Re: Fibromyalgia & hysterectomy

[Guest guest]

I am also new. I have had endometriosis for several years, and am currently

on Depo Provera for it. However, i did have surgery for my endometriosis

right around the time I got sick. I also had a severe recurring ear

infection at the time. I have noticed my endometriosis gets worse when I am

sick with an infection, etc. Could there be a link with the immune system?

Through the research I've done, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome may be an

auto-immune disorder. I think there's a common link somewhere. Any thoughts?

son

P.S. I have also had problems with severe depression since early childhood.

[Guest guest]

skalisky@... writes:

> I was wondering, is there anyone on this list who believes

> hysterectomy caused their fibro/CFS? If so, were your ovaries

> removed?

>

> I know several people with fibromyalgia, and all but one have had a

> hysterectomy. Do you think there could be a link?

Hi,

Welcome to the group. I hope you find it supportive as well as informative.

It is nice to be with people who understand what you are going through.

I have FM and it was not due to a hysterectomy, but heart surgery. I think

that that FM is dormant, or no symptoms appear until there is a " stressor " in

your life. Some " stressors " are car accidents, surgery, family problems, and

what ever else that causes an abrupt (FM Fog) change (can't think of the

right word, sorry) in your life.

I know I have read that many times in the " why " or " How " parts of FM books or

readings.

So to answer your question, I would say YES, a hysterectomy, can cause FM.

Hope this helps.

Sending Comfort and Peace

Janice

" I wish we could change our dials to AM instead of FM!!! "

[Guest guest]

skalisky@... wrote:

> Hello,

> I am new to this group. This is my first post. I have a question

> about fibro/CFS and hysterectomy.

>

> I was wondering, is there anyone on this list who believes

> hysterectomy caused their fibro/CFS? If so, were your ovaries

> removed?

>

> I know several people with fibromyalgia, and all but one have had a

> hysterectomy. Do you think there could be a link?

>

> I'm sorry if this has been discussed before, but I did not want to

> read through thousands of messages in the archives. It would take

> forever!

>

> Thanks!

>

Well, no; but does a vasectomy count?

(Sorry ladies, the devil made me do it)

Regards,

Sering

[Guest guest]

I had a Hysterectomy when I was 26 and I am now 41 I have fibro and have had

it for at least 10 years that know of if not longer. They did leave my

ovaries and I have had at least 5 surgeries since then to remove tumors from

them since the hysterectomy. They may be some truth to what you say who

knows.

[Guest guest]

Pam writes:

> I am not sure if that has anything to do with it.

I agree. I had a hysterectomy 20 years or more ago. I have had fibromyalgia

for some time but was not diagnosed until after a bad fall about 4 years ago.

I am almost certain that I have not had it for 20 years. I cannot recall

any symptoms that could be signs of FMS.

Take care,

Irene

[Guest guest]

I have not had a hysterectomy. I did have both my children by c-section

I am not sure if that has anything to do with it. ~Pam

>

>Reply-To: egroups

>To: < egroups>

>Subject: RE: Fibromyalgia & hysterectomy

>Date: Tue, 9 Jan 2001 16:13:11 -0600

>

>Hello,

>I am new to this group. This is my first post. I have a question

>about fibro/CFS and hysterectomy.

>

>

>Dear New person:

>

>Welcome! Sorry, I didn't see your name. My sister believes that her

>hysterectomy was a precipitating factor for her. She got CFS right

>afterward. She is not on this list, but if you want me to ask her about

>the

>ovaries I'd be happy to. I have CFS and fibro, but no hysterectomy....I

>did

>however, have major stress in my life right before I got sick.

>

>Peggy

>

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[Guest guest]

i have never had a hysterectomy before. But I am said to be in Menopause.

~~~~Tami~~~~

[Guest guest]

I had a complete total hysterectomy in Jan. of 98. Then in June of 98 I

changed primary care Drs. and they diagnosed me on the 2nd visit with

FMS/CFS. I feel that it had been gradually coming on since 96, but I was not

realizing how much stress plays a part in this, or that some of my symptoms

were adding up to a condition I had never heard of.

I had also been diagnosed in 93 with hypothyroidism, and anemia. I had been

having migraine headaches since I was 19, I am now 50, all of these run along

with the FMS. I had the triggerpoints which over time has gradually worsen,

along with the pain. I also have high b/p which was controlled by med. until

96, I was repeatledy thrown into stressful situations and when this would

happen, my b/p would be uncontrolled even with med. At my last appt. we were

running again into problems with my b/p, so I take 2 kinds of b/p meds, the

new one take am & pm, and he kept me on the old one thatIhad been on at

nightime.

I had read when I was first diagnosed, that a situation could have happen

earlier on in life and remained dormant until you were faced with emotional

or physical trauma to the body, which is what I feel happen to myself.

As far as relating it to the surgery, I don't know, I have had 4 previous

surgeries starting in 74 with a c-section. Will be interested in the

responses you will receive, you learn a lot from listening or reading about

others who have the same conditions as yourself, and what treatments their

Drs. do, compared to your own. Welcome to the group.

[Guest guest]

,

Welcome to the group. I would probably agree with you about the immune

system and CFS. You said you have a recurring ear infections, where I have

had on going sinus infections for 2 yrs. now. I have to take something

everyday for this, but even at that, there are times when it gets so bad, I

have to go in and get antibiotics or a steroid shot. So I definitely think

there is a link there somewhere. My brother-in-law was diagnosed with CFS

and he kept having reoccurring strep throat. So I guess we will have to wait

and see what the DRS. findings come up with (if they do ). lol

[Guest guest]

I believe that there is something in the dormant theory, I have run across

this several times while doing my own personal research on our " silent

illness, " here is an excerpt from one of my favorite books that I recommend

to all newly diagnosed patients and there is a wealth of info for us oldies

too. (what I like is she is going thru this herself) and as an MD she can

give her opinions and know from experience what she is talking about. She

has 2 books that are sequels to one another " Fibromyalgia & Chronic

MyofascialPain Syndrome: The survival Guide & 'The Fibromyalgia Advocate. "

Both are good books to have on hand. I have went thru and hilighted anything

that pertains to me, and usually with each flair-up I get another symptom, so

I go back to my book and hi lite it. Then when I go to the different DRS. I

can tell them to skim over the hi-lited parts. ((((Hugs))))

" * " indicates symptoms often accompanying FMS & MPS Complex.

(H) indicates that reactive hypoglycemia may contribute to these symptoms.

Muscles in parentheses indicate most likely sites for trigger points. For

further trigger point information, see " The Fibromyalgia Advocate: Getting

the Support You Need to Cope With Fibromyalgia and Myofascial Pain Syndrome " ,

" Fibromyalgia and Chronic Myofascial Pain Syndrome: A Survival Manual " and

the medical texts " Travell and Simons' Myofascial Pain and Dysfunction vol I

edition 2 " , and :Myofascial Pain and Dysfunction: The Trigger Point Manual

vol II " (see Books and Tapes). You may find it helpful to have your patients

delete what symptoms and other material that does not apply.

Name:

Date:

History: childhood growing pains [early TrPs], FMS & MPS Complex sinus syndrome

( " travelling " nocturnal stuffiness)[pterygoid, SCM, posterior digastric],

allergies*, post nasal drip [pterygoid, SCM], drooling in sleep [internal

medial pterygoid], swollen glands [digastric], difficulty swallowing

[digastric, pterygoid], TMJ [masseter, trapezius, temporalis, pterygoid],

dizziness when turning head fast [sternocleidomastoid (SCM) (H)], runny nose

[sCM, pterygoid], sore throat [sCM, digastric, pterygoid], stiff neck

[levator scapulae], mold/yeast sensitivity* (H), reflux esophagitis [external

oblique (H)] , headaches/migraines [trapezius, SCM, temporalis, splenii,

suboccipital,semispinalis capitis, frontalis, zygomaticus major, cutaneous

facial, posterior cervical (H)], alpha-delta sleep anomaly*, sweats* (H),

morning stiffness*, fatigue*, shortness of breath [serratus anterior (H)],

painful weak grip that sometimes lets go [infraspinatus, scaleni, hand

extensors, brachioradialis], hypoglycemic symptoms* (H), menstrual problems

and/or pelvic pain [coccygeus, levator ani, obturator internus, high adductor

magnus, abdominal obliques], PMS*, low back pain [quadratus lumborum,

thoracolumbar paraspinals, longissimus, ilicostalis, multifidi, rectus

abdominis], nail ridges and/or nails that curve under*, difficulty getting

out known words* (H), directional disorientation* (H), visual perception

problems [sCM, (H)], short-term memory impairment* (H), weight gain/loss*

(H), sensitivity to odors*, mitral valve prolapse*,double/blurry /changing

vision [internal eye muscles, temporalis,SCM, trapezius, cutaneous facial,

splenius cervicis], ear aches/ringing/itch [sCM, masseter, pterygoid],

unexplained toothaches [temporalis, masseter, digastric], rapid/fluttery/

irregular heart beat/heart-attack-like pain [sternalis, pectoralis (H)],

bloating/nausea/cramps [abdominals, multifidi, ilicostalis, quadratus

lumborum, (H)], appendicitis-like pains [iliopsoas, rectus abdominis,

piriformis, ilicostalis], carbohydrate/chocolate cravings* (H), sensitivity

to cold/heat/humidity /pressure changes/light* (H), panic attacks* (H),

mottled skin*, depression*, confusional states*, thumb pain and tingling

numbness [brachialis entrap. of radial nerve, adductor pollicus], a tendency

to cry easily* (H), night driving difficulty*, weak ankles [peroneus,

tibialis], upper/lower leg cramps [sartorius, gastrocnemius], tight Achilles

tendons [tibialis posterior], groin pain [adductores longus and brevis,

iliopsoas], irritable bladder/bowel [pelvic TrPs, multifidi,high adductor

magnus, abdominal obliques], sciatica [thoracolumbar paraspinals, gluteus

minimus, hamstrings, piriformis, iliopsoas], impotence [piriformis pudendal

nerve entrap.], painful intercourse [vaginal TrPs, pelvic floor TrPs,

piriformis pudendal nerve entrap], muscle twitching* [local TrPs], numbness &

tingling [nerve entrapment by TrPs], diffuse swelling* [vascular entrapment

by TrPs], hyper-sensitive nipples/breast pain [pectoralis], fibrocystic

breasts*, buckling knee [vastus medialis, quadriceps, adductor longus],

problems climbing stairs [sartorius, quadriceps femoris, vastus medialis],

free-floating anxiety* (H), mood swings* (H), unaccountable irritability*

(H), trouble concentrating* (H), shin splint-type pain [peroneus, tibialis],

FMS & MPS Complex foot* (wide in front, narrow in back, high arch), Morton's

foot*, heel pain [soleus, quadratus plantae, abductor hallucis, tibialis

posterior], sensory overload*, handwriting difficulties [adductor/opponens

pollicis], sore spot on top of head [splenius capitis], problems holding arms

up [subscapularis, infraspinatus, supraspinatus, upper trapezius, levator

scapulae], " fugue " type states staring into space before brain can function

again* (H), tight hamstrings [hamstring complex, adductor magnus, quadriceps

femoris, iliopsoas, gastrocnemius], numbness/tingling on the outer thigh

(meralgia paresthetica) [quadriceps femoris, vastus lateralis, sartorius,

tensor fascia latae entrap.], carpal-tunnel-like pain [subscapularis],

balance problems/staggering gait [sCM, gluteus minimus, (H)], restless leg

syndrome [gastrocnemius, soleus], myoclonus*(muscle movements and jerks at

night)* [local TrPs], feeling continued movement in car after stopping [sCM],

feeling tilted when cornering in car [sCM], first steps in the morning feel

like walking on nails [long flexors of toes, tibialis posterior], pressure of

eyeglasses, headbands painful [head, neck and shoulder TrPs], electromagnetic

sensitivity*, thick secretions*, scar easily*, some stripes & checks cause

dizziness [sCM], hurts to put hands in cold water*, bruxism* [digastric,

masseter, soleus] inability to recognize familiar surroundings* (H), delayed

reactions to " overdoing it " *, family clustering*.

Some TrP Perpetuators: paradoxical respiration, sleep deprivation, pain, FMS

and other chronic illnesses, metabolic problems such as diabetes, vitamin and

mineral insufficiency, adhesions, previous surgeries, previous traumas,

allergies, yeast, reactive hypoglycemia, " good sport " syndrome, posture, body

mechanics, poor nutrition, poor coping behaviors, life style, smoking,

alcohol consumption, chronic infection, job stress, Morton's foot, FMS & MPS

Complex foot, short upper arms, short lower legs, unequal leg length,

hypothyroid (BT2 panel -- Total T4, Free T4, Total T3 and TSH needed),

psychological stress, poor nutrition, ill-fitting shoes, ill-fitting

furniture and car seats, repetitious exercise and work, overwork, immobility.

When FMS and chronic MPS occur together, FMS often initiates a symptom and

TrPs perpetuate it. The TrP is difficult to break up because FMS perpetuates

it. The FMS & MPS Complex is more than just the sum of the two syndromes. The

spiral must be interrupted.

For FMS: Deal with perpetuating factors. Find a medication that will allow

for restorative sleep yet is well-tolerated. Pain medications for adequate

relief are often crucial to provide a buffer for the hyperexcitable nervous

system. If necessary, begin guaifenesin for FMS reversal with 300 mg twice a

day. There may be an initial period of flu-like fatigue as the toxins start

releasing and flood the bloodstream. Following this period, raise the dosage

to 600 mg twice a day until symptoms ease. AVOID SALICYLATE USE DURING

GUAIFENESIN TREATMENT. SALICYLATES BLOCK FMS DETOX. Even salicylates in

Ben-Gay rub, Listerine, Pepto-Bismol, aloe, & some herbal teas block toxin

excretion. Niacin 250 mg timed-release, high B complex, timed-release C 500

mg twice a day, multi-mineral supplement, beta-carotene/ antioxidant mix

eases the fatigue and " leaky gut problem " that accompanies chronic pain. All

vitamins should be yeast-free. Phazyme or other simethicone agent may help to

reduce bloating. For reactive hypoglycemia, each snack and meal must be

balanced with protein, carbohydrates and fat in a 30/40/30 ratio as per the

book " Mastering the Zone " , by Barry Sears.

For MPS: Deal with perpetuating factors. Gentle stretch, " Spray and stretch " ,

tennis-ball compression, acupressure massage, gentle non-repetitive exercise

such as Chi kung, ice if there is nerve entrapment pain/muscle tightness,

galvanic muscle stim and/or craniosacral/myofascial release to break up TrPs,

heat to ease muscle pain, attention to body mechanics & nutrition (avoid

processed foods, excess carbohydrates and yeast-generating foods, drink a lot

of water to flush out toxins), will aid recovery. Try warm saltwater as nose

drops before bed if needed to ease throat and neck TrPs. Climb steps at 45

degree angle if needed to avoid loading the quad TrPs. Use a triple folded

handtowel collar as splint before riding over bumpy roads if SCM TrPs are a

problem.. Use pillows under knees during the night to ease strain on hips in

cases of sciatica. Eye exercises are beneficial when the muscles around the

eye are suspected of holding TrPs. Use a wrist rest with computer use, and

Hand-eze supports with handwriting difficulties and keyboarding strain..

Limit sugar intake. The use of flexible shoes with good support will aid

balancing problems. Avoid restrictive clothing.

Devin J.Starlanyl