Surgery and having fibromyalgia

Corinne, I had my colon removed while having fibro and I didn't have a problem.  Keep a positive attitude and know that the surgery will help you.  That's what I thought about and came out with flying colors!  I was even Christmas shopping at the mall 12 days after surgery....with 89 staples still in me.  I felt sooo much better.  I was 42 years old at the itme.  So, keep your chin up and don't worry about something that might not happen.  Let us know how the surgery went.

 

Sherrine

Move around as much as you can, staying in one place will make you very achy. If you are lying down watching TV, switch your position at every commercial break.

I've had four abdominal surgeries. People tend to hunch over and guard their middle after surgery. This leads to a VERY achy upper back and neck. Watch how you walk for months after surgery. Make sure you are standing as straight as you can. Roll your shoulders back.

Do not lift anything over 5 pounds for as long as you can. People I know have been given different lift restrictions from their docs, anywhere from 5-20 pounds, so I go with the lowest. Even if they tell you you can go back to normal at 6-8 weeks, take your time. I got a hernia after my second surgery and the surgery to repair it was the worst experience I have ever had.

If your surgery is done laproscopically, you may feel pretty good rather soon. Just remember, you've had major surgery so take it easy.

Expect more fibro fog for a few weeks from the anesthesia, the pain meds, and the fatigue.

Don't be surprised if you are still very tired 6 weeks after surgery. I still needed an afternoon nap when I had to go back to work.

Thanks everyone!

Corrine, I had a hysterectomy this past October. They did it by laperoscopy. I only had the uterus removed, and kept the ovaries and cervix. I am 51 years old. Although it has only been 3 months, I think that it was probably one of the best decisions I have ever made.

I live in a smaller community where there is a shortage of doctors, so I had to schedule my surgery about 3 months in advance. I had been doing water exercises for awhile, and I also started walking a lot more. I'm very overweight, and was concerned about being so out of shape. Although I was not able to lose any weight, I was able to get into better shape as a result. The anesthiologist also recomended giving me an epidural in addition to general anesthesia, as they have found that this helps with pain management for several days following surgery. I take lyrica, and the hospital staff were very careful to make sure that I did not miss any doses. I was in the hospital for about 11/2 days. They had me up and walking just a few hours after surgery, and by the time I left the hospital, I was walking up and down the hall independentely. I even went to a large flea market that our family always goes to every year two days post-surgery, and it is about 2 hours from my home. It involved a lot of walking, but I wore baggy clothes and used disposable hot packs. Since I am allergic to a number of the pain relievers that they normally use, I was given morophine in the hospital. When I was released on Ibuprophin and Percocet. Since I have very bad reflux, the Ibuprophin gave me problems, so I went on OTC Aleve a few days after going home in place of this.  The only other form of pain management that I used was Bed Buddies rice packs that I would heat in the microwave.  I really didn't have very much pain at all. Just follow doctor's orders, and you will do fine. Hysterectomies are now minimally invasive, and the recovery time is much shorter than it used to be. With the type of surgery that I had, I was released for most activities about 2 weeks following surgery. It is important to follow instructions concerning walking, and try to do at least a little bit of this every day, as this prevents blood clots from developing.

I guess that the one thing that has probably hit me hardest following surgery, has been fatigue. I did not notice this for the first two weeks (before resuming normal activities), but following that, the fatigue was horrible! They say that you don't notice the maximum benefit from this type of surgery for 3-6 months, and the fatigue can last for this long, also. Some of it has lifted, now, and I am starting to notice more good days. It is important to listen to your body, and don't overdue. Some people can only tolerate a part-time schedule for a few weeks following their return to work. Just relax, listen to your body, and follow doctors orders, and you will do just fine. I have read that imbalances in estrogen can possibly cause fibromyalgia-type pain. I think that this may be true, as I think that I feel less pain in general since surgery.

Post Edited (steppingstone) : 1/18/2011 3:03:28 AM (GMT-7)

I have had several surgeries over the last 10 years but my first one after my fibro diagnosis was about 1 1/2 years ago. It was a foot surgery that was pretty minor in the grand scheme of things. The pain was minimal like all my other surgeries but I did find myself in a bout of depression post-op. It lasted a few weeks then things went back to "normal". So don't be too surprised if something like that happens. If is does, just hang on and ride it out. Of course if it gets extreme talk to your doctor right away. Good luck to you. Lee

Good news. I don't have to have a hysterectomy. I do need surgery. The surgeon wants to lift and reattach my uterus. He also has to rebuild the back vaginal wall and I need the urethra fixed (OUCHIE). He thinks it all happened because I have been dealing with constipation all my life. I also have to have a colonoscopy. I still feel lucky. I would rather have all of these procedures than have a hysterectomy. Not ready for menapause yet!

Hello,

 

I've read what the others have said, and I honestly think that it depends on the individual. Like how some people hand mild pain, some have pain so bad they can hardly move, its depends. I've had 2 C-sections, and a Breast reduction pre fibro, I was also a lot younger too, but I've recently had a surgery that should of been out procedure, but my pain level hit the roof, and my doctor ended up keeping me another night. I think the recovery has been longer and more difficult now that before I was diagnosed with Fibro, but that is just my opinion. I'm an odd ball anyway...lol.

 

Best Wishes on your surgery. I'm sure if you follow your doctors orders, you will be fine!!