Fibromyalgia Community

I was dx'ed in 2005, and had a hysterectomy in 2007. I had no extra fibro pain. The hospital was aware of the fibro, and I made sure I was given my meds on schedule.

Good Luck!
Lou

Hello Georgia....MiMi in NC...as you may or may not know...I have indeed had my share of surgeries...and with some of them....I did have a lot more problems than with others...I do make sure when I go to the hospital for anything....I tell them that I have FM..and I also tell them that I have had cervical (neck) surgery...and to please be very careful with me during the surgery....you know...we never really know what goes on with us during surgery....and I think it is important to make sure those tending to us are aware...my neurosurgeon told me to be sure and do this...(so I think he is aware of something)...

Anyway....I also think it is important that you take care of yourself and do exactly what the doctor tells you to do...as you know....stress it the wrath of the dragon's best friend...and we tend to be stressful when we are faced with something different to deal with...

I also think it is really important to keep the same schedule as you normally do....for whatever you do....and to be sure and get enough rest...

I am surprised that your surgeon told you that your pain will linger long after surgery....have you had this kind of surgery before? Just remember that the doctors do NOT always know what is going to happen...as we are all very different...

Good luck and take care...


MiMi

I have had 27 surgeries in my life, and 10 of them were after I was diagnosed with FM. I can honestly say, that I have never had any lingering pain from any of my surgeries. Your key to success, is making sure you get your normal drugs on schedule, even if you have to bring them from home. I have found that I almost always have to bring my drugs, either because they don't have my drugs, or they don't give them to me on my schedule.

Good luck with your surgery,

Kelly

Hello Georgia. In Sept 2010 within 2 weeks of each other , I fractured my rt Fibula, then fell out my front door with my crutches, landed on my brick patio and broke my lft. hip unevenly. They inserted pins and screws in my hip. My leg feels fine. No Problem. But my hip & down the front of my lft. thigh hurts like crazy. I am on plenty of pain meds for my FM, but this pain seems to break through. Now, my Drs. (Neurologist) says it has to do with my screwed up spine (had that and neck damage for years). The best thing that I can suggest to you and everyone out there is to type out your drug Allergies, the meds you're on, including dosage and amount. All surgeries you've had and everything you've been diagnosed with. At the end, have a place for "Comments:" . I know that this sounds overwhelming, but it's a bit of research and some typing. Mine is a full 2 pages long in color. Once this is done, make sure you have 2 copies with you when you see your doctor next time. One goes in your record & one goes with you to show your doctor while you're in the room. Some won't care and some will look at it closely. That tells you a great deal right there. And, trust me ... it could save your life. I agree. take some of your meds with you if you have a hospital stay. While I was in rehab (30 days for my leg & hip.), they ran out of some of my meds that caused reactions. Good luck if you decide to have the surgery. They have come so far in that field. Bless you.

Thank you all for replying with your personal stories & sage advice. No, MiMi, I have had no surgery since being diagnosed with FM. Prior to that, I had only vein stripping for varicose veins, which was uneventful.

I am encouraged that they've come very far with joint replacement but rather discouraged as I have what is known as fibrous dysplasia of my left femur. Indirectly, this caused the osteoarthritis of the left hip. This abnormality complicates the surgery as fitting the prosthesis on the deformed femur presents a challenge. Because the condition is rare, I have found no local surgeons with the experience. Because I would rather not be a guinea pig, I've travelled to the Cleveland Clinic where I found a specialist who has experience with my condition. Although it's only a four hour drive from my home, I will have to make arrangements for staying there during rehab as travel of any kind should not take place for six or so weeks after surgery.

I haven't yet scheduled surgery as the Cleveland Clinic doctor suggested I wait until I can't walk a block. I have pain which of course is exacerbated by the fibro but because I am relatively young (56) with regard to joint replacement, I would like to hold off as long as possible. Realistically speaking, I don't think that's going to be that much longer.

Thank you again, dear friends!
georgia

Hi Kelly,
That was a sound piece of advice. I had a rough time 'til I had a friend come to my home & grab my meds. That's why it's SO important to have a list of meds you're on. That helped a little. I think if it would have been from the pharmacy, it would have been more impressive. Don't you? Bless You. Kathryn

Hey, Georgia...I just had knee arthroscopic surgery 2 wks. ago. I have to say that when I woke up I hurt in every inch of my body. It lasted about 3-4 days. Mine was outpatient, so I went on home.

I'm facing a total knee replacement (in both knees at some point!), and I'm ready for relief. I'm 58, and I know that's relatively young for replacement, but my quality of life is pretty bad with both knees in this shape.

I understand your concern about the flare from surgery, but if you're in the shape I'm in from arthritis, you'll risk it.

I wish you the best....let us know how things go for you.
Elizabeth

Hi Elizabeth,
Unfortunately, we seem to have a lot in common. Do you find that the fibro really exacerbates your arthritis pain? Do you experience referred pain in other areas? My hip in need of replacement is the left one & I have pain & a pulling sensation in my entire left leg. The knee is really painful at times yet there is just a tad of arthritis there.

On an encouraging note for you, a woman who uses the pool at the gym where I belong had a knee replacement around Thanksgiving time last year & she is doing very well. If you are able to, I strongly suggest warm water therapy. It helps immensely with mobility.

If you wouldn't mind sharing some of your fibro with arthritis symptoms, I would really appreciate it.

Thank you,
georgia

Hey, Georgia,
To tell you the truth, I don't know what's what anymore!! I just know I hurt, and sometimes it's hard to figure out (in some body parts) which is causing it! I do know that when my knees are hurting me more, the pain travels to my thigh, the back of my leg, and my butt.

I know I have arthritis in my neck and lower back also, but not sure about the rest of me. I tend to blame everything on the fibro!

I have a friend who had a hip replacement, and she did great. I've heard that recovering from the hip is not too bad. I also know of a friend of a friend who had both hips done, and she did great, too!

When I was at therapy for the arthroscopic surgery, there was a lady there who'd had a knee replacement in Dec., and she was doing amazingly well. I don't even think she was limping!

My hubby and I went to 2 stores today, and I could hardly walk afterwards. And yes, the pain was traveling all over my leg. I do believe that I've read Dr. P. say that fibro does make any other pain issues worse.

I don't know if I've answered your questions or not...sorry. If not, ask again, and I'll try to be more articulate....blame it on the fog!
But I love talking with others who experience the same things.

Take care...Elizabeth

Georgia,
At the last international orthopaedics conference I attended the topic of joint replacement and FMS came up. Bottom line if you are just getting a joint replacement JUST FOR relief of pain DON'T DO THE SURGERY! It was found in long-term clinical studies that the FMS patient ended up with MORE overall pain.

So, unless you have changes on x-ray or MRI showing bone surfaces rubbing on each other or other problems do not get a knee replacement JUST to alleviate pain. Find an ortho surgeon and an anesthesiologist familiar with FMS. It's your body...get the best care possible.

Hi I had 13 surgeries before I was diagnosed with FMS about 1 year ago. I read that the physical trauma during surgery can actually bring on fibro as the cns is hypersensitised. I had major 14-hr surgery in --April, didn't have any prolonged pain in the affected area, but boy my fibro symptoms are a lot worse than before!! I wake up in pain, get better and can be ok and active until about 1 pm, then the couch calls as I get too tired, clumsy and foggy (and the pain hits) to function normally.haven't been able to work for the past year.

This may or may not be true. I think it varies from person to person and from surgery to surgery.

I had breast reduction surgery about 18 months ago and had no increase in pain at all. I planned for it and did expect it, it just did not happen. After a couple of weeks I was actually able to decrease my pain medicine by about half. Less back pain.

Good luck with your hip surgery.

Take care, Annette

I had surgery about 18 months ago. Surprisingly, they gave me my meds on my usual schedule which is rather strange. I am an old night nurse, and my days and nights are somewhat mixed up.

In the olden days, meds were given at certain times of the day, regardless of when you were used to taking them. God help anyone who normally worked nights and slept in the day time.

I would ask ahead of time, make sure they have your meds and will give them on your schedule.

Take care, Annette

I agree, all my girl friends (5 total) who have had knee replacements had them for decreased function/mobility. ALL had continuing pain, just a different kind of pain. They all could walk better though. None have FMS.

Take care, Annette