Question:
Here's a question NOT asked very often.
I would like to hear from post-ops who have lost weight and had back or joint problems in the past. Has the pain gone alot or only slightly? I have DDD and osteoarthritis in my back and hips. Also have fibromyalgia. Has anyone had any luck reducing pain from fibro. after losing weight? — kathysews (posted on September 14, 2008)
September 14, 2008
i HAD RNY WLS 10 MONTHS AGO AND LOST 140 LBS, AND THE BACK PROBLEMS AS WELL
AS MY KNEE PROBLEMS ARE MUCH BETTER. I DID RECENTLY HAVE A CORTOZONE
INJECTION IN THE SPINE, BUT I WHEN I HAD MY WEIGHT BEFORE WLS THE PAIN FROM
MY BACK WOULD HAVE LEFT ME BED RIDDEN UNTIL I HAD TREATMENT. NOW IT IS
PAIN BUT NOT UNBEARABLE, AND I WAS NOT EVEN SURE IT WAS THE SAME ISSUE
UNTIL I HAD A MRI. MY KNEES HAVE NEVER BEEN BETTER. I LOST THE WEIGHT
BECAUSE THEY COULD NOT DO KNEE SURGERY UNTIL I LOST A LOT OF WEIGHT AND NOW
I FEEL I CAN PUT IT OFF AS IT IS NOT STOPING ME FROM BEING MOBLE. BEST OF
SUCCESSS TO YOU.
— William (Bill) wmil
September 14, 2008
Hi Kathy - I just turned 54 yrs old. I will be 2 yrs out Oct. 17th and
I've lost 116 lbs. That is half my weight. I was 232 lbs when I had the
gastric bypass surgery. I myself have DDD osteoarthritis in my neck,
lower back and have fibromyalgia. I use to go for radio frequency
injections where my pain mgmt Dr. would shrink back the nerve endings in my
lower back. The last time I had that done was 2 yrs ago a month before my
surgery. I had such a hard time walking and just getting around. The pain
from my hip down my leg was a constant 24/7 toothack pain. I couldn't
stand, walk, sit for very long. There was a time where I had to climb the
stairs in my home on all fours. The fibromyalgia was unbearable. Then I
had the surgery. As soon as I started losing weight I started to see a
difference. Today, I feel so great. Everyday I thank God for this second
chance to be a healthy person. I had high blood pressure was on 3 meds a
day, borderline diabetic, sleep apnea, IBS (irritable bowel syndrome).
EVERYTHING is under control. I have the occasional flair ups but nothing
compared to the everyday misery before. I walk, dance, and dance and
dance. I am enjoying life to the fullest. I should have done this long
ago. Please, if you would like to email me I'd be glad to keep in touch
with you. [email protected]. Best of luck to you..
— niecie54
September 14, 2008
I was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia, as well a Carpal Tunnel Syndrome in my
wrists. I had knee pain, foot pain, hip pain. Arthritis in my shoulders and
hands.
I am 44, had RNY 7 months ago, have lost 86 lbs. so far. All of my pain as
mentioned above is signficantly decreased now, but not 100% gone. I feel
alot better, can move around and walk better. I can now easily get up from
an easy chair, where are before sometimes I needed help from my husband.
There is definitely a major improvement.
— Gina S.
September 14, 2008
I have fibromyalgia. I had RNY in July 2003. It made a world of difference
in how I have felt. I used to have trouble walking when I got out of bed in
the morning. It is not completely gone, still remnants, but not anywhere
near the pain I suffered when I was 115 pounds heavier. It's one of the
many reasons I would do this again in a heartbeat! Best wishes to you!
Rhonda
— rjh729
September 14, 2008
Kathy~I too have Fibromyalgia (my skin even used to hurt when touchd and
felt like it was burning if I sweat a tiny bit) and had much pain in my
lower back and my knees before my WLS 4 1/2 months ago. My knees and back
used to give out on me just doing laundry! I also have Spina-Bifida and my
tailbone used to swell real bad! Ever since I started losing weight,the
pain has left and the only thing I notice is the lack of fat by my
tailbone...so it is sore if I sit for too long...which is hardly ever!!Good
luck to you!!
— gonnaB1hotmama
September 14, 2008
I have DDD and I had a really bad flare that took two months of PT with
deep heat ultrasound...and WOW that felt great...That was two years post op
and two years ago...I have been very active lately and have had some
chronic neck pain lately...but at night after work I use a neck heating pad
for 15 minutes and that helps TREMENDOUSLY...I avoid meds if possible and
try everything else before I go to pain meds...But the heat and two crushed
tylenol do great for me...Then again I have a high threshold for pain too.
Also my RA in my knees is gone...I walked with a cane prior to WLS...and
now I have minor aches on damp days...I still get random joint aches when i
over work my hands or arms or knees...(never actually diagnosed with
anything except RA in knees) Again, I am not one who goes to the doc unless
I am dying...or bleeding to death. But yes...I am basically pain
free...FINALLY! I do have flare-ups that are mild compared to before. DDD
though is a tough one to control...I did the PT and learned some good neck
exercises that I do whenever I begin to feel pain building...and that
usually helps...But I do still have mild to medium chronic pain in my neck
(5th and 6th vertebrae are crushed) Sucks!
— .Anita R.
September 15, 2008
I have back pain that has gotten better but not gone away. It depends on
the issue and the root cause.
— gonnadoit
September 15, 2008
I had surgery on 9/25//05, I have Fibromyalgia & Raynauds Syndrome, the
pain has lessened but has not fully gone away. In fact my tailbone actually
hurts all the time now whereas it never did before.
— AnneRie
September 15, 2008
I am 8 months post-op and have lost 85 lbs. so far, and I also have DDD and
Fibromyalgia, and I can tell you there is a BIG difference in the amount of
pain I experience on a daily basis. I'm not saying that the back and
fibro. pain is completely gone, but it has improved alot. I still have
another 75 lbs. I would like to lose, and it has been slower going then I
would like, but I would do it all over again, I feel alot better than I did
8 short months ago. Hope this helps you, Good Luck Gretchen
— Gert
September 15, 2008
I have osteoarthritis in my knees. I am down to bone on bone. Before WLS I
had one surgeon ready to take me to the operating room for a knee
replacement. I told the Dr I wanted to lose weight first and he said that
probably wouldn't help that much. I went for a second opinion and this
surgeon agreed with me. DUH!!!
I had the Sleeve on March 31. As of today I have lost 85 lb. Before
surgery, I was almost housebound from the pain. Last month I went hiking in
the mountains of Colorado, after just 5 months.
My husband has commented that this was the best money we have ever spent.
My back pain and hip pain is almost non existant too. It has made an
enormous improvement in my life. I'm still not perfect, still down to bone
on bone. That won't change, but the Dr told me that for every 1 lb I lose
that is 3 lb of pressure off my knees. For me that is 255 lb of pressure
off my knees. You know that's got to help.
— corky1057
September 15, 2008
Thank you everyone who responded ! It DOES sound like there is hope for me
after my surgery.....I will not take narcotics as I did that for 5 yrs and
never again (very dangerous).......I am on ss disability for this but I
would like to work someday again....call me crazy....
— kathysews
September 15, 2008
I had damage already done over yrs from Rheumatoid arthritis to my joints
and deom several back surgeries. So my pain seemed to worsen and with over
the last 2 yrs a 28 lb weight gain does not help at all with increased
appetite from steroids that i have to take to fight this autoimmune
disease. Pain does not seem any worse than before but flare ups are more
frequent it seems due to my being able to get around a lot better without
all the excess weight which causes me to have more frequent pain.
— mspisces
September 15, 2008
Kathy,
I have arthritis in my back, 2 degenerative discs in my spine, as well as
spinal stenosis. Before surgery 6-23-08, I was using a TENS Unit to help
with pain, since surgery I haven't had to use the tens unit, and while the
pain is not totally gone, it is bearable. Surgery has made a world of
difference.
May God Bless You Abundantly,
Kathie
— KathieV
September 15, 2008
I am two years out and yes, I have had great relief from arthritis and
joint pain. It has not been 100%, but enough that I am no longer seeing the
Orthopedist and not even thinking about having the surgery on my right knee
that I had on my left one years ago!! I also had Fibro, but don't even deal
with that pain much at all. I can move better and while the arthritis and
that damage is not "fixed", the pain is bearable and better all
the time!!! Good luck!!!
— andrealej
September 16, 2008
If you want to get rid of pain from arthritis and fibromyalgia take a
strong "liquid" vitamin / mineral like VEMMA. Loaded with
anti-oxidants. Has 1000 IU of vit. D3,very important. Go to
www.TrySomeVemma.com Great for blood pressure and diabetes
— [Deactivated Member]
September 21, 2008
I didn't have fibromyalgia but I did have PCOS and inflammation and lots of
aches and pains including herniated disks in my back and neck, a broken
ankle, plantar faschitis, and knee problems. I noticed a HUGE difference
within 2 weeks after surgery. I ached a lot less. Now, 6 mos later, I feel
really really wonderful. My aches and pains are so much better!
— Fluffee
September 21, 2008
My back pain has remained about the same, I'm still taking the Loritab for
that, but the fibromylagia, especially in my legs actually intensified when
the water retention left and I lost weight. If something touches my leg,
it feels like it was hit with a tire tool. I have less numbness in my legs
and feet now also, and that means I have more feeling, and that especially
includes the pain.
— Dusty Ray Vaughn
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