Question:
Post-ops with plantar fascitis and/or fibromyalgia...Have you had relief?

I have both...doubt either could be considered co-morbidity though, darn it! I have almost laughed when told in the past that exercise relieves the pain of Fibromyalgia...it hurts to move...much less walk. And then you add the pain in the foot and OOWWWWWEEE! I am seriously considering having the surgery and feel I can force myself to "Outwit! Outplay! and Outlast!" the pain to gain results because at least I would know the effort would actually be getting me somewhere in the "Weight Loss Survivor Game". Just curious though to find out if any of you all had these and if you noticed improvement. Thanx for you input!    — DELINDA T. (posted on October 8, 2002)

October 8, 2002
LOL! I have both and then some. Fibromyalgia is considered when you apply for insurance coverage for this surgery. I am not sure if it is with every insurnace, but I know it is with BC/BS. My feet are sooo bad that I am getting cortizone shots in my ankles. I just turned thirty and I feel like I am seventy. My foot doctor said that losing weight is the only way that my feet will be fixed. I laugh at your doctor being told that fibro was cured by exercise. My rheumy told me no more than five minutes of exercise a day. My surgery is not until February so I will let you know how it goes. However, I am looking forward to a new life with no pain! And getting ready to toss these pills! Take care.
   — Red T.

October 8, 2002
on the PF... I had it long before I ever thought about weight loss surgery... and I cured myself... I never ever went barefoot, particularly in my house... I always wear good slippers with rubber soles (like flip flops), before getting out of bed in the morning... I stretch that muscle by flexing my foot and pointing my toes toward my face... inward toward the shin... I also don't wear any heels.. and I wear shoes like cloudwalkers or hushpuppies with heel strike pads and soft inner soles... YOU CAN HELP it.. if you do these things.. but wearing good shoes is most important.. and stretching that muscle.. if you put your foot down and you haven't stretched.. each time you step you're re injuring that muscle.. that's why it hurts... so.. I'm sure surgery will help.. but if you follow the steps I mentioned... you can really improve it... within a year.. I stopped having any pain at all.. within six months I was significantly better.
   — Lisa C.

October 8, 2002
I am 19 days post op and do have fibromyalgia. It was great the first two weeks and I am up to walking a little over a mile now which I am happy about. As for the pain it is definitely still there especially in my legs my Dr says that it will keep getting better and I think that it will they fact that I am walking at all much less a mile is amazing to me so yeah I really think it helps. Good Luck to you!!! I listed it as a co-morbidity for insurance purposes.
   — Peggy A.

October 8, 2002
I was in a lot of pain for a lot of years with bone spurs, plantar fasciitis, and fibromyalgia. I had gone the whole route with special shoes, cortisone injections, and was considering surgery for the bone spurs (only a 30% success rate). I was too obese to do the prescribed exercise that I was told would help my fibromyalgia. I had my WLS in March 2000 and almost immediately experienced a complete "cure" from all my foot problems. The fibromyalgia also seemed to disappear during the first few months post-op, but in the past year or so, I have had a few mild flare-ups again....but certainly nothing like I experienced in the past. As the weight came off, my ability to exercise increased, and maybe that is the main thing that has helped with the fibromyalgia. The RNY was nothing short of a miracle for me. I was free of pain and off of all previous medications within two months of the WLS. Best wishes!
   — Diana T.

October 9, 2002
Hi: Just to let you know, I have both plantar fasciitis and fibromyalgia, although the plantar faciitis has not bothered me in a few years. I am 7 weeks post op and have not noticed any improvement in the fibromyalgia yet. I must say, that even though I experienced no complications, the first five weeks post lap rny were so difficult for me, that I don't know if I had any fibromyalgia flare ups or not. I expect to see a difference soon, especially when more weight is lost. I hope this helps. Love Grace
   — Grace H.

October 15, 2002
I've had bone spur removal several years ago. Then came the plantar facitis. Since losing 70 lbs, I no longer have pain in my foot. The excercises, special shoes, physical therapy, and orthotics did not work for me. As for the fibro-I can't tell any difference. I haven't given up hope, but I still have my bad days and my good ones. Regina Smith
   — Regina S.