Any help to be had????

Been w/OH for 5+ years.  My History:

Diagnosed with Fibro in 1997. 
Up until this time, I'd only suffered with bouts of "illness"...fatigue that started in 1989, for days/weeks at a time.  Pain began in about 2002, in my hands, arms and legs. 

RNY in 2/2005.
Had my RNY (open) and lost lbs, going from 312 lbs to 165.  Since this time, the Fibro came and went, periods of time w/NO pain, but always bouts of fatigue that would hit HARD 3-5x year.  Always, when it did hit, I would have to be IN BED until it passed.  When it would pass, it was as if I was somehow "disconnected" from the experience afterwards...the only way I can properly explain it is to say how I felt: like I'd been thru a big, dark tornado, that once passing, left me weak and my head spinning...fearful for the next "episode".

Began weight gain in 2007/2008.  Began looking into revision surgery, as my diabetes #'s were on the rise.

ERNY/HERNIA SURGERY 11/2008.
Open surgery (again).  Hernia was repaired (incisional).  More sm intestine bypassed...did not know how much... Began really losing!  By Feb, lightheadedness, dizziness, extreme fatigue.  Weighed 145 lbs. 

3/2009: Blood work reveal LOW blood counts (as well as nutritional deficiencies).  Saw Hematologist: Hemolytic anemia, but no reason why.  June 2009: Gall bladder removed (lap).
By mid/late summer 2009, very ill...135 lbs...chronic diarrhea from ERNY. 
Aug 2009: began to see doctors at Mayo clinic.  October 2009: Diagnosis: Malabsorption.  Needed to have ERNY reversed, lest further and more detrimental complications that were sure to occur. 

RE: Fibromyalgia: Had not had any horrid FM pain since late summer of 2008--mostly minor pain, altho had episodes of fatigue/exhaustion.  Over the years, have made appts with various rheumy's, each with his/her own explanation of my symptoms: "You have tennis elbow!" or "You don't have Fibromyalgia because you didn't SCREAM when I touched your tender points!!!"  (Oh really...let me kick your crotch!) I'm disgruntled, so discontinued seeing doctors.  No meds too.  Just suffer w/it.

December 2009: Reversal of ERNY (another OPEN again). 
January 2010: SEVERE depression sets in..nearly suicidal...from the surgery???  also SEVERE SEVERE muscle pain.  HOWEVER this time it is accompanied by JOINT PAIN, which has never occurred before.  

Now, it is June 2010... I have had NO relief for SIX MONTHS!!!  Muscle pain.  Joint pain.  Vision problems: blurry vision and watery eyes.  Irritable (is just a word.....) x 1000.  Leg swelling (ankles).  Tailbone pain.  Muscles twitch during the day.  RLS....ceiling fans and the sheets bother me!!!  Terrible Tinnitus in my R ear, as well as a feeling of "stuffiness" in R ear...which is not resolved w/antihistamines.  MIGRAINES.  I have had a migraine now for 7 days straight.  I finally relented and taken Excedrin for Migraines.....even tho it is an NSAID....a no-no for RNY.  

I finally decided to see a Neurologist this week.  I did NOT mention the Fibromyalgia...too many bad experiences with doctors saying "it's in my head".   He said I "could" have...only 8 tender points...but I'm not hurting like I can...  not sleeping tho.  He ordered a slew of tests, blood and urine. 

I am just so, so, so, SO dismayed...  I cannot seem to find an accurate "diagnosis" or treatment plan.  I had tried Lyrica......a JOKE.  Those commercials on TV:  a JOKE....let's all take Lyrica and we too can work in a flower shop all day or be dressmakers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Due to the hemolytic anemia (which is getting better: RBCs now in the L Normal range) and the surgery and malabsorption, I am unable to work...since Sept 2009.  Now I am so severely fatigued and pained, i cannot function at all, it seems.  I ride my bike occasionally, to get some exercise, despite a migraine, or some (minor) fatigue... but it does not seem to help.

My liver enzymes are UP...and I have developed a kidney cyst.

ANY suggestions.....Fibro?  This last surgery?  Both?  Shall I just "suffer in silence"?  Can all of this kill a person?  How do you go on, if you are this bad?? 

Thanks a load.
Liz

Hi,

There are some differences between chronic pain and fibromyalgia. You can have one, or the other, or both.

My specialist told me that fibromyalgia is kind of a catch-all diagnosis... if they're not sure, and some other things have been ruled out, they'll say fibro. Mainly, treatment of fibro, is treatment of the symptoms. My fibro, can be completely different from your fibro.

I feel you, on the "I don't know" and pain meds issue. I had one doctor, who would check out my range of motion on my shoulders and say see you in two weeks. Having someone else move your arm, allows for greater range of motion, than you actually have. I would always be in tears later in the day as it hurt so bad. I finally was able to get a new family doctor, and then a specialist (I did the research myself to find the specialist, doctor's are busy, so if you bring in the information most--not all... doctors are happy to take the information from you.)

Hi,

I've not had this done. Hopefully it will help you. I'm having problems with my sciatic nerve today too... haven't had this since I started my nerve blocks.

Appointment with my specialist on Tuesday, so we'll see how bad it is then.

Well technically I'm not quite 60 but I'll throw in my 2 cents, poppy****! As long as you can be active and get exercise it doesn't matter what your age is. There are lots of "seasoned" citizens on OH that have lost hundreds of pounds! I think exercise is the key especially where you have had RNY you already have the malabsorption advantage so just add some exercise (even walking) and you should do fine. In my grandiose opinion 60 is the new 40! Good luck!

I know many of you may not want to let your age out but today I was told that the only thing I have against me with WLS is my age.  I don't feel old and I know if I don't do something now I will just keep feeling older.

I was wondering if anyone else has that type of a problem or if you are 60+ did you have any problems with WLS.

Thanks for your responses.