Question:
Chronic Pain or Fibromyalgia Diagnosis after surgery

Has anyone suffered from Chronic Pain or developed Fibromyalgia post-op? I had my surgery 1/2001 and lost all of my weight by 1/2002. Around 3/2002, I started suffering horrible pain all throughout my body and over the years it has only worsened. In 2002, the docs tried to diagnose me with Fibromyalgia, but I didn't want that. By 1/2005 I gave in to the diagnosis and am now treated for Fibromyalgia, if you don't know what that it is, basically I suffer pain ALL throughout my body for no apparent reason. Docs have done all sorts of tests, labs, x-rays, MRI's, countless bloodwork, and other than severe pain, I am pretty darn healthy. I've seen specialist ranging from neurologists, to rheumoidtologists, to psychiatrists and all agree that I just have Fibromyalgia with no apparent reason. I was just wondering if there were other post-ops that didn't have any chronic pain pre-op, but developed it afterwards. I'm trying to determine if the surgery could have caused the Fibromyalgia since so little is really known why people develop it. Thank you all for your posts, you can also send me private messages or email me at [email protected]    — JGDugar (posted on April 9, 2007)

April 9, 2007
I pretty much doubt that your problem is caused from WLS. My sister in law has it, and is suffering horribly for years and she did not have WLS. It is an auto immune problem, and if you have been taking your vitamins and suppliments like you were told to, I would certainly think that your immune system is not weakened. Good luck, it is a horrible disease to have. Diane
   — Diane C.

April 9, 2007
Hi... I would be hesitant to blame the surgery for the onset of your fibramyalgia. If you have done any research you will know it is one of the catch diagnosis' that they use when they really can't find the cause of your pain. The effective treatment for it is vitamins - chromium picolinate and exercise. The exercise will help tremendously, but you have to be consistent with it.... good luck to you...
   — Kari_K

April 9, 2007
I had my WLS on 12/11/06 and I was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia 10 years prior to this. I also have had osteoarthritis so I have alot of pain all the time. But they told me to get plenty of rest, eat right and exercise and not to get to stressed, so since my surgery I have been doing all of these and my pain has lessened except for my knee that is bone to bone from the osteoarthritis and nothing I can do about that right now except keep on loosing weight. I also have a sister that has had Fibromyalgia for years and has not have the surgery. Hopefully if you increase your excercise, and get plenty of rest and not be stressed yours will get better, I am praying for you. Take Care and God Bless You!!
   — roberta45

April 12, 2007
I have not had the surgery yet.. but i do have Fyro also.. I have had it for over 4 years now and when i got diagnosed the dr that did it was the very same Doctor that found the disease in the first place Dr Pelegreeno he has a lot of books out there and he is in the Akron/Canton area of Ohio now, (sp? i always spell his name wrong) he is a fabulous dr and he also attributes Fybro to stress.. he said its basically a breakdown of muscles all over the body and the main cause is depression. :( pretty sad i would say. Anyhow i my point here is lots of people have it and some get it for lots of different reasons, but one of the most common are the depression and if you have had lots of it your whole life i would bet it has just now caught up to you now :( im sorry to say.. If you really need something to blame it on though my sugestion would be to get one of the books.. I think one of them is calle "How to live life with Fybromyalgia" br Dr Pelegreeno Hope this helps. Good luck to you and going to physical therapy and massage therapy usually helps people. i was a case where it made mine worse.. :( but it usually helps.. like i said up there. i have lived with it for a very long time and i can not wait to have my wls to help illevate the weight off of my joints and back.. wow will that help, thank God it didn't come out before you had your wls.. its pure hell living with it and having all this extra weight on :( God bless you Paula
   — japaad

April 22, 2007
Jennifer, Boy was I glad to see I was not alone when I saw your post. I too was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia last year. I did some research on the "disease" and it is documented to be caused by some kind of trauma. It could be physical or emotional. My personal situation it was both combined with physical abuse of an ex fiance, numerous physical "accidents" I tend to be accident prone anyway and going thru way too many deaths of loved ones. So I can say yes I've suffered trauma, your case may not be so obvious. I experience pain every day from head to toe, my hips ache, all my muscles and joints are a mess... I too was advised plenty of rest, healthy eating habits, exercise and a Biggy... To avoid Stress which in this day in age is almost impossible. I'm going to take down your email address and forward you some links. I found some awesome support sites and info you might find handy. I wish you the best of luck. Hang in there. If you want to chat feel free to email me at [email protected]. Take care. Jules
   — Julie S.

April 24, 2008
I thought I was the only one feeling these aches and pains. My dr cant find anything. Physical therapy doesnt even help. Does anyone have any suggestions for relieving chronic pain?
   — tysweetpea