Fibromyalgia, did it get better?

[Nermada 149]

Hello there,

Longtime lurker, first time poster here!🖐️ I had my stomach stapled (vbg) in 2003. Went from 320 lbs to 189, I don't remember in how long. But I was never comfortable eating, threw up most of the time(due to in part no education pre-op whatsoever back then, but also as it turns out a stricture). could not tolerate meats of any kind and soon after realizing how easy it was for me to tolerate "sliders", I started gaining weight. So over 15 years I gained back up to 276 lbs. I started being ok with myself, started buying cute clothes( well as much as I could) and stopped dieting.

Over the years I developed fibromyalgia, psoriatic arthritis, osteoarthritis and a few other choice chronic conditions, so I decided it's time for me to get serious about my health(without dieting) and my biggest concern at the time was the ridiculous acid reflux, that would sometimes wake me up by rushing into my nose!! And I had started developing more severe symptoms that resembled gastritis .

Anyways, a year ago I started seeing a gastroenterologist, who after further exploration discovered the stricture and budding gastritis. He told me right then that the position of my stricture is not going to be helped by dilatation, and my only way is a revision.

Of course, 1- I did not think insurance would pay for it, so out of the question.

2- I did not want to have any more "elective" surgeries.

3- I had just started being ok with myself and advocating for big people, remember?

So, I chose to do a dilatation and my doctor was willing to try. Did NOT work! Big surprise!

My doctor made an appointment with a revision bariatric surgeon, without consulting me. Gotta love how things work out!

Anyways, long story short...er😉, here I am jumping through insurance hoops to get approved for a revision to rny bypass.

My question is, in people's experience, did the fibro pain get any better after weight loss?

Thanks for bearing with me through the long post and thank you, all for the vast wealth of information on this website!

[Lynda486 787]

Hello! Well, I hate to say it, but my fibro has not gotten better. I will say that my osteo is much less intense, my knees don't hurt as much for sure. I have bursitis in m hips and that has not changes. For sure I feel so much better than I did at 225! Welcome to the group!

[Nermada 149]

19 minutes ago, Lynda486 said:

Hello! Well, I hate to say it, but my fibro has not gotten better. I will say that my osteo is much less intense, my knees don't hurt as much for sure. I have bursitis in m hips and that has not changes. For sure I feel so much better than I did at 225! Welcome to the group!

Thank you for the welcome and your feedback, Lynda. I knew it was a long shot but thought maybe...

I was kind of hoping to ditch the Lyrica, but hey looking forward to my knees feeling better from the osteo!

[Lynda486 787]

I couldn't tolerate Lyrica or the weight gain. I basically just take Tylenol and suffer. I find though if I get enough sleep I feel a lot better.

[Nermada 149]

5 hours ago, Lynda486 said:

I couldn't tolerate Lyrica or the weight gain. I basically just take Tylenol and suffer. I find though if I get enough sleep I feel a lot better.

I hear you on the suffering part! I take the Lyrica and I feel like it barely touches the pain. I think I'm going to ditch it anyway since it doesn't really work. Thank you so much for replying. ❤

[froufrou 678]

My fibro definitely got better. I still have flare ups - mainly hormone related though. But on the whole my body is less fibro affected.

[Nermada 149]

12 hours ago, froufrou said:

My fibro definitely got better. I still have flare ups - mainly hormone related though. But on the whole my body is less fibro affected.

That's so good to hear, that somebody had a good experience! Gives me hope.

Do you take anything for it daily or for flare ups?

Thank you, froufrou.

[MoBariatric 29]

Hello there,
Longtime lurker, first time poster here![emoji870]️ I had my stomach stapled (vbg) in 2003. Went from 320 lbs to 189, I don't remember in how long. But I was never comfortable eating, threw up most of the time(due to in part no education pre-op whatsoever back then, but also as it turns out a stricture). could not tolerate meats of any kind and soon after realizing how easy it was for me to tolerate "sliders", I started gaining weight. So over 15 years I gained back up to 276 lbs. I started being ok with myself, started buying cute clothes( well as much as I could) and stopped dieting.
Over the years I developed fibromyalgia, psoriatic arthritis, osteoarthritis and a few other choice chronic conditions, so I decided it's time for me to get serious about my health(without dieting) and my biggest concern at the time was the ridiculous acid reflux, that would sometimes wake me up by rushing into my nose!! And I had started developing more severe symptoms that resembled gastritis .
Anyways, a year ago I started seeing a gastroenterologist, who after further exploration discovered the stricture and budding gastritis. He told me right then that the position of my stricture is not going to be helped by dilatation, and my only way is a revision.
Of course, 1- I did not think insurance would pay for it, so out of the question.
2- I did not want to have any more "elective" surgeries.
3- I had just started being ok with myself and advocating for big people, remember?
So, I chose to do a dilatation and my doctor was willing to try. Did NOT work! Big surprise!
My doctor made an appointment with a revision bariatric surgeon, without consulting me. Gotta love how things work out!
Anyways, long story short...er[emoji6], here I am jumping through insurance hoops to get approved for a revision to rny bypass.
My question is, in people's experience, did the fibro pain get any better after weight loss?
Thanks for bearing with me through the long post and thank you, all for the vast wealth of information on this website!

Hey Girl Hey!!!! Sorry for all your current limitations. You will get better! I have Lupus and Mixed Connective Tissue Disease (Fibromyalgia), and was banded in April 2019. To include being a massage therapist for 14 years, to say that I have the highs and lows!

1. First thing, try to get moving more. Ease your way into it of course... Swimming then when you're ready, lift light weights. (Made a huge difference for me and my Fibromyalgia clients)

2. Find a massage therapist that you can trust and that will listen to you and your body.
For example, when you ask for a massage, say I want light to medium pressure, please dont use your elbow, thumbs to remove knots just your palm.

3. TRUST the process, I know pain is horrible and no one knows like us how it feels to hurt when someone hugs us.

Best on your journey! I hope this can help a little.
Mo

Sent from my SM-G935T using BariatricPal mobile app

[Nermada 149]

7 hours ago, MoBariatric said:

Hey Girl Hey!!!! Sorry for all your current limitations. You will get better! I have Lupus and Mixed Connective Tissue Disease (Fibromyalgia), and was banded in April 2019. To include being a massage therapist for 14 years, to say that I have the highs and lows!

1. First thing, try to get moving more. Ease your way into it of course... Swimming then when you're ready, lift light weights. (Made a huge difference for me and my Fibromyalgia clients)

2. Find a massage therapist that you can trust and that will listen to you and your body.
For example, when you ask for a massage, say I want light to medium pressure, please dont use your elbow, thumbs to remove knots just your palm.

3. TRUST the process, I know pain is horrible and no one knows like us how it feels to hurt when someone hugs us.

Best on your journey! I hope this can help a little.
Mo

Sent from my SM-G935T using BariatricPal mobile app

Hey, Mo! Thanks for the reply and the encouraging words!

I have never heard/seen fibro referred to as Mixed Connective Tissue Disease before, makes a lot of sense.

I am a chef, so am constantly moving, but moving in Water is so much better for the pain, you're right. I will try that when it gets a bit warmer.

As for massages, I've been terrified to let anybody even try. Even touch hurts, sometimes better than others, but my upper arms, shoulders and lower back carry the most pain. I've been thinking about it, but am not brave enough to venture just yet.

Hopefully, when I lose a little weight, things may get better and I can finally try therapeutic massages. I really appreciate your advice!

Best of luck to you!!❤

[froufrou 678]

9 hours ago, Nermada said:

That's so good to hear, that somebody had a good experience! Gives me hope.

Do you take anything for it daily or for flare ups?

Thank you, froufrou.

If I'm in pain I will take a tylenol or have a hot bath. But, mostly I have found that the reduction in sugar intake has helped enormously.