actually do listen! Ugh, just know you are not alone. Keep on keepin' on, DPM Hi
. I'm with on those surprising issues, although from observing. My wife, Kelly Mack (a contributor here), was diagnosed, like Daniel, as a child. I've seen plenty of surprised doctors over the years. I know I asked a little bit ago in a different response about whether you were getting the upper GI to look for an autoimmune gastro issue. Now I see you mention being at 93 pounds. Do you have other GI issues? You may want to look at this article from our sister-site on different types of inflammatory bowel disease and symptoms before you meet with the doctor: https://inflammatoryboweldisease.net/what-is-ibd. Often doctors don't know how to handle multiple conditions and it can be difficult to get them to work together/coordinate. Wishing you the best. Richard (RheumatoidArthritis.net Team)
