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post surgery

Posted , 6 users are following.

pamela48171
pamela48171

I had broken my leg on both sides and have steel plates and screws holding it together 3 weeks ago. I have had fibromyalgia for almost 3 years, so bad to the point that I had to quit my job. 

My question is that my pain specialist told me after 72 hours I should have no more pain. Well trust me the pain is terrible!!

my surgeon just told me yesterday that of course I'm in pain and that it would be sometime before the pain would ease up even without fibromyalgia. My question is that my pain Dr. Is telling me that there is no evidence that fibromyalgia has no effect on my surgery!!!! How is this possible, my fibro is in full blown attack. Burning skin, pain all over my body. Spasms everywhere, and migraines. Does anyone have any actual documentation on fibromyalgia and surgery??? Any help would be great fully appreciated p.

sincerely in pain, 

pam

1 like, 17 replies

17 Replies

  • kaz_40
    kaz_40 pamela48171

    Posted

    Hi Pamela48171 your specialist is an idiot you will have pain for longer than 72 hours with what youve done to your leg.I had a small op last year and have been quiet ill with different things this year. personally for me fibro most certainlymade things 10x worse. I spoke to my gp about fibro yesterday she said fibro will make things worse for you. For me personally that has been the case. Take care
    • pamela48171
      pamela48171 kaz_40

      Posted

      Thank you, I have been in so much pain that ti have t checked my emails.

      i appreciate your insite, unless you have fibro you just don't get it.

      The pain is excruciating at night, feels like skin is ripped off and my foot in the boot weighes 100 lbs. my fibromyalgia is going insane. When I wake up I can't get up without help and I go to commode which is 1 foot from me and drop into it. Praying for the pain to stop but instead it feels worse.

       

    • kaz_40
      kaz_40 pamela48171

      Posted

      Hi Pamela48171 This cold dam weather doesnt help our fibro the weather can play a part in our fibro and how it affects us pain wise. at the min my pain levels are through the roof. I find heat helps me a bit like wheat bags hot water bottles. I hope both our pain soon eases. hope your manageing to get some sleep. It took me quiet a while to get off last night with the pain I was in. so today Ive been so tired and walking round zombiefied. Lets hope for a better day tomorrow. take care gentle hugs 
    • bronwyn97278
      bronwyn97278 pamela48171

      Posted

      Hi Pamela.....me again...........re reading of your Pain levels.........and as we all do have Fibro, too...........feel that IT really is very important to get back to surgeon and your Rhuematologist/Pain Clinic to get you that Pain Relief that you sound you are needing..............do whatever it takes............."have a b....good cry on the phone", when you ring.....Tell them how hard you are finding this .....not just the Usual Post-op difficulties of trying to get around/bathing etc....but EMPHASIZE the level of pain.............if you have Insurance Cover, will they re-admit you to the hospital where the surgery was done/even any local, caring hospital that can give you some help and look after you?   and Yes, (just read further down)....ring the 911.......paramedics..........GET YOURSELF THE ATTENTION that you need Now...................Bron
  • bronwyn97278
    bronwyn97278 pamela48171

    Posted

    Hi Pamela; I, too, agree with what others have said......of course our pain is worse with Fibro....not only have the Nerves in our skin been cut through with the surgery (setting them off), but as we are  More susceptible to pain at  any time, it will affect us............I know when I had an Hernia repair in 2011, it took me A Lot longer to get over the Nerve Pain (I would say nearly 12 months, where most people are better within 6 weeks), and where my husband when he had same surgery in 1993, was back at work within 4 weeks (as a construction worker).  So you may have to accommodate your pain with increased pain relief for a little while??? until the nerves/pain settles...........good luck, Bron
    • pamela48171
      pamela48171 bronwyn97278

      Posted

      Thank you, I am on no weight baring on my leg for another 8 weeks. I'm going to have to do something about the pain at night. I'm not sure why but at night the pain is excruciating. I have wanted to call 911 and go to the hospital then realized it was the fibromyalgia and what would they do?? nothing.....

      do you have any idea why it's so bad at night. Feels like me skin is ripped off and burning and rubbing against boot swollen to the point it's going to explode. I haven't slept in days and I'm not sure what to do. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated.

      thank you, Pam 

  • loxie
    loxie pamela48171

    Posted

    Not quite sure what planet your 'specialist' is on......I had a major accident in 2008 which destroyed my ankle, resulting in internal fixation using plates, bolts, etc., similar to yours.  Without being negative, you will unfortunately suffer quite severe pain for some time.  My surgeon put it quite well.....I had two injuries.  The first being the accident breaking the bones, the second injury being the actual surgery, which obviously is invasive and will temporarily damage nerves and tissues etc.  The nerves will hurt whilst regenerating.  All sorts of sensations will be felt, from deep bone pain to surface tingling and itching etc.  It's normal for these to happen.  Everyone is different in the healing process but realistically it'll be a good few months before they ease off.  

    I developed fibro only a couple of years ago, so not at the same time or previous to my injury.  I have no idea whether there is any connection but the pain from the injury is now arthritic and very very different to the fibro pain.  To be honest, when the fibro flares up I completely forget about the arthritis pain altogether.  I did have some further surgery to remove some of the screws and do an arthroscopy and it didnt seem to make much difference to the fibro, it wasnt worse but it wasnt better either.  It was just still there.  There is some thinking that a trauma to the body may trigger fibro - I don't know if this is true and my fibro onset was some years after my accident, but there may be a connection I suppose.  What is most likely to be happening to you is that the actual trauma of the injury and the surgery has caused your nerves to flare, making your fibro go into overdrive.  The pain won't necessarily be connected to the injury pain but more connected to the shock to your body of it all.  

    So, in brief, ignore your idiot so called specialist, be assured it's totally normal to have a lot of pain following injury and surgery of this type whilst it heals.  Pain meds will help with the surgery pain definitely.  I haven't yet found a pain med that is effective for my fibro however.

    • pamela48171
      pamela48171 loxie

      Posted

      I'm sorry to hear your story, I've had fibromyalgia for 3 years and I see a neurologist for my fibromyalgia. She is one of the best and has written several books on fibromyalgia. She told me that fibromyalgia can easily be triggered by injury. Most fibro patients suffer from migraines and some sort of trauma or abuse as a child. Very high statics show this to be true.

      Im going to see a PTSD Dr. Tomorrow. She said getting to the root of the problem may help with the pain. She has also scheduled for me to start a method called Trigger Point Dry Needling. I will keep you posted on the progress. Do you have any advise about the pain in my leg at night, it's excruciating and I haven't slept in days feels like my skin is burned off and rubbing against the boot.

      Thank you,

      Pam

    • loxie
      loxie pamela48171

      Posted

      I really feel for you re the surgery pain, I remember it being worse at night too. It's a bit of trial and error finding a pain med that really works unfortunately. I found a combo of paracetamol and naproxen worked a bit. Do keep the leg elevated (at a level above heart level) and loosen the boot straps if the leg swells. Time will be the best healer I but it can be hell in the meantime xx
  • Maggers
    Maggers pamela48171

    Posted

    Hi Pamela

    I agree with the other posters. Your surgeon is bonkers!

    I had surgery on my ankle and the pain was off the scale. Hold on in there because it does get better.  By four weeks, although on crutches it was fine. The crutches were more for balance than anything else.   Yes get the burning skin completely - I ended up with seeing a dermatologist because even my regular consultant couldn't believe it was just fibro causing the burning and blotches down one side of me but it was and it went eventually - the consultant and my GP thought it was Shingles.   I don't really think doctors know anywhere near enough about Fibro to comment on what is causing what. More research is desperately needed,

  • pamela48171
    pamela48171

    Posted

    I appreciate all the comments. I now want to know if anyone has had a surgery and the pain to the area at night is excruciating! I haven't slept in days. Tried elevating it, keeping it down, ice, and anti inflammatory pills. To no avail. Exhausted and now I just found out that I no longer qualify for an aide to take a shower and I'm terrified to do alone. All because I wanted to go to church. The VNA decided I wasn't going to have an aide anymore. Surgeon said to bath only when I'm with someone because I could fall and hurt my leg. Now saying I can bathe alone and I'm scared it's not easy to get into tub and sit on bench and then once I'm soaking wet get out of tub with 1 foot finish drying my body get my foot back in boot and get to wheelchair out side of door because it won't fit inside. My husband verified to me that the dr at the last appt said Not to bath alone because of risk of falling. Now the VNA has discharged me and I still have 2 months in wheelchair No weight bearing!!!!! Am I going crazy??? Or does this sound normal??? Also when I called about aide I was told by the nurse that I was just gonna have to get my butt in the chair and get used to it. I was only helped twice by aide about bathing. They said OT And PT decided I was fine to bathe, I haven't seen these men in weeks. Before I even took a bath with the aide!!! Going crazy

    HELP!! Pam 

    • loxie
      loxie pamela48171

      Posted

      I'm in the UK pamela.  I got sent home from hospital 2 days after surgery, with the occupational therapist saying I could 'manage'.  I live alone, my bathroom and bedroom are on the upper floor with a steep flight of stairs.  The test by the OT as to whether I could manage 25 stairs was to have me climb two steps with a handrail and her standing beside me, using my crutches!! I couldnt face the risk of a bath for the first week at home but then I just had to try.  It was VERY scary.  Necessity is the mother of invention so they say - I found a way of getting into the bath, with a waterproof sock over my cast boot, then a nightmare to get back out again.  Most days I sat on a kitchen stool and did a 'strip wash' at the basin because I was too scared to risk the bath.  By the end of the 12 months I was non-weight bearing, my 'good' leg and upper arms had muscles like arnie schwarzenegger so it got easier.  I wasn't given any person to help or any disability aids like bath frame or toilet frame - going to the loo was the MOST difficult part - I could slump down onto the toilet seat but heck getting back up without putting both legs to the floor was a herculean feat ! smile  Amazing what one manages when there's no one there to help - all sorts of tricks developed - tying a string to my wash basket so I could lower it down the stairs and then tie it to my crutches to drag it to the washing machine - sitting on a kitchen stool to do cooking etc., carrying food to the table in plastic containers in a carrying bag tied to the crutches too.  etc etc.  A whole year later I had one leg double the size of the other and my biceps looked like I was auditioning for Mr Universe.  Not one single visit by any health professional or carer to see that I hadnt broken my neck trying to get down the stairs on one leg!  - I managed the stairs on my bottom and hopped everywhere indoors.  I have a steep step to the front of the house - it took me a week to figure out how to get out the front door on crutches without bearing weight on the damaged leg - I look back now and laugh but it was very scary at the time.  Believe me - the injury pain will subside, it just takes time sad
    • pamela48171
      pamela48171 loxie

      Posted

      Omg, I am so sorry to hear this story. My OT and PT saw me twice neither saw me get in and out of bath. But discharged me so that I can't get any help anymore either. Husband worksm3 jobs.,been spong bathing myself alt. Surgery was a month ago and showered twice! With an aide never alone yet, you are a true fighter and blessed by God that you didn't fall and break your neck! My insurance gives me 100 visits free of charge and they are denying me an aide two times a week to shower. They treat us like a number not a person!! Glad you have recovered! Wish me luck!!!
    • bronwyn97278
      bronwyn97278 pamela48171

      Posted

      Hi Pamela; Yes, this is too common a problem for many people after surgery (and I know I am at fault here, too....for as a previous nurse....we just Assumed that our patients had someone at home to help do what we did for them in hospital).....and it wasn't until I had to have my first surgery (nearly 35 years ago), with having a Caesarian Section, and when getting home (after having showers in the hospital), and only having a bath=tub at home....which I Could get into...but Not out of....that  IT connected with me, "that this is a Common Problem"........are you still under the care of your surgeon?....can you ring and make an appt to discuss this issue with him/her?....here in Aussie land, if the surgeon/GP recognizes this problem, they can organize for "home-help".....nurses/meals on wheels/home help for house-hold duties etc.............if this is same in UK, try contacting Dr/s and get the help you need/deserve, before you do cause Further Damage.................let us know how you get on............Bron
    • kaz_40
      kaz_40 pamela48171

      Posted

      Hi Pamela48171 Would your husband help you with showering or bathing. my husband has to help me with showering and dressing. I think its disgusting how youve been left with no help or support. couldnt you ask your gp to step in and for them to get you the help you need. I live in the uk we have social services that will help you to get the help support you need.I dont know where you live as to what your country can offer you. I would definitly speak to your gp about it. take care 
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