Hyterectomy and fibromyalgia

This is my first time to post even though I've been to this site many times and have gained valuable information and support. Thanks to all of you for your help. I had a LAVH/BOH on 2/20/03. I have done fairly well except for a couple of areas of granulation tissue that had to have treatment with silver nitrate. I also have fibromyalgia and in the last two weeks I have had a steady increase in pain. I wondered if anyone has had experience with this and if there is an association between a hysterectomy and increased problems with fibromyalgia. I'm starting to feel depressed thinking I may have made matters worse in this area. I had the surgery for continued heavy bleeding which was causing me to become anemic. (I'm 52) I knew my recovery would be slow due to surgery, low blood, fibromyalgia and the fatigue that comes with all of this but didn't count on increased pain. Any experience anyone can give regarding this will be greatly appreciated.

Hi

I've had FM for about 25 years. Almost any stress can cause the symptoms to flare. It doesn't mean it will last forever. I'm currently in a flare since my last surgery, too. If you normally experience remissions it will probably happen again.

hi dedeax,

i've had cfids/ fibro for 17 yrs. full-blown, but probably all my life.

i had a tah and bos on 4/10 and i'm not having any increase of any of my many symptoms. for me the illness runs in cyles and nothing in particular is bothering me more than usual. for me it's kind of lupus, but it only inflames my organs.

most of my pain has been associated with the incision site and now swelly -belly and difficult bms.

i've also been a co-support group leader for many years and have a pretty good handle on this illness.

so, from my pov, only, i think the fibro flare up may be coincedendal. or your body may be reacting to the extra stress of surgery.

i would be happy to dicuss this futher privatley if you want to. however, i am unsure of how you can get my email. anyone know?

I am 7 days post op, and have had Fibromyalgia for almost 8 years. One of the things I worried about before surgery was this disorder, and its effects on my recovery. Knowing the pain from the actual surgery could be doubled or tripled by the Fibro. So far...so good. I have become all to familer with the pain from Fibromyalgia, and recognize the difference in the pain I am feeling. IBS was kinda a concern,too. ANYTHING belly related still is something to be concerned about! LOL. Anway..thats my 2 cents about Da old Fibro. That pain and I are old friends..I can live with it, and not be over come by it.

hi moonsmile,

keep up the positive attitude! like i said, my isn't any worse than usual.

I'm so sorry, Deedee, that you're feeling bad. I'm very interested in this topic, as my mother suffered from fibromyalgia BEFORE her oopherectomy. She has actually seen a marked DECREASE in her fibro symptoms since ovary removal. Her surgery was a year ago Christmas. She suffered from fibro for about 9 years. We wonder if hormonal issues have something to do with it, or she may just be lucky and be in "remission' of sorts. Has anyone ever heard of this? Anyway, I hope you are soon feeling much better!

Thanks to all of you who replied and sent encouragement. I don't know how to respond to each of you -- I'm new to this. I really didn't have a "flare" until a few weeks ago which was about 6 weeks post op. So that concerns me a little. Yes I do think hormones play a part in fibromyalgia (I didn't have fibro problems until I began to have terrible hormone problems) and it encourages me to hear that lyndamic's mother did improve after her hysterectomy. I've done pretty well with the fibro after initially being diagnosed 4 years ago. The first year was extremely hard but I have been able to get a pretty good handle on it. I think I'm just fearful that I've made matters worse. I actually have done very well with the surgery....so very thankful for that. DH is very supportive although I'm not in a support group. I would love to respond to anyone who has the time but I don't think I posted my email so I need to find out how to do that. Thank you for taking the time to reply. I kept reading the posts and never really found anything on the subject of connecting fibro and hysterectomy. Blessings to you all. DeeDeeAX

I had a TAH/BSO on 12/5/02 and I have Fibro. I believe my Fibro pain has decreased... I feel better now than I've felt in about 15 years. Feeling tired after surgery for a rather long time is a very normal thing -- it takes time to gain stamina. I was in good shape prior to the surgery and relatively healtlhy other than the gyno issues and still got tired pretty easily for many weeks. Pace yourself. Figure out how to get good sleep -- remember good sleep is essential to combat Fibro. Of course, the soreness after surgery causes sleep issues, so a flare can be expected... but don't give up. There is light at the end of the tunnel! I've learned to view living with Fibro as a "managed" adventure with the most important issue being good sleep. Once I learned how important that commitment is, my life improved dramatically. I do not believe the hyst increased Fibro issues.... other than having the disrupted sleep pattern due to soreness -- and that goes away! Take care!

I too have fibro--diagnosised about 10 yrs ago. I find that I am relatively pain free by having muscle therapy every week. I see a certified r.n. who specializes in muscle work, cranial sacral, and deep tissue massage. I haven't seen her since the week of my surgery and boy, am I patiently waiting one more week to be able to go!!!! She recommended that I wait 2 wks post op to see her. When I have a flare up (which is usually brought on by stess, she does a lot of acupressure work. I really feel that this is what keeps me functioning as a "normal" person, minus the tiredness at the end of a very looong day. I am expecting my recovery from this surgery will take a little longer to regain my strentgh and energy, but I'm sure it will be worth it !!! I tended to get very sore and achy around my periods, so that should be gone, right?!!!! Take care and rest when you need to.
Carol