Fibromyalgia and Weight Loss Surgery

[MPL 9]

I was dx'd with fibromyalgia about 8 years ago and have a pretty severe case. It was referred to as "nonspecific automimmune disease" for about 20 years before that. Previous bouts of CFE.

There must be a significant overlap of patients with fibro and patients who consider weight loss surgery, since fibro magnifies actual pain and creates neuropathy and makes exercising excruciating (not hard, not painful, excruciating. I delivered 2 9 lb kids without drugs, so I am or was pretty pain-tolerant. ( I can tolerate warm Water exercise programs and do those several times a week, several hours each.)

My fibro doctor is adamantly against any invasive surgery since surgery itself can be a fibro trigger. No weight loss surgery, no way. My PCP thinks it would be a great idea, but he gets bonuses based on "increasing health" in his practice's population. HELP. I generally trust and respect both of them, and just wish someone had straight info on this!

Any fibromites who have had or have researched WLS?

[Tropical.Lover 24]

I want to know too .....

Edited January 16, 2014 by Tropical.Lover

[moonlitestarbrite 902]

i have a friend who was just (tentatively) approved for surgery with fibro and another chronic autoimmune disorder. at this point they feel the 150 pounds of excess weight is doing her so much harm, she has nothing to lose by having the surgery.

the thing is, you have to find a surgeon who feels comfortable with doing the surgery. start with that. get a consult with the doc. go over your history and lab tests. discuss possible outcomes. my friend went right to the chief of surgery at the hospital who also does 80% of the bariatric surgeries there. (seek out a center of excellence).

if you feel you have no other options, the excess weight is killing you, you have nothing to lose by having the surgery... AND you can find a good doc who will do the surgery, then you'll have to decide for yourself.

(PS i highly recommend a paleo autoimmune diet. it works wonders for many people with autoimmune diseases)

[Tropical.Lover 24]

Moon ,

Thank you !