Question:
How is fibromyalgia effected by weight loss??
In my first month of my 6 month diet & excersize program, I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia. One of the side effects of the medicine they put me on is weight gain, so I've actually gained 5 lbs!! Will this effect the docters decision/date to have my surgery?? Also, how will the weight loss effect the fibromyalgia?? (will it improve or lesson?) — nellybelle (posted on December 26, 2007)
December 26, 2007
Hi, congratulations on deciding to have WLS. I too have fibromyalgia and
am almost 5 months post gatric bypass. I am not on medication for my
fibromyalgia because of allergies. I have not found, so far, any
difference to my level of suffering. In fact, shortly after my op, it was
worse. However, it depends upon how much stress there is in your life, as
you well know, and my life, unfortunately, if filled with it (only exercise
releases the stress). I have lost 90 lbs so far. I have had my fibro
since I was very young and wasn't diagnosed till I was in my late 20's so I
had been very ill. I hope that the med works for you. My fibro did not
affect my doctor's decision regarding my eligibility for the op. Go ahead
with your plans and try not to worry (we know how bad that is for us who
suffer!). Maybe the WLS will help improve your situation. A positive
outlook certainly can't hurt!! I wish you all the best.
— cherub13
December 26, 2007
I am 5 mos. and I could have written Allison's response. I think I was
much more tired and slower to regain energy than your average patient. I am
much more comfortable with my 70 lb. lighter self. I would do this again
in a heartbeat even though I had to have my gall bladder out last week. If
you are given the option of having your gall bladder removed with WLS--take
it! Christine
— Christine M.
December 26, 2007
I also have fibro and my surgery was in August, I have since lost 100lbs.
So first of all I can say that you will have to watch what type of meds you
are put on, you can not be put on any meds that may eat your pouch check
with your dr for that, anything with asprin in it you can not have, advil,
ibroprophin (sp?), any medicine that helps with swelling is bad for our
pouch it will create ulcers. My drs can not figure out pain meds for me, at
this time. There are days where I do good, and there are days where......
well quiet honestly it hurts to even think. (today is one of them, there
must be a storm coming through) Im very sensitive to the preasure change in
the air. But since I have lost this much I can say I know exactly where the
pain is, before I just hurt all over all the time. I also have digenerative
disk disease (sp?) the weight off helps but like with my fibro, I have to
take the good with the bad. It is easier with the weight off.
I hope that helps, If you want to ask more please feel free to.
Take care and many blessings to you.
God bless you
Paula
— japaad
December 26, 2007
I have had fibro since the very early 80's. I am on disability for it as
well as the chronic fatique and diabetes. I am 61. I have taken Lyrica for
shoulder, neck nerve pain(pinched nerves). A very small dose of it, 25 mg
daily. Almost immediately I began having gastric reflux because of it. It
also makes my vision blurry. I took myself off of Lyrica and while others
get good relief with higher does, I am not willing to risk it. I just keep
moving slowly, use my naprosyn when the weather is bad or I flare. I have
Oorphedadrine (Norflex) for a muscle relaxer and Tramadol for pain when
needed. My internist says I will have MUCH less pain once I have my surgery
and begin losing weight. It makes sense. The surgeon tells me the same. We
are walking around with all this extra weight...the body will have to feel
better with out us packing that 100+ pounds around. My niece had the
by-pass on Oct 2. She has lost 80 pounds and says she feels so good that
she is able to work two jobs back to back 14 hours a day, 7 days a week to
help pay for what the insurance company did not cover. Her knees were VERY
bad. Now she has no knee pain.
Also if you drink cola's give them up....the dark cola's cause swelling and
tenderness in joints and elsewhere. Many people drop 5-15 pounds when they
give them up completely. I wish you well ;-)
— Gena L.
December 27, 2007
I'm 7 1/2 yrs post. The first 10 weeks after surgery were horrible for me
pain wise. I think it was the stress of surgery. I don't remember
surgical pain...the fibro pain was so intense everywhere on my body. It
finally eased up by 10 weeks...and the only difference I noticed was in the
weight loss. It is going to help in the sense that you don't have the
weight pulling on your muscles and tendons. Other than that...I am still
on pain meds and muscle relaxers...and until they find the miracle cure...I
guess I will remain on them. Regards~
— Statuesque
January 6, 2008
I was diagnosed with fibro about the same time as I was accepted into the
WLS program. My neurologist told me it's really important to let any
physician know (i.i. surgeons, dentists, etc) that I have fibro because it
may affect prescribing of pain medication.
— obeseforever
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